:(

Can't win 'em all.

i think alot of us have had the experience you had in our own realms of experience...i once sent in an audition tape for a radio job in alabama that i realized shortly after i after i sent it was totally lame...i didn't take the opportunity seriously...and relied on my natural skills to get me the gig...well in this case...for the first time in my life...that was not enough...i let myeslf down...and i let down my friend who had recommended me...but i learned the lesson that was there to learn...as i'm sure you did too...the failures of the past, sometimes are the seeds of future success...if you understand why you fail...that is the first step toward learning how to succeed.

Ummm, yeah...what D.Burr said, that's what I'm thinkin'. My experience was a failed film school interview - first time I'd ever bombed anything so BAD! After beating myself up for a while, I resolved to never let that happen again; now, 10 years later..I'm grateful that I went through it. Getting into that school would have taken me down a path I was not prepared to go down at that time, and I toughened up and grew into the well-adjusted adult that I am today.

Okay, "well-adjusted" might be a little generous...but you see where I'm going with that. ;)

dont worry wil. Most everyone i know, including me, has done just what you did. It happens. I dont know how many times i have worked my tail of, only to make the biggest ass of myself because of being a drooling idiot. Come to think of it, I do that more than i would like to admit. damn now i sound like an idiot. heh did it again. oh well

Ouch! Well at least you probably learned a lesson from it all. And as of late you have a much better and more relaxed attitude, had that been now I'm sure it would have gone great! Not that its much consolation.

Well Emilio is pretty cool. That was a good thing! And HE knew YOU!

I think, had I been in your shoes, I would've done the same thing. Of course, I get the worst stage fright ever, so that's a moot point.
I'd still remember somthing like that and be slightly annoyed wih myself. Either that or look back and laugh at myself and be happy for the memory. (Kinda like when I accidentally came on to this guy from Highlander:The Series at a convention. Please, don't ask how one accidentally comes on to some one else...I was 15.) I hope you're in the happy for the memory group, heh.
Anyway, this was an interesting thing to read. Glad to hear Emilio Estevez sounds like a pretty decent person. :-)

Emilio Estevez is going on the christmas card list and gets a green sticker.

FFC is not. He is going on the Red Sticker list.

There. Sorted.

Touching story. Very personal. Excellent.

*crosses fingers for audition news*

Your honesty is just so refreshing, Wil. A little painful reading this (or a lot, as it made me about some of my experiences), but whatever core of emotional integrity you have -- you seem to bring it to both your acting and your writing.

You learned and grew from it, though. From what you say of your last few auditions, things have changed considerably. Still, sorry you had to go through that.

Break a leg on future auditions.

It's cool the Emilo stood up for you like that, even tho he didn't have to. Bummer that his being there caused you to go all wide eye drooly fan boy tho. Tough break.

I am so sorry to hear that you felt that you didn't do as well as you have hoped. I wish I had something inteligent to say but all I can up with is.... That sucks... and I'm sorry :-(

Sorry to hear that Wil. I had the same issue auditioning for Xena - "Oh my God, I'm on Xena!" At least I got a secondary role as a guard :)

Coppola's a total asshole for not shaking your hand man.

It's no loss. He hasn't made a film worth going out of your way to see since Apocalypse Now.

Good luck on your recent auditions.

Wil, strange to experience such a swing of respect and disrespect in just a few moments. I don't care how amazing of a director Coppola is... there is never a time not to show respect one person to another. Emilio just ran a couple rungs higher on the ladder, in my mind, in hearing your experience with him. His character and class at that moment shown bright.

I'm sure I would have been just as overrun by my thoughts as you were (likely more so). There's something about when we respect the work are amazed by someone's talents... we forget that they are human. There just isn't a time, whether you are famous and talented or not, for not acknowledging and recognizing a person for who they are. We must (or at least I *must*) treat one another with the inherent value and respect we are all due.

~Janece

Wil:

I hope that your profile is rising through your blog and book; that your recent appearances on TV and your indie films bring you to the "A" list soon. Your honesty and humility as demonstrated in this blog are wonderful. They lets us all see you as a person who has his triumphs and failures just like the rest of us, perhaps felt all the more keenly as yours are public where ours are private.

I look forward to seeing you in some big budget, yet intelligent *grins* film soon, so you can pay someone to lay your sod for you.

I just pray that Hollywood gets 'On the Road' right, as it strikes me as one that'd be hard to translate its raw feeling onto film.

cheers!
-strange

Hey you're only human, and maybe it was a good thing as Mr Coppala didn't sound like he would be someone I would want to work for if he didn't even have the decency to shake your hand (jerk). I am a first year nursing student and although I haven't had an experience quite like that, I do know what its like to go into a situation where you feel somewhat inferior, and like your superiors might adapt the "eat our own young" method. You deserve all the praise in the world for simply going to your audition.

"life expands or shrinks in direct proportion to lifes courage"

Unknown

Cheers
from
Canada

"I was like... EMILIOOOOO!"

Sometimes life bites you hard in the ass.
Sorry about that Wil! Stand strong, I still love you!

Tough break. As others have said before, Coppola is a jerk. But you also found out, from this experience, that you have another fan. An 'A' list fan. EE was nice.

In acting, as well as the 'real world', there are successes and failures. By learning from your failures, you will be able to make the 'successes pile' grow.

Mucho mojo for I, Robot and ego healing mojo for this last audition. It'll get better, you'll see.

Bummer. You'll get 'em next time...

Where is Emilio now?

Maybe next time someone doesn't take your hand when offered you should say I think i'm in the wrong place and walk out.

Coppola == jerk

Thanks for sharing. As always, your writing is superb. =)

Great story, and what a fun experience. That was also a great example of your writing talents. Cant wait for the book.

And i wish you more MOJO on your current auditions

Odd you should mention the Beats. Have been listening to this box set I got from the library all week.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000032DM/qid=1043027509/sr=8-5/ref=sr_8_5/102-6904297-8953761?v=glance&s=music&n=507846

Kee-razy, man.

Yes I can see why this all happened hey Id probably be star struck also. And in this case we all remember one little phrase.....Shit Happens.... It sucks doesnt it! Sorry Wil :-( Your still a legend in our book though so dont worry bout it.

As Mr. Miagi would say - you must learn to FOCUS POWAH!

Hey Wil,
I have had the same experience.
I went for an audition a few years back and was preparing for the scene when Cuba Gooding Jr walked in, he said hi to the 4 of us sitting there and sat between me and a friend of mine, instead of reading the script the 5 of us started talking about movies and stuff. By the time I was called in I had no idea what I was doing there, I flubbed through the lines and walked out of the room without even saying a word back to the director. Cuba smiled and said "Been there...keep trying" as he walked into the room I had just left. Interestingly enough, neither I nor he made the movie.
If only there was a button we could turn off the stupids when we walk into an audition.

Kelly

You win some, you lose some. Look at the bright side you got to meet Francis Ford Coppola. You also got to meet Emilio Estevez and he knew who you were! How cool is that? There's a lot of people who don't get to do that on thier best days.

Quite a bit different than the last audition you wrote about.

I wouldn't mind messing up infront of those guys. Guess it would be kind of like a local Catholic pastor having to give a sermon with the only guy in the audiance being the Pope.

I woulda shaken your hand Wil, I woulda shaken your hand.

best to you and yours.....

Ozzman......

I understand what ur going thu dude. I once picked my nose and had no where to put the booger.
I think we've all barked up that tree.

Infomercial?

Did i miss something?

Last I heard,Wil was considering whether or not to do it.

Any one have any info on the "mercial"?

JAN 23rd WIL @ THE COMEDEY CENTRAL WORKSPACE

5 DAY COUNT DOWN BEGINS NOW!

Ok...I have a dilemma...Golden Globes, or the Wesley/Robin Lefler episode of TNG? Ok, TNG it is...

I would have been nervous too Coppola is a big name director. That's also a nice story about Emilio.

The only thing I can relate it too is seriously messing up job interviews. When I get nervous my mind goes blank & I start blabbering random, weird things.

No worries Wil - I had a very similar experience last month whilst interviewing at Harvard for med school. I felt like the only 'normal' (as in not supremely gifted and touched by God Himself) person there. The only thing running through my pea-sized brain as I sat down for my interviews was "Oh my God, I'm at Harvard! WTF am I doing here?" So believe me when I say that I understand how all the preparation and hard work that goes into preparing for important interviews can get tossed out the window as your jaw hits the floor and reality sets in that you're surrounded by 'excellence'.

Looking back on it now, I find the entire gut-wrenching experience rather amusing in that who-wants-to-be-around-geniuses-anyway mentality that I've carried with me since kindergarden.

So although we may not get called back, we at least are down to earth and havin' fun. Besides, the last time I checked, you've still got the biggest posse around - perhaps enough to start your own militia by now (armed only with intelligence and compassion). I'll send you the audition mojo - although I don't think you really need it.

Hey, I didn't know that you we're a Kerouac fan. Cool deals. I have gained a greater respect for Emilio because of you. I now forgive him for the Mighty Ducks movies.

How about Bukowski?

When the great movie project that will inevitably come up propells you into "A" list territory where you rightfully belong and FFC asks you to do a film, you will have the nice ability to laugh in his face for being snubbed by his snooty staff. What goes around comes around, you know?
I imagine the likes of Tom Hanks can give a bad audition and still be snatched without blinking. Thats where you will be someday.

The longer time passes the more people forget Wesley Crusher and start to see Wil Wheaton again.

Emilio Estevez is quite a nice guy. His kids go to my school and from what I've seen he's a good father. I never guessed that he was that short though. It was hard for me to treat him as just another parent becuse I was a product of the Mighty Ducks generation. I'm sorry you lost a job over it though. All I lost was a little dignity by turing into a giddy fan.

Wil,

That's quite a story. :) Thanks for sharing it.

Now... I don't know you from Adam and you don't know me so I'm just gonna say this as an admirer and fan. "That's an interesting story, as long as you don't use it to psych yourself out." With all the audtions lately and such, don't let that stick too firmly in your head. I'm feeling, from what I know of you, that you won't -- not any more, at least. So...

If you've already thought about this and yadda yadda and I'm wrong, so be it. But, if not I feel better for having said it.

Break a leg, man! =D
Tank

Wil,

Hey man, I Robot will be the better film for ya.. and if just everyone from on here goes to see it you will have no problems at the box office ;)

JT

Wil,
You would not have been there if you did not have a chance at the part. Man, stay focused on the moment at hand and do your best. breathhhhe.
It worked for me when I had to work with famous people before. I also know that it is easier said than done but its easier than being a parent.
I hope you have learned to calm yourself now better than you did in the early 90's.

FG

this story just makes me realise even more how i can't wait for your book, wil...i know it's not s great that the audition wasn't so good, but the homour and grace with which you just told it far exceeds the not-so-happy ending...

he didn't shake your hand, wow, that would make me lose a lot of respect for the man...oh well, at least i can rest assured emilio estevez is a stand-up guy...

and you'd make a great neil cassady...emilio's probably just the right age to slip in as that crazy kesey guy somewhere in there, too...

thanks wil...

At least Emilio was nice to you. :-)
Sometimes all it takes is meeting a nice person to make the day worthwhile.
And at least you are good enough to know you screwed up and admit it. If you were a bad actor or an idiot you would think you did great. :-)
So don't sweat it.
I know what it's like to really think you're ready for something and then get thrown off. See, I had studied this monologue for my acting class in high school really hard. I knew it by heart. But my teacher really hated me (for reasons I have never figured out). She told me a day before it was due that I had to do another scene she picked, which was actually a dialogue. So I studied it as best I could and tried to get myself ready on the day that I was to read it (it was basically my final exam). Right before I went to do the scene, the teacher told me not to even try to sign up for the advanced class bc I couldn't act. Oh, and then she said I had to go do the scene she assigned... And she wouldn't let me explain that it was a dialogue.. It just really ruined my confidence (I later found out that she did that to the kids she didn't like-- she also taught English and told all the of kids she didn't like that they were going to fail their finals).

Hey again, Wil. Here's a quote that I was going to include with my earlier post - but I couldn't remember it verbatim. So, I looked it up:

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.

Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."

~Mark Twain

Wil,
Who cares if you missed the audition, your book is going to blow them away! Much Mojo to you!

Off! Bittersweet memory. Cool to hear that Emilio is such a good guy. The hell with Coppola. He hasn't made a decent movie in ages. He lost his touch years ago.

I meant to say oof, by the way, not off! Hehehee!

I hate to sound like a know-it-all, Wil, but I believe that the man's name was spelled Cassaday, not Cassidy. At least that's how Tom Wolfe spells his name in The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.

FOCUS!

I can totally relate... Well, okay not really. But close. I had that interview with the biggest production company in Wichita a few weeks back (yeah, whoopee, production in Wichita, Kansas?) but still--- money. Anyway, the guy made what many people claim to be lame... but I love it- movie about a Chinese gorilla who knows karate and gets loose in Wichita. Well, I kept asking him questions about that movie and going nuts listening to him talk about it. Granted... he didn't have a job to offer me anyway, and just wanted to meet me because of my interest in film. Okay, this isn't really the same thing... but can I say that I know what you mean? 'Cause I do....

Lon

meh. what do you do?... movie will definitely bomb without you.

by the way... "yardbird suite" is now playing in my head. thank you for that. parker is good, but i'm a big "monk/davis" fan.

here's to jazz - and future successes with the movie gigs. can't wait for the asimov flick.

eric
fargo, nd

Ah. Shucks.

At least Mr. Estevez had your back. Professional courtesy and respect win the day over directors with big, shaggy eyebrows.

Not that there's anything wrong with shaggy eyebrows, per se.

I'm just saying.

Right.

No, wait, crap, that was Martin Scorcese.

Thanks, Wil, for letting me know I'm not the only one who has a running critic in my head at times!

Only problem is, it happens to me at job interviews, and I find myself reacting instead of responding to the interviewer!

I really think your last audition is going to get you that part, Wil-so hang in there and have a nice MLK Day!

Jesus Wil, I never imagined Coppukela to be an arrogant asshole.

At least Emilio treated you with decent respect. Whoever it was calling in names for auditions probably picked up on Mr. Shithead Directors attitude if she was going to treat you that way.

It seems you're in good standing with I, Robot at least. Good luck with that.

Also I'm pretty depressed I'll be missing out on this Comedy Central show...Fred Willard? Funniest man alive! Well one of the funniest men anyway....wish you could give me his email address or something so I could send him a friendly hello.

bah.

coppola's an old crabbyass. and he comes from a school that spawned a long line of cranky, eccentric old crabbyass directors.

the motion picture industry could use fewer stuffy old crones that are so buried in the idea of the old school, so eccentric in their own process and their grip on reality (or lack thereof), and so they can't even extend the common courtesy of a friendly human dose of respect known as a handshake.

fuggem.

spielberg woulda shaken yer hand.

hopefully this post was just waxing nostalgia and isn't indicative of any recent happenings.

i'd really like to see you get that i, robot role, wil.

cheers.

--darien

btw ...

"repo man" is the BEST film ever made ...

that film is such genius that no other film can even touch it... :D

"let's go get sushi ... and not pay!"

cheers.

--darien

Shit......as Kyle would say, that's pretty fucked up right here. Sorry you turfed, dude. Maybe he'll give you a callback on another part, though. Sorry......I'm too much of an optimist, but you are a helluva an actor, wil. Hang in there.

And so I was like, "Emilio! EMIIILIOOO"
ahem.

Did Emilio get it? And whatever did happen to Lard ass anyway? Im just dying to know! xoxo. YOU, sir, need to break a leg next time...maybe theyll feel sorry for you and give you the part? :D
You need your own prod. company. Hey! Be like Sandra Bollock-produce your own parts.(Just a thought:)

If it makes you feel any better, I am officially The Most Jaded Person Alive (tm), and I would totally geek out if I met Coppola.

Who would have thought those Sheen boys were such a class act? Although, Charlie had the best quote when questioned about his role in the Heidi Fleiss scandal:

"I didn't pay them to have sex with me. I paid them to leave when it was over."

Now THAT is a Quotable Quote.

Re. Susan H's comment: I don't want Wil Wheaton to break either of his legs, that'd be horrible!

By the way, you aren't the Susan H who is an instructor at Dalhousie University, are you? *suspicious*

Yeah anyway, I'll not be retarded for a minute here. Rest assured that audition went much better than my application for Art College did. I'm at my second choice for school right now.

Hey, what's with everyone saying "sorry you didn't get the job?"

Sounds like Coppola didn't get the job if the movie was never, never made.

Nice story, tho. Sounds like those Sheen boys are pretty classy. Sounds like Coppola's staff are jerkyheads.

It seems that I may be your oldest reader, having arrived in the Village in 1960 with $3 and my tattered copies of On the Road and The Holy Barbarians under my arm. A 19-year-old Beat wannabe at the tail-end of the scene.

I read your blog because of the way you tell your story--you even seduced me into watching you on Tech TV, which I usually don't watch because I have passed from "gotta have the latest goody" to "can I make any money with it?" interest in new computech. Anyway, I read your blog because your story and the way you tell it is engaging. I like your easy (at least seemingly easy) self-disclosure, enthusiasm for life, and funny self-deprecation.

And this one is you doin' your thang real good, with obvious special interest for me. There's something poignant and real about your humor, and I look forward to your book. Thanks for doing this blog, Wil.

Hey Wil- I understand how you felt, and here's my version of the story:
Not this past August but the one before, my band the Wag was scheduled to play at the Clearwater Festival, which that year was being held in Asbury Park. Well, who do you think shows up 10 minutes before we're supposed to go on? Bruce Springsteen! I had actually rung him up for his kid's school supplies the week before, so he sort of remembered me, but anyway to make a long story short, I gave him our CD, then he took our time slot and performed, then we got to go on with Bruce sitting smack in the middle of the audience. The four of us said later that there were hundreds of people there, but we were all playing to one person. Luckily, he liked us- he came backstage after we were done and shook all of our hands and told us how much he liked us, and we took a picture with him. He gave us some advice about the music business, and then we were off to another gig! I think we still have that picture up on our website- www.thewagband.com Anyway, sometimes it all works out, Wil, and I'm sure you'll get this latest movie!
Love, Alicia
www.thewagband.com

Ouch! I've felt that way before. It was way cool of Emilio to stand up for you though. Sounds like that's unusual in your biz.

i think at one time or another we've all been through something like that...
I remember the first summer after i'd graduated from design and advertising here in toronto..
i had a kick ass portfolio, and thought i was just an interview or two away from a great gig...
my first was at a place called 'creativefolio' i think..some small design shop...
i sat in this meeting room with the creative director, and he went through my portfolio muttering encouraging things like, oh, hey, this is nice...oh...good work here...
then he closed the book
looked my square in the eye and said..
so.
what have you done?

?...huh?....i shifted in my seat...uh....wha?

you know...this is all, like, your college shit...what have you done?...any real ads?...any billboards?

no, i said....i've only just graduated, and i'm looking for my first design position...

well...he said, looking like i'd wasted his time...
why don't you come back when you've done something real.

with that, the phone rang, and he excused himself, said he'd be back and left the room...

i sat there dejected, thinking..wow....if he thought that little of me, why did he say such nice things about my portfolio...maybe i should ask him what to improve on, so i don't end up in a situation like this again..
so i waited..
and waited...
about 15 minutes later, fed up with waiting, i packed up my things and walked out of the room, to see him back at his desk, working on a computer...
totally forgotten about me..
i called over to him, and he didn't even turn around...just sort of casually dismissed me with a wave of his hand...

that's pretty low man.....

i vowed that day, that if i ever rose to his level in a company, i would never, EVER treat people like that....

and now that i'm an art director myself, i'm proud to say that i never have...

cheers wil

You never know Wil, Coppola could have liked your audition better than Emilio's. He might also realize that you were awed by meeting him (as i'm sure he's used to that by now) and decide to give you another shot.

I remember when I was in awe like that and almost blew my performance...and this was about as big as it got for me. I honestly played Carnegie Hall a few years back, and when I got backstage and looked out at the massive expanse of the stage, I was dumbfounded. I was part of my high school concert band and we were invited to the National Music Festival in NY (we were the first band outside of the US to get an invite that i'm aware of). Anyways, we were being adjudicated by three of the worlds top music adjudicators and i was nervous as hell as the two other people who played the same instrument as myself had basicly a group solo. Long story short, after getting there and playing our warm up piece and being somewhat used to the audience and critics, we did better than some music school bands who spend hours every day in school AND at home practicing and we thought that we were pretty low on the list. We got an invite to come back again in future years. Maybe something similar will happen to you - get an invite to come back.

Good luck and there's plenty of Good Luck mojo comin your way from up here in Canada.

Frankly, I don't know how actors prevent themselves from being "drooling fan boys" whenever they're around fellow actors.

Perhaps it's just as well --if an actor got to the point at which they were totally oblivious of other actors and directors around them, so desensitized and conditioned to being around other famous people in the business, then they are probably as far removed from society and the general population as one can get short of being Michael Jackson. They're sitting around somewhere at a really dull party, eating finger sandwiches and thinking their shit doesn't doesn't stink.

So you turned into a drooling fan boy. Some would argue you weren't being your professional best, but I say you were being human. The day you start eating finger sandwiches is the day people stop coming to this site...

dude, you freak yourself out too much. So he makes good movies..so what? You have too.You need to stop giving a shit who is A or C list. I'm pretty sure your wife and kids wouldnt put you on the C list, so dont insult them by doing it yourself, or allowing someone else to.

Hey wil...
First I'd like to share my own experience. A year and a half ago were the big university applications for me. I knew, right down to the core of me, that I was meant to be an architect. I my province, there are only two architecture programs worth applying to: Waterloo and Ryerson (those of you around, Carlton used to be good but has gone majorly downhill in the past couple years.) Now Waterloo was my first choice because it had a co-op program and if you got into the undergrad you were guaranteed a space in their graduate program. But they only accept 60 people... out of about 3 000 that apply. But I figure, no big deal, I have good marks, I'm talent and my love of architecture will shine through. Right?
Well not so much. I had an interview with 4 people... 3 current students and one professor. The professor and the female student were really nice to me, but the male students completely torpedoed me. I mean, how much do you expect a highschool student to know about architecture?
So I turned into a blubbering fool. I did a couple quick sketches to try and show them what I was thinking, but they were crap because I was so nervous.
But I still had hope- hey the prof liked me, if those stupid guys didn't. So I get this huge package from Waterloo a few weeks later (I had already received my acceptance to Ryerson where I had a similar interview but, because of my experience with Waterloo, I had done well) so I was feeling reasonably confident that between my marks and the writing test we did (I kick ass at writing) it was a huge acceptance package.
And it was. But to Geography.
I was crushed. Horrible, horrible day.
On the bright side, I got to find out how wonderful my friends are. And now I'm at Ryerson (150 accepted out of over 3 000... I can't be that bad) and I've met amazing people, learned amazing things, I my disdain for Waterloo is growing. What's the use in being the best if you're going to be snotty?

Well that's my story. And Wil, that audition was 10 years ago. You screwed up... but now, you've just done an amazing audition. Just think about how much you've grown in 10 years to be able to do that...

Wil-

Glad to hear other projects are in the works. Saw you on KCAL 9 last night at about 1:00 am doing the X3d infomercial. Good work--you made me want to buy it and I don't even really play video games!

Sorry to hear about the audition. One thing I did learn from the tons of job interviews/auditions I had when graduating from college a few years ago: The later your turn is in the interview process, the more impressive you seem to be and the more likely you will be selected, all other things being equal. I'm not dissing Emilio Estevez, but going last or later in an interview or audition scenario (without being late or otherwise disgruntling the selectors) improves a person's chances.

Nah. Im a struggling writer(no surprises here), I had heard once that Wil wanted to write, so Im here to keep bugging him to stick with it!
DONT GIVE UP.
"Re. Susan H's comment: I don't want Wil Wheaton to break either of his legs, that'd be horrible!

By the way, you aren't the Susan H who is an instructor at Dalhousie University, are you? *suspicious*

Yeah anyway, I'll not be retarded for a minute here. Rest assured that audition went much better than my application for Art College did. I'm at my second choice for school right now."

Posted by: Jessie on January 20, 2003 03:48 AM

Strange how you don´t seem to realise that you are a superstar already.

This fanboy thing must be deeply rooted in some sort of insecurity.

I don´t think I really remember a movie with Emilio Estevez. I am sure he was in one that I´ve seen, but I couldn´t say which one. On the other hand, despite not having seen Stand by me in about 10 years, I recall a brilliant performance by yourself. Curiously enough, I probably wouldn´t know your name if it was not for Star Trek.

So, relax. Have fun. You seem to be quite capable of it.

Cheers.

I think it's time to watch The Mighty Ducks again. Hey Wheaton, you handled yourself great.

Wil, relax! At some point you're gonna have to get over this "we're not worthy" thing, and just get in there and do it. You are worthy. And yes, I know this is way lame after the fact. I probably would have drooled all over my boots too. Chalk this one up to 'practice'... looks like "I Robot" is a going concern anyway... :)

Need I remind everyone that the movie is being directed by Joel Schumacher? The man responsible for the demise of the Batman movie series, which Tim Burton so carefully crafted and Schumacher turned into a mockery which made the 60' camp TV series look like Shakespere compared to "Batman and Robin" or "Batman Forever".

I really think the world would be better off if this movie never gets made. It would be akin to remaking "Gone with the Wind" with Rob Schneider and Madonna. This book has meant too much to too many people to be made into a bad movie.

As much as you might think it would be great to work with Coppola, I don't think you would want your name to be associated with the ruination of one of the greatest books ever written, or as Truman Capote might have said "typed".

65.244.108.219

I can picture myself doing the exact same thing, Wil. So, don't feel bad. ^_^

Ironically, I wonder if Emilio's kindness wasn't in a way distracting. The slight confrontation right before you went in probably screwed your concentration, whereas if Emilio had gone right in it would have given you a chance to regroup. Not to say Emilio did anything wrong! But that sort of thing, that slight confusion/confrontation would have screwed me up too.

Ah well, live and learn.

This is your year. I can feel it. My agent seems to think it might be mine as well, but I'm rooting for YOU.

Kevin

Sorry Wil, not to sound mean but you blew it. Next time buck up and realize why your there. No matter what you may be thinking at the time realize your dream will come weather your ready or not and every time you let it slip it gets further and further away. Don't let it get away from you for any reason, hold it tight and go, no dele dallying.

Maybe Coppola reads your web site. :0}
Stranger things have happened.

Eh, ya win some, ya lose some. :) Even you, the HMIC can't be perfect *all* the time! So, chalk it up to experience and learn from it. That's all ya can do. That is (i'm sure) all you've done with that experience since then.

Remember Wil, no matter how bad the situation is, it could always be worse.

Even still, the whole audition/acting thing, although a lot of hard work, sounds like a lot of fun. To bad I have no talent, otherwise I might get to be in a film with you someday! LMAO

Incidently, TNN is boasting a "Super Star Trek Weekend" starting this Saturday the 25th at 3pm EST...Thought I'd mention that in case you had some free time and wanted to relive some old memories. Come to think of it, there is a TNG marathon on TNN right now. Currently, the episode "Suddenly Human" is playing. It's the one where Wesley Crusher gets a face full of Bannana Split in Ten-Forward. I bet that was cold. >;} How many times did you have to reherse that scene I wonder LOL

Well since the audition was for a JOB, I can understand everyone focusing on that aspect of this story. But I am more struck by how cool it was for a fellow actor to stand up for Wil. And don't forget that he might have hurt his own chances by making a stand for someone he respected.

That's COOL!

Wil,

Well you wrote such an interesting story about when you were 19 -- and it does seem to have stuck in your head.

I think you gave people here a lot to think about with your interesting insight (and memory).

I like how people are saying things like "don't worry, Wil" or "take it easy, Wil," when this happened over 10 years ago.

It's okay, Wil, you'll get another shot. :)

Wil,

We all do that. Don't feel bad. Be excited that in life you get to meet people that changes life. I can tell you this. If I were to meet you I would be stumblin all over myself.

We are all fans of something in our lives.

Er, it was ten years ago. Move on...

Hey Wil, thanks for sharing.
And remember, that's exactly how I'd be if I ever met you... I'd probably walk into a lamp post!
Can't wait for the book. So excited.
*MOJO* *MOJO* *MOJO*

Wil, that's great news! Me and my husband are rooting for you. Go, Wil Go!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to stop same husband from shooting himself in the face. (He's a struggling actor. :) )

Crap. Posted in the wrong entry. I meant to post in your prior one.

As for this one, it just goes to show that there are more decent people in hollywood than we think there are.

Kerouac is overhyped, you're better off.

Funny, though. I'm from Lowell, Massachusetts, birthplace of Kerouac. (His high school is right down the street from my apartment. Beyond that is Kerouac Park and this coffee shop he allegedly used to hang out in.) I was just surfing around and I land on something mentioning Kerouac. (Robert Frost lived up the highway in Lawrence for a time, but he dosen't get as much publicity.)
Saff

my friend t.r. never really met you, but he kinda bumped into you at an eff thing at the dna lounge. he said he was standing next to you looking at the stage with a beer in his hand, waiting to see what would happen.

next thing he knew, you got up there. he did a double-take and realized you weren't just a regular guy. lol

his wife is still jealous he got to bump into you while she was at work. you're still cool, man.

Emilio wasn't in Apocalypse Now, his brother was. You're a fan?

Where did I say that Emilio was in Apocalypse now?

It wasn't his brother. It was his FATHER.

Now who's a fan? :p

Wil,
I love how you described getting ready for the audition...it was also nice of Emilio to treat you as an "equal". That was cool, but like someone else asked, where is HE now?
And also, I like what someone else said, about slowly forgetting about Wesley Crusher and hearing more and more about Wil Wheaton.
Anyways...best of luck on the "I, Robot" audition...

Take care,

Doh! Yeah I re-read the post and realized what you were saying and certainly ait the dog on the brother comment. Just color me stupid and accept my humble apologies!

I'll agree that Estevez sounds like a real stand-up kind of guy, but at the risk of coming off as a devil's advocate here, I don't see Coppola's declining to shake your hand as necessarily rude. Some people just don't do that. Now, if he'd been pressing the flesh with a bunch of other people and then snubbed you, that would be something else. Lots of people have their offputting tics; I don't always look people in the eye when I'm talking to them, not constantly, anyway. I've also had people think that I'm ignoring them when they're actually on my deaf side.

On the other hand, I think that I enjoyed hearing your story a lot more than I 'd enjoy the movie if/when it's made.

Yeah, Coppola didn't come across as self-important or rude. Just intensely focused on what he was doing, and not interested in small-talk.

it might have been better for you that he was cool and focused...imagine if he had said..."wil, i just love your work!"...than again, i suppose you could've lived with that.

'COUNT DOWN'

T-MINUS

5

4

3 DAY'S TILL THE COMEDY CENTRAL WORKPLACE!

IM SO THERE

Geez Wil, Coppola seems like a jerk. It's cool that Emilio let you take his spot.

Wil, there was no reason for Coppola giving you the shrug. Auditions have to be focused, but what's a handshake, or a simple courteous greeting. Spielberg would never have behaved that way and he is bigger than Coppola any day. I have been in the industry since 1969 and I have no patience for ego. I've worked with people bigger than Coppola could ever dream of being who were very down to earth just like Emilio was to you and in much more intense situations. Coppola shot himself in the foot. It's really his loss. I know it may not feel that way, but it is.

I'm a huge jazz/be-bop fan and it sounds like you did your homework. Visually I could see you in the role. Emilio would be great too, but man you are just as talented. You guys are in the same league.

Hang in there and keep up the GREAT job.

Emilio always seemed a decent sort, I thought.

And Spudnuts, I own that box set. Dig.

Hey Wil, don't let it bother ya too much, pal.

Remember, you had a really GOOD audition just a couple of days ago, after all. :)

Everyone has their moments of starstruck awe. Just because you're a star yourself doesn't mean you can't have your moments as well.

I'll tellya right now, if I ever met you, I'd probably act ten times worse. :P Trust me, pal. You'd be sick o' me in 20 seconds, TOPS. ;)

Just put it in perspective. It's rough that the audition didn't go well. Especially considering how much effort you'd put in to learning what you needed to about it. But, also consider that you got to meet Emilio and you still have an audition that DID go well. All in all, not TOO bad a trade off, right?

(Hey, I'm tryin' here. :P Hope I'm not coming across as patronizing. It's not intended.)

Seeya!

Oh, good God... >_

I can't believe I missed that all important "back in 1992" part of the story! >_

Okay, I'm an official fool now. :P

Pardon the rant. :P Still... uhm.... best of luck with the audition! :P (Christ, I feel like a moron...)

Seeya!

Wil had a bad day. I have them to sometimes.

WIL!!!How many Monkeys does Emillio have?

"drooling fan boy!!"..indeed...

FOCUS...Yes..FOCUS!!

So you are a fan of Burroughs, eh? While you were in Topeka did you ever get all fan boy and drive to Lawrence to try and find Burroughs house? Did you ever get to hear him read "Masque of the Red Death" on the radio while you were in Topeka? That used to be quite the staple on the college radio stations around Halloween. Weird story, I used to be a member of the pistol club that shoots in the range located in the basement of the Lawrence Community Center. And one day I came to find out the old duffer with the Glock in the lane next top mine was Burroughs. I was surprised to find out that he still shot, giving past history and all. It was sorta surreal. But then again, would Burroughs want it any other way?

JimmyT

A note on handshake ettiquette: It is up to the person of the higher 'rank' to extend his/her hand. If they don't you don't...

wow...Wil does blogs? And i'm just finding this out?!

Wil,

I think you're kind of egocentric about this whole Hollywood thing. No offense but do you consider yourself in the same league as Tom Hanks? Or Paul Newman? Or Denzel Washington? Don't get me wrong, you (as a kid) were great in Stand By Me but man, the last time you were on TNG your acting wasn't all that impressive. Granted I haven't seen your most recent work but seeing how it didn't get a lot of attention I'm assuming it was ok. A lot of times it seem like you whine about not getting this or getting that-- if you want to be a better actor then study. But there comes a time in life where you have to accept that you're not going to get what you want. Go to college and get a degree, if school is not a thing for you then get a job and quit whining.

Molly

Hey,

Kinda cool to find out Emilio's a nice guy. Makes me think his dad must not be too bad either. Nice to know, since I'm a Canadian that watches The West Wing.... =)

And Wil, if that's the worse audition you ever do, then I think you're doing okay. After all, it was 10 years ago, right?

Em

Hey everybody, howdy Wil. I'm sure as much as Wil appriciates everyone's mojo and sympathy, it's a bit misplaced. Astute readers will note that the audition in question was over TEN YEARS AGO, for a movie that NEVER GOT MADE! I'm sure that Wil has gotten over it by now, and he was just sharing an interesting story. Now, Wil, the question is, are ya gonna audition again?

Jason

It's fun turning into a total fanboy. I went to a Bruce Campbell book signing once. I think I ended up being in line for at LEAST an hour and a half, if not longer. I had all the time in the world to think of something clever to say. But then it was my turn. And I sat down next to the man. And proceeded to sound like a 6 year old.

Wil, I'm continually astounded by your courage in sharing your embarrassing moments. As you say on your introductory page, you refuse to take yourself seriously. That's a trait I SERIOUSLY admire.

I just read at movies.com in the buzz bin that will smith is attached to I, Robot. Wouldn't that be cool? Wil and Will? Mucho mojo to ya, Wil!

I've always liked that Emilio....

Emilio will ALWAYS be 'Sporto' in The Breakfast Club to me. Hmm, I feel a 'Six Degrees Of Separation' coming on. 'Sporto' - The Breakfast Club - 'Brainiac' (Anthony Michael Hall) - 'Weird Science' - Ilan Mitchell Smith - Weird Science.

Whatever happened to Ilan Mitchell Smith?!?

(ps, I know thats five degrees of separation, so please dont chew the cud on that little faux pas)

when i was 13 i was one of only two male flautists in the state of South Dakota to enter the premier state musical contest. i had been a flautist for about a year or so and strings were pulled to get such a novice even in the thing, but there i was, doing a solo mozart piece that was, as i remember, rather difficult. i'd practiced forever on this piece and i felt pretty confident that i was going to at least give a respectable performance.

i was so nervous beforehand i could hardly hold my instrument right. the accompanyist that came with me from my school gave me a little pep talk and calmed me down and we were ready to go. the problem with this piece was a scale somewhere around two-thirds of the way through that was to be played rather fast and i just didn't quite have a grip on it yet. so as i approached that bit i got a few notes into it, missed one, played another wrong and freaked out. i totally choked and did the one thing a performing musician is absolutely not supposed to do: i stopped in the middle and said "i can't do this."

the accompanyist turned to me and said "ok. let's do that again. start from two bars before. ready?" he gave me a count and we did it again. i hit it this time, but the damage was done. i went through the rest of the performance in a haze knowing that there was just no point to continuing. i'd blown my chance and that was that.

i don't remember much immediately after that. i received the requited applause, put my instrument away and left the room. the next thing i remember is finding my name on the list of posted grades with a 1++ next to my name.

the highest possible grade the judges gave was a 1+. it wasn't a typo.

the point of the story is this: even when you feel that you've made a fool of yourself and you have no chance is when your true character shines and you're revealed for who you truly are. i won that state contest not only because of my musical ability but because i had shown the judges that even though i thought i was beaten i was still going to give it the best i had.

even if you don't get this movie part, remember that moment and build on it. it's not about what you can pretend to be; it's about who you really are.

good luck.

Yeah

This is to Wil and all other posters about someone putting Emilio on the Christmas card list. At first I thought this was kinda crackpotty but now I'm thinking could we - all us posters - make that happen? I mean, think about the message it'll send, like those old fairytales about helping the beggar who turned out to be like an insanely powerful wizard - but in this case it would be Wil Wheaton and his nutty but loyal band of readers. Anyway, the point is that this would positively reinforce a good deed (in a way that would make Emilio and all grin for weeks) and then, of course, word would spread. Result: people would be nice to every struggling actor they may otherwise decided to be an asshole to, because they'll never know if that actor, that actress has in fact a supermotivated fan base that reach out and smite them down.
One small technical issue - to make sense to Emilio, this would require mailing out a Christmas (or cards) in like February, March latest. A mass Valentine might send a wrong message.

Dang people. Those of you who think Wil is whining...chill. This is a blogger site...it's here for a person to spill thier thoughts and feelings in anyway they want.

A prime example is www.bevie.net

Who is a great friend of mine. But one wouldnt think she was whining if she talked about things not going her way...they simply think she was sharing on her blogs.

Dont look down on Wil just because his issues may be alittle bigger than a bad hair day or something. And dont catagorize him as anything other than a person....because thats all he's trying to be on this site. He makes and interesting point when he says that few people who are, or even were, famous on TV or in movies at any point run thier own website and do all the updates and talks themselves.

Wesley Crusher is dead, yo....long live Wil Wheaton..heh

kekek you am teh suxor

Yea Dan! Well said! :)

Wow, what a classy story about Emilio Estevez. Thanks for sharing! And hey, maybe you'll get a chance to audition for Coppola again. (I've almost forgiven him for DRACULA, but not quite.)

You're my hero for getting 130 comments in three days...

Any tips? Besides becoming an actor...

Great story Wil!

I feel your pain. When still very wet behind the ears as a teenager I auditioned for a part in Richard III at the Hartford stage complete with overdone Laurence Olivier accent. The assistant director and I just looked at each other afterwards like "oooo kkkk, interesting....next". Emilio Estevez, however, was no where in sight so I had no one to blame but me...

Chin up, Wil. Even when we fail we grow. What you lost there you gain in other areas.

Wil:
be Mister Drooly. When you are too big for your britches to be nice to other people, you don't deserve to have fans. Keep those drooly pants on!
Cara

146.6.127.84 has a valid reverse DNS of esb103-pc18.biosci.utexas.edu

Administrative Contact:
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University of Texas at Austin
ITS - Telecommunications and Networking
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Mike, get the hell away from this site. The thing that bothers me about people like you is that you would never dare to say such a thing to a person's face.

Shame on you.

Mike you must be very young cause I know the rest of us are taught at an early age "if you don't have anything nice to say...STFU"

thank you for sharing that.
xL

To paraphrase a qoute from an ICQ conversation I read someplace: "I will make a million bucks as soon as I invent a device that allows you to stab people in the face over the internet."

After reading mike's post above I tend to agree. I will say this though, his si the first post of its kind I have seen on this site. I think that speaks volumes for the people who generally visit this site and for the respect that exisits for the person running it.

2cents worth,
JT

perhaps you should work on being more focused, goal-oriented and consistent. emilio estevez saying "hi" is really irrelevant in the end.

Well Wil, at least you know how some of us feel about meeting you ;)

In Canuckia, even Space Monkeys can get work!

I mean, look, br0, photos!

http://www.spacebrothers.com/worldtour/

I never would've expected that Emilio Estevez was such a class act. I don't know why I wouldn't think so, I just didn't. Cool. In addition to Breakfast Club, he was great in both of the Young Guns flicks.

I read many of the comments and most said what I was going to say. Your comments were unbelievably frank and resonated in me feelings I've felt when I thought I "blew" something.

You can't beat up on yourself. Maybe you weren't meant for that part, hard to say. If he really wanted you, he would have given you another chance, at least shaken your hand.

Good luck in your endeavors. Cool blog. And I liked Westley.

Will Wheaton is a CHEAP SKATE SON OF A BITCH! He STIFFED his waitress at the Alamo Drafthouse here in Austin, TX and I believe he must be EXPOSED! TAKE THAT! Will Wheaton! POicard would have you Court-Martialed, and rightly so, for being such a SKIN-FLINT son of a bitch! Your bill (of about $40) was comped! it was free of charge! but did you leave even one $ for your hardworking waitress? NO! YOU SUCK!! YOU PAMPERED LITTLE LORD FONTELROY! I set my phaser on KILL when I see you NEAR!