Hugh Jackman Audition for Wolverine in X-Men

"So... couldn't wait to get my shirt off again." Wolverine

☆☆☆☆☆ Winning Audition

Hugh Jackman's winning audition for the part of Wolverine in X-Men.

Directed by Bryan Singer.

Starring, Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellan among many others.

The audition is taking place in a production office from the set designs on the wall behind Hugh. Note the camera angle they are filming the audition. I guess Singer had a certain style for the Wolverine look and wanted to see how Hugh would look  from that angle. Brian is auditioning Hugh personally. Hugh's confidence reminds me of Blake Lively's audition for Gossip Girl. Both came in knowing their lines, having clearly defined characters and brimming with confidence

Jackman has memorized the lines.This is his first audition with Singer. I can see that Hugh is playing Wolverine arrogantly. Brian asks Hugh to play Wolverine less cynical. Note, how Hugh adjusts quickly to Brian's direction. Nothing gets you a part faster than taking directions easily and quickly. Enjoy!

Trivia - Hugh was cast one and half months after principle photography was started. Hugh was relatively unknown at the time of his audition. 

Knocked Up Audition 2007 Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigel

"GET OUT OF THE CAR" Katherine Heigel

☆☆☆☆☆ Winning Audition

Directed by Judd Apatow.

Starring Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigel.

Knocked Up Audition clip shows the wonderful chemistry and comedic timing of Seth and Katherine.

I love the pacing that both actors are using. Seth stays calm and reasonable during his pauses which make Katherine's dialogue even funnier. I love the way Katherine whispers, and mouths, "Get out of the car" to Seth as he is hesitant to leave. The scene is so well done that Judd could have digitally put this audition scene in the movie.

I enjoy how each actor briefly glances at the script when they feel a need. They never break character nor distract when they steal a glance at the script on their laps. Seth plays the straight man to Katherine's comedy. Wonderful how Katherine actually convinces Seth to finally leave at the end of the scene. I really felt Heigel had finally convinced Rogen to leave the car. Enjoy!

Trivia - Anne Hathaway was originally cast in the part Heigel won due to "creative differences" with the director, Judd Apatow. Anne was against using real footage of a child being born. In the end Judd could not get a child work permit for the new born, so no real birth footage was used in the final film.

Natalie Portman Leon: The Professional Audition

"Is life always this hard, or just when you're a kid?"  Mathilda

☆☆☆☆☆ Winning Audition

Natalie Portman's original audition for the film Leon: The Professional (1994).

Directed by Luc Besson.

Stars Jean Reno, Gary Oldman and Natalie Portman among many others.

I enjoy watching, studying and learning from other actors auditions. In this audition you can already see that Natalie at such a young age had a good grasp of the character Mathilda during the audition. Natalie has very expressive eyes and face. The audition also shows off young Natalie's ability to let forth the subtext of the character. This is amazing considering how young Natalie was. Little Ms. Portman is also showing through her expressive eyes an actor who is constantly thinking. Watch Natalie in her Oscar winning role in Darren Aronofsky's, Black Swan (2010) and you will see how well she has developed her ability to express her characters thoughts through her eyes.

There seems to be about three parts to the audition from the breaks in the tape. Auditioning requires poise, stamina and fearlessness to survive multiple auditions. Sometimes the director knows right off you are what they are looking for. Other times you end up having to come back several times over many days, weeks and even months. Auditions make job interviews seem like an afternoon nap at the park. Enjoy!

Film Scene

Trivia - Natalie was 11 years old at the time of the audition and was turned down by casting director Todd M. Thaler. She re-auditioned and the director, Luc Besson was, so impressed with her emotional range that he offered Natalie the part on the spot. 

Robert De Niro Audition For GodFather II

"I make him an offer he don' refuse. Don' worry." Vito

☆☆☆☆☆ Winning Audition

Robert deniro original audition for The GodFather II (1974)

Directed by Francis Ford Copolla.

Starring Al Pacino, Robert Deniro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, John Cazale, Lee Strasberg and others. 

Here is an interesting audition of Robert De Niro for the part of Sonny Corleone in The GodFather II. The part of sonny eventually went to James Caan. Robert De Niro played the young Vito Corleone and won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrail of the young Vito.

What I find interesting in this audition as an actor is how Robert forgets his dialogue and covers it up by repeating the same words, "You Get His " at about the 10 second mark. By repeating the same words again more forcefully it jars your memory back into the moment of the scene. Never, ever stop a scene to restart, because you forgot your lines. Just do what De Niro does in this forgetful moment during an audition and all will be well. Usually it colors the lines and scenes in new ways and shows the director that you can handle a hickup or two under pressure.
The other thing I notice is that in the second take he laughs off the moment he just finished which relaxes the auditioners. Always stay easy going, no matter what happens in an audition. It really helps the auditioners like you and leads to call backs.
Robert has a lot of nervous energy during his audition here. This nervous energy never shows up in his work.
Anyways, glad to see Robert is as human as the rest of us.
Enjoy!

Trivia - Robert prepared for the role of Vito, by living in Sicily for a time.

Blake Lively Gossip Girl Audition

"Three words, eight letters. Say it and I'm yours." Blair

☆☆☆☆☆ Winning Audition

Blake Lively original Gossip Girl (2007-2012) Audition tape.

Directed by Mark Piznarski among many guest directors.

Starring Blake Lively among many others.

Found this on Blake Lively audition for Gossip Girl on YouTube yesterday looking for something else. Blake's winning audition reminds me of Natalie Portman's audition tape for Leon: The Professional (1994).

I love auditioning, especially cold auditions where you are handed the material to read for as you walk in. Cold auditions require you to relax and listen and let what you read and especially what you hear affect your instrument. This then allows your subconscious to inspire and move your whole self.

Blake is doing a different type of audition in which you are given time to go over the material. This type of audition requires that you develop the character and understand the lines especially the subtext before entering the audition room. Either type of audition is difficult. Blake is doing a fantastic job. I'm sure they hired her on the spot. Had I been auditioning I sure would have. Not often do you get an actor this polished at an audition.

Anyways, What I enjoy about Blake's audition is that she listens, reflects on what she has heard then let's what she hears and reads affect her whole being. Watch how as she gets comfortable during audition she becomes more Lively and her energy moves her whole body. She switches gears from her thought out preparatory work as her readers line interpretation is different then what she had in mind going in. This is an actor that has spent years practicing her craft. Enjoy!

Trivia - Every episode title is a word play on a film.