Talk about a case of déjà vu as I arrived to hold auditions for the Prologue for Blood + Roses. Sat in the same chair, behind the same table, in the same room where I held the auditions for the original cast 8 months ago. It hadn’t changed a bit. I set up to see the first actress. They were coming in to audition for the role of Mary. I had 2 afternoons to see everyone I had invited. Though I had so many replies to my advert that I could of easily auditioned for 2 days. But last time was so draining, that I felt ill afterwards. Though it didn’t help that I had to work in the evening afterwards. 2 afternoons would be enough.

I always give actors an audition piece, so they can prepare in advance. I rarely give out copies of the script. I don’t like to have that many copies of it out there. The audition piece is usually a scene from the script. I will take out most of the directions and leave in the dialogue. I want to see what each actress will bring to it. What their interpretation of the audition piece is. I do give them a chance to ask me questions before they act out the piece, and most of them do ask me about the character. How do I see them? What’s their background? I will answer them, but I am always more interested in seeing how they would do it.

Helping me with the auditions was Benjamin Green. He was there reading opposite the actresses. When we had a break in between actresses, Ben commented on what a difference it makes to have an actor in the room to read with. Tell the truth I never really thought about it. This is the way I have always done it. I have been doing it this way ever since I started working with Ashvin-Kumar Joshi on our short films. Ashvin would always be in the room with me when we audition the other actors. He would read with them and I would film it on my small camcorder, so we could watch it back later. It has worked well for me so far. I have done the other way, where myself or the producer will read the lines with the actor, but my delivery has been so flat. Anyway, having the main actor in the room to audition with them, gives you a sense of how well they will work with each other on the shoot.

All the actress I saw on those 2 afternoons were very good and it has left me with a hard decision to make -  which one should it be? I am now watching the audition tapes over and over again and I will make my decision soon. I will announce who has got the part next week.