As the New Year is now in full flow, so too are new film and TV projects and with more projects come more auditions! Many actors view auditions as a necessary evil, an obligation that you need to fulfill in order to get what you truly want – the part. However, this shouldn’t be the case, you have to learn to love the audition and here are a few tips to make your experience a lot more enjoyable:
Be Yourself…
So many actors feel as though they need to adopt a persona when attending a casting, both within and out of the audition room. Usually at castings the only conversations going on in the waiting area are about acting, what roles everyone’s done and what they are going to do next. It gets boring! Some casting directors have eyes and ears out watching the actors before they go into the audition room, so show them who you truly are!
Treat the casting director as a Human Being and Your Equal…
When you walk into the room, shake their hand and ask them how they are. Chances are they’ve had a long week of auditioning and would really appreciate someone asking about them. Be relaxed and don’t be afraid to chat, they’ll tell you when they want to start the scene but first they want to see if you (as yourself) would be a nice person to work with.
Build to a Climax…
If you’ve received the sides in advance of your audition (even that morning) it goes without saying that you should know the lines, it’s your job after all. However, if you can’t then don’t pretend you have and ad lib; they’ll know! Try also to incorporate something a little out of the box that will make your audition stand out. Most sides will build to climax so think of something that most others won’t do at that point. For example, if there’s a line that you think should be shouted, try bottling up the anger and saying it slowly and threateningly. They may then ask you to try it again with a shout but they will appreciate seeing something different and will remember your audition.
And Return to Your Normal Self…
Once the scene is over, you’re no longer obligated to stay in character, be yourself again. Have another chat if they instigate it and thank them for their time before walking out of the room with confidence (even if you fumbled some lines, it’s not the end of the World!) Don’t grovel and apologise, stay confident in the knowledge that you CAN do it and everyone makes mistakes, they know that!
Finally, Go and Do Something with the Rest of Your Day…
There is absolutely no need to sit and think about the audition for the rest of the day, you’ll drive yourself insane. Have a quick analysis of what you think went well and what you think you could do better next time, write it down and move on. If the casting director asks what you’re up to for the rest of the day and you say ‘nothing’, you might come across as being a little boring. If you say that you’re meeting a friend or going to work then they’ll get the correct impression that you are a sociable and hard working individual and hopefully right for the role! Remember, auditions should be fun! They allow you to meet new people and network with industry professionals. Even if you’re not right for that particular role, if you’ve made a good impression, they’ll remember you! Auditions are also an opportunity to build on your self-awareness, acting technique and ultimately your courage, all of which are vital to succeed in the acting world! Good luck with your next audition!
The Surviving Actors Team
