Preparing For An Audition
By | September 3, 2010
Preparing For An Audition
The fact is, auditions are a nerve wracking experience for actors. They’d rather have their eyebrows plucked. Unfortunately, they’re an essential part of being an actor. So by following these steps you’ll have the best chance of getting the part.
In getting the audition in the first place, you or your agent are going to have to submit a photo and resume to the casting director. Sometimes you’ll get an open call where anybody can come down but these are the exception, not the rule. Most auditions are by invitation only.
If you are called for an audition you will usually be given what are called “sides” or a few pages of a script that you will have to read at the audition. In theater you may also be required to have some kind of monologue ready.
The first thing to do is read the script and prepare for the part. Find out everything you can about the character you’re going to be playing. The lines aren’t important yet. Just commit your focus to the character. How old, where from, how the character feels about other characters in the story. Only after you know everything you need to know about the character do you start learning your lines. Use whatever method you feel most comfortable with. You won’t be required to know the whole script at the audition but be prepared.
Before you go to the audition, dress for the part. Wear clothes that fit the character and the story. If you’re playing a cowboy don’t get dressed up in a business suit. You don’t have to go out and rent spurs but wear clothes that suggest the role. Jeans and boots for this role will do fine.
Warm up for the audition just like a pitcher warms up before a ball game. Do some stretches and vocal exercises. Go over your lines. Don’t go in there cold. It’s normal to be nervous but in preparing yourself you won’t be as nervous and you’ll be able to relax a bit.
When you get to the audition, sign in. You may have to wait for others to read for the same part. Be patient. Avoid talking with the other actors. They will only try to distract you. Focus on what you came there to do.
When actually reading for the casting director, be prepared for anything. Some may sit and chat with you a few minutes and others will just get right down to business. Forget that this is an audition. Do the performance as if you were actually in the production. You only get one chance to make a first impression. Make the director believe that you ARE the character. They want you to be the best person for the role because that means their job is completed.
There are some things not to do when reading for the casting director. Don’t suck up. A sincere compliment is fine but a casting director will know when you’re just grovelling. Aside from shaking his hand when you enter, never touch the casting director. Finally, don’t trash the office. Some hyperactive actors will actually do this in the heat of performing a physical scene. This is a definite way NOT to get the part.
After you’re done with your reading the director will let you know when they’ll get back to you. Leave it at that. Don’t make a scene. Just be professional and leave.
If the casting director likes your performance you will be asked to come back. At this time there will be fewer people auditioning and more people watching your performance. Maybe some producers, directors and writers. Wear the same clothes that you wore to the first audition and put in the same performance. Don’t second guess yourself. If they called you back then they liked what they saw the first time. Don’t mess with success.
Keep records of each audition. Make notes of what things you did and what you think you can do better the next time. If something went very well, make a note of what it was.
The more auditions you do the better you will get at them.
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Four Fine Tips in Pursuing an Acting Career
By | September 3, 2010
Four Fine Tips in Pursuing an Acting Career
For you to realize a goal, you have to work real hard to attain it. You must do everything right from the preparation to the execution of every step that you have to take. This is very much true if you plan to pursue an acting career. If you really want it, nothing should stop you, not even your age, gender or even your nationality. What matters here is the hard work that you will put in attaining your aim and how you will overcome the hindrances that will block you along the way.
If it is motivation that you want to keep you going, here are some tips to help you move along.
1. Prepare for everything. Prepare yourself physically. You have to look your best at your every audition. To achieve this, you have to take care of yourself. Improve both on your physical and mental capacity. It will also help if you will practice rehearsing dialogues or plainly, speaking in front of many people. Your physical appearance is an investment. So if you have to spend money in order to enhance what needs to be done, do it for the purpose of looking fit and confident.
You must also be ready emotionally. You cannot get everything you want in an instant. You might experience a lot of rejections first even before you get your first callback. It will be best if while on the process of going through auditions, you have a part time job that can suffice your every day needs. You can also treat this phase as something fun and enjoyable. This way, you will not take the rejections too hard or too personal.
It will also help to be spiritually conditioned. This will help you accept the bad news that may come your way through the process. This will be your strength when you feel like giving up.
2. Learn the ropes. If you want to be taken seriously as an actor, present yourself as one. It will help if you will meet the right people, especially an agent who will represent you and find you audition schedules. You have to know where that action is taking place. You don’t necessarily have to live there. But it will be less expensive if you do. If you can find small gigs on the locations where the auditions are usually going on, then that will be much better.
Establish friendships with the people that you will meet along your audition rounds. You never know who will bring you luck and fortune in the future.
3. Be the master of the craft. Watch a lot of movies and learn how the actors attack their roles. Read aloud dialogues from scripts. Read books and references that can help you improve and where you can learn a lot from.
4. Be careful in hiring an agent. Do not believe those who will make you pay even if they still haven’t found you a job. That’s when they are supposed to get money from you. They get certain percentage as commission for the work that they helped you find. They are your allies. They must know your strong points so that they will instantly think of you for roles that fit you right.
All these tips must be taken at heart if you are serious in pursuing an acting career. The road may be tough. But it will be worth it when you reach the point of your destination.
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Reality TV Show Auditions
By | September 3, 2010
Reality TV Show Auditions
The immense wave of Reality TV show has bombarded its way into American pop culture paving the way to stardom for the average Joe and Jane. If you have a remote interest in Reality TV show and feel you are ready to take the next step and audition for them than the first thing you’re going to need before even applying for the audition is preparing your portfolio. This is the case regardless for live realities TV show auditions or not video auditions.
If you are an actor or familiar with how actors usually prepare their auditions photo and portfolios then you know professional actors usually have a nice head-shot with a well-written resume to accompany them on their Explore Talent auditions. These are usually very professional materials and I’m sure will be well appreciated by casting directors. However, reality TV shows are not looking for professional actor and don’t expect the same type of portfolio a professional actor would provide during the audition. However, you will be expected to submit photos of yourself. Now you may want to submit one really nice professional picture but also include realistic photos of you in your normal day life. You are trying to sell you as a person, your personality, and your personal background. Try to provide pictures that will convey these elements.
Sometimes you will have live auditions but reality TV show auditions usually asks you to submit a 2-7 min video of yourself. Once again, you want to make a video that conveys your personality but more importantly a personality that they are most likely to pick. One of the best ways, during your creation of your video portfolio, is to watch past TV shows of the reality show you are auditioning for, to see what kind of people the casting director is most likely to pick. Make sure you check out the listings of reality shows on our site Explore Talent to find out what is available to you right now.
Reality TV shows has opened a new market for non-actors the opportunities to be seen on television and all they have to do is act like themselves. The first thing you’ll have to do is try to find a reality show that compliments your personality. You certainly can’t audition for a reality show like “I Survived a Japanese Game Show” when you have no athletic ability what so ever, they’ll probably never cast you. Keep an eye open on our website Explore Talent and wait for the perfect reality show that will best fit you physically and your personality. You should understand that you probably won’t be auditioning in person but rather submitting a video audition. You can check out our other resources that cover how to prepare your reality TV show portfolio on our site Explore Talent.
The next step for getting ready for an Explore Talent reality TV show audition is to prepare a story about you that is intriguing and interesting. You should have this memorized for live reality TV show auditions, as this is one of the main questions casting directors will most likely ask you. When you are in the audition room you also have to have a personality that others will like to watch. In other words, you’ll have to make for good drama. This is not something you can really “act” as reality show stars are usually natural, since they are just being themselves. The main thing casting directors are looking for is the unique dynamic you will have while interacting with the other people on the show. You should be aware of this and try to practice for your reality TV show audition ahead of time.
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