Posts Tagged ‘Auditions’

« Older Entries

Projecting Yourself At Acting Auditions

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Actors often feel nervous about acting auditions because they are not sure of the image they project of themselves before the audition panel. You have your contrasting prepared pieces, and you have learned them and prepared them so that you are totally secure – but how do you look?

Sometimes you can ask family or friends to hear you recite a piece, but it is hard to get an objective response from people you know. An objective response is what you will have at auditions, so it is worth your while trying to ascertain that.

A good tip is to video your audition material. This need not involve any great expense, because the quality for you is in the performing – not in the video itself. Try to analyse your efforts as critically as possible. Note the inflection of your voice, note any mannerisms in gesture, and try several versions in different clothing, so that you learn how that affects the final performance. Try to recall exactly how you achieved particular results, so that you can easily replicate that if you think it’s effective.

To paraphrase the Scots poet Robert Burns, you want is to see yourself as others see you. The more you can correlate what you see with what you think you are doing, the surer you will be of your results.

Here at Audition Now we specialise in results; getting all the latest and best casting calls and acting opportunities texted straight away to your mobile phone.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in acting auditions | No Comments »

Auditions Or Casting Calls

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

An actor with experience in both film and stage work gets used to the different performance styles relevant to each discipline. Casting to type is typically the norm for screen media, whereas for stage auditions your actual looks matter less than how you present them.

The great film actor and director Clint Eastwood quotes the drama coach who used to tell him, ‘Don’t just do something, stand there.’ In film the actor’s performance is centred on economy, and that economy demands a particular discipline from the performer. Very often where you would expect an expansive gesture, you have to look for the most minimal realisation of the moment. You can’t expect to pace about or wave your arms: you have to concentrate the emotion in your face, or in the smallest, most telling hand movement.

The greatest actors are at home both onstage and onscreen. This is because, in truth, the difference is only one of degree. The rule for film auditions is ‘do less’; onstage you work at achieving the same intensity for emotional effect, but you have a greater range of expression available to you.

Whether you go to casting calls for film or television, or whether you go to West End auditions for the stage, it is in your interest to be able to adapt to both styles of acting. Here at Audition Now we give you the latest opportunities to put yourself on view, as that way you can make the most of your stage or screen talents.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Auditions | No Comments »

Getting The Detail Right At Acting Auditions

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

When going to acting auditions or casting calls, actors devote most of their energy to their audition pieces or script sample. It is true, that unless you are totally confident with your material you will never convincingly acquit yourself in the audition.

However, there are additional factors that may seem trivial, but could also have an effect on the outcome. These include:

- Your manner, not only with the panel at the auditions, but also with fellow auditionees. Whether you are successful at this audition or not, it pays to never ‘close the door behind you’, and a positive, relaxed and friendly attitude creates as much of an impression as your acting skill.

- Your interest in the both the current project, and in the work of your audition panel. It doesn’t take much effort to learn a bit about who you are auditioning for: your interest in their work is a simple courtesy, but gives a lasting impression.

- Your punctuality. It sounds banal, but reliability is an asset in any actor, and a clue to that is if you turn up in good time for your auditions.

- What you wear. A choice of clothing that is sensitive to the demands of the role not only helps to show your aptitude for the part, but also demonstrates your imaginative understanding for the project.

At Audition Now we specialise in getting the best audition opportunities to our clients, whether they want to be on TV or star in a theatre production, and help them to make the most of their career potential.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in acting auditions | No Comments »

Being Creative About Your Acting Auditions

Friday, June 11th, 2010

For many actors, acting auditions can feel a bit like gruelling examinations, particularly if you have a string of unsuccessful ones. It may be time to take stock of your career, so here are some questions you should ask yourself before venturing to your next batch of casting calls:

- Are you putting yourself forward for the right roles? It may be that you are limiting your options by not considering yourself for different types of parts.

- Are you preparing the right sort of material? You should always be expanding your repertoire of pieces for auditions, and also developing new ways of performing these pieces. If you have started to consider different roles for yourself, have you also started to look at different types of monologue that will show off your new aspirations to best effect?

- Are you targeting yourself with the right companies and projects? If you think of yourself as a West End performer and have been to an array of West End auditions, have you excluded work opportunities that may in fact suit you better? It may be that you need to look at work out of town: it may be less lucrative, but at least it can provide a more consistent range of acting opportunities.

- Should you think about changing your agent?

This is where we at Audition Now come in. With our support network, you can be confident that all your creative energies are directed at all the best work opportunities, and that you will never miss out on the latest acting auditions.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in acting auditions | No Comments »

Making an Impression at Your Acting Auditions

Monday, May 24th, 2010

There is a lot you can do to help yourself do well at acting auditions: whether it is being well-informed about who you are auditioning for, choosing particular audition pieces that best show off your talent, or something as simple as being relaxed and friendly to your audition panel.

What you can’t do, is be someone you actually aren’t at auditions, and in the end it won’t help you to pretend otherwise. This means, for a start, that you can afford to be selective about what auditions you go to. If, for example, you are too young for the role, it does you no good to pretend you are not.

What you can do – and it happens more often in live theatre than in film or television – is make a good case for casting the role in question against type. In other words, show your panel how the role might be played if you were cast in it.

When asked about plastic surgery, actress Kate Winslet said, ‘It makes these people, actors especially, fantasy figures for a fantasy world…acting is about being real, being honest.’ You should always remember this when preparing for auditions. However much you think you want the part, you can’t ‘pretend’ your way into it. A casting director can always spot a fake.

Here at Audition Now, we instantly help you access all the latest acting auditions. We give you so many work opportunities, you need never pretend otherwise.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in acting auditions | No Comments »

Preparing for the Unprepared at Acting Auditions

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

No matter how ready you make yourself for acting auditions, your audition panel will almost certainly want to see how you respond to the unprepared. This is a test of your basic instinct as an actor to ‘keep the curtain up.’ Most staged performances suffer glitches, even if it is just the audience reacting in an unexpected way, and the good actor knows how to respond to that in a positive, non-alarmist way. Auditionees also need to show that they have an active imagination, because often that is a source of inspiration to both theatre and film director.

It is not easy to practise the unexpected, but at least you can get used to a degree of improvising by taking a part as an extra. One good way is to watch how other performers manage it, whether by studying them at work over a run of performances, or reading about their work. Stand-up comics, if you can ignore the jokes, are useful for this: they are constantly on a knife-edge with their audience, and it is possible to see where they succeed and fail, and learn strategies for yourself from that.

The more you acclimatise yourself to performance of the unknown and unexpected, the more you will have to offer when you go into auditions or casting calls. The side-benefit is that you will gain in self-confidence, and look forward to your next auditions.

At Audition Now we maximise your opportunities for theatre and TV auditions, with all the latest possibilities sent via text direct to your mobile phone.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Auditions | No Comments »

Dress Code at Acting Auditions

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

There are no hard and fast rules about what to wear at acting auditions, but that doesn’t mean that your appearance doesn’t matter.

Unless you are told otherwise, it is usually best to avoiding wearing black for auditions, which can make you look unhealthy, or bright and garish colours, which can be a distraction. Remember that some geometric patterns can come out badly on camera and a defined neckline (collared shirt or v-neck) conventionally looks neater. Be careful not to restrict your movement with your choice of clothing (pencil skirt, or tight-fit jeans) as this will limit your self-expression. By the same token, heavy shoes can make you seem stiff and uncomfortable.

A subtle suggestion of the character that you are auditioning to play is a good way to show your appropriateness for the role and that you know something about it. Very often however, an audition panel will want to see your flexibility and range, so don’t limit yourself. This is something that will occur if you want to be on TV or attend theatre casting, so it applies to all auditions.

The costume will come with the part; so will the make-up. It is very important that you keep make-up and jewellery to a minimum as you don’t want the audition panel to ask themselves what you are trying to hide.

Here at Audition Now we keep you informed of the latest acting auditions by texting you on your mobile phone; this means that you need never miss out on your next career opportunity. Instead, you can concentrate on looking your best, and creating the right impression before your audition panel.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in acting auditions | No Comments »

Extras Work Offers a Little Bit Extra Per Month

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Doing extras work for television is a great way of making a bit of extra money if you have time on your hands. However, be warned – it can involve a lot of sitting around, and of course it is work that may only last a day or two. You also have to be ready to be available at very short notice.

There is a lot to enjoy about extras casting, though, as you get to see behind the scenes you may even meet the stars. Of course, you get yourself on the show too, even if it is only for a few seconds! There is no particular training or skill involved, although you must follow instructions, and when you are on camera you must make sure that you do nothing to ‘pull focus’ from the main action. That is the reason you are known in the business as a ‘background artiste’, and having skills such as these look incredibly good on a CV.

There are people who do extras work full-time and who make enough money to live off, but this involves considerable commitment, and you would probably have to sign up with an agent to be sure of getting enough of the action.

Here at Audition Now, we can offer you the possibility of a wide variety of extras work, and as soon as fresh work becomes available we can notify you of it via SMS to your mobile phone. So, how about being an extra – and earning yourself a bit extra on the side?

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in extras | No Comments »

Are you Type-Cast as an Actor?

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Are you worried about being considered for the same type of role when you go to acting auditions or casting calls? Do you want to branch out into performing other character-types?

If so, you should first think about radically changing your general presentation, and even your appearance. Also, casting to type is much more prevalent in film and television work than stage-work, so you may be offered more varied work from live theatre auditions. You should rethink how you present yourself at audition; if you prepare and offer a wider variety of audition pieces, the panel will see the extent of your range as a performer and you will be considered for a wider range of roles.

You should bear in mind however, famous actor Julie Walter’s words of wisdom: ‘I can understand why people get annoyed at being remembered for one thing, but a lot of actors aren’t remembered for anything.’ There is a lot to be said for taking advantage of the work opportunities and auditions you have – even if the roles are of a similar type – and working them into something that is distinctly ‘you.’

Whatever your choice, we at Audition Now are able to help you not only with plenty of opportunities for auditions, but also with access to a range of support services to help you with your career choices for the future. That’s true whether you want to create a new ‘you’, or prefer to consolidate your reputation as a particular character type.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in acting auditions | No Comments »

A Checklist for Your Next Audition

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Whether it’s for casting calls for television and film, or acting auditions for the theatre, there is a basic checklist to go through before you present yourself to a casting director or audition panel.

Research: learn all you can about the people who are auditioning you, the individuals, and the company (or companies) that are involved. Check out what recent projects they have produced, and try to find out something about the project for which you are auditioning.

Preparation: if you have a script, or part of one, then you should thoroughly familiarise yourself with the material. Be ready to perform the role or scene in different ways; if your panel likes you, you may be asked to try the piece in a completely different style. You should also take along a couple of memorised contrasting pieces: classic and contemporary; tragic and comic, for example.

Your photo and CV: make sure you have an up-to-date CV for the auditions, and demonstrate with it how apt and appropriate your previous experience is to the current project. You should also take along an up-to-date 10×8 headshot of yourself, with outline information about yourself and experience on the back of it.

A final tip: turn up early for all your acting auditions. It’s a real help in controlling your nerves.

Here at Audition Now, we keep you up to the minute with all the latest acting auditions and casting calls posted direct via text to your mobile phone. We also offer comprehensive guidance on preparing for these opportunities.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in acting auditions | No Comments »

« Older Entries