1. LEARN YOUR LINES
- learn them, for goodness sake, nothing says unprofessional time waster than not knowing your lines. It is only a casting there will only be a few lines. I read my lines at least 100 times the night before and 100 times that morning. I am sick of the lines - but I know them and the other guys lines too, that impresses a lot if you can help the stumbling fool playing opposite with his lines. Look like a pro actor and know your lines
2. DRESS IN CHARACTER
- who cares what the old lady on the bus thinks when a cowgirl in stirrups sits next to her. The job of the casting director is to visualise you in the role, if you make the job easier for them, then you will be remembered better. Who looks more the CEO for that high power TV drama, you with good lines and dressed in a suit or the construction worker turning up in his dust covered overalls and hard hat with good delivery. If you look more like the part they are likely to think that is actually a part of your personality and thus can play the part easily, it's professional do it. I have turned up to a wrestling casting, gone into the toilets and come out in my professional wrestling costume - 1/2 way through the casting they said you have the part - we are calling the others to tell them not to come in. I looked the part, I was the part, I got the part. Look like the character you are acting.
3. BE EARLY
I don't care if traffic was heavy and neither do they, if you are late to a movie set you can cost them thousands, organize yourself the night before with a bag with props, your script and clothes to wear. There are no excuses for being late.
4. NEVER APOLOGISE OR SAY YOU MESSED UP
professional actors don't do it so don't you do it, if you feel uncomfortable about a take they will often give you another chance, if not you can ask if you can do one more, but never more than one more. A casting is short and easy, you have had time to practice, and you should get it right first time
5. PRACTISE THE NIGHT BEFORE - practice, practice, practice. Get in front of a mirror and watch your own performance. Do not stop acting until you get it 100% right
6. ACT 3 DIFFERENT CHARACTERS FOR THE SCENE - read the scene and make up 3 different characters to act out the scene. For example, you are to act as a killer, you could practice a Vietnam Vet who took one to many acid trips and does not realize what he is doing, you could act out a guy who has bad problems with an abusive mother to the point he hates and wants to kill all women, or you could play a deranged maniac who has voices that tell him to do it. You do not need to tell the Director what you are doing, as an actor you let them see and feel that character and you use different expressions and actions that convey the different characters. On each take you play a different character. This has two benefits, it allows them to see you are talented and can play a range of role and it allows you
3 chances to look like a character they want and get the job rather than the others who play the same character 3 times. Triple your chances - I think this one is one of the best methods to get jobs.
7. ACT LIKE YOU ARE IN AN APPROPRIATE SETTING - how many times I have seen people stand there, arms by their sides and deliver perfect lines with little expression and no movement. For example the acting audition has you talking to someone in a bar you could deliver a few lines, pause, pretend to take a sip of your drink, let your gaze follow the woman walking past, then finish your lines, sip your drink again and wipe the back of your hand across your mouth and call for another round
8. BE CONFIDENT - if you practice till you know it back to front and are dressed like the character you will look more like a professional actor and with your triple chance play, you have a much better odds than the others, go in there like this is your role, you have it, you are now just there to show them how it is done properly. I have previously instructed my agent to call the casting director back and say Conan said he will be there for his part at 11.00am, he said to say thank you. This was for a acting audition (casting) that was absolutely perfect for me - and they were expecting something special, I gave them something special and I got the job. But do not brag; only use this sort of direct approach if you really can back it up.
9. GO TO EVERY ACTING AUDITION YOU CAN
you will probably muck up the first few, don't worry I did too, so does everyone, just keep going and you will come to understand what they want and how it works after a few. The more practice at auditioning you get the better you get, the better you get the more jobs you get, etc
10. TALK TO THE STAFF AT THE AGENCY
get to know them, let them get to know you. If they remember you then they can call you if an appropriate part comes up. If you are equal choice in skill for a part and they know and like you vs someone they do not know then you will get the part. Make friends in the industry. Be helpful to the others at the acting casting too, they may be your competition today but next week you could be working with them. Be nice to people in general.
If you follow these simple guide lines then even if you do not get this acting audition (casting) the casting director will remember you in a good light for future acting auditions (castings) - after a few times they will get to know you and you will get calls direct asking for you personally.
At this point you will be able to skip the actor audition (and the competition) and get acting job offers direct. IF THESE TIPS DOES NOT WORK FOR YOU CALL ME.
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