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 Acting Auditions Tips

Looking for some sound advice on how to excel in your next audition? If you want to make it to Hollywood, New York, or even Chicago, this is the blog post for you. We’ve got tips on everything from managing your weight and increasing self-confidence before an audition, to what actually happens during an audition and what can go wrong.

You might be wondering why we're giving away our trade secrets here at BecomeAnActress.com - well we just want people who are as passionate about acting as us to know exactly how they can have the best chances of success in their own careers. And having a head start can make all the difference! So let's get started...

1. Know the Difference Between an Audition and a Casting Call:

The first thing to know is that an audition is when you meet a casting director, casting associate or manager in person. You then talk about auditioning for any upcoming roles. The difference between a casting call and an audition is that you will most likely get cast on the spot at a casting call, but in some cases, you may have to go through a few rounds of auditions before being successful in getting the part.

2. Make It Personal:

Be yourself, but make sure you come across as professional and focused. Try to look like someone who has been in the business for a few years and not somebody who just got into acting. Make it clear that you’re trying out for a part that is suitable for you and your abilities.

3. Get Yourself Set up Right:

Make sure you’re dressed for success and comfortable with yourself, by wearing clothes that fit well and suit your body type. You never want to come across as desperate or needy, so make it clear that you understand what’s important to casting directors (they're looking for people they want to work with).

4. Know Your Audition:

Before an audition, do some research and make sure you know your role in advance! If a casting director is asking you if you can “play a part as your character would” - it’s important that you know EXACTLY how to act out the scene. They may also want to see some of your previous work, so make sure you have your reel ready for them to watch at the audition.

5. Practice Makes Perfect:

It’s best to go into an audition without any nerves. It will help you to focus on what it is they specifically want to see and make sure you can deliver that in your audition, rather than worrying too much about what may or may not happen. Remember, the casting director is trying to decide whether or not you fit their needs. If they like you and are going to cast you, they will make it known very quickly how confident the part was that they cast for!

6. Leave Them Wanting More:

Try to leave the casting director wanting more. Even if you don't get the part, try to remember that everything you did in your audition could easily be turned into a reel. This is a great way to showcase your skills and possibly turn those one or two minor roles into something bigger. There's always a chance that an audition for a major movie will lead to other roles in smaller movies - it all depends on how you execute your audition!

7. Be Prepared to Be Hit by the Big Ball:

Sometimes, no matter how well prepared you are, there may still be some areas where they want to see more from you before they decide whether or not they would want to cast you. This is when you need to be patient, open-minded and listen as much as possible to what the casting director wants.

8. This Is Your Show:

Do not be afraid to take control of the situation if you feel like the casting director isn’t going in the direction you want. If they’re not giving you the role, try and ask them why, so that you can improve for next time! Actors who can adapt and change quickly are always going to be more successful than those who stay stubbornly stuck in their ways.

9. Just Wait in the Waiting Room:

Nobody likes waiting rooms. There’s just not much to be said about this. You’ll probably have to wait for a while and you may be wondering why they even have auditions when they could just cast whatever they needed without the hassle of watching people try out (this is because they get so many submissions from actors that need to audition).

10. Just Relax:

There’s no way around it - you’re going to feel nervous, but there are only two things you can be nervous about in an audition situation - 1) Being late and 2) Missing cues... You can’t do anything about the second one and you can only keep your cool to a certain extent, so just take the time to relax yourself before going into your audition.

11. Don't Depend on Others:

Some people try to rely heavily on their friends or family members to help them get a role in a movie. This can be helpful if they have connections at certain casting offices, but it’s also important that including other people doesn't make you depend on them - instead, make sure that you work as hard as possible when needed, rather than waiting for others to pull some strings (even if they are close friends).

12. Trust Your Instincts:

If you've got a good relationship with the casting director, you should trust your instincts and let them know if you feel like they’re making the wrong decision. Try to tell them what you think they should be looking for in the role and why, rather than just rambling on about how much of a good actress you are. If they have given the role to somebody else, ask the casting director WHY this person is right for the role (if it’s because someone else was more popular or had more money behind them - really think about whether or not this is actually true).

13. Don't Be Picky:

If you look at the other people who are trying out for a similar role, they probably aren't quite as good looking or talented as you, but they may have bigger scars on their faces or have more movie credits in their portfolio. Try to think positively, focus on the fact that you’re actually getting the audition and not about how much better other people might be than you - if you’re lucky enough to get a part in the movie, the casting director will most likely recommend you to other projects.

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Conclusion:

Auditions are tough, but they’re not impossible. If you have your performance skills down and have a good rapport with the casting director, you’ll be a lot more likely to get what you want out of the auditioning process. Remember though - no matter how much you prepare or practice, there’s always going to be those one or two things that the casting director is not looking for, that could have been better... Just make sure that you treat this as another learning experience rather than a complete failure.

Make It In Hollywood: http://www.filmmakers-toolkit.com/<br>

The Hollywood Film Institute: http://www.hfi-la.