On November 22 (Fri.) from 1:00 p.m., “Audition Experience Workshop” by Director Kousuke SAKODA of the film “Laying Down Looking Up” was held at NTT CRED Hall No. 2.

Director SAKODA, who was welcomed with loud applause, told the 9 participants, “Let's have fun.” The workshop opened with an at-home atmosphere, with participants of all ages and backgrounds, including college students and people with acting experience, both male and female.

Participants first filled out an audition entry sheet with information about themselves, their personal profiles, and the things they enjoyed, the things they were sad about, the people they liked, etc. Based on this information, they conducted a simulated audition one by one. The participants seemed nervous at first, but gradually relaxed as the director spoke calmly to them and began to talk about the episodes on their own.

Then, through communication between the director and the participants, they acted out the episodes, which became clearer and more vivid. Participants actually tried their hand at acting, and tried to create a scene by setting up the situation and creating roles for them. Even though the participants had never met each other before, they were able to open up to each other through communication. The performance was free and fun, with high school students from Soutoku High School, who had come to cover the event, jumping in the performance, and Director SAKODA joining in as an actor. The audience was enveloped in a friendly atmosphere as bittersweet memories and experiences that made them smile, were recreated.

The director explained the reason for holding a simulated audition as a workshop this time, saying that he wanted “the audience to actually experience the various positions of auditioners, organizers, actors, directors, etc.” He also wanted the participants to realize that various things are created through communication between people.

In closing, he gave a message to junior and senior high school students who are aiming for careers in film production: “I want you to think carefully about your current life”. He also said, “It is important to try various things and feel various things.” The workshop, which was fun and friendly from start to finish, ended with a warm round of applause.