Approximately 3000 people, including the author, attended an open casting call in East Hanover, NJ for the daytime edition of “Deal or No Deal”

Given the state of the world these days, sometimes one just has to venture outside their own comfort zone to try to get ahead.  Case in point: I started writing this piece while waiting on line at an open casting call for the morning edition of “Deal or No Deal” (because, to borrow from the New York State Lottery commercials – “Hey, you never know”).

Gambling references aside, what impressed me most, I guess, was how people used their time while waiting on line  in a parking lot for MANY HOURS (one staffer told me that people had started camping out as early as 11:00PM the night before – yes, you read that right) for their 30 second opportunity at fame and fortune.  True, a lot of folks talked amongst themselves (since they came in couples or groups).  But what about the solitary contestant wannabe’s (way to show support, guys )?

The evidence of technology, cool or otherwise, was all around me.  Beside the obvious (specifically my Sprint Mogul and Blackberry Storm), WPLJ (95.5FM, the New York City market “Top 40″ radio station) was playing their music over powerful loudspeakers, people were making calls or checking texts on their phones, I saw the ubiquitous MP3 players and at least one first edition Kindle.

Tim O'Brien checks his email while waiting on line at the casting call.

One enterprising businessman, Tim O’Brien, was using the NetBook he received last Christmas to check (via USB 3G) for the results of a bid he placed to a perspective client for their 60th birthday party.

And let’s not forget the “batteries not included” technology!  Metal interlocking barricade plates, arranged like a Terminator’s large intestine, were making certain that the largest possible crowd was compacted into the most efficiently used space. Foldable lawn chairs, suntan lotion, and sunglasses were everywhere on this mostly sunny, breezy and  probably about 80 degrees morning and early afternoon.

As for the audition itself – once inside the building, I was thrown into one of three 10-person groups.  Each group stood around a rectangular table in front of a casting director, having placed their respective application in front of them.  In sequence, each member of the group was given 30 seconds to pitch themselves with as much smiling and enthusiasm/excitement as they could.   After the last person pitched themselves, the casting director could ask a group member or members to stay behind if they felt they would be a good fit for a “theme” episode (e.g. – ‘all military’, ‘all educators’, etc.).  Everyone else was dismissed towards the door.

In my case, I am cautiously pessimistic – not expecting a call-back (although it could take up to three years or more to receive one).  In retrospect, I auditioned as if I were at a job interview – not flat or boring, but emotionally contained.  What I should have done was act as if I were just coming down from the emotional high of seeing my football team just win the SuperBowl – very expressive with just a hint of excitement and joy.

All in all, it took me roughly five hours from the time I arrived until the time I got back to my car to leave.  Still, I consider the overall experience to be a worthwhile endeavour.  I got to meet and talk to some interesting people (including two WPLJ radio personalities) and find the impetus for this article.  All in all, not a bad way to spend a Saturday 

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