You did it. You walked through that door into the waiting
area, and the moment of truth is almost upon you. Will the Casting Director like what he or she
sees when you perform? Is this it, THE
opportunity, the one you’ve been waiting for all your life? Is this the first step on the staircase to stardom,
or will you receive a cordial smile, a pat on the back, and a “Good job,
thanks?”
Handling auditions are often the
toughest part of the job, and there’s real craft to nailing them. It’s almost an art form, and it takes true
skill and dedication.
There’s a famous story about how
David Carradine landed the lead role in the 1970s television series Kung Fu.
Carradine was reading for Kwai Chang Caine, a Shaolin monk
on the run in the American Wild West. On
his way out of the audition, Carradine jumped
up and kicked the wall, leaving a dark footprint by the doorpost. After that point, it didn’t matter how many
other actors came in—they found their guy, and that footprint on the wall was a
constant reminder of that.
Now let’s spice things up a
bit! Normally we give you Agency Tips
(in multiple volumes!), but today’s different.
Please allow me to give the floor to a woman with experience from the
other side of the desk, Arriane Alexander.
Arriane's journey to
entertainment came from over a decade performing in the fashion world.
Her contagious star personality has led to consistently sold out performances
of her show Big, Blonde & Beautiful
at the legendary Cinegrill in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the M Bar in
Hollywood, as well as shows at the prestigious Annenberg Theater in Palm
Springs and the Colony Theater in Hollywood. An incomparable presence,
Arriane is sexy, powerful and 100% pure entertainment.
So Arriane, what sort
of notes would you give an auditioning actor?
“Be really clear
about your type and what you are selling. We hear lots about ‘type’ in
the industry, and being in casting sessions makes it so clear how
important it is for actors to understand who they are and what they are
selling. For instance, if you are a very quirky-looking, comedic type and
you walk in wearing business attire, a serious headshot and a soliloquy from Hamlet prepared...well, that doesn't
make sense to the Casting Director. As an actor starting out, just
present the easiest way for them to cast you.
If you are quirky, GO WITH IT! Make everything you do quirky, and
make that your brand. Wait till you’re rich and famous to bring out
the Shakespeare…unless of course you’re auditioning for Shakespeare.”
Identity is a big
part about being an actor. Know your
strengths and weaknesses, your talents and faults. Hollywood is filled with roles, and as an
actor your task is to mold yourself to fit the one you’re reading for. That’s what being a professional is all
about.
“The epitome of
professionalism is an actor who comes into the room completely confident, looks
the part and is prepared. Everybody in the room relaxes because you know
what to do. When an actor comes in like that, it is very exciting. Despite everything, at the end of the day the
Casting Director wants you to nail it.
They’re always looking for the next big discovery. Being prepared sounds so easy, but it is
not...so many actors don't have all the moving parts put together in a whole package.”
Thank you,
Arriane! There you have it, guys and
dolls, an inside look at how to prepare physically, emotionally and mentally
for an audition!
So, you have an
audition…what’re you going to do about it?
Lights, camera,
action.
For
more on Arriane Alexander, visit her website: http://www.arrianealexander.com/
By Alex Tafet
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Great post. How does one really know what their true type really is? Specially if you feel like you bring a varied amount of different aspects and experiences from your life? And how do you work that information to your advantage in the relationship with your agency.
ReplyDeleteHey Sebastian, check my response below.
DeleteSebastian,
ReplyDelete"Type" is a tricky sort of concept, but at it's core it really boils down to this: what are you at your core? For example, Chris Rock is a comedy actor. He doesn't do drama, he doesn't do action, he does comedy. He gets what sort of actor he is. Other guys like Clooney (started in comedy), Pitt (started in dramedy) or even Cruise (started in action) tend to be far more versatile, but they're also great actors.
The trick is to find out what you're best at, and expand out from there.