How much time do you owe an actor at an audition?

[Chris Messineo]

When we have auditions we normally place a couple of ads online, receive a ridiculous amount of resumes/headshots, and then schedule auditions with a select group of actors.

Our auditions are always closed. With many of the actors we talk about the story, the characters, their background, and if we really like them it can be a lengthy (but fun) process. Other actors come in and are so strange, unrecognizable from their headshot, or so inappropriate in their audition we know very quickly that we aren't interested.

My question is, how much time do we "owe" an actor in an audition? If you know right away that they are wrong for the part, is it rude to dismiss them after a quick reading of one scene? Is it kinder to actually let them continue to read even if you know you won't be casting them?

[sean90291]

I hear ya. It can be awkward when you know right off someone is just so far off the mark. But I tend to lean towards the notion that they've shown up on their own time and are giving it a shot. They'll never make it as an actor, but I owe it to them to run through at least a portion of the scene twice. I let them do a short portion one time. Ask for an adjustment. Let them go a second time, and tell them thanks so much, it was very nice, and we're running behind.

So, in total I've spent no more than maybe 5 minutes with them. I do admit, however, that I now have a better understanding of the caustic, disinterested director who just shouts NEXT! He seems like an a-hole, but now I realize it takes HUGE energy on the director's part to give everyone a fair shake. Actors probably don't realize that. To indulge everyone and be polite for 9 hours while you run through 75 auditions doing the same scene over and over...it's honestly very taxing. And all I wanna do is shout, NEXT. But I won't. I'll do my best never to do that.

[Mattykins]

Well, It isn't rude to raise your hand after the reading.

I mean if you have hundreds of people to go through, everyone can't get several minutes. But I would at least let them read. I mean, if someone sucks, why do you want to waste yours and their time? Or if they simply don't fit the part. But they made the effort to be there. So I would give them the read.

I mean, when I do casting for theatre, we typically let them do their thing - and only cut a few people off. But then again, that is only 50 people at the most. For film, when casting is low, I let them do their thing. If I get high numbers, I won't let everyone go for the full time.

[Chris Messineo]

Thanks for the feedback.

We normally have 3 or 4 people watching the auditions and each of us has a clipboard listing all the actors scheduled for the day. When any of us has seen enough of an actor we put our clipboard down, this way we know without saying anything when everyone has seen enough. The awkward moment comes when all the clipboards go down in the first 30 seconds.

[sean90291]

Heheh. That's a good idea using the clipboard signal. I might try that one.

[Mattykins]

Last time I used the clipboard one, it got thrown at one of our casting guys since he fell asleep. I was not a happy person after that. (It was me throwing the clipboard).

Needless to say, me and clipboards are just a recipe for disaster.

[GageFX]

I also like the clipboard trick.

As for the question, time is money, literally when renting casting space in LA. I dont have the time or money to entertain someone's sometimes baseless dream of acting any longer than I need to to determine if they are right or wrong for my role. They are given their fair chance to convince me they are right for the role. They dont get a second longer than that. This is how "real" (Hollywood) productions are run and I run mine the same way.

The casting budget of a film is not there to make people feel like life is fair, it is there to cast the film. I also see this as being more fair to the people waiting outside, or even the actor I might not get toif I spend too much time with an actor I knew wasnt right.

[J.R. Hudson]

I think it is industry standard to simply say

"Thank you ! We'll Let you know !"

Time is money !

[moonlitnite]

Hopefully the candidates have been pre-screened. Yet if the audition isn't working, it's far better for everyone not to flame the fire with false expectations of a lenghty read.

So if you've heard enough and the audition has hardly begun, I'd suggest shifting to a few comfortable questions about the actor - you might discover another side, useful in another role or for a future engagement. William Hopper lost out to Raymond Burr casting for Perry Mason, yet he was perfect to play sexy detective Paul Drake.

Ya' never know....

Michael

[ConspiracyPenguin]

If I walk into a room and totally suck I don't want you to keep me there just to facilitate my "feelings." If I am not right for the part or, worse yet, can't act worth jack, the polite thing to do would be to thank me and show me the door.

[armisiano]

Basically let me audition, read what you want the actor auditioning to read, if you like me, and you want me to read more, do, if you don't like me and you're done with me, thank me for auditioning. Hell if you DO like me thank me for auditioning and still call me to let me know your decision. It's a business, it's not personal. If I'm right for a part, then I simply am, if not, then I'm not. Just do what needs be done. Don't be a d**k, but don't be a wussy about it either or I won't respect you.

Also at a first round of auditioning I say you owe every actor the same amount of time. If you want them to read more have them wait in the lobby or wherever, or have callbacks on another day.

[GageFX]

Also at a first round of auditioning I say you owe every actor the same amount of time. If you want them to read more have them wait in the lobby or wherever, or have callbacks on another day.With all due respect, nothing is "owed" anyone. Again, the audition process isn't there to be fair, it is there to cast a role.

Thank you for taking your time to come out, but if you are not right, you're going home, and if someone is more right, they may be sticking around longer. Or maybe they are so right that the waiting room is cleared and everyone else gets sent home.

[RodThompson]

My quick answer: 30 seconds to impress, then 1 min at the callback. Lol.

[Dan Vance]

With all due respect, nothing is "owed" anyone.


With all due respect, every fellow person on the planet is owed common courtesy and respect. The notion that "it's business" or "time is money" can override or negate that obligation is a popular belief, especially in America, especially in the film business, but that does not make it true.

You should treat people the way you would want to be treated.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

With all due respect, yes, people are owed common courtest and respect (does it mean they will get it? no) but they are NOT owed any amount of time at an audition. If the director knows that the person is not going to fit the part or does not have the skills needed, he needs to use his time more wisely to find the person who WILL fit the part.

[GageFX]

With all due respect, every fellow person on the planet is owed common courtesy and respect. The notion that "it's business" or "time is money" can override or negate that obligation is a popular belief, especially in America, especially in the film business, but that does not make it true.

You should treat people the way you would want to be treated.

LOL. I forgot this thread was regarding common courtesy and not about auditions.

Thank you for setting it straight.

And way to take one sentence and remove it from it's context. Then preach on the matter.:thumbsup:

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

With all due respect!

Sorry, I just had to throw that in! :)

I give everyone the same amount of time during a reading. Of course, if I'm interested in said person they always get some extra time/attention.

I'm not going to waste my time with someone who has zero chance of getting the part.

Cheers,

Mike

[GageFX]

I give everyone the same amount of time during a reading. Of course, if I'm interested in said person they always get some extra time/attention.

I'm not going to waste my time with someone who has zero chance of getting the part.

Er?:huh:

You give them all the same amount of time, yet some might get more and others might get less?

That is exactly what I do.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Er?:huh:

You give them all the same amount of time, yet some might get more and others might get less?

That is exactly what I do.Didn't say you didn't, did I?

What I am saying is that everyone gets the same allotted time initially. If one guy gets 2 minutes, so does the next guy. Even if he's terrible!

Now, if I think the other guy is fantastic... he gets a second reading or callback.

Clear enough? :)

Edit: Just stating what I do. What others do is up to them. Just answering the question posted.

[Chris Messineo]

Thanks for all the input.

I guess I was really looking for an actor's perspective. If you've taken the time to prepare and show up for an audition and you are dismissed within a few minutes, does that feel rude, or do you appreciate the fact that the director/casting agent isn't wasting any more of your time?

I didn't mean to stir up any controversy, but it seems like the opinions are fairly split on how best to handle this.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Thanks for all the input.

I guess I was really looking for an actor's perspective. If you've taken the time to prepare and show up for an audition and you are dismissed within a few minutes, does that feel rude, or do you appreciate the fact that the director/casting agent isn't wasting any more of your time?

How dare you ask for an actors opinion in the Acting forum! :huh:

I'm actually curious about this as well. Hopefully a few will stop by.
:)

[Mattykins]

With all due respect:

Where is that clipboard? I want to throw it.

[ConspiracyPenguin]

Alright, here is your fucking actor's perspective:

If I walk in the door and read one line and you say "Thank you, we'll let you know" I won't think that's rude, I will think you are doing your job - which you are. :)

[Tom Marshall]

If you give an actor the time needed to perform the audition without rushing them, that's good enough. Of course, if you're making an adjustment in direction and giving more time because of that, the actor will generally feel like it's a good audition in that you are interested in something that they're doing or if they're able to take direction well.

[GageFX]

Now, if I think the other guy is fantastic... he gets a second reading or callback.

That's not what you said the first time. And I didnt say you questioned what I do.



I guess I was really looking for an actor's perspective. If you've taken the time to prepare and show up for an audition and you are dismissed within a few minutes, does that feel rude, or do you appreciate the fact that the director/casting agent isn't wasting any more of your time?

Considering I am a member of the three major actors unions (SAG, AFTRA, AEA) and have been on well over a 1000 auditions for stage, TV, features, commercials, and voice over work, I might be slightly qualified to respond. That said, however, I have never been to an audition for a low/no budget film, student film, or web series, or even a short, so there is a limitation to that experience.

And regarding being dismissed, it is no problem at all. I'm not the one they are looking for. Same as a waitress doesnt get upset if I turn down her offer for ketchup. I'd be more annoyed with someone wasting more of my time than necessary before they say "no".

[Michele Seidman]

When we have auditions we normally place a couple of ads online, receive a ridiculous amount of resumes/headshots, and then schedule auditions with a select group of actors.


My question is, how much time do we "owe" an actor in an audition? If you know right away that they are wrong for the part, is it rude to dismiss them after a quick reading of one scene? Is it kinder to actually let them continue to read even if you know you won't be casting them?


Pardon my jumping in but being an actress who has also done casting I feel I might be able to give a good view on this.

1) You don't owe them more time than the script calls for.
2) If you have tons of people waiting then you can cut anyone off by saying you have limited time.
3) If they are really bad, tell them you have seen enough and leave it at that, because there is no need to watch a bad actor go on and on.
4) If you see a spark but it is not clear, ask them if they have time to wait while you view others and ask them to go out and work on the scrip with some 'redirect'.

MAJOR NOTE: Always give some redirect even if they hit the scene perfect. That will help you be certain of 2 major factors.
1) If they can follow redirection they will listen on set and their great reading was not just a fluke.
2) If they can follow redirect they will save you time on set where the actor who was a fluke will eat up time and budget while you try like heck to get them back to what they did.

Call Backs are not just for fun...so have one. Many actors will second guess themselves when they get a call back and those are the ones you don't need on set. They also eat up time. You want the actor who comes back a week later and nails it again just like the first time...again this will save time on set.

TIME: When I cast I set up anywhere from 2 minutes to 5 or 10 depending on the size of the scene given.

No lines and short scene 2 minutes tops. Long enough to meet them and see what they do and know if you can work with them.

Several lines and you need 5 minutes.

Lead part...10 minutes at least unless you gave them 10 or more pages to read from. Always give your lead more than one scene to read so you know if they can play the full spectrum of the part.

But you don't owe them anything other than a thank you for their taking the time to come down and read for no pay and take away from their own day.

You at least owe them manners. Hope that helped.

[Michele Seidman]

[quote=GageFX;1370177]With all due respect, nothing is "owed" anyone. Again, the audition process isn't there to be fair, it is there to cast a role.

You don't? I beg to differ having been on both sides of the casting table.

1) The actor often took off work to be there during the time you dictated.
2) If you can't read a resume well enough to know an actor should not be called in then you should not do casting. And most of the directors I have worked with don't know how to check the resume to begin with. They see the parts but don't know how to break it down and judge if that talent is right for the job at hand.
3) If you don't want to take a few minutes with each person you dragged down to your reading have them put something on tape and screen them.
4) Actors or not toys that you pick up and say cute but I don't want to play with it anymore.


I have been called to audition only to walk in and be told the directors girlfriend got the part I was up for. What kind of business thinks it is fine to drag me out and cause me to lose work I could get paid for to simply say we don't need you after all.


One day I would love to see directors and casting people get treated the way they do some actors and maybe they would at least have manners.

And Gage...forgive me this was not really directed at you but in general. I am lucky that most casting people know me and know I can take the rejection of not being right for a part but when they drag me out for no reason and I could have been doing something else...I hesitate to read for them twice. That in turn cause my next reading for them to not go well anyway.

Bad enough acting is one of the only jobs where we have to interview 1000's of times a year in hopes of booking any work...don't add to it by setting us up for the fall by dragging us out and not having the 'decency' to read us.

Or hire someone to screen for you first. Then you don't have to use up your time for actors not worthy in your eyes.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Now, if I think the other guy is fantastic... he gets a second reading or callback.




That's not what you said the first time.


Dude, try not to pick every post apart.
I said this in my first post...




I give everyone the same amount of time during a reading. Of course, if I'm interested in said person they always get some extra time/attention.

Seems pretty clear to me. Not word for word but it's there.

Anyway, let's move on shall we?

Some actors are starting to chime in. :)

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Pardon my jumping in but being an actress who has also done casting I feel I might be able to give a good view on this.

1) You don't owe them more time than the script calls for.
2) If you have tons of people waiting then you can cut anyone off by saying you have limited time.
3) If they are really bad, tell them you have seen enough and leave it at that, because there is no need to watch a bad actor go on and on.
4) If you see a spark but it is not clear, ask them if they have time to wait while you view others and ask them to go out and work on the scrip with some 'redirect'.

MAJOR NOTE: Always give some redirect even if they hit the scene perfect. That will help you be certain of 2 major factors.
1) If they can follow redirection they will listen on set and their great reading was not just a fluke.
2) If they can follow redirect they will save you time on set where the actor who was a fluke will eat up time and budget while you try like heck to get them back to what they did.

Call Backs are not just for fun...so have one. Many actors will second guess themselves when they get a call back and those are the ones you don't need on set. They also eat up time. You want the actor who comes back a week later and nails it again just like the first time...again this will save time on set.

TIME: When I cast I set up anywhere from 2 minutes to 5 or 10 depending on the size of the scene given.

No lines and short scene 2 minutes tops. Long enough to meet them and see what they do and know if you can work with them.

Several lines and you need 5 minutes.

Lead part...10 minutes at least unless you gave them 10 or more pages to read from. Always give your lead more than one scene to read so you know if they can play the full spectrum of the part.

But you don't owe them anything other than a thank you for their taking the time to come down and read for no pay and take away from their own day.

You at least owe them manners. Hope that helped.Great post!
I may print this one off myself since I'm fairly new to this sort of thing.
Could make for a useful template.

Cheers,

Mike

[Michele Seidman]

One final note:

Just because you cast the part already does not mean you should not read the others.

I have been able to show directors other actors for other parts because of a good reading even when they were not reading for the part they finally got.

If you don't read the actor you may pass up on someone better because you jumped too soon.

Case in point...one TV movie I did, I drove 3 and a half hours to the audition only to be told the part I was up for got cast. They gave me the courtesy of reading me for another role. After that reading they had me go ahead and read me for the original part they had cast. Turned out I was better for it and the person who they thought they were going to use got the boot and I got the part after all.

If they had not had the manners they would have settled for the wrong person.

So, the next time you think you don't owe them the courtesy of a reading consider you may be booting a great actor who you could use in another part or another film down the line.

[iain.bason]

Whoa, I thought we were all friends here!

Anyway, to bring it back to the subject, I have been on both sides of the casting table for stage productions. I agree with the sentiment that there's no point wasting everyone's time on someone who is clearly not right for a role. However, there are times when someone just gets off on the wrong foot and needs to start over.

As a director, you have two choices. You can say, "That's tough. You had your chance." Or you can say, "I want to see you at your best." In highly competitive auditions where you are likely to have lots of actors who can perform the role well, you can afford to take the former approach. In other situations, you're shooting yourself in the foot if you don't make sure to give each actor an opportunity to show what he can do.

[Michele Seidman]

Whoa, I thought we were all friends here!

In other situations, you're shooting yourself in the foot if you don't make sure to give each actor an opportunity to show what he can do.

I think that is a great point iain. It is one of the points I was trying to make. You never know if someone might come in who is even better than who you thought was perfect.

I once ran a casting for an industrial and all the characters were men but one agent sent a woman and the director did not want to read her but I asked that we at least give the actress the courtesy and he ended up changing the part to a woman and giving her the part. That is a prime example of why your statement is so true!

[Isaac_Brody]

Alright, I've cleaned up this thread, because there's actually useful information in it.

No more personal attacks please. In the future, if you have a problem with another user contact a mod. Don't let a thread devolve into something ugly. Just PM us and we'll help keep things on track.

Thanks.

[Chris Messineo]

Once again, thanks for all the advice, especially from the actors out there. It was very helpful and I'm looking forward to our next set of auditions.

[Michele Seidman]

Just PM us and we'll help keep things on track.

Thanks.


This newbie thanks you for the advise.