My first audition...

[keaten]

Next sunday I have my first audition ever. I have played a small roll in a feature last may maybe 10 minutes of screen time with a good amount of dialog. However, this was for a good friend of mine who was directing. So the scene was very relaxing and I knew everyone and felt very comfortable around them. Normally I am the one interviewing the actors since I am a director. You may ask well how did I end up with an audition?

It really kind of happened on accident. I was asking about helping on the production side of things and decided what the hell I will throw in a head shot. Well they liked my look and want me to come in and audition. It's for a feature film, main character, and casting is being hired out by some local casting agency. No idea if the director will be present.

My question... is what do you guys (actors) do to prepare for this? When I am sitting on the other side of things I know what I am looking for but, I have no idea what actors do to prepare for auditions. Some tips would be great. I feel like acting is really something that could help me out with my directing and understanding my actors. Hence why I am doing this. Plus it might end up being fun!


thanks so much,
keaten

[Doc Bernard]

Tough question. Each actor preps for auditions differently.

Is this cold read? Or do you have sides? Do you know any of the backstory for the character?

[jonE5]

This is a pretty good tutorial on how to nail an audition.

http://www.ifc.com/videos/arrested-development-top-banana.php

[keaten]

Tough question. Each actor preps for auditions differently.

Is this cold read? Or do you have sides? Do you know any of the backstory for the character?

back story of the character is all I have.

[keaten]

This is a pretty good tutorial on how to nail an audition.

http://www.ifc.com/videos/arrested-development-top-banana.php

Well then I am set.

[Michele Seidman]

If you only have a character back story...go do some google on people like the character. Try to find people who fit the description on youtube videos or TV and study some of their habits and style. I don't like to copy anything myself but actors do pull character traits from real people in their world a lot.

Do you know anyone like the character? I am assuming you already have training as an actor and have built a character before. When I get thrown in something like this without a script...I always try to find people I can pull ideas from.

Hope that helps.

PS..I said youtube because there are so many real people on there now and it is a great character study.

[Doc Bernard]

Keaten,

There you go. Michelle is a very experienced actress, and knows what she is talking about. Can't get any better than that.

[Michele Seidman]

Doc it is kind of hard to really guide him and hard for me to imagine a casting director having someone in to read for a lead in a feature film and not give them the script. I have never really heard of anyone reading for the main character who was not given the full script.

I don't know if he is being straight up with us...or someone is not being straight up with him...or he is being punked...or he actually is auditioning for some people who have some perverse sense of how to treat an actor...or this guy says feature because it is full length not a short, without knowing feature means for release as in most major movie theatres.

Think about it...this is the main character and ALL they gave him was a character back story...does that make any sense?

You know I have done some casting in the past. If there was a script everyone got sides and large roles got the entire thing to read in advance of their auditions or screen tests unless a director asked me to have them all improvise....then they were told in advance.

I can't tell if I am missing something here...or...one of my above thoughts on what is going on might be true! I just don't ever remember anyone reading for the main character in a 'feature' film who did not get a script.

[Michele Seidman]

PS..audition on a Sunday for a feature? i don't know any casting people open on Sunday off the top of my head. and in 36 years of going to auditions....never got asked or went to one on a Sunday either.

taped one on a sunday to get to casting by monday but did not tape it in the casting office...

[Doc Bernard]

LOL, I read beyond that too. Feature, yes, but maybe a feature student film? Like he said, this is his first audition, so he doesn't know how to sift things yet.

Keaten, I started where you are. It takes time to learn how to read if something is serious, not serious, or just a joke. LOL, I am still learning this too.

[Michele Seidman]

dag nab it a student film can't be a feature as I understand the use of the word. A student film can be a full length...but few student films make it in movie theatres. Maybe I got this off track somewhere along the line but I have always thought... and swear I was told that 'feature film' meant 'feature release' and that meant major movie theatres. Now I hear feature used on full length indie's and that confuses me...since many play festivals but few make it to theatres.

but the again...they call multi-million dollar films 'indies' now and that REALLY confuses me....lol....indie to me is a few grand or more! shooting kamikaze...eating fast food lunches...and praying you could afford the insurance cert if you had stunts!

[Doc Bernard]

but the again...they call multi-million dollar films 'indies' now and that REALLY confuses me....lol....indie to me is a few grand or more! shooting kamikaze...eating fast food lunches...and praying you could afford the insurance cert if you had stunts!

Try just a couple slices of pizza. This "fast food" you speak of.......never seen it on a set. Unless you mean it to reflect just the time you have to eat it.

[vic777]

I lifted the following text from Wikipedia .....

In the film industry, a feature film is a film made for initial distribution in theaters and being the "main attraction" of the screening (as opposed to any short films which may be screened before it). The term is also used for feature length, direct-to-video and television movie productions.

An independent film, or indie film, is a film that is produced mostly outside of a major film studio. The term also refers to art films which differ markedly from most mass marketed films. In addition to being produced by independent production companies, independent films are often produced and/or distributed by subsidiaries of major studios. In order to be considered independent, less than half of a film's financing should come from a major studio. Independent films are sometimes distinguishable by their content and style and the way in which the filmmakers' personal artistic vision is realized. Usually, but not always, independent films are made with considerably lower budgets than major studio films. Generally, the marketing of independent films is characterized by limited release designed to build word-of-mouth or to reach small specialty audiences.

[lambert]

I think some filmakers might be reading about Andrea Arnold and her process on Fishtank and copying it. She did not not give the actors the screenplay, just scenes before the next days work was to be shot. The actors took on the role without ever having read the screenplay. This is an established director "Red Road" so she can use these unusual methods and still have a very good cast (Michael Fassbender for one). So we might see more of this in the future for better or worse.

[keaten]

Crazy people. Why would I be lying or making things up? It is for a feature. Or sorry a full length film. I came here to get some input and not to be judged on if I am fibbing or whatever is going on. Why does everyone have to look into things so much? Good ole forums! Who cares what the correct term may be.

I also thought it was very weird going into an audition with just a back story. That is why I was asking for some input. So we are on the same page here.

[lambert]

Keaten, good luck on your audition.

[PaPa]

One piece of advice that i can give. Don't play the role, be it. Every actor has to portray a character with similar traits to themselves. If its not natural, it's not believeable and you won't get the role.

the actor is in every character they play, to a certain extent. Learn your lines, try to get rid of tension in your body. Nothing worse then being aware of how stiff your neck is while doing lines.

The better you know the lines, the more freedom you have to improvise, and it will be morenatural if you really don't have to think of the lines while you're doing them. the best advice I can give is unfortunately not something that will help you, because the more auditions you do, the better you get at doing them.

Just give it your best, don't play big, be yourself, focus, don't move too much, and most importantly, have fun. Nothing is worse than watching an actor struggle.

If you ever come to montreal and need coaching, gimme a shout. I've done over a hundred auditions since starting out in the business, out of those hundred, booked maybe 15-20 things. So the odds are generally against you, but you have to persist. And don't give up. Auditions are most of the time completely out of your hands, especially if the director is not present, which is most of the time until callbacks.

[keaten]

Keaten, good luck on your audition.

Thank you!

[keaten]

One piece of advice that i can give. Don't play the role, be it. Every actor has to portray a character with similar traits to themselves. If its not natural, it's not believeable and you won't get the role.

the actor is in every character they play, to a certain extent. Learn your lines, try to get rid of tension in your body. Nothing worse then being aware of how stiff your neck is while doing lines.

The better you know the lines, the more freedom you have to improvise, and it will be morenatural if you really don't have to think of the lines while you're doing them. the best advice I can give is unfortunately not something that will help you, because the more auditions you do, the better you get at doing them.

Just give it your best, don't play big, be yourself, focus, don't move too much, and most importantly, have fun. Nothing is worse than watching an actor struggle.

If you ever come to montreal and need coaching, gimme a shout. I've done over a hundred auditions since starting out in the business, out of those hundred, booked maybe 15-20 things. So the odds are generally against you, but you have to persist. And don't give up. Auditions are most of the time completely out of your hands, especially if the director is not present, which is most of the time until callbacks.

Thanks for this. I really appreciate the advice. See how it goes and who knows maybe I will enjoy it and put more effort into this side of film making as well.

[Michele Seidman]

I lifted the following text from Wikipedia .....

In the film industry, a feature film is a film made for initial distribution in theaters and being the "main attraction" of the screening (as opposed to any short films which may be screened before it). The term is also used for feature length, direct-to-video and television movie productions.

Thanks for that. I thought I was losing it for a moment.


I think some filmakers might be reading about Andrea Arnold and her process on Fishtank and copying it. She did not not give the actors the screenplay, just scenes before the next days work was to be shot.

Am I nuts or is this a bit like what the Blair Witch folks did with giving the actors notes each morning in film canisters?


Crazy people. Why would I be lying or making things up? It is for a feature. Or sorry a full length film. I came here to get some input and not to be judged on if I am fibbing or whatever is going on. Why does everyone have to look into things so much? Good ole forums! Who cares what the correct term may be.

I also thought it was very weird going into an audition with just a back story. That is why I was asking for some input. So we are on the same page here.

Keaten

Sweetie..honest to goodness I did not mean to hurt your feelings or insult you. Notice my first reply was just advice. Then I started to wonder what was going on for you because it was a bit confusing. I never said you lied...I did say someone may have lied to you or you to us BUT...I also left room for you possibly being new enough to use word choices that were confusing.

I seriously never intended to call you a liar darling. That was not my intention. If you get a moment...read that post I made one more time and you will note I was pondering EVERY possibility...not calling you out!

Michele

PS...Since I did leave advice yet never saw a comment in reply from you I did ponder....

[Michele Seidman]

PS Keaten...you asked why everyone has to look in to everything....this is the web...people do hide behind screen names. Don't you think we would be stupid to NOT check further?

Besides..how can we really help you if we are not 100% sure what you need. I really tried to help....Doc tried to help a bit...jon posted a clip that was a joke on auditions...and I tried to give you as much as I could with as little info as you gave. others piped in later...

With MORE info...we can help more. If you don't want it public, send a private message!


sighh...

Doc..you asked me why I seldom come on here anymore....I get tired of trying to be straight up and help people for free when I get paid for it without hassle by people who thank me for taking their money and saying I don't charge enough. Then I try to do something here and 5 out of 10 times someone gets angry at me for questioning the details!

I'll just go moderate the biz of acting panel at the film festival this weekend and try to keep some working actors, agents and union folk from going off track when answering questions from those in training. I enjoy it a lot more than getting fussed at here giving it away for free!

[Doc Bernard]

Keaton,

I know right now, you are probably thinking people are picking on you and attacking you. That is sooooo far from the truth.

It's that we have been EXACTLY where you are now. And let's face it, you have not told us everything about this role. So we see what info you have given and we make judgement based off that info.

And right now, here are my impressions:

1. Sunday audition: screams "Indie/Student film". Nothing wrong with that, but your initial post, was a bit shaky about that. Feature film, or however you want to describe it, if a real feature with a major house, well, auditions are not held on Sundays. Hence the "Indie/Student" label. Again, not a bad thing. But be honest about it. I have an audition coming up soon for a lead role in a "feature" and yes it is a "low Budget Indie". See, it's not hard to say.

2. New, inexperienced actor asked to audition for Lead: Extremely rare for a Major house. Not impossible, but extremely rare. But very common for a, well, "Student/Indie". Make the best of it, learn the craft, get what experiences you can from it. Again, it's not a bad thing working a "Student/Indie", there is a lot of value doing it, especially if you are new to acting (this is your first audition, right?) But not saying exactly what was going on may have made people think one thing, when you meant another. That audition I spoke of earlier, if this was a big house, do you think I would even be considered for the role? Hell no. I am going to be the armorer on set, and the Director, maybe as a way to sweeten me, asked me to audition. What does that say to me? "Hey we want your services for weapons and training our actors. If we give you a shot at the Lead, will you cut your rate?". So am I going Ga-Ga over this? Hell no. Do I pass on the Audition? No, still going to do it. If anything, gives me more experience in auditioning. I learn a lot from just going to an audition (300+ now). As an actor, I look for roles I feel I would excel at, whether a free role or a paid role. I love being an actor. But in all honesty, my experience is just experience and a few workshops. Am I good at what I do? I want to think so, but the reality is I cannot compete with truly trained actors. It would be foolish of me to think so. So I take what I can get, and gain everything I can from it. Sure, I have had decent paid roles, but is there an Oscar in the near future? LOL, probably not. All I am saying is just be honest, man. You are talking to actors that know more than just what you think we do.

Keaton, as friendly gesture, please tone it back a bit, and I think you owe an apology to someone here. That person is extremely knowledgeable in what advice they have given you, and believe me, that person has been a Godsend for my acting career. They tried to help you out, and you just took offense and basically said they were a liar. Most of the members here really want to assist and give their professional advice freely, whereas you would have to pay a lot for elsewhere. Take this in consideration when someone says something that you do not agree with or dislike. If we all said "Cool, good job, Great", what value would this site have other than just stroking your ego? Absolutely no value.

I am not going to sugarcoat this for you, I took some offense to your response to a certain member here. And, I am trying to be nice here, this is a pro site. You never know who you are talking to (hint, hint). If you plan on acting as being a real profession for your future, I suggest making amends quickly, yet honestly and privately. DVX has some real major players as members, and you are not putting your best foot forwards.

[keaten]

It's a hard thing to tell tone of voice over the internet guys. I really do appreciate the advice and I am using it trust me. My tone in my last post happened to be sarcastic. By know means did I mean any harm. I love this place and the knowledge I have learned over the years on here. I do know nothing about being in an actors shoes for an audition. I wish I could give more information on it but really I don't have any. That's why I came here. Being I am a director/dp I would never never hold an audition like this. But hey these guys got money behind them and lets face it we all could use it especially right now in this economy. Plus as a director I really need to get better at understanding each actor and By taking an audition (even if it is on a sunday) I will walk away knowing more since I will have been there once now.

I really appreciate all the feedback and time everyone has taking to give me. Truly I do. And Michele thank you for the youtube advice. Truly brilliant. I never even thought about that!

[lambert]

"Am I nuts or is this a bit like what the Blair Witch folks did with giving the actors notes each morning in film canisters?"
I think its a little different process in that B.W. project was mostly improv (I could be mistaken) and Fishtank had a fully developed screenplay by an Academy award winner (best short Wasp) but chose to shoot chronologically and hold back much of the screenplay from the actors until a day or days before the scene was to be shot. This might be what the filmakers that Keaten is auditioning for might be going after. I just think its interesting and might be the filmakers reasoning in this case.

[Michele Seidman]

lambert thank you for that info. nice to be caught up with some of the new techniques some are going for. i have a hard time reading all the trades and news items! thanks for filling me in.

keaton...glad the dust settled on that...now tell us how your audition went? was it good? what ended up happening? would love to be filled in!

[lambert]

Your welcome Michele. Unfortunately it probably will be employed by filmakers who probably should be using more traditional techniques instead of every once in a while by highly talented writer/directors.