Audition Tips

Entering the Waiting Room

• Be courteous to everyone.
• Don’t distract the other actors.
• Be aware that some actors will try to pull tricks to throw others off. So don’t be overly trusting if other actors try to offer you information or advice.
• If you don’t have the script/copy/sides in advance, consider coming in early to prepare before your audition.
  • If there are limited handouts of the script, take a picture to study it. But be aware that they may not want you to do this because of non-disclosure.
  • Don’t sign in until you’re ready. If you sign in early, they may call you in early.

Entering the Audition Room

• Walk into the room with confidence.
• Be personable.
  • Greet them with a smile and eye contact.
  • Walk in with the essence of the character while still being yourself. Example: If you’re reading for a serious or emotional role, come in a bit more mellow. 
  • Have something interesting/relevant to say in case the opportunity presents itself. But don't push to make friends or conversation—just do good work. 
• Don’t shake hands unless they offer.
• Dress to suggest the part. 
  • No costumes or props.
    • Example: For a doctor, wear something professional—not a lab coat and stethoscope.
    • The exception for when costumes may be okay is commercial auditions. Tread carefully and read the instructions.
• Keep a record of the casting directors you audition for. Remember them.
• If a chair has been made available, use it or move it without asking permission.
• Don’t enter in character! This can create huge problems if they think you are behaving poorly. They want to get to know you.
• Don’t try to blame or make excuses. It hurts your professionalism.
• When it’s time to begin, making eye contact will signal that you’re ready.

How to Be Confident

• Train until you know you’re good.
• Prepare. Prepare. Prepare… Do your best work.
• Be early.
• Be presentable.
• Don’t think of the audition as applying for a job, but doing a job.
• Don’t look for affirmation from people in the room. 
  • Focus on your work.
  • Judge for yourself whether you did well or needed improvement.
  • Not booking doesn’t mean you didn’t do well. They can still keep you in mind for other roles.
  • Getting cut off doesn’t mean you didn’t do well. In fact, it could mean the opposite: they may have seen exactly what they wanted and are ready to move on.
• Breathe. Listen. Be present.
• Have fun!
• Fake it ‘til you make it. Putting on the behavior of confidence can influence your thinking.
• Don’t fight your nerves. Integrate them with what you are feeling as the character. Think of them as fuel to heighten the intensity of your performance. If your nerves are completely out of control, focus on more training. You will improve.

Performance

• Always hold your sides—even if you’re memorized. It communicates that your character is still a work in progress. Hold them out of frame and look down at them as if you’re thinking.
  • If self-taping, consider hanging copies of the script in places you will be looking. You can tape them to a wall or light stand, or use a music stand or teleprompter.
• Monologues should be memorized. 
• Scenes should be at least partially memorized (Remember, do your best work).
  • Memorize the beginning, end, and any significant moments or transitions. 
  • Know the lines well enough to keep a normal conversational pace.
  • Be strategic about when you look at your lines. 
    • Don’t lose your reaction moments.
    • Don’t lose your physical action.
    • Mark reference points on the script that will prompt you with a glance.
• Create your surroundings in your mind. Have something to look at for each person or object.
• Have a moment before and moment after. 
  • Be clever with creating moments that enhance the scene. These moments allow you to stand out and engage the casting directors in a unique way.
  • Use variety for different takes.
• Add moments that aren’t written in the script, but don’t change the writing.
• Give them something enjoyable to watch. Can you see your performance in the final product? Can you see your performance standing out among hundreds of others? Can you see the viewers getting excited over your performance?
• Don't allow props to become a distraction.
  • Some casting directors hate props, so don't go overboard with them. Use everyday items as needed (pencil, phone, cup). If the script calls for unique props, you can use everyday items or your script as a substitute.
    • Using real weapons may offend some people. 
  • Minimize miming, and try to keep it off-camera. Keep your actions believable.
• Make use of space. Consider walking into frame, or walking forward from a distance. Know how big your frame is so that you know where to stop.
• If you’re given a note, listen without interrupting, look at your script while processing the adjustment, then do what they requested without resistance. But you can always say “no” to anything related to safety or sex.

Qualities of a Good Audition

• Feeling of truth (believable)
• Energy (not passive or casual)
• Humor (identify it and play it)
• Courage (not safe or inhibited)
• Concentration (block out the real world)
• Spontaneity (following impulses) 
• Specificity (not general or playing a mood)
• Skill (technique and taste)

Self-Tape Setup

• Shoot horizontal with whatever framing they request.
  • Film/TV will usually be around chest up.
  • Theater will usually be bigger, around waist up.
  • Keep the lens at eye level.
  • Get rid of extra space above the head.
    • Adjust the camera or crop in editing software.
  • Avoid getting too close to the camera, unless intentional for the effect.
• Have a neutral background that doesn’t distract.
  • Blank wall, pop-up background, non-wrinkled fabric
• Have good audio.
  • Avoid rooms with too much echo. 
  • You can upgrade your phone’s audio with a mic like the Shure MV88.
  • Audio quality can be improved afterward in editing software.
• Have good lighting.
  • Make sure your face and eyes are visible.
  • Natural window light, soft box, ring light
    • If you have the option, place your main light 45° to your side and 45° above you.
    • Side and back lighting will make you pop from the background.
• Have a good reader. 
  • Find someone who can act well and bring out your best performance.
  • Have them stand to the side of the camera (where you will be looking).
    • Don’t look too far away from the lens.
  • Make sure they don’t speak too loud.
• For drama, you can subtly zoom in on impactful moments. 
  • Don’t overdo it. 
  • This can be done by the reader on the camera, or afterward in editing software.
• Don’t add anything distracting that isn’t requested, like titles or headshots.
  • Adding a title with your name and email to the end is acceptable.

Self-Tape Slates

• Be centered throughout the slate. 
• Speak directly into the lens as if greeting someone warmly.
• Follow all directions 
• The slate is part of the audition, and should reflect the overall tone. 

Self-Tape Questions

• They want to get to know you as if you were in the room with them.
• Talk about things that make you light up with excitement and passion.
• Avoid sounding scripted.

Multiple Takes

• If doing more than one take, there should be a significant change between them.
  • Change your circumstances. 
  • Change who you are speaking to.
  • Change your personality, dominant emotion, or other character attributes.
  • Change your physicality.
  • Change the meaning of your words. Examples: Are you sarcastic or serious? Insulting or playful? Knowledgeable or faking it? Hesitant or eager? Lying or truthful?

Exiting the Room

• Leave with confidence, even if you’re faking it.

Afterward

• Submit it and forget it
  • Go on with your day without dwelling on the audition.
• Consider sending a thank you email if you connected with a casting director for the first time.
  • IMDb Pro is a resource for contact information.
• If you don’t book it, allow yourself a day to be upset, then move on.
  • Don’t become bitter.
  • Celebrate the successes of others.

References:

• Heilbrun, Mikie. Lecture at Savannah College of Art and Design.
• McMurtrey, Joan. Lecture at Savannah College of Art and Design.
• Merlin, Joanna. Auditioning.