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

Chris Messineo

Chris Messineo

Veteran
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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
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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.
 
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GageFX said:
With all due respect, nothing is "owed" anyone.
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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.
 
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.
 
Dan Vance said:
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.
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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:
 
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
 
MAH said:
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.
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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.
 
GageFX said:
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.
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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.
 
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.
 
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