Entering Your Audition With Overconfidence - Common Audition Blunders
There are many acting classes in NYC where actors can study and practice audition techniques. Learning to audition well is an important aspect of the craft as it is key to getting cast, and getting that all important experience in front of the camera or onstage. Developing auditioning skills may be up to you as some acting classes NYC don't cover this thoroughly. Getting the right kind of auditions that play to your strengths is key, but even that won't help if you are not prepared when the opportunity comes. Acting classes in NYC that teach Meisner acting offer foundational skills that can be developed over time. Meisner acting techniques are strongly connected to powerful auditioning skills.
There are one or two ways that are common reasons actors "fail" to turn in arresting auditions. One way to be discounted is to appear overconfident. At the same time, being deeply insecure won't help either. Directors and producers are used to seeing overly confident or insecure actors and this is not what will count against you. It's actually the block that these types of feelings cause, which inhibits the emergence of an authentic arresting character.
An overconfident actor may come across as being too rehearsed, without enough room for spontaneity to emerge during the audition. If you are over thinking it, you jeopardize the chance for something unexpected or thrilling to happen in the moment. It is the character, with all his or her flaws, energy, sorrow, tension, humor, really a balance of all of these human traits, that must be present.
Many preparing for auditions consider the slate unimportant. As many of you know, the slate is when you state your name into the camera so the auditors can keep track of everyone they've seen. What may seem like a tiny practical thing, can have huge consequences if they don't like what they see. The harsh reality is this. There is no guarantee ever that a producer or director will watch a tape past the slate. For any given part there are likely hundreds of folks auditioning. They are on the lookout for the best of the best and a so-so slate will indicate that your tape is not worth their while. A quick dismissal of an actor's tape because of a lackluster slate gets them to their goal more quickly.
This may seem brutal, it does speed up the process. Learning to slate well is one way to get an advantage over some of the actors you go up against. Some acting classes teach excellent auditioning skills knowing how important they are. When researching acting classes in NYC, research those that teach about slates and other auditioning skills. Some institutions that offer acting classes in NYC will even ask for a slated audition tape for entry into their program. Slating is a skill like any other, it has to be practiced. Have a friend set up a camera, some lights and give it a go. If you do practice slates here is more to consider. Communicating to a "presence" or person rather than the camera is important. By recording several versions and playing them back you can begin to get a feel for you how you are presenting yourself. Get honest feedback from people you trust, and make sure that the slate presents who you are.
Keep the information to a minimum and keep it simple. This is their first impression of you as an actor but the real deal should be saved for the audition. While it might be okay to offer a hint of character for a commercial audition, it's still a risk. You could be wrong in your assumption about what they are looking for, and lose them before they even view your real work. Mainly, the aim is to give a slate that represents you as a person and as an actor. Slate and then, give them a brilliantly original, fresh fascinating character that will make their project soar. Seek out Meisner acting NYC if you want to know more about how to create character with this technique.
There are one or two ways that are common reasons actors "fail" to turn in arresting auditions. One way to be discounted is to appear overconfident. At the same time, being deeply insecure won't help either. Directors and producers are used to seeing overly confident or insecure actors and this is not what will count against you. It's actually the block that these types of feelings cause, which inhibits the emergence of an authentic arresting character.
An overconfident actor may come across as being too rehearsed, without enough room for spontaneity to emerge during the audition. If you are over thinking it, you jeopardize the chance for something unexpected or thrilling to happen in the moment. It is the character, with all his or her flaws, energy, sorrow, tension, humor, really a balance of all of these human traits, that must be present.
Many preparing for auditions consider the slate unimportant. As many of you know, the slate is when you state your name into the camera so the auditors can keep track of everyone they've seen. What may seem like a tiny practical thing, can have huge consequences if they don't like what they see. The harsh reality is this. There is no guarantee ever that a producer or director will watch a tape past the slate. For any given part there are likely hundreds of folks auditioning. They are on the lookout for the best of the best and a so-so slate will indicate that your tape is not worth their while. A quick dismissal of an actor's tape because of a lackluster slate gets them to their goal more quickly.
This may seem brutal, it does speed up the process. Learning to slate well is one way to get an advantage over some of the actors you go up against. Some acting classes teach excellent auditioning skills knowing how important they are. When researching acting classes in NYC, research those that teach about slates and other auditioning skills. Some institutions that offer acting classes in NYC will even ask for a slated audition tape for entry into their program. Slating is a skill like any other, it has to be practiced. Have a friend set up a camera, some lights and give it a go. If you do practice slates here is more to consider. Communicating to a "presence" or person rather than the camera is important. By recording several versions and playing them back you can begin to get a feel for you how you are presenting yourself. Get honest feedback from people you trust, and make sure that the slate presents who you are.
Keep the information to a minimum and keep it simple. This is their first impression of you as an actor but the real deal should be saved for the audition. While it might be okay to offer a hint of character for a commercial audition, it's still a risk. You could be wrong in your assumption about what they are looking for, and lose them before they even view your real work. Mainly, the aim is to give a slate that represents you as a person and as an actor. Slate and then, give them a brilliantly original, fresh fascinating character that will make their project soar. Seek out Meisner acting NYC if you want to know more about how to create character with this technique.
About the Author:
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides meisner acting classes in New York City. For more information about audition techniques visit the studio website where you can get specific answers to any question you have.