How to Deal with an Acting Audition for a Movie
If you really want to become an actor, you have go through a lot of auditions and possibly, rejections. If you believe that you truly have a future in acting, you have to brave the rejections and the sometimes humiliating auditions. You also have to square off against numerous talented, aspiring actors like yourself. What you can do to up your chances of getting the part you want is to prepare yourself by knowing the processes involved in auditioning. You cannot just dream about becoming an actor. You also have to know what the steps are towards that goal. You also need to contain yourself during an audition. Even with great talent, you can still fail if your nerves let you down on the spot.
Understanding the movie audition process
If you know the process you have to go through, you will be prepared for each step. You will get flustered more easily if you are facing the complete unknown. Ask about the particular audition process that you will go through. The people who will be auditioning you may have different processes. Find out if the director is particularly avant-garde. There are times though that there is a need for movement and non-movement portions. The movement section requires you to dress in flexible, comfortable clothes. You will also perform a short monologue for your panel. The monologue must be well-chosen. Try not to go controversial and do not use unfamiliar lines.
Tips to overcome audition jitters
It is natural to be nervous about a movie audition. After all, the result of the audition may ultimately decide the future of your acting career. Nervousness can destroy any audition no matter how talented the actor. So, how do you deal with those audition jitters? Though caffeine may be part of your daily life, you should forgo your cup of joe the day of your audition. You must not aggravate the situation. Eat a piece of banana, which has been proven to be relaxing. Plan your day carefully. Make sure you are extra early for your audition to avoid becoming extra anxious. Do something relaxing before you proceed to auditions, such as listening to your favorite music and immersing into a hobby. Of course, each actor has a different way of alleviating tension. You have to find your own combination of techniques but the aforementioned ones in this article could help you out and any other actor.
A movie audition is not only about the talent. Your talent can go to waste if you have no idea how to deal with the different processes of the audition and your own bad case of the jitters. Knowing and working according to the process shows that you are responsible and professional. Being able to control your nerves will be important in winning a role and maintaining your career as an actor.
Related Questions:
1. Do you have your own special way of relieving pre-audition tension?
2. What monologues do you think are improper for an audition?
3. How can you best emphasize your talent as an actor during an audition?
Pre-audition is likely an interview to a job. There is much tension especially when you are in front of the jurors. You will be screened and given comments, whether it may be good or bad you should always be prepared to the possible words that would burst from the mouth of the jurors. But there could be possible ways to lessen the tension; I can’t say to relieve it because we can never avoid such feeling. First is to know why we think there could be tension. Most often it is because of fear. Fear to be judge and fear to be neglected. Before the time of audition we should always bear in mind that whenever there is fear we can never achieve what we desire. We should overcome fear beforehand in order for us to have a state of mind to pursue what we aspire. So that when the time has come we can face the jurors with head held high showing our full confidence. Revealing to them the talent we’ve got according to their criteria.
This article explains everything but I also want to add on the tips to overcome audition jitters. My friend Anna, has been auditioning for movie roles for the past months and at first she had a hard time taking the nerves off but then as time passed by she was able to overcome it. I asked her what her secret was and then she told me that it’s all about going through the same process again and again that it seemed like she was the only person standing there in front of the director and no one else was watching her perform but herself. Her explanation was quite vague and so I tried to ponder it in my mind and after reading this article, I actually understood her point. Go there try your best and imagine like you’re facing in front of the mirror the only person you should satisfy and be amazed FIRST is not that person judging in front of you but the person you see in the mirror, yourself.
The tips you mentioned are good but I have another one. Whether for an audition or for something else, I usually try to meditate and visualize what I want to achieve. I try to picture it in my mind very clearly and try to feel that I already have the part. It’s kind of like practicing the role even before you get it! However, you don’t only have to research the director’s preferences as you mentioned. I remember auditioning for a role simply because I wanted to have a really good role in the project. I was supposed to sing a song so I just memorized the song. I know I sang the song very well. However, I did not know that the other person going for the part was a very close friend of the director. I put myself in a position just for them to say there was at least someone who also vied for that role.