Casting: do I describe the role or not?

[gabrielflorit]

I'm holding auditions next week. An actor emailed me wondering if I see the character more hurt or scared. I was about to reply, when I thought it might not be a good idea to give too much information besides the script, before the audition (I emailed her the script earlier today).

What do you guys think? I've read previous posts on this forum on how to conduct auditions, and one method seems to be to have them read as prepared, and then give them a different direction, and see how well they respond to direction.

Should I explain the role more? Or should I not? And how on earth do I answer her email if I choose not to explain? "Sorry, I can't tell you now, I'll tell you during the audition"?

[iain.bason]

I think you can see how well an actor responds to direction via more subtle changes. If you're open to either hurt or scared, I would ask her to prepare both. If not, tell her what you're looking for. You can ask for variations on that theme during the audition.

One of you most important jobs as a director is to get the best possible performance out of each of your actors. Each actor may need something different from you in order to achieve that. If your methods don't work for a particular actor, it's best to find that out during auditions. So if an actor asks you for some guidance, I think you are best served by trying to give that actor what she needs.

(Of course, you may find that an actor needs too much direction. That's valuable information too.)

[rsbush]

And how on earth do I answer her email if I choose not to explain? "Sorry, I can't tell you now, I'll tell you during the audition"?
You can simply tell her you want to see what she brings to the role before you start directing her.

[Capt Quirk]

I suppose it boils down to what the character is going through, and what they are like at their core. How is it going to change through the story? If the character happens to be "Random girl that is going to die #3", it really wouldn't matter. If it is a main character, subtle changes would bring about different events. And you wouldn't want to rip a hole in the fabric of time and space, would ya? Let them know how you see the story, let them work to achieve your vision... of the writer's vision... Damn you Christopher Nolan!

*sorry :)

[Ted Spencer]

I think there's no harm in answering the question. It will be important to see how she takes direction though, and that's easy enough to try at the audition regardless (assuming you're sufficiently impressed not to dismiss her immediately).

The object is to get a great actor for the role, and if answering her question gets her there then everybody wins.

[gabrielflorit]

Thanks everyone! Good advice all-around.

[RandomHero]

Perhaps even suggest a few more emotions/qualities. "Scared, Hurt, as well as Tormented, oblivious,,," on and on. I auditioned once for a play in highschool (go ahead, laugh) and the audition was for the same lines for everyone, with 10 possible character qualities suggested on the script. You prepared them all, and you were asked to perform maybe 4 of them at random. Keeps them on their toes, gives you a taste as to what they can do, and possible if there's another roll they're better suited for. Just a thought.

[Ted Spencer]

Just beware of "result oriented" direction like this. You'll be more likely to get canned, fake "acting" from the above than if you put an actor in the circumstances of the scene and allow them to *react*.

[Michele Seidman]

gabriel

just wanted to echo what rsbush said about telling her you want to see what she brings is WHY you are not giving much in the way of notes.

if the actor/actress in question gets flustered by that...well...without sounding harsh, they are not much of an actor or way too new for complicated characters. new talent are great on the surface but often use up so much time on set that it can bring things down and slow the process.

Michele

[mark_Cray]

a good way to get a feel for your actor/actresses if they have the script before the audition is to give them a brief discription of the scene they will be reading and let them feel out the charactor on thier own. then during the audition you'll have the oppertunity to direct them a little if thier interpretation doesnt quite match the feel you were going for. what this does for you is gives you an idea on how well the actor/actress takes the time to look into the charactor they are reading for and also allows you see how well they can take direction on the set. I realize this is over a month old and you've probably already held the audition in question. but thought I would add my 2 cents just because I really like the topic....hehe