A little over two years ago I embarked on my first feature film as a leading role. I'd been auditioning for commercials, short films, webisode series, even student work and it was getting more difficult to tell the difference between any of them. In fact, the only way I could guess that this audition was going to be one to remember is by how and where they held it.
We were in Lincoln Center. Usually you're asked to go some rehearsal space or even an underground facility that looks morel like an apartment, but for Hell House LLC they were asking me to travel o the prestigious 12th floor of an official Lincoln Center building. I thought this could be the one. This could be the audition that reminds me I'm on the right track.
I was the first in the door and the first to read. After a couple of callbacks, the part I read for was no longer the part offered. They wanted to give me a leading role and who the hell is going to deny that?
From that point on it was day after day of feeling more in tune with a passion of mine then ever before. Director Stephen Cognetti believed in our talent as improvisors. He told us to regard the script as a platform and to bring to the table what we thought our characters needed. Trust may be the one factor this film couldn't do without. I trusted Stephen. I trusted my fellow actors, their decisions and ways to take the character, and I trusted the crew. I didn't trust our hotel lodgings though, and it took a day to trust the set - simply because we were filming inside of a real haunted house attraction. That meant trap doors, blood-stained walls and small gags planned to scare you no matter if it was showtime or not.
By the end of production I didn't know what to expect from Hell House LLC. I know I put everything I had into my performance and I can say the same about everyone else. It's why I couldn't be more proud to showcase the trailer here on my blog because Hell House is no longer just a passion project. It's been picked up Terror Films and will be brought to audiences nation-wide on all platforms - including DVD!
I've recently been steering myself away from the aspirations of an actor, but never wandering too far from the medium. Perhaps with this release I'll keep my eyes open for more roles, and more refreshing experiences with passionate artists. Thanks Hell House LLC, you really did remind me that I'm on the right track.