Mi Chiamano Al
A casting director once visited my graduating class at the Trinity Rep Conservatory and, after stressing the importance of first impressions, offered to give each one of us her initial impressions, just on sight.
When my turn came, she paused and squinted as if she were identifying a rare moth. In the eternity of her scrutiny, the glaring gaze of this New York City casting professional, one who could open doors or slam them shut across ones nose, my mind went back to my first on-camera audition ever.
That had been at age 16, when I auditioned for an industrial with all of my shoulder-length hair and huge, popping eyes. They were casting high school age characters and I was well qualified for that role. I read several ‘sides’ (pages from a script) and interacted with a crew member on camera for several minutes. Unlike most professional situations, I got my answer immediately, and in unusually blunt terms. The producer said, “You are the best actor we have seen all weekend. Thing is, we need people-next-door types and you – you don’t look like you live next door to anybody.”
Back to the Conservatory. New York City Casting Professional finally released the muscles about her eyes and leaned back in her chair, satisfied that she had retrieved an answer. “You, Alcatraz, I would pin you as a young Al Pacino. You should go in that direction.”
Young Al Pacino doesn’t sound so bad. In Los Angeles, where comparisons to celebrities (or combinations of celebrities) are a form of currency, I have also been called a “young Joe Mantegna.” Just don’t call me late for dinner.
The illustration at left was assembled by my friend, Rabbi Borak, who has also made the flattering comparison. Here, he adds a bow tie and a glasses to complete his mock portrait. Thanks, Borak.
An intriguing coincidence lies beneath the illustration, because this shot of Al Pacino was taken upon his 1961 arrest on a weapons charge – in my home state of Rhode Island. Pacino was 21 years at the time, and was collared along with two other wiseguys in the old mill town of Woonsocket.
