holding my first auditions

mikewest13

Well-known member
Hey guys,

I am about to embark on my first audition session in a couple of weeks, and wanted to get as much advice from those who have been through it before.... I am scared shitless of looking unprofessional, not being taken seriously etc...

anything you can tell me is much appreciated :)

Mike
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I'm on the same boat Mike. But I was reading a book and I remember thinking this was great advice:
  1. have them read part of the script that interacts with another character this will show you if they are just reading lines, or reacting to another person. (so have another person present reading with them)
  2. have them read the lines without any direction.
  3. then give them direction to see how they change their performance and how well they listen to your directions.
I also got other good advice from friends
  1. make it feel very professional. the more professional you make it, the more professional your auditions will be.
  2. film the auditions & maybe even digital camera (or polaroid)
  3. Think about the scene they are reading and the lighting in your room
  4. maybe provide water
  5. make them feel relax
  6. and remember they are the ones auditioning. not you. you are in the position that you are allowing them to be in your film. This is a frame of mind. and unless you are in it, then they can walk all over you.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out. after you do them you can do a post audition post for all of us to learn from.
 
Another very important thing that may be obvious to most people, Make sure to have a room for the auditions and a waiting area for everyone else who is waiting ot audition.
 
Thanks for the info so far :)

as for the waiting room... the location i found is just a room, here in toronto rehearsal/audition space is hard to get and expensive... so i found a place for $11/hr.... but has no waiting room. so what i am going to do is just schedule them 15mins apart, and only have 1 -2 max in the hall with a greeter there for them.

Mike
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I was also wondering how you guys decided on the sides to give to actors for their readings, and how early they received them from you?
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Oh yeah, how much time do you guys allow for each performer?

i'd like to maximize the studio time i have, but not have too many people waiting.
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Within ten minutes or so, you will probably have a sense of where a given audition is going. Allow an extra five or so for introductions, chit-chat, etc. Don't rush anyone if you can avoid it, but since you'll be taping each audition (right?) you can review at your leisure to narrow down to your final choices.
 
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