Acting Success - How to Audition Effectively
An effective audition is one in which you make a positive impact on the industry professionals in attendance.
That includes everyone from the monitor to the casting director to other actors with whom you audition.
Auditions are about finding the right actors to fill the roles.
Casting professionals and directors want you to be wonderful, even if they can't hire you immediately.
Finding good actors today saves resources in the future.
They want good actors to stay in contact with them and they want to see new faces.
With that in mind, know you're making a professional impression and being evaluated from the moment you first make contact with anyone involved in the project.
Always observe the following guidelines: o Return all calls for auditions promptly and concisely.
o Obtain all the necessary information to audition effectively.
o Be ahead of schedule but arrive no more than 15 minutes early unless otherwise specified.
o Be professional and courteous to monitors and receptionists.
o Don't socialize with other actors or even listen to their conversations.
Shut out all distractions and use your waiting room time to focus and prepare.
o Turn off your cellular phone, take off the headphones and stop checking email for the duration of the audition, including time in the waiting room.
o Be friendly but don't waste the auditioner's time with small talk.
o Know and prepare the material to performance level.
To better understand the audition process, put yourself in the role of Casting Director: you have limited time to see a large number of people, you'll be hearing the same sides over and over and you must make your decision based on a resume, a reading and less than 10 seconds of chat.
With these factors in mind, avoid the common mistakes and present your talent in the best and most effective light: o Always have one minute monologues appropriate to your Castable Types(TM), ready to go, no matter what the situation.
o Always read the sides or the entire script, when available, as far in advance possible o Use your voice before you go into the audition: don't practice copy in your head.
o If you have a question about the material, ask before you begin your audition.
o Stay on your feet rather than sit through the entire audition o Don't gravitate to the back of the audition space o Do not make eye contact with the casting people while performing: set a focal point close to them, never to stage left or right or over their head.
o Make definite choices and take risks.
o Have a beginning and an ending to your reading.
o Don't say "scene" at the end of your audition.
o With the exception of a fire alarm or similar emergency, don't let outside distractions upset or stop you.
o Only make positive remarks about the project or script.
o If you are put on tape after a first reading, that's a callback; treat it like one.
o Never ask to start over and never comment on or apologize for your work.
After the audition take a moment to objectively evaluate your work and make notes on the type of role your were called in to read.
Record the names and addresses of the auditioner's so you can add them to your mailing list.
Keep a diary of your auditions for six months and you will see patterns in the way you present yourself and how the industry sees you.
You can then make adjustments accordingly.
Remember that effective auditioning requires preparation, practice and experience.
That includes everyone from the monitor to the casting director to other actors with whom you audition.
Auditions are about finding the right actors to fill the roles.
Casting professionals and directors want you to be wonderful, even if they can't hire you immediately.
Finding good actors today saves resources in the future.
They want good actors to stay in contact with them and they want to see new faces.
With that in mind, know you're making a professional impression and being evaluated from the moment you first make contact with anyone involved in the project.
Always observe the following guidelines: o Return all calls for auditions promptly and concisely.
o Obtain all the necessary information to audition effectively.
o Be ahead of schedule but arrive no more than 15 minutes early unless otherwise specified.
o Be professional and courteous to monitors and receptionists.
o Don't socialize with other actors or even listen to their conversations.
Shut out all distractions and use your waiting room time to focus and prepare.
o Turn off your cellular phone, take off the headphones and stop checking email for the duration of the audition, including time in the waiting room.
o Be friendly but don't waste the auditioner's time with small talk.
o Know and prepare the material to performance level.
To better understand the audition process, put yourself in the role of Casting Director: you have limited time to see a large number of people, you'll be hearing the same sides over and over and you must make your decision based on a resume, a reading and less than 10 seconds of chat.
With these factors in mind, avoid the common mistakes and present your talent in the best and most effective light: o Always have one minute monologues appropriate to your Castable Types(TM), ready to go, no matter what the situation.
o Always read the sides or the entire script, when available, as far in advance possible o Use your voice before you go into the audition: don't practice copy in your head.
o If you have a question about the material, ask before you begin your audition.
o Stay on your feet rather than sit through the entire audition o Don't gravitate to the back of the audition space o Do not make eye contact with the casting people while performing: set a focal point close to them, never to stage left or right or over their head.
o Make definite choices and take risks.
o Have a beginning and an ending to your reading.
o Don't say "scene" at the end of your audition.
o With the exception of a fire alarm or similar emergency, don't let outside distractions upset or stop you.
o Only make positive remarks about the project or script.
o If you are put on tape after a first reading, that's a callback; treat it like one.
o Never ask to start over and never comment on or apologize for your work.
After the audition take a moment to objectively evaluate your work and make notes on the type of role your were called in to read.
Record the names and addresses of the auditioner's so you can add them to your mailing list.
Keep a diary of your auditions for six months and you will see patterns in the way you present yourself and how the industry sees you.
You can then make adjustments accordingly.
Remember that effective auditioning requires preparation, practice and experience.
