So here are my top 5 Audition Pitfalls I have come to understand from running many stage and on camera auditions as a director as well as auditioning for projects as an actor.
1. Want and Need
As actors we can find ourselves in the trap of wanting and needing things. We want people to like us, to believe we are talented, to acknowledge our experience and training, to be cast because we love the work. We need to book work to gain experience, be a part of projects we are passionate about, further our career, and have the opportunity to learn and grow, and get paid.
While there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with those wants or needs it can be an influence when we walk into the audition. Remembering a couple of things can help with your confidence when entering the audition room. First, someone wanted you there. A director, an agent, a creative director, or just yourself because you submitted for the audition. You belong there. That’s the first part of the audition process. Walking in with the confidence that you belong there is a big step towards success. Second, change the casting paradigm. I use to want them to say yes to me and a few years ago I changed that paradigm by saying I want them to have to say no to me. Meaning that I want them to have a difficult time saying no to me because they are deciding who to say yes to. If we say yes to this person that means we have to say no to this other person, how are we going to do that? I want to exude confidence and skills so they have to wrestle with decisions as they are making final casting decisions.
2. Compete don’t Compare
Competition is not a dirty word! Competition should be motivating and empowering. Comparing is the problem. When we look at what others are doing or getting related to auditions, casting and bookings we begin to judge ourselves or even doubt our own ability. You belong at the audition walk in with the attitude of competition instead of looking around the room or trying to see who else is auditioning. When you show up to compete for a role you do so with confidence instead of comparing yourself to others that are also auditioning. If you have decided that it is a waste of time to audition because certain people are also auditioning and they tend to “always get the job” over you then you have already disadvantaged yourself at that audition.
Competition is not a dirty word! Competition should be motivating and empowering. Comparing is the problem. When we look at what others are doing or getting related to auditions, casting and bookings we begin to judge ourselves or even doubt our own ability. You belong at the audition walk in with the attitude of competition instead of looking around the room or trying to see who else is auditioning. When you show up to compete for a role you do so with confidence instead of comparing yourself to others that are also auditioning. If you have decided that it is a waste of time to audition because certain people are also auditioning and they tend to “always get the job” over you then you have already disadvantaged yourself at that audition.
3. Preparation
This is by far the one area that I have witnessed first hand as being a major pitfall. After running auditions and also auditioning myself I can see the talent who have not prepared as well as others for their audition. Often you don’t get scripts or sides weeks in advance and sometimes you get them with 24 hours or less to prepare. This, unfortunately, is the nature of the beast. Looking at the script or storyboard or role description in the parking lot before you go in isn’t preparation. Make sure you are allowing yourself time to look over all the info you were sent for on camera and stage auditions. trust me, that can be a very helpful exercise. Also take 15-20 minutes to look at things on the internet that the company or theater you’re auditioning for have already produced. This can help you identify their brand and even at times help with wardrobe if the direction is more general related to wardrobe.
This is by far the one area that I have witnessed first hand as being a major pitfall. After running auditions and also auditioning myself I can see the talent who have not prepared as well as others for their audition. Often you don’t get scripts or sides weeks in advance and sometimes you get them with 24 hours or less to prepare. This, unfortunately, is the nature of the beast. Looking at the script or storyboard or role description in the parking lot before you go in isn’t preparation. Make sure you are allowing yourself time to look over all the info you were sent for on camera and stage auditions. trust me, that can be a very helpful exercise. Also take 15-20 minutes to look at things on the internet that the company or theater you’re auditioning for have already produced. This can help you identify their brand and even at times help with wardrobe if the direction is more general related to wardrobe.
4. Scheduling
Day jobs, class, and just plain life can often be a nightmare when it comes to scheduling auditions. As much as possible make sure you are scheduling an audition time that fits best for you to arrive 10 minutes early so you’re not rushing in the door and then right into the audition, Giving yourself some breathing room is helpful. Things change in auditions and often you may be faced with new information that you’ll need a little time with. Of course that isn’t always possible but if it is don’t underestimate the advantage you have in arriving early and being able to sit and breathe for a bit before being called in. Again you may not always be able to control things to get the times you prefer but know your best times of the day...Morning? Afternoon? Evenings? Weekends? When are you most focused? Understanding the times of day that fit you best can help when the audition allows you to go at a time that best fits you.
Day jobs, class, and just plain life can often be a nightmare when it comes to scheduling auditions. As much as possible make sure you are scheduling an audition time that fits best for you to arrive 10 minutes early so you’re not rushing in the door and then right into the audition, Giving yourself some breathing room is helpful. Things change in auditions and often you may be faced with new information that you’ll need a little time with. Of course that isn’t always possible but if it is don’t underestimate the advantage you have in arriving early and being able to sit and breathe for a bit before being called in. Again you may not always be able to control things to get the times you prefer but know your best times of the day...Morning? Afternoon? Evenings? Weekends? When are you most focused? Understanding the times of day that fit you best can help when the audition allows you to go at a time that best fits you.
5. Overshare: The Social Media Trap
I won’t go into old man mode here and bash social media because frankly I think it can be helpful. However, there are pitfalls. I pay attention to what people share on social media because if I am running an audition their perspectives and feedback from experiences can be extremely helpful in the casting process. But I also pay attention to those that seem to constantly have an axe to grind. We all audition, we all don’t get cast, that’s just the way it is. Bashing a theater company or organization or fellow actor because we didn’t get cast only hurts us. If there is a legitimate complaint or something of concern that should be brought to light in the community then we do have a responsibility to share that. However, just a rant post isn’t always the most effective way. Addressing managing directors, or agents directly and with clear communication can often yield better results. If I take to social media and just share everything that bothers me about the industry without any purpose other than to get attention then soon people will stop listening. Remember, people see what you post...even though you may not be connected to some of the decision makers on your social media platforms they can still hear about it. Please please please do not hear this as a form of censorship. Sometimes we just need to put something out there to confirm our feelings and thoughts aren’t just isolated. Confirmation and recognition is important. Change and new ideas are as well. So if we are always over sharing and ranting then often our voice may be diminished. If we are calling organizations and individuals to action that is about change for the better then we have voices that create a better atmosphere.
I won’t go into old man mode here and bash social media because frankly I think it can be helpful. However, there are pitfalls. I pay attention to what people share on social media because if I am running an audition their perspectives and feedback from experiences can be extremely helpful in the casting process. But I also pay attention to those that seem to constantly have an axe to grind. We all audition, we all don’t get cast, that’s just the way it is. Bashing a theater company or organization or fellow actor because we didn’t get cast only hurts us. If there is a legitimate complaint or something of concern that should be brought to light in the community then we do have a responsibility to share that. However, just a rant post isn’t always the most effective way. Addressing managing directors, or agents directly and with clear communication can often yield better results. If I take to social media and just share everything that bothers me about the industry without any purpose other than to get attention then soon people will stop listening. Remember, people see what you post...even though you may not be connected to some of the decision makers on your social media platforms they can still hear about it. Please please please do not hear this as a form of censorship. Sometimes we just need to put something out there to confirm our feelings and thoughts aren’t just isolated. Confirmation and recognition is important. Change and new ideas are as well. So if we are always over sharing and ranting then often our voice may be diminished. If we are calling organizations and individuals to action that is about change for the better then we have voices that create a better atmosphere.
No comments:
Post a Comment