allahkaram
Well-known member
What kind of questions would be necessary for a director to ask his actors on an audition?
Advice for new directors
- Thread starter allahkaram
- Start date
Carcaridon
Well-known member
I explain to them the premise of what I'm going for, especially if there's no pay. I tell them what the compensation is and how the shoot will go. If they are enthusiastic, I watch the reading. I always ask them to change something in the reading, even if I loved what they did. This will let me know how fast they can make a change and if they're open to it. After the second reading I thank them for their time and that's it until I make my decision on the part. It's very simple and straight forward for me.
Carcaridon
Well-known member
But always be polite, kind and excited about what you're doing and what they're doing. Remember to keep everything professional and constructive. I've had some crazy things happen in auditions. 
Melvin Harris
Black Flag Member
I never ask anything on a cold reading or a first audition. I always reserve my questions for a call back because it helps move the auditions along, allows me to see everyone, and doesn't take time from other actors preparation's... especially in the cold reading. During a callback, I can focus more and probe for what really makes the actor pop for me; I can then ask whatever questions help me understand them, their process, their ethic- and helps them understand the same about me.
allahkaram
Well-known member
Thank you guys. I'll keep all these things in mind.
Michele Seidman
Well-known member
depends what he is reading them for.
1) ask for their resume and verify it best you can. If you can get it in advance read it all the way through and make sure they have some sort of background. even new actors should have some stuff that lets you know they can act!
2) ask their availability for the days you plan to shoot. nothing worse than wanting to cast someone and have them turn around and say they can't be there those days.
3) if the part requires anything odd, unique or say...nudity...ask up front what their comfort level is for that particular thing.
4) when reading them...some directors ask how the actor sees the part to see if they are on the same page...this matter most with lead parts more than smaller day player roles.
Other questions will be based on your script and shooting dates and stuff like that IF you need to know during the audition. Other wise...you don't need to ask them a lot...you need to see if they can act.
5) when I did casting I liked throwing a curve...asking them to do the reading differently than they did it the first time. Just to see if they could take redirect if needed. That will save you time on set if script changes get made. You will know in advance who can handle it and who gets too flustered.
6) If you did see the resume and you think it might be fluff...check. Ask some leading questions.
I once had an actor have Romeo & Juliet on his resume and I asked him a question about Romeo that was not truth...that was actually the opposite of what was in the script. Guess what the actor did...he went along with it...because he had never even read the script let alone played the part!
You don't need an actors who's resume is a lie because you won't be certain of them on set. I would rather have an actor with a limited resume than one who faked theirs!
Hope that helps some.
1) ask for their resume and verify it best you can. If you can get it in advance read it all the way through and make sure they have some sort of background. even new actors should have some stuff that lets you know they can act!
2) ask their availability for the days you plan to shoot. nothing worse than wanting to cast someone and have them turn around and say they can't be there those days.
3) if the part requires anything odd, unique or say...nudity...ask up front what their comfort level is for that particular thing.
4) when reading them...some directors ask how the actor sees the part to see if they are on the same page...this matter most with lead parts more than smaller day player roles.
Other questions will be based on your script and shooting dates and stuff like that IF you need to know during the audition. Other wise...you don't need to ask them a lot...you need to see if they can act.
5) when I did casting I liked throwing a curve...asking them to do the reading differently than they did it the first time. Just to see if they could take redirect if needed. That will save you time on set if script changes get made. You will know in advance who can handle it and who gets too flustered.
6) If you did see the resume and you think it might be fluff...check. Ask some leading questions.
I once had an actor have Romeo & Juliet on his resume and I asked him a question about Romeo that was not truth...that was actually the opposite of what was in the script. Guess what the actor did...he went along with it...because he had never even read the script let alone played the part!
You don't need an actors who's resume is a lie because you won't be certain of them on set. I would rather have an actor with a limited resume than one who faked theirs!
Hope that helps some.