Much of this business is subjective and many of us have strong opinions. I love strong opinions. I love when people are champions for what they know and what they believe. However, we all need to be open to the other point of view. We all have a lot to learn. Want some actor and casting director examples? Read on.
1. Actors often ask me for advice on any number of topics: headshots, résumés, classes, workshops, or the touchiest of all…auditions! “I have a co-star audition and it’s only three lines. I prepared it one way but what do you think I should do?” I look at the material, add my two cents and… WHAM! DENIED! SHUT DOWN! Instead of simply listening to me, they defend their choices and essentially tell me I’m wrong. Let me be clear that I am not saying they didn’t agree with me, but rather they didn’t listen to me. Why bother asking for advice if all you’re looking for is validation of your own opinions? If you want someone to agree with you, call your BFF and tell them you need a shoulder. If you’re looking for actual advice, you should be prepared to listen to what someone is sharing. There may well be something you can take away from the conversation.
2. We all give advice based on our own experiences. Some things are factual and that’s that. As we are in a creative business though, much of what we do is based on what we believe. Keep in mind, however, casting directors have more experience knowing what works in the audition room. We see thousands of actors reading for thousands of roles. Every day we see the success and mistakes an actor brings into the room. Yes, you were taught A, B, and C in class, and hopefully that advice works the majority of the time. In the real world, every audition is different and each requires you to alter your preparation to some extent.
We have a very good idea of how much or how little you need to do to score in the room. You are welcome to do your own prep and audition after asking for help, advice, or coaching. If you do ask for help, then listen. Personally, I don’t want to spend my time and energy trying to help an actor (or anyone) that isn’t interested in hearing my answers. We won’t jive on everything, but often there is at least something beneficial you can use.
3. Last year I was casting a rather important pilot for a highly respected and much loved feature director making his TV directorial debut. It was exciting and I felt incredibly lucky to have the opportunity. I treated every day at work like a gift and worked my tuchas off! (That’s Yiddish for butt!) The actors who were more successful in their auditions, regardless of whether or not they got a callback, also treated the audition as a special opportunity. Sadly, there were more than a handful of actors who did not want to listen to us, and who sidelined their own auditions before they even started the first scene.
This one semi well-known actor, who has had some nice success, is my guest of honor for this example. He walked into the room, and after a quick hello, we gave him direction on how we were setting up the scene, which included how he should stand and where to face. Granted it was different from the norm and it was definitely different from how he prepared. He didn’t like it one bit. Instead of just saying, “OK” or asking for some clarification and moving on to the scene, he immediately brought the attitude and began arguing with us. We explained that this is what the director wanted and we apologized if it was off-putting. He argued a bit more and we let him know he was not obliged to audition; nobody was forcing him. However, if he did want to audition then this was how it was going to happen and let’s get to it. He chose to audition but with a heavy heart, and we could see how annoyed he was the entire time. He did not get a callback. What a waste of everyone’s time. Before he uttered one word, he already ensured an uphill battle for himself.
4. Remember that we are on your side and want you to succeed in the biggest way possible. Casting directors do not want you to muck up. We need you to show us how it’s done no matter what else is happening. It’s never going to be easy and when you do succeed you will appreciate that success even more.
Said with love. xoxo
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The views expressed in this article are solely that of the individual(s) providing them,
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
