April 6th, 2010
It can be intimidating and overwhelming in the beginning to walk into a cattle call audition and sit for hours watching the parade of physically fit, ultra-groomed talent. But don’t let it frighten you, for things aren’t always as they appear.
There is a lot of competition in this business, some of which is very talented with looks, connections and determination to boot. But the majority of your “competition” is not competition at all, but rather only warm bodies that make auditions drag on much longer than necessary. Here are some things I have seen at auditions that have left me amused, confused and/or just completely dumbfounded…but far more confident nonetheless.
Some people just cannot handle the spotlight.
Nervousness is normal and expected. But rest assured that many of your competitors will crumble under pressure. Better still, a few of those who do will be rather talented and beautiful and, with a little composure, could have easily snatched that role right out from underneath you.
If an actor cannot stay focussed for a couple of people with a camcorder, how are they going to deal with a fully equipped crew? If an actor falls apart on stage in front of 50 people waiting to audition for that same role, how are they going to perform for a packed house of people who have paid to be entertained? The obvious answer: they won’t. They won’t be given that opportunity. So don’t worry about them, no matter how gifted they may be.
It is not enough to be talented and perfect for a role. A casting director will not assume that an actor is capable of believably delivering memorized lines in a natural, stutter-free manner. It is up to the actor to prove themselves and their abilities. If you posses the ability to get through a scene without mangling it beyond recognition, you will likely be preceded/followed by someone who will make your performance seem much better than it was simply by falling to pieces at the sound of the word “action”.
Some people just cannot act.
Among the mumbling, monotone-delivering, frozen faced androids are those who strut into an audition room knowing they will not only book the role, but will also inspire a new Oscar category for Greatest Audition Of All Time. They perform every line which ends with an exclamation point as a balls-to-the-wall nuclear meltdown, and every comma is expressed with a long, uncomfortable silence as if they are waiting for someone to cue the power ballad while they awkwardly stare off into space. The best part of all is that that level of arrogance is usually accompanied by an equally high level of denial, and that person will likely chalk off the fact that they never seem to make call-backs to “it’s all about who you know,” eventually giving up all together and staying out of your way.
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Tags: Acting, attitude, Audition, competition, confidence, dedication, focus, nerves, Opportunity, preparation, research, talent, what it takes
Posted in Arts & Entertainment | 8 Comments »
March 22nd, 2010
There are those who have what it takes to make it as an actor and those who don’t. We all believe we have what it takes to achieve our goals despite what others may tell us. But how do we know whether we really do have what it takes to make our dreams a reality and sustain them as a career?
From my experience, I would say the first clue might be your own level of frustration with others who believe they have what it takes, but clearly don’t. It can be hard to define, but it seems the people around us, whether or not they have any knowledge of the industry or the strength of our desires, can sense our realistic potential. Our future can be foretold in our behavior, daily habits and attitudes.
So what does it really take to become a success? Desire is a start, but it is meaningless and ineffective on its own.
1. Plan and focus
It is not enough to know where you want to go. You must have at least a general idea of how you’re going to get there.
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
An ultimate goal with no strategy is little more than a fantasy. How can you possibly stay on track if you have not plotted a coarse of action?
Clearly define your goals, and then list all the things which must happen in order for those goals to be achieved. The things on that list then become smaller, preliminary goals.
Example: You want to become a Tony Award-Winning Broadway actor. What must happen first? For starters, you will need training, a resume full of theatre experience, a union affiliation (SAG), and live in New York City. These would be your preliminary goals. These can be broken down even further into baby steps: acting and vocal classes, community theatre auditions, researching housing in NYC, etc.
Set a reasonable time frame to accomplish each of these goals because a deadline will help you maintain momentum and stay focussed. The smaller the goal, the easier it is to accomplish. Once you are checking items off your to-do list at a regular pace, you will see your dreams begin to take shape.
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Tags: Acting, attitude, Audition, Broadway, daily routine, dedication, diet and exercise, dream, Energy, focus, future, goal, motivation, Networking, nutrition, Opportunity, Plan, preparation, promotion, research, SAG, Stamina, success, what it takes
Posted in Arts & Entertainment | 9 Comments »
March 15th, 2010
You have a dream and a goal, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Anyone embarking on an acting career probably already knows the basics: get a headshot, build a resume, get an agent, go to auditions, etc. But how? How do you find out about auditions? Will a glamour photo from the mall work as a headshot? You know the ones: blurry dreamscape effect, feather boa with a motorcycle jacket, Dolly Parton hair and enough makeup that someone could use your eyelids to chalk a pool cue.
So step 1 for any actor should be to do your homework and research the industry.
One thing I want to make clear from the get-go is that if you approach your career with a brutal mistake (such as using a glamour photo as a headshot), it will not be forgotten by the people who can make or break you. So step 1 for any actor should be to do your homework and research the industry. Actingbiz.com has loads of articles and information written by industry professionals who have been in the business for years which answer virtually any question you can think of about the business.
The Headshot
This is the very first thing that is an absolute must-have! But it also has to be done right and conform to industry standards. Your headshot is your business card. It will usually be the first thing that is seen by an agent or casting director, so it is essential that everything about it screams professionalism. Remember that when your headshot is seen by a casting director or an agent, it is sometimes seen for only 2 seconds as the person flips through a stack of 50-100 other headshots. You want it to stand out, but certainly not in the wrong way. Read Six Tips for Perfect Headshots by Ruth Kulerman.
Finding the Opportunities
Whether you’re trying to figure out where to find casting notices or just wondering where you go to find the good ones, a key word in any industry is “networking”. I’ve replied to several people who have asked this basic question with the same recommendation: local acting classes and community theatre. Your talent and abilities aside, these are great places to network with other actors on all levels and sometimes even industry professionals. I am taking a class now from a filmmaker who has also casted numerous projects and worked with some guy named Jack Nicholson.
Do keep in mind that you will probably have to start out small no matter how good you are (or think you are). Community theatre is a great way to practice and showcase your acting abilities (you never know who may be sitting in the audience), and acting classes are often full of ambitious young filmmakers who are always in need of actors who will work for free. Yes, free! You need a resume, and this is where you will begin to build one.
Community theatre is a great way to practice and showcase your acting abilities (you never know who may be sitting in the audience)
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