Audition Tips: The Top 3 Mistakes Actors Make
The most common mistakes actors make at auditions is that they aren’t prepared. They aren’t off book, they haven’t researched the role or director, and they don’t know how to work the room. It’s important to do your homework so you can show them your talent and not get stuck in a rut of “not getting the part” due to simple mistakes.
As a casting director, I’m always amazed how many actors don’t come prepared to an audition. Here are some tips to help you succeed at your next audition:
1. Be Prepared! Be off book, know your role, look up characters on IMDB, check out the director’s filmography and what he/she has done before.
2. Find Your Light! Lighting is crucial to an audition. You have less than 1 minute to make an impression, so don’t squander it by having the casting director scramble for light. This can be very distracting and casts doubt to your professionalism as an actor. Once you enter the room find your own light by walking out of any shadows so you can clearly be seen and heard by everyone in the room.
3. Relax! Don’t be nervous or upt
The Top 3 Mistakes Actors Make At Auditions
“You are all so talented, but you didn’t get the part.” Words all too often spoken by casting directors to actors. Yet, why is it when we walk out of these auditions we often feel as if we have failed? What could we have done better? The following are a few common mistakes that actors make at auditions and tips on how to avoid them.
1. Not being confident.
This is by far the most frequent mistake I see from actors. If the director doesn’t believe in you and your ability to do the job, why should he or she hire you? The worst thing that can happen to an actor during an audition is for them to be unsure of themselves and get caught up in their own head.
What’s really interesting about this is that confidence is something that you can practice and learn. You may not feel confident, but if you act it, chances are you will be more likely to get hired.
2. Not knowing what they want out of an audition.
An audition is a two-way street: It’s a chance for both the actor and the director to learn about each other and see if they are the right fit for each other. Always
The Top 3 Mistakes Actors make at Auditions & How to Avoid Them
Auditions are tough. Not only do you have to get on the casting directors good side, but you also have to prove that you are the right actor for the part. It’s a lot of pressure, but if you avoid these three common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to landing that role!
1) Tension/Nerves: We’ve all been there. You’re in the room with a casting director and your brain suddenly goes blank. Your hands start to sweat, your heart races, and it feels like everyone is staring at you. It’s completely normal and natural to feel this way before and during an audition, but what can you do about it? Well, first off, know that the casting director has seen thousands of auditions just like yours and they’re not expecting anything too crazy from you. They want you to succeed because it makes their job easier! So take a deep breath, relax, and let it go.
2) Being Over Prepared: If there’s one thing I’ve learned since arriving in LA, it’s that being overly prepared can actually hurt your performance. Of course it’s important to be familiar with your
If you want to audition for acting, you should know the top 3 mistakes that actors make and avoid them at all costs.
1. The first mistake actors make is not reading the sides before they get to the audition room. You need to know your lines before you get there and practice them several times. The more familiar you are with your lines, the easier it will be to relax into them when you are in the room with the casting director.
2. The second mistake actors make is not knowing who they are talking to in their imaginary circumstances… Who is on the other side of that phone call? What is going on in their life? This makes a huge difference in how you respond to your imaginary circumstances… You have to be able to create a character in your mind before you walk into that room so that when you do get there, you can go right into your imaginary circumstances and respond naturally.
3. And finally, not being prepared for an on camera audition is another way to ruin your chances at an acting job… You need a resume, headshot and cover letter. If you don’t have these things yet and want to know more about how they can help improve your chances of getting work, click here now!
Every day, actors make mistakes that cost them jobs. These are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Mistake
1. Trying to please the casting director
The actor’s job is to tell a story and make it compelling. Not to be liked. You may be auditioning for a commercial where you are playing a happy-go-lucky character. If so, be happy-go-lucky, but don’t try too hard to be likable. They can smell desperation like sharks smell blood. Just tell the story. The story is everything.
2. Come in with an attitude
It’s hard not to feel like you’re being judged when you walk into an audition room, especially if you are new to the process. Remember that we are on your side and want you to do well! We are all rooting for you because when you’re great, our jobs get easier! So come in positive and confident (not cocky!) knowing that you have something special that we want to see from you!
3. Overcomplicating the task at hand
Keep it simple stupid! This is what I say to actors who are overthinking their audition scenes or sides and forgetting the basics of storytelling: Who am I? Where am I? What do I want? How does this apply in my scene? One of my favorite quotes about acting comes from Clint Eastwood:
I don’t need to tell you that the life of a working actor is difficult. Thanks to the internet and social media, you already know all about the rejection, the frustration and the drudgery. And yet, there are thousands of actors who manage to make it happen for them…
How? What do they know that you don’t?
They have a good agent.
They got lucky.
They’re very attractive.
What else? Well, here are three things that may just help you on your way:
