Saturday, February 21, 2015

America's Got Talent...It Also Has A Strange Selection Of People

I spent last Sunday with Zach and Dana at a open casting call for "America's Got Talent" (also known as AGT).  Zach was there to impress the judges with his teenage outlook on life via his stand up act. Dana and I were there as his legal guardians, sounding board and people watchers.

Zach's audition ticket had a check-in time of noon.  We arrived downtown at The Convention Center around 11:40am to find all surrounding parking lots full.  I dropped them off to find the auditions while I looked for a parking spot.  I lucked into a free spot (it was Sunday) about a half-mile from the center.  I proceeded to audition central with my paperwork in hand.  (All legal guardians had to sign paperwork giving AGT, its producers, directors, etc. permission to use your likeness in any and all shots on the program)

I arrived at the audition, went through security and headed to the check-in table.

I wasn't allowed into the holding room because my party had already checked in without me.  I was also told I had to leave the check-in section and find somewhere to wait for them.  I protested a little but knew I'd get nowhere with the "head check-in consultant".

After texting Zach to let him know what was up, I decided to wait in the lobby for them to finish.  I soon realized it would be a loooooooooong wait so I debated my options:

*Wait all day in the lobby?
*Go on a tour of LA comic stores?
*Spend some time at the downtown library?
*Go home?
*Make my way into the holding room? (The Winner!!!!)

I went back to the check-in area and said "hello" to the same security person as my first visit.  She asked me if I needed anything and I replied, "No.  Just heading back to the holding room."  She smiled, told me to have a good day and let me pass with no problem.  

I soon discovered security was heavy at the entrance to the check-in area and there were plenty of people acting like they were in charge at the check-in tables.  There was NOBODY watching the door to enter the holding area.

I walked through the door, acted like I belonged and started to look for Zach and Dana.

About two minutes later I received a text from them trying to find me.  They went into the lobby to make sure I wasn't bored.  I replied, "I'm in the holding area.  Don't ask."

They came back and asked about my wristband:

"What wristband?"

"The one you're supposed to wear in here so they don't kick you out."

I told them about just walking past security and into the room.  We all agreed to be quiet and hope no one noticed the one guy without a wristband. (Spoiler Alert...They Never Noticed!)

Everyone in the room was supposed to refrain from taking photos as well as a bunch of other rules laid out in the paperwork.  As I never turned in my paperwork, enjoy this behind the scenes look inside the venue.

Dana and Zach were escorted inside the holding room upon their arrival.  They were placed against a wall along with a large group of people waiting for their chance to audition.  A film crew from AGT was checking out the crowd looking for good stories to feature on the show.  They approached Zach twice as if they were going to interview him.  The film crew headed towards Zach once and were distracted by tap dancing nuns with a minion (see below).

The film crew headed towards Zach a second time and were distracted by the opposite of tap dancing nuns...naked showgirls!  

They'll regret not interviewing my kid!!!!!  (Maybe)

After the film crew went looking for new stories, the two of them went to search for me.  They didn't realize I was already inside watching:

Female Hawaiian Dancers preparing for their dance while Male Hawaiian Dancers looked for nachos.

A rock band complete with viking horns.

And finally,
Santa Pimp and a friend in search of her Green Card

I couldn't grab a photo of my favorite random person.  There was a guy sporting a very out of style mustache, a shirt too short to cover his stomach and a jumbo jug of tea.  The only item missing was a cup/mug/glass.  The guy took a giant swig of tea every 15 minutes (or so) and would finish each gulp with a burp and a smile.  I spent the entire time wondering if that was the talent he was practicing for the judges.

The holding room featured plenty of AGT logos as well as a stage for dancers, singers and acts of questionable talent to practice their craft.  

The stage was also a place for the crowd to remain focused since the day was a long one for all involved.  Zach's ticket might have said Noon but he didn't get called into his audition until a little before 7pm.  Dana was the parent to go back with Zach because a) he is under 18 years of age and b) I was not supposed to be in the holding area much less the actual audition.  

I left to move the car closer to the building.  I figured it was late enough in the day that some spaces would be open around the Convention Center.  I found a space near the building and went back to the holding area to see if Zach was done with his audition.  

I walked up and remembered I didn't have a wristband.  I also realized the security guards were a different crew than the ones earlier in the day.  I waved at the guards as I walked towards the holding room.  They didn't say a word to me as I walked through the security area.  I'm not sure why I had no problems walking in and out all day.  I'm just happy I got to see everything in person.

Dana and Zach finally exited at 7:30pm and seemed pleased with his performance in front of the judges.  We'll hear whether or not he moves on in the next 3-4 weeks.

They spared no expense on the signage for the event.

As much as I want to know if Zach has advanced to the next round, I'm anxious to see the LA audition episode on television.  I can't wait to see what talents Santa Pimp and Green Card showed off to the judges.


















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