So in such a scenario when an actor get a audition call for a major role, an unexperienced actor may end up trying to impress the casting rather than playing that character. I think it is really awesome that you mention that an actor must be equal with the casting director or producer so that they can see they need what the actor has as well as the other way around. Personally, I think this would show that the actor is there to make the best production possible.
Sawubona Amy. Thanks for the insight. I would say my best would be being different , confidence and seeing them as equals. Thank you. What really helped me was the part about treating and talking to others as equals, as humans like Phil did with Ricky G.
I will be in moving to LA during pilot season and this helps remind of the importance of networking. Thank you Amy Jo! That bit about positioning is ballsy and I would never have thought of it that way! Thank you! That is super helpful! These are some great tips Amy. Thanks for sharing. I never thought about positioning myself on an even playing field, so to speak, with the Casting Directors.
You are absolutely right when you say they are human too. And I know I tend to think of them in a higher level and therefore may come across a little nervous. Connecting with them and removing the formalities provide for a more comfortable audition. Thanks again! These 5 tips are very helpful. I think putting yourself on the same level with tbe casting directors and building confidence were the most helpful.
Thank you for sharing!! This some really good information about standing out as an actor. I liked that you pointed out that remembering that you are equal to the casting director does seem like a good thing to do. I really enjoyed your tips and I hope that they can make me an wonderful actor someday, also I love your work and your teaching they make me stronger everyday thanks to you. I hope to see you at work Thank you Amy.
You shared a mouthful when you spoke about balancing the scales and the added piece on confidence. I can say from past experiences that the majority of my successful auditions that led to booking the job was when I just being me — in character of course.
I trust your guidance, knowledge and have nothing to lose in my new quest of following you like your shadow. Hi Amy! I love these tips from a CD point of view.
My acting instructor gives great advice and yours is a plus. I really found that your tip about connecting on a person level helpful. It would not only break the ice but as you mentioned leave a memorable connection that may or may not have anything to do with the business but create a friendship. I also found the tip bout not looking for validation helpful. This goes hand in hand with confidence. Whether or not the CD thought it was good or expressed that would be up to them.
This was great Amy, thank you for your guidance and I look forward to working with you in the future. I think you are very generous person Amy to give these well oiled tips so freely and graciously.
So my confidence has gone down drastically, along with my memorizing! So, what you said has brought me back!
I have always been able to interpret a role in my own way. So, thank you for your advice! Funny thing is I have literally expressed these methods to actor friends starting out or at a crossroad. This has been a huge result for myself in this business from the beginning to present.
All that is left, the timing of it all. Thanks for this…icing on my cake:! No head higher than my own. No one is better than me, and I am no better than anyone else. End of story. You actually validated what I thought was almost common sense. I am highly respectful; however, I DO find kindness, humanity.. I want the CD to know they can trust the man they may be putting on their set!
And yes, they treat me so kindly. Confidence has definitely been something I struggle with when entering that room. I know the person s across from me are human and go through the same everyday human things I go through. Something inside of me, like you said, puts them higher than me. Your article really put things in perspective and when I do get back in the room, along with hard work and training, I will walk in an out of that room the same way.
And of, course, the one about confidence was gold. The people on the casting panel want you to be stunning in the audition and stunning in your part. They also want you to extremely personable, because no one wants to work with a pain in the butt. In fact, the panel are our best friends. As our best friends we should have a real desire to help them achieve their goals and to do this we should be at our best — open, honest, prepared and professional.
The slate is always the most difficult part for me. The next day I scrapped it and f-ed up my audition so badly i forgot my lines to a monologue i know backwards and forwards twice! Most of this stuff is common sense. This is a great question. As someone who has worked in an agency for over 6 years and who owns a self taping service in NYC, I think I can be of service.
Your slate is the time to be the confident working actor person described above, and shine through. Think of it as the energy you bring into the room. Otherwise you may come off as showy, needy, inexperienced, or desperate. One of the biggest things with self tapes is people getting in their own way, and a lot of that is technical.
For instance, keep the camera stationary, have good lighting and sound, blank solid backdrop, and shoot in landscape horizontally. Place your reader preferably another actor off camera and try to frame from the shoulders up. Be the most awesome actor you can. Be respectful of the material by emailing your video as a downloadable link. If you get a positive response, then there you have yourself an opportunity to further your connection.
Hope that helped! My favorite tip was to make yourself equal to the casting director. These tips really helped! Thank you :. Hey Amy! I am a Drama teacher for 6thth grades and I found great material for my classes in just the tips you gave in this article. I am going to register for the training so I can improve as a teacher and as an actor. Thank-you for sharing your insight and experience.
All good advice!!! I really connected with the info about connecting on a personal level and just being normal and yourself!!! Excellent blog, thanks! Especially 5, as we ALL lose confidence if we fail to book a few jobs in a row.
Albert taught is to enter an audition as if you were a doctor, and the casting director or director or whoever was a patient with a particular ailment. Your perspective on your audition would be to have the confidence of a doctor who is offering a cure for the ailment.
If not, wish them luck and on to the next patient. Love this! Posted on FB in a group of young theatre actors, to see if they can incorporate some of these techniques as they continue their journey.
Very good information. Thank you for making this blog so accessible and informative! My favorite tip was 4: Be A Colleague. But after reading your advice, it makes a lot of sense that a casting director would like to hire someone they respect as an equal as opposed to someone they view as needy. Thanks Amy! I always learn so much from your posts and trainings. All 5 tips are very important. I think the one that stands out the most for me is making a personal connection with the casting director.
I think making that personal connection with another person is very powerful and you will probably be remembered and called in more often. Thanks again for another great post. Thank you very much Amy!
Your tips on acting are so useful! I especially like the part where you talk about positioning yourself on an even playing field. I always enjoy reading your writings and tips and pass them on to my daughter Tory Taranova Stage name in LA. There a ton of gorgeous people in LA…even many of the homeless people are beautiful.
Treat everyone with respect but understand they are people, Any everyone wants to be acknowledged as a person not as someone to be used to get a job. Thanks for the great advice as always Amy : Great blog for the new year and a nice read. I liked the part where you talk about connecting with the casting directors on a personal level with the right timing :.
God bless ya love!!! I find you to be an extremely generous, savvy and awe-inspiring human being! I am at a huge crossroad in my life. I did forge ahead and get my AA in Drama in December Poor thing, look at her floundering around…. Well I guess she could be the Spanish version of Kathy Bates…. If I make it, I make it on my terms, imperfections and all.
This particular tip stood out for me and I totally appreciate how much information you share with all of us. Unfortunately, I do have the acting bug and will be attempting to see what comes of it despite my family laughing AT ME and not being supportive at all.
So, actors should do their best to get comfortable with the format. Now, they are forced to also look for a reader and make technical and directorial decisions.
Throughout the evening, the panel discussed a variety of topics, including technical direction, costume and props, slates and reels, readers, and the pet peeves of casting directors.
In order to get actors back on track and focusing on their lines rather than camera angles, the panel delivered crucial insider knowledge on what casting directors want performers to know.
Background: First, the background should never be the same color as your clothes! Otherwise, you may blend in. In addition, keep in mind that objects in the background, such as cords, fridges, animals, etc. Lighting: You do not need expensive professional lighting.
Remember, CDs do not see how the audition video is made, only the result. Have a light but no tripod? Dig up those college textbooks; we have found a new use for them!
Top your stack of books with a mug and you have just made your own tripod and cellphone dock! Lines: While you need to follow a script, CDs do not mind if you drop a line to make the dialogue more organic to you and your performance.
Pay attention to ellipses, punctuation, etc. If you are confused by the tone or inflection, ask your agent for assistance.
Finally, confidence in your mastery of the role adds to the vibe of any scene and, to have it, memorization and preparation are essential. Remember that one benefit of self-taping is that you have the room and time to make your audition perfect.
Eye Line: Your eye line should be as close to the camera as possible. If possible, your reader should be at camera level, so you can create the to-camera eye line easily and naturally. Also, please look at the camera and do not film in profile. Again, CDs want to see your performance, not your directorial debut. No matter what you do, do not keep looking down!
Scene Labels: Scene labels are only necessary if you are submitting several takes; however, few CDs want multiple takes unless it is for a short scene.
Sound: This includes two categories: the sound you make in the performance and the background sounds in your video. For your performance, be sure to speak clearly and project to ensure you are heard.
However, please never scream , unless directed to do. As for background noise, it can be distracting and you should try to have as little of it as possible.
Most self-tapes can be filmed with your smartphone these days. An easy way to elevate the quality of your self-tape auditions is with an inexpensive tripod. A fellow acting buddy or someone in the industry is always a good choice.
This is especially true when it comes to accents and dialects. This is an area where many self-tape auditions meet their doom. Remember directors and producers are used to studio-quality lighting and sound. Natural light in front of your face is best. Shoot your audition during the daytime if you can. Depending on how much natural light your home receives, you may need to turn on additional lights as well.
Small at-home lighting kits are relatively inexpensive. Always test light and sound before shooting. Remember your audience casting, producers and director will likely be watching on a laptop, tablet or phone. A plain white wall works great. You could also hang a blue sheet to get more of that studio look. If part of your home will be visible on camera, it should be clean and tidy. Clutter can be distracting. No one wants to see your unmade bed. Always pay attention to wardrobe instructions.
Style your hair and make-up as you would for an in-person audition. Shoot all your scenes separately. This can be confusing for those watching and may impede your performance.
You should always edit your scenes into one file. Multiple files are easily lost or can end up out of order. This also makes things easier for casting. Be sure to label your file with your name and the role.
Format the file as a. There are apps available for your smartphone that can do all these things. Your self-tape instructions should have clear details on how to deliver your audition to casting. This is the simplest and easiest way for casting directors to receive your audition.
If you have a large file and have been instructed to send it via email try using WeTransfer. This free file sharing service will quickly email large files. Never post your audition on a public site like YouTube or Vimeo, unless casting has specifically told you to do so. Many casting directors, writers and producers do not want their materials shared. You should also never share any audition information via social media. Treat all auditions and the materials that come with them as strictly confidential.
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