Auditioning is always a high stakes, nerve wracking situation that is impossible to avoid as an actor.
Over the years I have met actors that loved the audition process. They thrived under the pressure.
However, that was a small group of them. Most actors auditioned only because they had to. After all, how else would you show casting directors and industry decision makers that you're the perfect fit for the role?
Those actors had the tendency of burning out rather quickly and leaving the industry. The other actors, the ones that accepted the pressure and the challenges that are inherent to the auditioning process, were typically the ones that were able to build careers as professional actors.
If you want to build your own career as a professional actor, you have to know how to overcome the challenges and dominate the audition process.
Regardless of where you are in your acting career there are several things you can do to dominate your next audition. Here’s where to start...
Virtually every actor I’ve ever met likes to focus on what happens in the room, because that’s “the fun part.”
It’s where you get to display your creativity so it’s why most actors are so naturally inclined to focus on that almost exclusively.
However, things start long before you ever get in the room.
The first step to dominating your auditions is to research and prepare thoroughly. I know that sounds simplistic and that is precisely why most actors don’t do it to the degree they should.
You have to know your character thoroughly, in order to convincingly portray them on set. This will help you understand why they are doing the things they do.
It’s also crucial to understand their deeper motivations and their subsurface emotions.
While all of that is important, it’s not to say that is where your preparation should stop. You also have to do some research on the people you are going to be reading for.
That includes the casting director and their staff as well as anyone else that will be involved in the casting decisions.
There may be times when the project’s director, or another decision maker, prefers an actor with certain tendencies that go against the CD’s preferences, so you have to take both into account.
If you don’t do some research on the other people attached to the project, you may deliver a stellar audition in the room, only to be passed over because you were only reading for the CD and did not take into consideration everyone else involved in the production.
Casting Directors are highly aware of everyone else’s preferences and work to find actors that will be a good fit all around.
As you are reading the script, analyze your character, and consider different choices you can make in your performance, based on everyone involved in the project.
In addition to doing your research and preparing for the audition to the best of your ability, there is another factor that many actors ignore.
Going into an audition with the right mindset and unshakable confidence are also crucial elements of dominating an audition.
Like I said earlier, auditioning can be nerve wracking so it's natural to feel anxious before an audition.
However, while some actors use that pressure to their advantage, many of them let it negatively impact their performance.
So, next time you are in the room, remember that casting directors want you to do well and be the one.
As you are waiting for your turn during a traditional audition, tune out distractions and stay focused and in the moment.
Do the same when you are getting ready for a self taped audition. There will always be things pulling at your attention and tuning out the distractions is a skill that every actor should cultivate.
Something that helps is practicing your audition with a friend. Do it as if the casting decision rests in their hands and perform your scene that way.
Do it several times before your audition day. I know it sounds basic but that kind of repetition can help you feel much more comfortable and confident in the room.
On the other hand, if what you are struggling with is getting enough auditions, then there may be something else that is holding you back.
Sometimes it’s a simple visibility problem and showing up where CDs and industry decision makers are looking for talent can be a positive first step.
Other times, it’s not quite that simple...
This is especially true, as you start to go after roles with more screen time and more responsibility.
Those two concepts of visibility and a CD’s standards rely on each other. You have to be visible to the industry, while also making sure that what they find about you shows that you are a true professional.
Dominating your auditions as an actor requires a combination of preparation, mindset, and good audition strategies. By doing your research and preparing thoroughly, you can give yourself a strong foundation to work from and increase your chances of booking.
Over the next few weeks we will continue to go further into the details of how to properly research your characters.
For now, if you have an audition to prepare for, remember to plan time to practice your audition with someone else. I can’t emphasize just how helpful that can be, as long as the person you are working on this with is someone you can trust to give you honest feedback.
I know that can sometimes be difficult to find and while I can’t help with this in particular, feel free to get in touch if you want to bounce ideas.
I’m always happy to help however I can because I truly want to...
See you at the top,
Scott