Auditions 101
These are just some basic tips that everyone should now when preparing to audition.
Read the Audition Notice Carefully!!!!!!!
This is something that can not be stressed enough…How you follow directions when responding to a casting/audition notices can play a
huge part in whether you even get called to audition.
So READ, Re-READ, Re-Re-READ and FOLLOW the instructions precisely.
Before you send your e-mail response to a Casting Director STOP!!!!!!
What is the casting/audition notice saying? A lot of times, casting directors put certain instructions in their casting calls just
to see if you are able to follow simple instructions.
Read the notice carefully – (responding to a notice by e-mail)
- If the casting/audition notice has a specific name, for everyone to send their responses to. Direct your reply to that person and not
“Dear Casting Director” or “Dear Sir”. Use that only when no specific name is given.
Look for key elements such as “put the role you’re interested in auditioning for in the subject of your e-mail”…This means when they
see your e-mail, in the subject line it should show them what role you are interested in, nothing else unless it says so. Do not put
“responding to your ad” or “Please Consider”. If they do not specify, then put the role/name of film.
Attach a resume and head-shot – Now this should be the easiest task to follow!!! Funny thing is, it is not – one sure fire way to get
your e-mail deleted is to send a casting director somewhere else to view your photos…(DO NOT SEND an e-mail, telling the casting
director to go to Facebook, Myspace, or wherever you house your photos), if you do don’t expect to hear from them. The key word
here is “Attach” not “send me to”. They do not have the time to go elsewhere to look at photos, nor do they care about how cute
your facebook/myspace page is. They want to see a head-shot and nothing more.
This means sending photos of a professional manner. Guys keep your shirt on and this includes your pants, unless you are
looking to play a role of a lifeguard, bodybuilder, or an underwear model; keep it on.
Women we don’t care what you look like on the beach unless specifically asked for a bathing suit photo.
Do not send family portraits, we only need to see you.
You don’t have to have professional pictures...but please do not send CAMERA phone pictures.
***If you were told to mail your resume and head-shot would you stick a sticky note in the envelope telling the casting director to look you
up on Facebook or Myspace for photos? NO you would not so why do it in an e-mail. It takes more time to print off and mail photos then it
does to attach a photo into an e-mail. Don’t shortcut yourself.
If you do not have a resume state that in your e-mail, don’t just leave it off and not mention it.
Read the notice carefully – (Preparing)
Are you asked to prepare one monologue or two?
Most casting notices will outline the characters they are looking for, in this case be certain that your material matches as close to the
character you’re auditioning for.
Based upon the casting/audition notice, make sure you are trying out for an appropriate part. Some notices will not have a
description but will have an age range. If the casting director is looking for a young man in his late 20’s to early 30’s, don’t show up
thinking that they will consider you for the part clearly displaying your bald areas and the hair left is gray. Do yourself and everyone
a favor and don’t even reply to be considered, move on.
Follow whatever guidelines are offered to ensure that you arrive at the audition as organized and prepared as possible.
NOTE: If you can not follow simple instructions in a casting call notice; this tells the Director/Casting Director that you are not
capable of following directions on set.
Not following directions on set: COST time + money = Pissed off Director!!!!
Be Professional
This should be a given at all times, after all you never know who is who. The audition starts from the moment you enter the building, so try
to present yourself as professional and personable at all times. An audition isn’t solely about your acting ability; it’s also about your general
character/personality. The panel will be looking to see if you are the sort of personality that would fit to represent them.
To be taken serious as an actor/actress, you should arrive at auditions prepared to perform and present any materials that were
requested of you.
Show the casting director
· How reliable you are – (DO NOT BE LATE) show up at least fifteen minutes before the audition.
· Be courteous, and not too talkative. They are busy and need to get you in and out for the next person.
· Don’t bother crew members.
· Spend your time privately readying yourself.
***An audition is just like a job interview. Avoid inappropriate behavior, using profanity, behaving too shyly or brashly, absolutely no gum
chewing or popping and by all means avoid long speeches as to why you are perfect for the role.
***Do not commit to an audition if you unsure. The one thing that leaves a bad impression is not showing up to your audition, not only
have you wasted everyone’s time, but you could jeopardize your creditability.
Advice: If you are offered an audition with a company that appears to be more attractive for the same time, I would suggest compromising
with the 2 and juggling audition times if possible.
Dress Appropriately
When in doubt go with “business casual” attire. In some cases the notice may give specific instructions on what to wear, if so follow those
instructions. If you are auditioning for a dancing part in a musical, wear dance attire or loosely fitting pants/shorts appropriate for dancing
in.
Audition dress code:
Wear plain clothes - the casting director needs to see your acting, not what your T-shirt says. Don’t wear clothes of humor or with
explicit content.
Wear flat shoes - women try to wear a low heel or flat shoe. You can comfortably move in them and you will not damage any
expensive dance floors. Never wear high heals for an audition – you may be asked to remove them.
No labels - the casting director could care less about your designer clothes. In most cases you may be video taped which will mean
no logos, please. They are trying to see your talent not advertise.
Perfect the Role/Monologue
When asked to prepare a monologue, be sure that you have rehearsed it completely which means knowing your lines and becoming your
character. The directors are looking to see if they can see your character or the person that just said hello to them.
Many times you will be asked to read the lines over, try a different personality or all together give you a monologue they have to cold read.
It is easy to perform your monologue that you rehearsed a zillion times, but what a sure fire way to show how you can transition your
character from crying to saying the same line with a calm tone or an accent. If given the chance, show them that you can interpret the role
in many different ways. The casting director will make most of their judgments about you in the first 10 seconds of your performance. After
this, they will be looking to see if you can sustain your performance.
Ending your Audition
Many actors/actresses will stand in silence waiting for the casting director to say something at the end of their audition. Try not to do this,
at the end let them know your done by saying "scene and/thank you.”
Never ask how you did, or when to expect a call back, or any such question. The casting director knows how to get in touch with you if they
want you.
For the Parents of Child Actors/Actresses
Here are a few Don't Do:
Steer Clear of Chewing Gum - Although it seems obvious, you would be amazed at the number of kids who walk into a casting office
snapping their chewing gum. Now, unless chewing gum is an actual character choice you and your child have decided upon, this is not
something that will go over well with a casting director.
Don't Avoid Eye Contact - When you teach your child about how to behave in a casting room, make certain that they understand both
proper etiquette and how to make eye contact with the casting director.
This doesn't mean a scene should be entirely played out while looking at the casting person, but when your child introduces
themselves, they should make direct eye contact, have confidence and be confident in who they are as people.
Don't Overdo It - Your child should do three things when they enter a casting room:
They should clearly say hello and make eye contact with everyone in the room.
They should perform their scene.
They should say "thank you" and good bye and exit the room. They shouldn't ask how they did, or when to expect a call back, or any
such question. The casting director will find them if they need to; this goes for the adults too.
Don't Make Excuses - Everyone makes mistakes in auditions -- this is completely expected and natural. Casting directors are often quite
patient and understand that the actors performing for them might be quite nervous (especially those who are first timers). Although it is
okay to ask to start over if you make a mistake, avoid making excuses. Casting directors will usually prefer that you just keep going.
Parents in particular -- NEVER MAKE EXCUSES FOR YOUR CHILD. Even if their poor performance is a direct result of something you
did. Assume every casting director you meet has not only heard every excuse in the book dozens (if not hundreds) of times, they won't
care. They simply have too many other potential candidates to see.
Don't bring other siblings, unless specifically requested - A casting session is usually set up for one particular type of child. You
bringing your kid's brother or sister because you "think" the casting director may want to meet them will almost guarantee that your child
will not be considered. Focus your attention on the child you've chosen to bring and that's it.
If the casting director asks about your other children, then you can speak about them. But unless they DIRECTLY mention that they want
to see them, chances are they are simply making conversation to make you and/or your child feel more at ease.
Avoid bringing overly tired or wired children to auditions - If your child is simply too tired, wired or even suffering from a cold, you're
better off passing on the audition all together rather than hoping to "suffer through it." It certainly won't help your child's chances with this
particular job and it might hinder their chances at getting other work because the casting director who sees your whiny/wired child will
remember their behavior more than their performance.
Never coach or scold your children in front of a casting director - One almost certain way to ensure your child fails to get an acting
job is to instruct them or scold them in the presence of a casting director.
Acting as a child should be fun and VOLUNTARY. If you find that you are living vicariously through your child and forcing them to do
something they don't have any interest in, understand that a casting director will more than likely pick up on this sooner rather than later.
Casting directors are looking for those parents who will serve in more of a "silent partner”.