Aspiring actors must remember: auditions don’t judge acting ability. , they don’t define your career, and they don’t measure your potential.
Auditions only answer one question: who will be trusted with the part?
We all know most great actors have an embarrassing audition story; most bad actors do, too. It’s a rite of passage we must endure as we learn to handle our nerves and execute our best performance in spite of distraction. The potential for failure is there, but failure is vital training for the actor and shouldn’t be avoided out of fear.
Actors with the most long-term success are the ones who learn to ignore or channel their fear of failure, stay informed of their craft, and stay prepared, so they can truly enjoy the opportunity to work the moment it arrives. If you can embrace the audition as an enjoyable endeavor, your success will be inevitable, and you will never make that novice mistake of apologizing in an audition.
There are several stages in the audition process, and approaches to casting vary depending on the needs of the project or the whim of the producers. While some small projects are cast by a director or producer with established contacts, other projects may hire professional casting directors to conduct a nationwide search. Whatever the budget for the project, whatever the scope, you may find yourself in one (or all) of the following stages of the audition process:
Submission
The expected response to a posted audition is a submission.
The first advice that experienced casting people will give to actors regarding submissions is to read the entire breakdown to get a sense of the project and what they are looking for. (A breakdown lists details for the audition and project specs/dates.) Usually, an initial or blind submission will consist mainly of your digital press kit (Resume/Reel/Website/Press) but if an audition breakdown posts sides, copy, or requests any other special material for submission, be prepared to send that as well.
There are many talented actors who never even get a shot at parts they are perfect for because they don’t read and follow the instructions! If you don’t use the file name they request for your submission… it will never be heard. Also, never follow up to check that they received your submission. Assuming you followed the instructions, they got it. If they are interested, they will call you.
If a sample is requested with your submission, unless otherwise instructed, slate your name clearly in the voice of the character, then give a couple different reads of the copy. (Two is best…never more than three) Process the audio, normalize the levels and convert it into the desired format for file transfer and put your full name in the file name.
Don’t forget: Such A Voice has plenty of articles and resources available to you to help you through this process and deliver professional quality submissions from home.
Audition (In person or remote)
If they liked your press kit submission, your self-tape, or your existing body of work, you may be asked to come in for an audition in person at a casting office or studio. You may also (more frequently now) be asked to audition via Skype or Zoom. It goes without saying, arrive or log in early, and always budget extra time to familiarize yourself with the copy. (Copy is another term for the script, often used in commercial production. Sides or pages are usually from Theatrical or Film scripts).
Do your vocal warmups in the car on the way. (Not in the lobby, or the waiting area.. always stay quiet outside the casting room.) If you need to work on your lines, step outside or go somewhere out of sight/sound. Use something for your breath before you go in; I recommend breath strips, peppermint oil drops or spray. Make sure to remember names and who you auditioned for whenever possible. (Some smart actors keep a log with all this info together for later reference)
Call Back
If you have received a call-back, congrats! You are on the ‘short list’ of people being truly considered for the job. Unless instructed otherwise, remember to wear the same look for a call-back in person. If you were smart and wrote down or remembered the names of the people you auditioned for, you will earn many pro-points by using their name when you see them again and thank them for bringing you back. Even if you don’t get the job, it’s often worth considering sending a thank you note (not a gift) to the casting office (or production) for their consideration; it’s a classy move. If you’re making call-backs, you’re probably doing an excellent job.
Studio Test
Placing your voice in the character’s lips is that crucial last step to decide if you are right for the job. When this step is skipped, actors may find themselves being recast once the client/director/producer realizes the voice is not the perfect fit. To prevent this incredible waste of time and money, the last possible step in the casting process is going into the studio to test what you can do. Just do whatever you did to get this far and be attentive to what is asked of you. Stay focused. Don’t allow all the new things going on around you to distract you. The director, engineer or producer will tell you what you need to do. Again, learn everyone’s names and write them down. (If there is a call sheet, request it to reference as a cheat sheet for everyone’s names/departments.)
The audition process will never be the same twice, but it’s always the same game, and the most valuable advice I would personally give to an actor going into an audition is the same as I would give to anyone trying to get hired for a job: Smile! Bring a good attitude no matter what.
Look everyone in the eye with kindness and don’t let the stress of your day, of finding parking, or your last phone call or whatever… ever leak into the creative space. Treat that shared creative space with wonder and reverence. Respect those who have been there already. Production is probably stressed enough. Let them feel that you are the kind of person who will keep a positive attitude when things get tough, who can figure out the answers to questions for themselves, who will be a problem solver and not a problem.
If you deliver a great performance and show them you’re all those things…the part is yours.
