Auditioning and What You Can Expect (Part II)
by Anthony Smith
Auditioning is a funny thing. It's difficult to understand and figure out what a casting director is thinking, what he/she is looking for and
why really you have been chosen or why not. The fact is that 99% of the time you never find out, especially the why not. Here are some
interesting thoughts, observations and experiences from me.
What's Working and What's Not
After about twelve auditions and castings and not getting one callback, I realized I should probably take an on-camera commercial class.
While some actors tell me that twelve auditions without a callback is common, I still began to wonder if there was something I could do
to better my chances.
To analyze your situation, it is necessary to keep good records. I used Leslie Becker's book faithfully The Organized Actor to keep
track of all my auditions. In her book are audition pages in which you can log everything about an audition, such as role, location,
name of CD's office, time, wardrobe necessary, materials to prepare, comments, among several other things. I used this tool faithfully
and periodically go back and analyze my situation.
One of the things I looked at, were the roles for which my agent submitted me. I looked at this because sometimes at auditions I felt
out of place or not right for the part they were casting. I also thought about my ability to improvise and decided I needed to work
on that. However, I was already enrolled in other classes and had many other things going on, so I opted not to take an improv class
right away. Instead I looked at other things I could improve on.
One day I talked to another actor friend of mine, whom I had met about a month prior and run into again at a voice-over audition.
(You often see the same faces at auditions!) I was feeling down that day, and fortunately I ran into him. Even though we had met
before, we never really talked much. We spoke for a half hour, and he gave me a pep talk, telling me that when he started out, it
was the same for him and that one day things will just start to click. "You'll see," he said.
Things begin to change!
That very same day, after having made some adjustments over the last couple of weeks, things began to change. That very same week
was the best week of the summer and from that day on, the results I started to get were much better. That week I booked two jobs,
and from them came two others. In addition, I was called back three times for commercials and put on hold for twice as well.
Unfortunately I didn't book the commercials, but I knew I was getting closer.
Also, the casting directors for whom I auditioned, after being put on hold, began to call me directly, bypassing my agent, because
they also believed that sooner or later I would book something. Just a side note, although they called me directly without going
through my agent, I always involved my agent anyway. She has been good to me and I don't want to ruin that relationship. It's not
worth it. For other things that I submit myself for, however, I keep all the pay.
In part III of Auditioning and What You Can Expect, I'll tell you about an incredible week I had in which I had some tough decisions
to make, similar to decisions you can expect to have to make at one time or another yourself!
Anthony Smith left a successful corporate career as a senior manager in Nike and Levi's after 15 years to follow his dream of becoming an entrepreneur, writer,
motivational speaker and actor. While enjoying success in his "new" life, Anthony shares his business insight and acting experience with young actors. Aside
from acting work, he has created www.actingcareerstartup.com and his first book,
Acting Career Start-Up: Four Key Factors For Success, is available now.
Copyright © Anthony Smith. Used with permission of the author. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or distributed.
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