| I have some close friends and colleagues in the | | | | someone, you envision him or her in the context of |
| entertainment industry, which I have dabbled in a little | | | | your meeting. You do it. They do it. They want a |
| myself, and they have vented to me time and again | | | | competent, personable employee. Come in looking |
| about what they see during the open casting call | | | | prepared, confident and presentable. Not unorganized, |
| process. In an attempt to not go insane from the | | | | arrogant and sloppy. If you don’t care, why |
| repetition I hear from my aggravated acquaintances | | | | should they? |
| on an almost daily basis, I’ve devised a list in | | | | 6. Contact Information: |
| hopes that actors reading it will give them a break. | | | | Simple but crucial. Use a designated audition email |
| Which consequently, will give me a break. Here we | | | | address and have it on your Resume and Headshots, |
| go! | | | | which you should have with you at all times! Even if |
| 1. Excuses: | | | | you don’t get the part, they might dig your file |
| Check those at the door. Time to be an adult. The | | | | up at a later date. You might not have your agent or |
| dog ate my homework didn’t work in school, | | | | they lose that information and presto, they have |
| and no variation of that excuse is going to work at a | | | | your contact information handy and ready to go. |
| job interview. Roll with the punches, and do what | | | | 7. Memorizing Lines: |
| you can. Don’t start blaming anything or anyone. | | | | 1. Learn them! If you don’t, can’t, whatever, |
| It just looks pathetic, and makes you look | | | | DO NOT pretend to know them. You’ll just look |
| incompetent. Pity won’t get you the job. | | | | stupid. While reading directly from the script isn’t |
| 2. Early Audition: | | | | ideal, it is not the end of the world. |
| Now don’t get too discouraged, this is just a rule | | | | 8. 3 C’s: |
| of thumb, but early auditions tend to get the part, or | | | | This is a little redundant, but that’s because |
| at least a callback if they were halfway descent. | | | | it’s important. |
| Reason being, the casting staff is tired at the end of | | | | Comfortable—Charismatic—Confident. |
| the day. Like anyone at work, productivity goes | | | | You’re going to be an actor. You must have a |
| down minutes before quitting time. They’re not | | | | stage presence. Focus must be on you, and the |
| really paying attention. They’re thinking of food, | | | | audience must want to focus on you. After all, |
| home, sleep or some other pleasurable, non-work | | | | you’re the reason why anyone is watching. |
| related activity. Also, you might not impress them as | | | | 9. The Show Must Go On: |
| much when compared to the blur of actors | | | | Did you mess up a line? DO NOT start over. This is a |
| they’ve seen all day. Wouldn’t you rather | | | | sign of professional maturity. Starting over is never |
| audition in front of well-rested, fresh minds? | | | | an option, and it probably wasn’t as bad as you |
| 3. Headshots and Resume (aka a portfolio): | | | | think. While you’ve just messed up in front of |
| Even if a manager or agent is sending one over for | | | | industry professionals, they’ve seen it fifty times |
| you, bring extras. You never know whom you will | | | | that same day and it isn’t that much of a shock. |
| meet, and you don’t want your career | | | | If you wow them with your talent, a simple mistake |
| dependent on anyone but yourself. | | | | won’t sway them too much. |
| 4. Choose: | | | | 10. Audition: |
| During an audition, confidence in yourself and your | | | | This might seem obvious, but a lot of people will only |
| understanding of the character is very important. | | | | go on auditions that they really want. Go on auditions |
| What shows this are the choices you make. When | | | | that aren’t so important to you. That is a |
| someone asks you to choose “what you | | | | perfect way to perfect your auditioning skills without |
| like” or “which song”, do not reply with | | | | blowing the real deal. You can also record yourself |
| “doesn’t matter” or “whatever you | | | | and use sites like Talent Trove to get feedback on |
| want”. Huge turnoff and big mistake. You must | | | | your performance. Practice makes perfect, and you |
| know your strengths and preferences. This is not a | | | | need to get those jitters out. Hone your skills, and |
| social conversation. You’re being tested! | | | | get yourself familiar with the setting of an audition |
| 5. First Impressions: | | | | and you’ll soon walk into it like an industry |
| Not really much to say here. When you meet | | | | veteran. |