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The audition process... 6 commandments.
I spent three years in NYC doing the struggling actor bit, going to acting school, working crummy part-time jobs, and auditioning lots. At the time I was there, the average actor booked 1 in 37 gigs. That meant he/she didn't book 36 of 'em.
And for the most part, auditions were not actor-friendly at all. They were designed to weed people out. They were poorly organized, crowded, the casting directors were rude, and the actors got treated like hobos with leprosy. It wasn't fun. But all those experiences taught me how to run a successful audition... by learning what NOT to do.
When I'm casting a project (especially my own), I want actors to give the best audition that they can, and I do my levelheaded best to facilitate a calm, well-organized process for them. So here is my brief list of commandments for running a great audition:
1. Thou shalt have a check-in table.
The all-important first-stop for an actor.
2. Thou shalt have someone at the check-in table.
To gives out scenes, to answer questions, to regulate traffic flow, etc.
3. Thou shalt space the audition times out.
Advertising your audition at 5 PM means that 30 people will show up at 5, and that means they'll just be sitting around waiting. Not good. I suggest scheduling them in five minute intervals.
4. Thou shalt audition actors individually the first time around.
I'm a stickler for this because it's hard enough for actors to have to audition with a scene they've just been given, let alone having to work with someone they've never met before. That's too many obstacles to throw at them, and it will adversely impact their performances. That's why I save pairing actors together for callbacks.
5. Thou shalt give the actors at least a few minutes to go over the scene.
Honest to grandma, I've shown up to an audition before and as the guy handed me a 3-page scene he ushered me into the room and said GO. It wasn't just a cold read, it was a freeze read.
6. Thou shalt let each actor do their scene at least twice.
OK, this is more of a recommendation than a commandment. Sometimes it just isn't possible to do, if you're running behind, or an actor is obviously not right for the role, etc. But here's the the thing, usually the first take ain't pretty. Nerves get in the way, and they're still getting used to the fact that they're even in the room. But if you give an actor an opportunity to do the scene twice, there will usually be a marked improvement. Not only that, it gives you an opportunity to see if they can take direction (because you'll want to give them a note before they do a second take). That's extremely important.
I hope this info might be helpful to someone out there. If not, put it in the "for what it's worth" file.
Alright, my pets. That's me signing off for the night. I'll leave you with a quote I heard yesterday.
"Don't ask people for favors, inspire their participation." ~ Platon
And for the most part, auditions were not actor-friendly at all. They were designed to weed people out. They were poorly organized, crowded, the casting directors were rude, and the actors got treated like hobos with leprosy. It wasn't fun. But all those experiences taught me how to run a successful audition... by learning what NOT to do.
When I'm casting a project (especially my own), I want actors to give the best audition that they can, and I do my levelheaded best to facilitate a calm, well-organized process for them. So here is my brief list of commandments for running a great audition:
1. Thou shalt have a check-in table.
The all-important first-stop for an actor.
2. Thou shalt have someone at the check-in table.
To gives out scenes, to answer questions, to regulate traffic flow, etc.
3. Thou shalt space the audition times out.
Advertising your audition at 5 PM means that 30 people will show up at 5, and that means they'll just be sitting around waiting. Not good. I suggest scheduling them in five minute intervals.
4. Thou shalt audition actors individually the first time around.
I'm a stickler for this because it's hard enough for actors to have to audition with a scene they've just been given, let alone having to work with someone they've never met before. That's too many obstacles to throw at them, and it will adversely impact their performances. That's why I save pairing actors together for callbacks.
5. Thou shalt give the actors at least a few minutes to go over the scene.
Honest to grandma, I've shown up to an audition before and as the guy handed me a 3-page scene he ushered me into the room and said GO. It wasn't just a cold read, it was a freeze read.
6. Thou shalt let each actor do their scene at least twice.
OK, this is more of a recommendation than a commandment. Sometimes it just isn't possible to do, if you're running behind, or an actor is obviously not right for the role, etc. But here's the the thing, usually the first take ain't pretty. Nerves get in the way, and they're still getting used to the fact that they're even in the room. But if you give an actor an opportunity to do the scene twice, there will usually be a marked improvement. Not only that, it gives you an opportunity to see if they can take direction (because you'll want to give them a note before they do a second take). That's extremely important.
I hope this info might be helpful to someone out there. If not, put it in the "for what it's worth" file.
Alright, my pets. That's me signing off for the night. I'll leave you with a quote I heard yesterday.
"Don't ask people for favors, inspire their participation." ~ Platon
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