Audition Tips

Audition Tips

Headshots/Resume:
They should be taken every six months to a year. Find someone who specializes in actors/different characters with different clothes. Don't make the casting director imagine you in the role. If it's a professional role, such as a lawyer, do not submit a casual photo, submit one in a suit.

Typical Louisiana roles to consider using as headshot characters include: waitress, business person, Cajun, cop. Professional headshot photographers will offer 4-6 looks. Mass copies of your headshots (200) can be done at www.spotlightprinting.com.

For open casting calls, bring a plain headshot or even better bring all different style headshots. Every audition you should bring at least two headshots and always staple your resume on the back on all four corners.
On your resume, don't be afraid to add something funny in the skills and hobbies section.

If you have shorts on your resume list them under "Film" and note they are "short independent" films. If you have dance credits, do not list them individually, just include your dance experience under skills and the number of years you have been performing.

When you're first starting out, go to the state Film Commission Directory and mail your headshots to casting director's. Different directors may prefer color or black and white head shots, so it's a good idea to have both.

Insider's Tip:
Even if callbacks are later in the same day, bring more headshots because more/different people will need them. Other supplies an actor needs includes a reliable car, computer and a good phone. Do not let an agent call you more than once.

Demo Reels:
Once you have tape of yourself acting you can begin to put together a demo reel. Ask a producer for your footage.
3-4 minutes long. Include 3-8 acting segments.
Start and end your reel with your name and contact information.
The Audition Process

Before the Audition:
You will receive "sides" from your agent anywhere from 24 hours in advance to the morning of the audition. "Sides" are the pages of the script with your lines on them that you will read for the audition.
Allow 30 - 45 minutes from the time you park to locate the casting office, check in and get into your acting zone.

ALWAYS look for the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) sign in table and sign in immediately. If a casting director does not see an actor within one hour of them signing in, the casting director could pay SAG a $2,000 fine. If it's not easily visible the table could be in an adjacent room.

People watch you even while signing in to see if you're going to be easy to work with. The sign in person could be the casting director's family member, or a member of the production company who will report back on actor's attitudes.

During the Audition:
When you walk in, look for a mark on the floor to stand on. Do not hesitate and do not ask where your mark is.  It could be a piece of tape on the floor or an "X" or "T" drawn with a marker. This is because they don't have time to re-focus the camera between every actor. Standing on the mark ensures you are in focus.

***Casting directors have to see so many people that at the beginning of the audition they are looking for a reason to weed you out.***

They will say "Slate." This is your cue to tell them your name, the agency that represents you, your height and the role you are reading for. (If you are a man you also include your weight.) If you do not have an agent you can say "self represented."

They will say "Profile." This is your cue to turn to the left and then to the right so they can see what you look like from the side.

When you face front again they will do a full body pan with the camera.
Next they will zoom in to about the chest up and say "Go."

This is your split second chance to ask if you can get in your zone. Some will say yes and give you a moment to focus and some will say no and you must immediately jump in.

This is also where you have the chance to say if you intend to move in a way that might go out of frame. (For instance you plan to kneel at some point as if talking to a child. In this case, they need to follow you with the camera to get all of your performance.) Alternatively, you can ask them what your frame is in the camera.

Remember, your only chance to ask any question is after slate and profile.
Don't sway back and forth. You can ground yourself by placing your weight on one foot.

***Casting directors have to see so many people that unless you seemed hesitant during the preliminaries, this is the point in the audition when they're rooting for you to succeed.***

Insider's Tip:
Have your lines prepared at least three different ways. Nine times out of 10 actors will have it prepped one way.  Let the casting director know you have it prepped multiple ways.

Even if every emotion is marked in the script, be versatile enough to show variety.

Finally, remain in character until the casting director says "Scene."
The casting director will sometimes give you direction to see if you're versatile. Or they may go the opposite way to see if you can replicate the same performance again and again.

Video Auditions:
Send the casting director the scene acted in several different ways. Cut them together back to back and don't even stop to say "Take 2" etc. But, during a regular audition live in the room wait for the casting director to ask or tell you if you should pause.

After the Audition:
Send hand written thank you notes, follow up phone calls and postcards. Give them to the assistant or mail them to the casting director.

Acting Technique:
Even with a two word line use your body, your face and your pauses.
Make strong choices in the audition itself. Make it interesting. Commit to your choices.

Learn a non-regional accent. Southerner's have lazy vowels.
In general: Do not change words especially for comedies, but make it your own in a little way.

In film the words "Moving on. Print." Are the equivalent of stage applause. It pays to have special skills (rollerblading etc.) Most important thing for an actor is to listen. Practice in a mirror. Videotape yourself.

Extras:
An extra can be noticed simply by being on set. Never pass up an opportunity to play background.

"Taft Hartley" - as in the phrase we will "Taft Hartley" you. It means to be upgraded from an extra to a SAG actor.

Other non-speaking roles include "hand doubles" who play extreme close-ups of a lead actor's hands. "Stand-ins" must be the same height and general coloring of a lead actor so the crew can set the lighting.