It’s time to have fun with the whole auditioning thing. There’s no pay off in taking anything too seriously.
So, I just came across something I wrote last year and thought it was so fun I wanted to make it a blog post.
So…
We’ve all been there, right?
Showed up for an audition and fallen into some not-so-useful habits that undermine our ability to give an incredible audition and actually enjoy the process.
I got to thinking . . .
13 mistakes every actor has made in an audition.
- Trying to make friends with everyone in the waiting room and use it as a time to catch up with that guy you never really liked anyway who was in your improv class.
- Trying desperately to relax.
- Trying to look calm and more relaxed than everyone else.
- Mime acting your scene – this includes acting out planned facial responses (ie. Surprise, confusion, ever so interested).
- Judge the person who is mime acting their scene. “I would never do that.”
- Stratifying the room by age, looks, and credits.
- After doing above then placing yourself in that stratosphere thus feeling superior or inferior.
- Berate yourself for being nervous.
- Start announcing that last job you booked so others will feel inferior causing them to shoot invisible poison darts at you.
- Think about how much you hate having to wait. “My appointment was 15 minutes ago. Who do they think they are making me wait? Don’t they know I booked a Burger King commercial in July?”
- Indulge in: “I’ll never get this. Why am I here? I’m leaving.” Then you hear “Jennifer, you’re next.”
- Plan out a funny opening line when you meet whoever is inside – follow this up with you laughing at your own joke. Meanwhile the casting people have been chatting about what to order for lunch. They look up to see you laughing in the corner of the room.
- As soon as you’re finished auditioning delve deep inside yourself and tell yourself you could have done it better. Then stumble out of the room without saying goodbye.
Got some more to add to the list? Come on… we’d love to hear them. Let’s have fun with this. Halloween is coming for heaven’s sakes.
Thanks for reading and have a great week!
REMEMBER: Catch yourself if you slip into one of those 13 no-no’s, and return to your breath, feel what is happening in your body, and see what is actually in front of you.
Remember, being present and creating from your the truth is the key to booking jobs.
Big Hug
Josh Pais
Come on – I know you have a great audition no-no to add to the list.
Of course, this isn’t anything that you’ve ever done – just mistakes you’ve heard that other people do.
Well, I am trying to cure myself of the “how long are they in the room?” syndrome. You know, noticing how long they kept each actor, speculating on if they had her/him do it twice or something and then assessing the success of the audition based on my perceived meaning of that length of time. A total confidence and “in the moment” killer.
That’s such a good one to get lost in. Been there. The key is to keep bringing your attention back to what is actually in front of you, and an awareness of what is occurring in your body – without any drama. Just feel the sensation without giving it significance. And Breathe. This will give you a tremendous advantage. Chances are other actors are going in the room pissed off. Directors feel that.
Plus, if you can include that part of your business includes waiting in these rooms ( a long time) – then it won’t be a surprise.
Have fun!
And thanks for your comment
Ooh, I like Louise’s post of “how long are they in the room” syndrome. That is a definite head-trip!
My trip is “how do you know when to leave the room?” I’ve had people stop me on the way out, trying to start a conversation, and in one instance it became almost a dance as I’d head out the door, and they’d call me back. Then the conversation seemed over, so I’d head to the door, and they’d call me back.
It was a merry dance, but I wish I would’ve felt more confident about it.
It is what it is, I guess.
I’m back 🙂
It’s wild how easily we forget that we’re all just people trying to make some good entertainment. We’re all in this together. Sometimes letting go of a hierarchical structure allows us to be who we are, and naturally do the right thing. But – yea – I’ve been there.
Thx for your comment
Inevitably if I stop my life to prepare for an audition, it doesn’t go well. I choke it to death! I recently got called in for a role that I’m perfect for (Denise in Suburban Motel)–I understand it so well that it’s kind of freaky. But instead of trusting that and having fun–I worked and pushed and tried to make something “perfect.” I had 3 days to prepare and I spent most of the 3 days obsessing about it. I tried to prepare for “opening night,” instead of going in and playing in an open rehearsal. Yes, be prepared. But don’t try to be “right” or show everyone how well you understand the material. I ended up shutting down and the director was like, “Don’t you understand these circumstances?” Well, he didn’t actually say that, but that was the subtext. Reminder to self–set timer, prepare, have fun, let go!
Good to remember!
thx
I once entered the room with gum thinking I’d be unique with my character choice. A mistake I never thought I’d make, but this time it seemed a gum smacking brooklyn accented “broad” was exactly what the commercial was looking for! In the room I became “one of those actors” – dumb enough to chew gum. She asked me to remove it and then annoyingly informed me she’d prefer it if I found something to put it in before I threw it in the trash because it would be HER cleaning up MY sticky gum at the bottom of the trash bin. So much for a call back.
Ouch
Good one
Is there a prize if one has committed each of these mistakes at one time or another? I would certainly be in the running!
Often I have a 45-60 drive to get to an audition. A couple of times I’ve talked myself out of the job on the drive down. Of course I end up getting my sh*t together, and a few times I’ve even booked the job, but I beat myself up over that feeling of weakness and self-doubt.
Of course nothing beats the time when I had planned a night out for my wife and I with some friends. First night out since our son had been born 9 months earlier, Bon Jovi concert, hotel room, lots of alcohol…. and of course I get called back for a national commercial the next morning. Needless to say I overestimated my tolerance and was a trainwreck for the audition. Not only did I look like Death, but I smelled like a lovely combination of booze, sweat, and vomit. Needless to say….I didn’t get that one.
Yes
There is a prize.
Once you have completed each mistake – you no longer have to repeat them.
🙂
Congrats
I definitely judge the people who mime their acting scenes.
I’m guilty of that too.
We need to COME BACK when that happens.
OK, here is a happy one. I had an audition for a play being done out of town. I decided I should wear a skinny pink silk tie (with mustard and turquoise stripes) I had spied at Macy’s. I NEVER buy new clothes for auditions. I worry that if I screw up the audition I will never be able to wear that piece of clothing ever again (though I do think Committed Impulse has cured me of some of my superstitious tendencies!) But I loved that tie and bought it for the audition. Got the job and when I spoke with the director he asked me to bring the tie with me. He wanted my character to wear that pink tie.
Love it!
Ok….I have never even auditioned for a part, yet I know I am a good actor.Hell, I do it everyday in real life. I have a great sense of the moment. I’m from St. Louis, Mo. Where do I start?
(short funny story) When I was in college another lifetime ago, I volunteered as a crisis counselor. Part of the training involved role playing. I took the part of the suicidal caller. Afterward, the trainer praised my role playing ability. The funny part was, I wasn’t acting. I was the part. That’s when I knew. I’ve been on stage ever since.