Importance of Life (Cameron Boyce Story)

Chapter 2 - Friendship confirmed

Today being the audition for the amazing opportunity coming my way, I could literally feel the hot LA sun on my skin already. This would be my first ever professional audition that I would be attending and of course I was nervous. Nervous to dance, I might not be what they're looking for or even not the best in the room. Who knows why could happen but I just have to stay positive.

As I make my way to Pineapple Dance Studios where the auditions will be held I saw a cue outside for the auditinees. It was currently 9:50 am and the audition started at 10:00am. As soon as I entered the line, I saw a few of familiar faces as well as friends from my college. This meant the competition would be even tougher. I knew their strengths and what they're good at and I had to make sure I could top that today as well as the rest of the strangers that would be auditioning by my side. We were eventually called into the room and by the looks of it I felt a friendly vibe from the panel who were going to be judging our every move. I've always been taught that your first impression starts as soon as you walk into that room because that's when they start to look at who they want and why they want them to be apart of their project. In this case, I made sure I made a great impression by walking with my head held high, back straight and posture in a perfect line. Not to create a snobby or uptight persona on me because that's not who I am but I do want them to notice me in the best way possible. I mean there are a lot of people auditioning today and I'm guessing this isn't the only audition they're having so this is very important. Laying my bag on the ground, we were asked to get changed and warm up ourselves immediately. My friend Brian had rested his stuff next to mine as we had gotten changed.

"So you excited for this?" Brian asked

"Yeah of course! You know how much I've wanted this. I'm ready to start my career I can't wait any longer" I explained to him. Knowing that I would be going up against one of my closet friends as well as classmates makes my job here even harder. There's always a way to bypass situations like this like concentrating on myself and my own performance however, it's still gonna be hard. As long as we both stay humble about it, there shouldn't be an issue.

"Imagine if we both score a job in this film. It would be so awesome to spend time together in LA doing what we love best!"

This is why Brian is my closet friend. Such an optimistic person with a lot of love for everyone. I definitely need to take a page out of his book because for some odd reason while he's thinking about both of us going I'm only thinking about only one of us going. I mean that's how auditions are right? They're brutal and more difficult than we think. I guess I'm not optimistic but I'm not pessimistic. I'm just realistic...

"That would be so cool. I wouldn't want it any other way! But Brian, when you think about it don't you think it's a bit of a rough chance of both of us getting this job. I mean the audition hasn't even started yet."

"Well Aliyah, sometimes a little faith can go a very long way" He's right. I guess. Well, let's just hope for the best and I wish everyone luck. Including myself!

"Okay Guys, listen up!" A voice boomed across the room to get everyone's attention. "We will be starting the audition process and as we are behind schedule just a bit I'm gonna make this introduction short and sweet." A young looking guy maybe in his middle 20's spoke. He didn't have any dance attire on so I'm assuming he's not the choreographer today. Maybe just one of the panel?

"As you guys know you're all here today to audition for the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie Descendants as one of the backup dancers/extras. This is an amazing opportunity for you guys especially as I've been told the majority of you guys here have been scouted out as school leavers from you colleges. If this is your first ever audition my advice to you is don't panic. Have fun and be yourself. We don't look for flashy dancers and people who can only give us a smile when needed. We look for real dancers and performers who want to be here. Who have a pleasure of being here and wanting to continue this as a profession okay?" A murmur of yes's went round the studio and I nodded with a smile absorbing every word that was said because half it relates to me.

"Without further ado before we start the choreo, I would like to introduce you guys to someone who some of you will be working close with. Please welcome Mr Kenny Ortega!"

Okay I can't say that I'm not trying to keep my calm and professional nature but Kenny Ortega! What?! That's news to me! I love his work and everything he does. The fact that he is now here in the audition room with us is inspiring me to push myself even further throughout this process. I need to bring my A game today and I'm not holding back for anyone.

"Hey everyone it's very nice to meet you all" The strong American accent glided through each of our ears as we hung off every word Mr Ortega had said.

"Like my colleague here said just have fun. We're not looking for perfection, just someone who can bring everything they got to the table and have a natural talent they love to showcase to us. At the end of the day it's all about what you can do differently and what you can give us in return while we work with you. Okay, so work hard and good luck. I will be apart of the panel as well. No pressure!" As he finished doff his speech with a laugh while we all joined in on the amusement. 

The audition process had started off with us learning the choreography which was about 45 seconds long. Not too bad. I know that picking up choreography was something that came quite easily to me. All I had to do was make sure I was paying attention to every detail that the choreographer was saying and that would set me off for a great performance. We all had about 5 minutes to get the choreography down and the last 15 seconds we had to freestyle so they had given us time to figure that out as well. I didn't wanna show the rest of those in the room what I was going to do for the freestyle and wanted to keep it to myself so I mainly concentrated on the choreography while adding different emotions and expressions that would help me to stand out for rest. As soon as I went to get my water bottle, I realised Brian practising in the corner of the room. It looked as though he was struggling with remembering the routine and that's something that Brian had always feared. My friendly instinct had popped up as I made my way over to help him. Even though this is a competition I wouldn't want him to go out there and not put his best foot forward.

"Hey Bri need some help with the routine?" I kindly asked him.

"1 and 2, 3 4 and... and... urgh" he grunted quietly in frustration as I assumed he forgot the movements.

"Brian you know I can help right don't worry. It's 1 and 2, 3 4 an.."

"Aliyah I'm fine!! I don't need your help! This is an audition not a class. Just leave me alone"

Wow. Okay. That's what I get for trying to help out a friend. Great. Well don't worry Brian I will leave you alone and concentrate on making myself better. Don't you worry.

"Okay guys times up. We'll separate you guys into groups and we'll begin the process. The other groups would kindly wait outside until they are called. Got it?" Kenny had directed.

We all agreed as they continued to put us in groups. I was in the third group which I'm fine with. Gives me a chance to go over anything but then again not become anxious about being last. I had realised Brian had been put into the first group. As rude as he was, I wish him the best in that room it's up to him now. As well, it's up to me.

As soon as my group had finished the routine I was relieved. I'm so proud of myself. I had gotten all the movements right and my freestyle was pretty good. I had made sure that I used my face and eye contact. Looking at Mr Ortega in the eye had made me perform better and the fact that he pointed at me and spoke to the rest of panel made me feel very confident in myself. When the last group had finished we all waited anxiously in the waiting room. We all knew a few people were going to get cut we were just hoping it wouldn't be ourselves.

We had been called back into the room and one of the panel had told us to step forward if our number was called.

"22 " was all I heard. Usually when you watch those dance competitions on TV the ones who step forward are usually the ones to go through. I just couldn't be so sure this time but I hoped.

"Thank you all for coming out today. I believe that all of you have a special talent and there was a hard decision to be made at the end but we had decided to go with... those at the back. Congratulations! You're through to the call backs"

My heart sunk.