Saturday, August 18, 2012

Auditioning - The Acting Skill You Can Learn in NYC Acting Classes

By Maggie Flanigan


Auditioning is an important skill, not just an extension of acting, it's a separate skill that can be developed in many acting classes in NYC. Gaining acting experience on stage, film or television is an important way to develop acting skills, but that won't happen if you don't audition well. If auditioning is not being taught in your acting classes in NYC, it's a skill that you will need to work on developing. Landing a role is luck and timing but, none of that matters if you're not prepared when the opportunity comes. Acting classes in NYC that teach the Meisner discipline are known for turning out highly professional actors that know how to work. Meisner acting techniques are strongly connected to powerful auditioning skills.

There is no such thing as "failing" an audition unless you have fallen into one of these traps. One way to be discounted is to appear overconfident. At the same time you cannot allow yourself to be overly nervous or insecure, unless the role calls for it. Directors and producers are used to seeing overly confident or insecure actors and this is not what will count against you. Nervousness, overconfidence or any other type of emotional reaction to an audition is an unwanted block to the emotional presentation of the character you are auditioning for.

Being "closed off" or self aware is a very bad acting habit, and one that threatens to get in the way of a great audition as well. In essence, "you" and whatever you are feeling needs to disappear, and make way for a fascinating, exciting character to emerge. 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.

The slate, as it is called, may not seem important at first. Remember this will be the first impression you make. It seems like a throwaway moment, just a way for the people conducting the audition to keep track. The harsh reality is this. Many times, directors and producers never even get 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.

While this may seem harsh, it is certainly expedient. Fair or not, this is the way it is more often than not. Teaching auditioning skills is not part of every acting academy's curriculum. Acting classes in NYC are a great resource for learning about slates. Acting classes in NYC in some institutions, may ask for a slate and audition tape for entry into their program. It's something you can do on your own, and do quite well with a little help from a friend. Set up a camera, a good mic and then give it a try. Some things to think about if you do practice slates. True communication is connecting with someone even if through a device, like a camera. This is something you can record, playback and assess. Feedback from people you trust is also important, the slate should communicate who you are.

As for the information they want, it's most often limited to your name and the agency that represents you. First impressions should be short and sweet. It won't hurt in commercial auditions to put a hint of the character in your slate but avoid going over the top. If you fall short of their expectations they may hit the eject button before the actual tape. 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. if you want to know more, look into Meisner acting NYC, for tips on how to create character, emotional preparation and scene study for auditioning.




About the Author:



No comments: