Posts Tagged ‘Theatre Auditions’

Your CV And Acting Auditions

Monday, June 21st, 2010

To make the most of your talent, it is important to get yourself seen by the companies and casting directors that most suit you, and for the roles that are right for you at the current stage of your career.

You should also make sure that your CV is up-to-date. Here is a checklist if you are thinking of revising your CV:

- Have you included all your latest projects? It is important that at your next acting auditions, the panel sees that you have a recent as well as a longer-term track record.

- Is it time to edit out some of your early work, or to alter the emphasis you have given to your previous work? Perhaps you want to consider auditions for more varied roles, in which case, ask yourself if your CV reads in such a way as to demonstrate that.

- Have you condensed your material to something quick and easy to read? However much experience you have in theatre or musical auditions, you should not submit more than two sides of A4 as a resume.

- Have you made full mention of people you have worked with? Past colleagues may now be serious names in business, so make the most of the fact that you worked with them while they were ‘on their way up’.

- Have you given all your latest contact information?

At Audition Now we not only help you with your strategies for acting auditions; we also offer support with background aspects of building the acting career that’s right for you.

Quality At Acting Auditions

Monday, June 14th, 2010

The acid test for an actor will always be his or her own sense of quality in the theatre auditions or even soap auditions they take part in. Many of the best stage performances are given by actors in the smaller roles who have devoted time and care to perfect the portrayal of their character. They may not have the most to say or do, but very often their meticulously crafted work is recognised by the audience. These are the performers who not only bring quality to a production, but they also win the plaudits of the public.

The great Welsh acting legend Richard Burton once put the matter in less charitable terms: ‘If you’re going to make rubbish, be the best rubbish in it.’ This was not only an admission of his having worked in poor quality productions; it also shows his strong competitive sense, and his commitment to giving his best.

This is exactly how it should be for you at your acting auditions. You cannot be sure that all auditions will be for a production of the highest quality, or even that the part you may be offered will be a particularly starring role. If, however, you rigorously apply yourself to achieving the highest possible standard in what you do – whatever the quality of what is going on around you – then you can be confident of success.

Here at Audition Now, we encourage you to give of your best, by presenting you with all the latest acting auditions, and giving you the opportunity to make your talent stand out.

Extras Work As Part Of Your Training

Monday, June 7th, 2010

If you are receiving training at one of the drama colleges, a great way to gain experience of the film and television business – and to earn yourself some extra cash – is to put yourself forward for extras work, particularly during the long summer break.

The discipline for extras work is very different from what you may be learning in your training, but there is still plenty to learn that will be useful to your future onstage. As a background artiste you may not be expected to ‘perform’ in the conventional sense. On the other hand, it very often happens on set that someone is needed to say a line, and before you realise it, you may find yourself being offered the chance to put your training and experience to serious professional use.

Plenty of actors have experience of work that they consider ‘beneath them’, but as a student you have nothing to lose. You will have the chance to work with established television directors and screen names, and since so much of acting work comes through networking, you may find that these chance encounters lead to worthwhile career opportunities, and thus theatre auditions for more established roles.

Here at Audition Now, we ourselves have access to a wide network of associates in the worlds of film, TV and drama, and this gives us an edge over our competitors in searching out opportunities for extras work. This means that we can keep you posted about all the latest extras work coming up, with informed updates texted direct to your mobile phone.

Acting Auditions And Building Your Career

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

The success of the Nelson Mandela film ‘Invictus’ owes much to the direction, the acting, and the script. However, the life and attitudes of Nelson Mandela himself are clearly a major inspiration to audiences all over the world. It is also the potency of the oft-quoted lines from William Ernest Henley’s poem Invictus that people recognise: ‘I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.’

This has a strong resonance for serious actors: years of training and performing help actors achieve a mastery of self-expression that leaves the antics of an X Factor wannabe in the shade. Going to acting auditions and casting calls are a great opportunity for the skilled performer to demonstrate this control in theatre auditions to the people who matter in the film and theatre business.

Experienced actors know that acting is not about ‘getting away with it’, but about being able to produce the same excellent standard of performance night after night. To be successful at acting auditions requires an actor to have, if anything, even more command of his talents and abilities. A good actor is always working at his performing skills: the more you can control your performance, the more you can control the progress of your career.

At Audition Now we help you find the work opportunities to help your career, by keeping you up-to-date with all the latest acting auditions, texted direct to your mobile phone. That way, you really can become the ‘master of your fate.’

Knowing Your Pieces for Acting Auditions

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

One of the reasons actors of all ages and experience can find acting auditions nerve-wracking is the element of the unknown. Until you walk into the room, you can’t know what you are going to be expected to do. The ‘cold reading’ is an unknown, and you may be asked to read it in different ways. With your prepared pieces, however, you are completely in control. You can show your talent exactly as you want it to be seen.

Choose contrasting pieces: a classical soliloquy and something contemporary; or something serious and something comic. However well you think you know them, try reciting them in completely different, even bizarre ways. You will be surprised how much added meaning you can find to the text if you give it time. Imagine the speech as said by someone of the opposite sex, or by a child or an old person. Then imagine situations: how do different circumstances affect the way you deliver your lines? This is the same for TV auditions as well as theatre auditions, so it is important to be prepared.

Perform your audition pieces to friends or family: don’t change things because they say you should, but think about their responses, and what that tells you about the effect your performance has. They will give you an idea about what reaction you will generate at casting calls.

We at Audition Now have a lot to offer you as you build your acting career. Let us start by keeping you posted about all the latest acting auditions, sent direct by SMS to your mobile phone.

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.

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.

The Chance of Good Acting Work

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

Your commitment to your acting career is crucial to your success. In addition, however, you need to exercise critical judgment: sometimes it can be hard to choose what project best suits you, and which theatre auditons are going to be beneficial. Being an actor, especially a successful actor, is not just about earning money – even good money. All actors are looking for interesting and challenging work: as actor Hugh Laurie said, ‘…this business, for actors anyway, is not so much about whether or not you do good work. It’s about whether or not you get the chance to do good work.’

Invitations to acting auditions abound in the trade papers such as The Stage, but this is by no means a comprehensive catalogue of current work on offer; nor is there any distinction made between work and ‘good’ work. Besides, many opportunities come up at short notice, so it is to your advantage to have access to a reliable up-to-the-minute auditions information service.

Many actors need assistance with managing their portfolios and access to guidance on other opportunities.  Your experience and ability will determine to some extent what acting auditions are suitable for you.

At Audition Now, we are a one-stop facility for the promotion of your acting career. Whether you need information on the latest acting auditions, texted direct to your mobile; or on seminars and courses that can help you make the most of your ability and achievements so far. In short, we help you create the chances to find good acting work.

Confidence at Acting Auditions

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Most actors hate acting auditions: you have sometimes only a couple of minutes to show your talent and you may not be sure that you are giving the casting directors what they want to see. That’s why even the most experienced performers get nervous beforehand.

There are physical and psychological exercises that you can do to help you control your nerves at auditions. It helps, for example, to make a point of getting to the audition venue a quarter of an hour or so early, so you have time to prepare yourself.

In the end however, there is no substitute for confidence, and confidence is one of your greatest assets for taking on theatre auditions. It was the Hollywood actress Kathleen Turner who observed, ‘The big gap between the ability of actors is confidence’. In other words, most of the time, success in theatre or film is down to how good you feel about yourself, not how much extraordinary or outstanding talent you may have.

If you are starting out in acting, it is worth remembering the value of cultivating your self-confidence.  You may not have done many roles in theatre in TV or they may not have been the lead role every time, but if you are comfortable with your abilities, it counts for a lot.

Auditioning is a great way to learn the ‘art’ of self-confidence and here at Audition Now we line you up for plenty of auditions with our text-alert service, so soon you will be showing the audition panels the more ‘confident’ you.

A Positive Attitude to Acting Auditions

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

There are many wannabe actors who have not got the strength or confidence to make enduring careers for themselves. They very quickly become negative about their work opportunities and this attitude can easily affect others.

Acting auditions are a great opportunity for you to show your talent as a performer – not just for the project in hand, but also for future projects. If you leave a memorable impression with your audition panel, it is a good investment for your future in the business

Clint Eastwood has had a varied career in the movie business, and his attitude perhaps explains why he has been so successful: ‘I don’t believe in pessimism. If something doesn’t come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it’s going to rain, it will.’

Auditions are a chance for you to meet new people, to discuss projects with them, and to build a network of associates and colleagues for the future. If, at the same time, you are able to show your performing talent to the best, and it leads to an offer of work, then you have hit the jackpot. However, don’t disparage the process of auditions just because you don’t land the part.

The more you audition, the more you will be able to build up your contacts and your career prospects. At Audition Now, we offer an information service on theatre auditions and TV casting calls, and text all the latest work opportunities direct to your mobile phone. We help you make the most of a positive attitude to your future career.