Best ways to audition with no dialouge

R

ronin99

Active member
What are some ways to audition actors where there is little or no dialouge in the script? My script contains almost no dialogue for any character beside the lead, although the other characters are extremely important/have significant screen time. Which leads me to ask, what should I have the actors do at the actual audition?

Should I let the actors improvise, or should I have them act out the scene to see if they are able to convincingly convey the emotions of the scene regardless of dialogue. Your advice and any techniques you can offer for this tricky audition situation are greatly appreciated.
 
I'd go with the second. I don't know what's in your script, but you should check them for the thing they need to do. And, most importantly, that they show up for the audition. And that they're able to take directions.
 
since most scenes with no lines won't use a boom mic (add sounds later)...

try talking the actor through. don't give them lines, simply tell them what the scene is about then turn on the camera and 'direct' them...tell them what is happening and ask them to react to it.

some of the best acting is NOT when we deliver lines...but when we speak with our eyes and face.

ps: when reviewing tapes...turn off sound!
 
I would also let them act the actual scene. you don't need an actor that can play al parts, just one. So let him show you that scene.
 
I'm in the same delima. I'm casting goon type body guards. They have no lines, but are involved in fight scenes. how the heck do I audition them?
 
astigmatic said:
I'm in the same delima. I'm casting goon type body guards. They have no lines, but are involved in fight scenes. how the heck do I audition them?
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I hope you have a key stunt person if you have fight scenes going on. When casting 'action actors' the best bet is to give them a scene with a few lines anyway. BUT, you also have the option like I mentioned above...talk to them with the camera running and describe the scene and ask them to react.

If they are supposed to get punched hard, then have them do a recoil and react according to the character. Frightened or un-phased, depending on how that goon is supposed to be.

However, acting skills aside, these guys are fighting and that means you need a quality stunt person to tell you if they can fight and cheat the punches for camera. If you don't do that, someone could get hurt on set.

Seriously....if you are using acting actors and have fight scenes going...have your Key Stunt guy at auditions and make sure of both acting and fighting skills being up to par. AND major points if you allow the Key Stunt guy to direct them some during the auditions to see if they are listened to. You don't need to ever bring in an action actor who won't listen to both the director and stunt coordinator. People get hurt that way....
 
Thanks,

Yeah, I'm going to find a stunt coordinator for sure. The fight scenes are the scenes that I'm worried about the most. I do not want anyone injured and at the same time I do not want the scenes to look lame either. Do you have a rough Idea of what a stunt coordinator would cost me?
 
Ronin, try giving your actors lines and simply audition them acting the lines in their heads. This gives a great impression of how your actor thinks through a scene and how effective they can be when conveying a scene. This technique worked well in film school and is great for developing improv scenes as well as scripted.
 
Best suggestion I can offer is to have them select a monologue or if you know of a script/movie similar to your story, have them act out a scene from that.
 
astigmatic said:
Thanks,

Yeah, I'm going to find a stunt coordinator for sure. The fight scenes are the scenes that I'm worried about the most. I do not want anyone injured and at the same time I do not want the scenes to look lame either. Do you have a rough Idea of what a stunt coordinator would cost me?
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Sadly, I can't tell you what it might cost because it depends if they are Union or not, if they do indie or not and how long they have been at it. But I have gotten lucky and got a great Stunt guy with tons of creds to do me a favor at $200 a day....but I was pulling a favor because I had helped him with something and he sort of owed me. We had tons of gun shots and car chases...the lucky part..it was for the Fraternal Order of Police and they picked the location and we had tons of cops on hand for free too....so no one freaked about the guns in a public area.
 
okay, yeah hopefully I can get one for around that. My scenes are really simple though. A kick to the stomach, guy falls back, attempted stab, take down... stuff like that.
 
those are a lot easier to pull off if your talent know how to cheat the angles. play with it first and have tons of safety meetings to make sure everyone is following every beat of motion and action. storyboard that well and go over it in slow motion over and over...and like i said..get someone who is going to key the stunts.
 
I'm in the same delima. I'm casting goon type body guards. They have no lines, but are involved in fight scenes. how the heck do I audition them?
Click to expand...

OMG, here's the deal. The way "hollywood" does it is that you let the actor know it's a non speaking role but let him read another part for the movie to see how he handles dialogue and get a sense of his presence. Preferably a role with some action or physical movement in it. His resume and reel will give a background of his abilities and bringing him will confim if his looks matches your needs.

We confused an experience actor that came in by trying to do a mixture of the previous thread suggestions. He got out of control with the whole "the way it's done in hollywood" thing.. His credits as a featured background character in H-Wood blockbusters is freakin long. I'm not going to use him because of the way he acted, but at least now I know how it's done.
 
interesting how you mention his resume is chocked full of 'featured background' work. i am probably starting another war with this comment...but background are extras..not actors. they don't do the same thing. and several in the thread did mention giving some lines to them to get a feel...but it is not some 'must'.

so...Mr background guy....hmmmmnot sure what I would have said to him! biting tongue now
 
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