Being in a positive frame of mind when you audition or are going into a directed session is paramount.
You need to be present both physically and mentally, and when I say present, I mean a few different things.
The first necessary part of getting ahead while being present is practicing mindfulness – being in the moment and avoiding mental chatter. One great way to do this is to take 2-3 minutes in a seated position, close your eyes, and just breathe. Focus on each inhalation and exhalation. This will not only clear your mind, but will help reduce stress. When you open your eyes to look at your copy, you’ll feel refreshed, focused, and ready to move on with your audition in a positive mindset.
Once your thoughts are on the present moment, move on to step two and complete your script analysis. Defining who you are, to whom you are speaking, and what your purpose is (what is the copy really trying to say/do?)
Then picture yourself in that place/role/situation. This is when the acting chops come in to play: for example, if you’re speaking to a friend in the script, you need to mentally put yourself at a table in a coffee shop or on your couch, speaking to a friend. Use some lead in lines of a conversation you’d have with a friend, then transition into reading the copy. If you’re presenting to a large group of people about a product or service, picture yourself on a stage and imagine you are presenting to a large audience.
By following this two-step process, you will truly connect with the copy and knock auditions out of the park!
