Episodic season has arrived and, if you have decent representation, there’s a good chance you’ll be doing a fair amount of auditioning between now and the holidays, so let’s discuss the best way to maximize your chances of booking.
I firmly believe that every actor, no matter how experienced, should always be in class. The act of studying serves two purposes: One, it helps you improve as a performer, and two, it keeps your acting muscles pumped for any opportunity that comes your way. But “stay in class” isn’t the advice I’d like to give you, because that should be considered a given. No, I want you to take it up a notch. I’d like you to consider using a coach.
To be clear, an acting coach is someone who works with you one-on-one to prepare for a specific audition.
Now, a lot of actors think it’s a good move to use their teacher as a coach, but that’s a mistake. There’s a big difference between the person you study with on a regular basis and the heavy hitter you bring in to help with an audition. You see, an acting teacher doesn’t have to be a working actor. But a coach does.
READ: “Is Your Acting Class a Bad Fit?”
I’ve always hated the expression “Those who can’t, teach.” I think that’s total bullshit. There are many great instructors in this business who have never had a successful acting career. Those are the breaks. It doesn’t mean they don’t understand craft and technique. But you know what it does mean? They don’t understand the process of auditioning because they’re not actively auditioning.
That’s why the best coaches are working actors. They’re out there in the thick of it. These people prepare sides every week. They know how to make choices and how to adjust when they’re not getting the response they want. They understand the game because they play it on a regular basis.
Coaches have other advantages over teachers. Working actors know what it’s like to walk into an office full of blank faces. They understand how to win a room before they say a word of text. That knowledge is based on their auditioning experience, the kind of experience most acting teachers do not have.
And a good coach doesn’t just help you prepare the material. They can also advise you on how to behave in the casting director’s office, especially when they’ve been there themselves. For example, if the audition’s being taped, how much say do you have over where you stand or how the camera is placed? And what if you’re raring to go but the casting director wants to make small talk? Should you ask her to zip it until you’re done or should you engage in conversation?
Here’s another plus. Working actors know the people you’re reading for because they’ve met them, too. So they can provide you with inside information on their personalities, staff, and how they like to run the room. That way, you know what to expect when the moment of truth arrives.
I’m sure there are exceptions, but most teachers don’t have access to that kind of firsthand knowledge. That’s why asking them to coach you is like asking a virgin to teach you about sex. They may get the basics, but nothing beats real-life experience!
Like this advice? Check out more from Secret Agent Man! And for more advice, check out the video below!
