Top Ten Tips for Auditioning

Guest Blogger: Toni Attell is the co-author of The Little Blue Book for Filmmakers. Below is an excerpt from her blog The Acting Biz.

Many people have been recently asking about auditioning techniques.  So here are the top ten tips for auditions.

1. Get the full script and read through it without taking a break.  Do not answer phones, or distract yourself until you have finished reading the entire context of the movie or show and the character’s journey in the show’s situation. It is important while reading the script to just absorb it and not make any judgments or acting choices about the character.

2. If you cannot get the entire script before the audition, try and get to the casting office early and read the script before you audition.  The casting associate or casting director will usually have it available.  Make choices about the intentions of the character (who is now you) and what the character wants and how the character goes about reaching his/her goals actively.

3. Dress appropriately without overdoing it.  Hinting at the wardrobe is more than enough. Realness is more important.  It is not just you saying the words written by the author but what you (the character) are thinking and how you communicate the words.  Commitment is important, so do not judge the character. If the character happens to be a bad person, research what happened to damage the character.  Explore why the character feels that way by creating a back life. Become the character and understand and respect the choices the character begins to make on the journey.

4. Watch television shows if you are auditioning for television and recognize the different styling of the shows.  Educate yourself on the difference between the acting styles on multi -camera shows (played a little bigger for audiences) like “Everyone Loves Raymond” to single camera shows (a bit more realistic most of the time, but sometimes can be comedically a little larger than life) like “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Note different styles in dramas as well.

Keep reading this article at Toni’s blog: The Acting Biz.

The Little Blue Book for Filmmakers

The book discusses issues faced by all beginning filmmakers, with a historical perspective that explains problems and solutions that reach back to the invention of movies at the turn of the last century, and stretch forward to include new digital technology and the popularization of videography as global self-expression. A valuable addition to the shelves of all film school instructors who’ve not had years of practical experience working in the trade, it’s also a syllabus in itself and can be the foundation for a course schedule. More important, it’s something every film student will want to own as a reference and guide.