Auditions

Matt Coates · Post by **Matt Coates** » Tue May 11, 2010 4:30 am

My mate has applied to go on Countdown, he got a phone call to say he will be given a phone audition.

Is this new, when I applied I had an audition in a hotel.

Also people could cheat the new system.

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Tue May 11, 2010 7:54 am

It's standard for a lot of shows, it's an easy way of weeding out the real dross. Most people would (I expect) get invited to a face-to-face interview afterwards.

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Tue May 11, 2010 11:59 am

Ryan Vickers (Series 61) had a phone audition. He was in Canada at the time though I think.

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Tue May 11, 2010 12:36 pm

Matt Coates wrote:.... people could cheat the new system.

Pretty pointless cheating on the audition when you'll end up looking like a spanner on the show. It's like cheating on apterous, who, in their right mind, could be remotely arsed?

Jeff Clayton · Post by **Jeff Clayton** » Wed May 12, 2010 8:36 pm

Ryan Taylor wrote:Ryan Vickers (Series 61) had a phone audition. He was in Canada at the time though I think.

I do believe he lives there?

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Wed May 12, 2010 10:56 pm

Jeff Clayton wrote:
Ryan Taylor wrote:Ryan Vickers (Series 61) had a phone audition. He was in Canada at the time though I think.
I do believe he lives there?

Yeah, he had already planned his world tour for the year and so tied in the Countdown appearance when he was in the British leg of the journey. Vick's World Tour can all be read Here

Richard Priest · Post by **Richard Priest** » Thu May 13, 2010 4:29 pm

A friend of mine who applied (unsuccessfully) last year had a phone audition.Hazarding a guess I'd imagine that in these financially hard times its attraction is that it saves on booking hotel rooms or other audition venues as well as the travel expenses for the production team when they have to audition people from all over the country.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Thu May 13, 2010 4:41 pm

Rich Priest wrote:A friend of mine who applied (unsuccessfully) last year had a phone audition.Hazarding a guess I'd imagine that in these financially hard times its attraction is that it saves on booking hotel rooms or other audition venues as well as the travel expenses for the production team when they have to audition people from all over the country.

Correct.

Lesley Hines · Post by **Lesley Hines** » Thu May 13, 2010 6:27 pm

I had a phone audition: it was fine. Shame about my recording...

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Thu May 13, 2010 6:51 pm

Lesley Hines wrote:I had a phone audition: it was fine. Shame about my recording...

What happened?

Scott Gillies · Post by **Scott Gillies** » Thu May 13, 2010 10:41 pm

when i was recording recently they were saying they were really struggling for people for the end of may so it might have something to do with that.

Lesley Hines · Post by **Lesley Hines** » Thu May 13, 2010 11:44 pm

Ryan Taylor wrote:
Lesley Hines wrote:I had a phone audition: it was fine. Shame about my recording...
What happened?

It was fine really until I found out I'd be playing some utter stud (young fit lad...) and then I just went to jelly. Weak at the knees. (It couldn't possibly be that he was a better player than me.) If only I could remember his name

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Fri May 14, 2010 8:26 am

Lesley Hines wrote:
Ryan Taylor wrote:
Lesley Hines wrote:I had a phone audition: it was fine. Shame about my recording...
What happened?
It was fine really until I found out I'd be playing some utter stud (young fit lad...) and then I just went to jelly. Weak at the knees. (It couldn't possibly be that he was a better player than me.) If only I could remember his name

LOL, Lesley is teh legend.

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Fri May 14, 2010 10:00 am

Lesley Hines wrote:
Ryan Taylor wrote:
Lesley Hines wrote:I had a phone audition: it was fine. Shame about my recording...
What happened?
It was fine really until I found out I'd be playing some utter stud (young fit lad...) and then I just went to jelly. Weak at the knees. (It couldn't possibly be that he was a better player than me.) If only I could remember his name

A-LOL

Kevin Davis · Post by **Kevin Davis** » Mon May 17, 2010 9:46 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:
Rich Priest wrote:A friend of mine who applied (unsuccessfully) last year had a phone audition.Hazarding a guess I'd imagine that in these financially hard times its attraction is that it saves on booking hotel rooms or other audition venues as well as the travel expenses for the production team when they have to audition people from all over the country.
Correct.

I actually feel quite priveleged that mine was at the London Studios now.

John Bosley · Post by **John Bosley** » Wed May 19, 2010 3:48 pm

Had audition today, having sat in traffic on the M62 (to Leeds) getting my 75 times table sorted in my head and then losing it completely in the interview.
Is going through your 75 times table while driving more dangerous than texting? It is surely not illegal - yet!

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Wed May 19, 2010 5:15 pm

John Bosley wrote:Had audition today, having sat in traffic on the M62 (to Leeds) getting my 75 times table sorted in my head and then losing it completely in the interview.
Is going through your 75 times table while driving more dangerous than texting? It is surely not illegal - yet!

When I auditioned, I didn't know my 75 times tables.

Lesley Hines · Post by **Lesley Hines** » Wed May 19, 2010 5:59 pm

Ryan Taylor wrote:
John Bosley wrote:Had audition today, having sat in traffic on the M62 (to Leeds) getting my 75 times table sorted in my head and then losing it completely in the interview.
Is going through your 75 times table while driving more dangerous than texting? It is surely not illegal - yet!
When I auditioned, I didn't know my 75 times tables.

You don't need to if you're a stud muffin.

Unlucky John - did they tell you how you got on or was it a sympathetically polite smile-type effort? They did tell me when I applied that only ~1/3 (or similar invented stat) get through on their first application, so don't lose heart.

I can recommend somewhere to practice, if that helps?

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Wed May 19, 2010 6:06 pm

Yeah, this place is great!

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Wed May 19, 2010 6:25 pm

Lesley Hines wrote:
Ryan Taylor wrote:
John Bosley wrote:Had audition today, having sat in traffic on the M62 (to Leeds) getting my 75 times table sorted in my head and then losing it completely in the interview.
Is going through your 75 times table while driving more dangerous than texting? It is surely not illegal - yet!
When I auditioned, I didn't know my 75 times tables.
You don't need to if you're a stud muffin.

Unlucky John - did they tell you how you got on or was it a sympathetically polite smile-type effort? They did tell me when I applied that only ~1/3 (or similar invented stat) get through on their first application, so don't lose heart.

I can recommend somewhere to practice, if that helps?

Sounds like you're writing off his audition on the basis that he forgot his 75 times table!

Lesley Hines · Post by **Lesley Hines** » Wed May 19, 2010 9:50 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote:Sounds like you're writing off his audition on the basis that he forgot his 75 times table!

Just realised how that read - I meant unlucky about losing it in the interview.

Then: Did they tell you how you got on - I wasn't assuming he hadn't done fantastic stuff otherwise

John Bosley · Post by **John Bosley** » Thu May 20, 2010 6:05 am

I'll just have to wait and see. I got reasonable word scores and just one of the numbers - but I guess it depends on your face and your manner as well!

If I get on the prog, I shall make a point of looking in at apteros - thanks for the suggestions.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Thu May 20, 2010 9:03 am

John Bosley wrote:- but I guess it depends on your face and your manner as well!

Nah, I got on! Seriously, I'm not sure they take your face into consideration (particularly as they sometimes do phone auditions) but manners may count (e.g. if you were a total arrogant arse, they probably wouldn't put you on).

Ryan Taylor · Post by **Ryan Taylor** » Thu May 20, 2010 12:45 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:but manners may count (e.g. if you were a total arrogant arse, they probably wouldn't put you on).

How did you get on?

Liam Tiernan · Post by **Liam Tiernan** » Thu May 20, 2010 2:30 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote: but manners may count (e.g. if you were a total arrogant arse, they probably wouldn't put you on).

There are a couple of names that spring to mind that would contradict this theory.

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Thu May 20, 2010 2:36 pm

Liam Tiernan wrote:
Kirk Bevins wrote: but manners may count (e.g. if you were a total arrogant arse, they probably wouldn't put you on).
There are a couple of names that spring to mind that would contradict this theory.

There's certainly been a few in DC that fit that bill.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Thu May 20, 2010 2:42 pm

I didn't actually mean arrogant, I meant people as described in "Spreading the Word", e.g. that woman who allegedly was so sure her word was in the dictionary that she ripped it from Damian's hands and checked it herself, before accepting it wasn't valid. Apparently she was excellent at the game but didn't get on due to her attitude, although I'm not sure about the validity of the story.

John Bosley · Post by **John Bosley** » Fri May 21, 2010 4:25 pm

Shit - but apparently I 'came close to passing'; so after weeping into my coffee, I decided to try again.
I must say it is much easier 'on screen' than having to write down all the letters while they are being spoken.
OK! You told me to try apteros - I will, I will.

Ralph Gillions · Post by **Ralph Gillions** » Fri May 21, 2010 4:46 pm

Tough John.
Sorry to hear of your disappointment.
But great to hear you will go into extra training and try again.
Good luck.

Liam Tiernan · Post by **Liam Tiernan** » Fri May 21, 2010 6:21 pm

John Bosley wrote:Shit - but apparently I 'came close to passing'; so after weeping into my coffee, I decided to try again.
I must say it is much easier 'on screen' than having to write down all the letters while they are being spoken.
OK! You told me to try apteros - I will, I will.

Apterous. Maybe a bit more attention to detail next time might get you in.

John Bosley · Post by **John Bosley** » Sat May 22, 2010 12:31 pm

If the powers that be see that I cannot even spell apterous, what chance have I got?

John Bosley · Post by **John Bosley** » Sun May 30, 2010 3:26 pm

Got a new invitation to audition but feel like not bothering. Life is too short and I have other things to do. Anyway, that's my excuse.

Ralph Gillions · Post by **Ralph Gillions** » Sun May 30, 2010 4:05 pm

Perhaps the things many of us regret are missed opportunities.

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Sun May 30, 2010 6:59 pm

Bit the bullet today and applied. Dunno my dates yet, but I'm gonna have to hit Apterous hard now

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Sun May 30, 2010 7:00 pm

Ben Hunter wrote:Bit the bullet today and applied. Dunno my dates yet, but I'm gonna have to hit Apterous hard now

Sweet. Let me know when you're on and I'll try to come.

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Sun May 30, 2010 7:01 pm

Will do

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Sun May 30, 2010 7:35 pm

Good stuff Ben H. I'm sure once you've overcome the initial friction and nerves you'll find it a most enjoyable experience.

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Sun May 30, 2010 8:16 pm

Ben Wilson wrote:Good stuff Ben H. I'm sure once you've overcome the initial friction and nerves you'll find it a most enjoyable experience.

Hahaha.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Sun May 30, 2010 8:58 pm

Ben Wilson wrote:Good stuff Ben H. I'm sure once you've overcome the initial friction and nerves you'll find it a most enjoyable experience.

Haha. Oh no, the dreaded interthread!

Richard Priest · Post by **Richard Priest** » Mon May 31, 2010 9:51 pm

Good luck Ben

JackHurst · Post by **JackHurst** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 2:26 pm

I passed my audition about 2 months ago. I've already let a handful of ppl know, but mostly tried to keep it a secret from the forum, but I don't see the harm in letting everyone on here knowing that I'm going to be in the nest series.

I wont be posting any details of my recording date(s)/transmission date(s) on here, so those of you who care enough will just have to keep your eyes peeled.

Josh Hurst · Post by **Josh Hurst** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 2:42 pm

Thanks for letting me know. The "nest" series should be good with you, Scott and potentially Ben. How many people can you hold in your hand btw? Look forward to seeing you on the telly.

Ben Hunter · Post by **Ben Hunter** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 3:55 pm

You should have put a spoiler warning on that series champion announcement

. Can't wait to watch your shows Jack.