Seven months ago, I took the leap and moved to Los Angeles to continue pursuing my acting career. Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to sign with Avalon Artists Group, perform a voiceover for HBO, be cast as the lead in a romantic comedy premiering on Hooked, a fast-growing story/movie app, and so much more.
Who you know is vital to getting opportunities in this city, but once you are in the room, you need to be able to deliver. You also need to be resilient when faced with rejection. From attending casting director Q&As and being at the casting table myself, here are my top three lessons I have learned about auditioning:
1. Focus on what you CAN control. Separating the aspects of auditioning that I can and can’t control has helped me tremendously in maintaining a healthy mindset.
I attended a callback where 30+ women were reading for the same role. It is incredibly intimidating to be surrounded by your competition. But you can’t control how many people they see, or how they see you. You can control your professionalism and your temperament. Show up on time. Work hard to study the character, and be off book when you can.
I was at the casting table, and the best actor was not cast because he looked too old next to the female lead. It is very subjective, and you cannot take it personally. Hopefully, by ensuring that you did everything in your power, you can let rejection roll off your back because this time, you just weren’t the right fit.
2. Show them YOU. I used to make the mistake of only focusing on what the casting director might be looking for. So much so, that I would deliver a safe but bland performance.
When casting directors are seeing numerous actors, you need to stand out by showing them what you bring to the table. Analyze the script and draw educated conclusions about your character. Don’t be so desperate to make a bold choice that you stray from what the script gives you. Perform as if you already have the role, and make creative and strong but appropriate choices.
3. CONFIDENCE is key. A casting director told me that in every audition, he is looking for:
(A) Performance – how well the actor does with the script
(B) Adaptability – if they can take direction, and
(C) Personality – do we want to spend days on set with this person?
I think about this advice before every audition. Right before I step into the room, I take a deep breath and get ready to show them that I can do those three things.
You will hear it all the time, but casting directors want you to do well. They want that magical moment where an actor reads for the role, and they know they’ve found their person. By focusing on what you can control, performing to the best of your ability, and showing them your polished self, you maximize your chances of being remembered. When the role is right for you, you will book it.