Let’s face it. In most aspects of our lives we search out people who can do things for themselves. We put great value in that. We want people we are surrounded by to be as self sufficient and confident as they can—be that with our significant others, friends, loved ones and, yes, those we work with. Gasp! Could that possibly mean a casting director is looking for actors who are not only talented and professional, but also come as close to a zero on the neediness scale as possible? Yes, my friends. It absolutely does.
I wanted to spend a moment talking about how much is too much to need when you come to our offices. I’m a huge fan of thinking about how “what you do” and “what you say” can be interpreted by others and how something seemingly as innocent as a request to borrow a stapler may become too much when requested in combination with 18 other items. Let me start out by reiterating how much I love actors and how much I really do understand the crazy audition process from your side. I was an actor back in the day…many, many days ago. (I’m almost 42 and proud of that!) As you can imagine, many of my friends are actors and my boyfriend is an actor, too. I see the actor craziness every single day, trust me! I understand how hectic your days are and how many different things you are juggling and rearranging just to be at your audition. I get it. However, none of your legit reasons or excuses will slow this train. It’s moving and I hope you choose to hop on!
When you arrive at Station Audition, it will behoove you to acknowledge that you are not the only important person in the room. The casting office has to accommodate and assist all of you important actors and your needs as well as continue to do our jobs. I’m sure you have seen how Grand Central Station-esque many casting offices are. I’m happy to help you when I can—if you need to borrow the stapler or have questions or need the bathroom key or a copy of the sides (If we have them—don’t assume we will), etc. At the same time, it will be smart of you to need as little as possible. Remember, we are not sending a talented bobble-head to set, we are sending a whole person—your entire human being. You may be the most incredibly talented actor in town but if you are also really needy and unprepared and in everybody else’s business, you probably won’t get the part. I want to know that the actor I am suggesting to my team is well-rounded, easy to work with, professional, and friendly.
Think about all of your requests as the “snowball effect.” As a snowball rolls downhill it picks up speed and more snow and becomes larger and faster. The same thing happens with all the things you may need. It begins with the stapler, so you can staple your headshot and résumé together, (which you should have done at home). Then you need the bathroom key (a legit request but still something you need). Next, you need sides printed (and you really should have brought your own). Then you want our wifi password (which really isn’t appropriate given the security of the information we have on our work computers), etc., etc., etc, snowball, snowball, snowball.
Any one of those requests isn’t a big deal but actor after actor needing multiple things can become an avalanche for a busy office. I really only bring this up to highlight the “other side” of your audition. I love you. I want you to give a kick-ass audition. I will help you as much as possible and give you as much as I can. Just be educated and intelligent and understanding about how much goes into your two minutes in the room.
Said with love! xoxo
Like this advice? Check out more from our Backstage Experts!
