Tag: auditioning

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Auditioning for Projects with Little or No Direction

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by The Voice-Over Roadmap

If you regularly audition for jobs on P2P and Casting sites, then chances are you’ve come across more than a few job postings that feel “incomplete”.

The client will list some details about their project – the budget, deadlines, etc… but they seem to gloss over what many would say is the most important piece of information – the direction! When the job posting fails to give any detail on the type of voice they are seeking besides “Male” or “Female” – there are still a few things you can do to gain a sense of what they are looking for and deliver a competitive audition.

1. CONTEXT CLUES FROM THE SCRIPT

The most obvious place to look to get a sense of the style of read the client desires, is the sample script. Read the script to yourself in your head and pay attention to the way you read it. Oftentimes your first instincts in the way you read and interpret the words will be correct or at least close.

What adjectives are present in the sample script? Do they give a sense of the tone or mood of the project?

How is the script worded and phrased? Is it a hard sell with words and phrases like “Right Now!” “Call Today!” “Don’t Wait!”

Or is it more conversational and casual, with words and phrases like “Hey, let me tell you something…” or “Look, we all know that blah blah blah….”

Also, look for common script formats and styles that may sound similar to past projects you’ve worked on or auditioned for – some examples are “Meet Jim, Like most smart shoppers, Jim blah blah blah….” or “Desire. Passion. Determination. These are the qualities that make …..”

Those 2 examples are common in scripts and you’ve probably heard similar reads before. How did you read the first example in your head? Upbeat, Friendly, and Conversational? How’s about the second – Serious, Strong, and Inspirational?

If the script is well written, you should be able to extract a pretty decent idea of what the client wants just from reading the words, even without them giving any indication of the style they are seeking.

2. PAST VIDEOS OR PROJECTS FROM THE PRODUCT COMPANY

Another great source of direction for projects can be past projects from the same brand or company.

Read the rest of the article at The Voice-Over Roadmap…

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The Totally Uncensored List of Casting Director Pet Peeves

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by Marci Liroff

The Totally Uncensored Casting Director

By Marci Liroff

It’s that time of year again. During the summer break my casting director colleagues get together and celebrate the end of pilot season before episodic casting starts up again. Inevitably, we get to talking about our pet peeves in the audition room. Amid the cocktails, we regale each other with hilarious tales mixed with some scary ones.

In the interest of education, I’d like to share them with you so that you’re not “that guy” who’s making a bad name for himself in offices throughout the town.

Don’t wear perfume or cologne. Year after year this seems to be the #1 peeve from my colleagues. Please remember that we have to sit in an often small and cramped room without ventilation for hours on end. When you come in wearing your girlfriend/boyfriend’s favorite scent we have to live with it for the next several hours. Some of us are highly sensitive and allergic to perfume and get migraines and nausea. Think of the casting office like you would a doctor’s office. Don’t do it!

No weapons, not even fake ones. I’ve had actors pull fake guns and knives on me – it was very traumatic. If a scene asks you to pull a knife out of your jacket … please don’t do that in an audition. Especially if you don’t tell the CD before hand. This could lead to furniture being toppled and a big producer putting you in a choke hold.”

This one is very simple. Wear underpants.

This seems so basic I hesitate to even share it, but, make sure your picture and resume are stapled together before you arrive at the casting office. Don’t ask to borrow my stapler or my assistant’s stapler. Make sure your contact info and agent/mgr. is written on the photos and your resume in case they get separated – which happens all the time. When I ask you for your picture, don’t hand me three different choices and ask me to pick which one – make a choice beforehand.

Excuses. Leave them home. Actors that preface their audition with an excuse, “I was tired, sick – all it says to me is, “get ready, I am going to be really bad today.”

Coming in with a bad attitude. Never underestimate the effect being pleasant has on everyone.

Don’t prop yourself up with props. Don’t use a prop in a scene unless you are totally comfortable with it. I’ve seen props totally befuddle some people. A phone is fine. Just don’t set up a one-person show – unless you’re Carrot Top.

If it’s a driving scene, you don’t have to pretend to actually “drive” the car.

For The Men: I’m not going to have sex with you so don’t even TRY to seduce me into thinking you are a better actor than you are. Charm is good. Wit. Personality. But flirting in a creepy way is…well.. creepy.

Be nice and courteous to everyone. You never know: that receptionist could end-up being a director or producer some day. And the interns definitely “rat-you-out” when you leave. The guy who used to clean my toilets was nominated for an Oscar ten years later.

Read the rest of the article at MarciLiroff.com…

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7 Reasons to Love Self-Taped Auditions

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by Amy Jo Berman

SELF-TAPE AUDITIONS

When it comes to the self-tape auditions, many actors have a love-hate relationship.

Why?  Why the hate and not the love?

There are so many reasons to LOVE self-tape auditions.

Let’s break them down.

Here Are 7 Reasons You Should Love Self-Tape Auditions:

Reason #1  Self-Tape Auditions Can Be Private

Sometimes, when you enter the room at a live audition, it can be shocking how many people are actually in that room with you.

Did you ever think: OMG!  Who are all these people?!  …All while you’re trying to put your best foot forward and WOW them with your talent.  All those eyes on you.  Yikes!

It’s very common to have not only the Casting Director in the room, but a Casting Associate, Casting Assistant, maybe even an intern.   And that’s just for a pre-read.

When you are at a callback, you are often in the room with all of the above, PLUS one or two (or more) Producers,  Directors, Writers…Sometimes even a network person wanders in. (Seriously, I’ve had that happen and it wasn’t even a network test!)

With a self-tape audition, it’s just you, your reader and camera person.  Not 12 sets of eyeballs on you.  Whew!  That’s a lot less pressure and a great reason to love self-taping your auditions.

Reason #2 – There’s No Casting Director in the Room for Self-Tape Auditions

Having no Casting Director in the room can be a good thing and a bad thing.  The good part goes along with all of the above.  Much less pressure on you when you don’t have the Casting Director, whom you’re trying to impress, right there, evaluating your every move (or at least that’s what you guys always tell me it feels like to you – we’re not all that bad really 😉

Read the rest of the article at AmyJoBerman.com…