Saturday, August 11, 2012

Entering Your Audition With Overconfidence - Common Audition Blunders

By Maggie Flanigan


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 is no such thing as "failing" an audition unless you have fallen into one of these traps. The first is to be overconfident. At the same time you cannot allow yourself to be overly nervous or insecure, unless the role calls for it. Producers and directors, casting agents see overconfidence and extreme nervousness all the time and this is not what will work against you in the end. Being nervous or confident projects a sense of "self awareness" which can kill a great acting performance.

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. Stating your name, your agent, at the beginning of the tape helps them track your audition but, it's also their first impression of you. 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. Not all casting directors, producers or directors watch all the tapes past the slate. With hundreds, perhaps thousands to see for a role, it's an overwhelming process. 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. So, a quick dismissal of someone who doesn't slate well gets them closer to their goal.

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. The shorter the better so they move on to the critical thing, the audition. 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. The aim of the slate is to give them a sense of who you are as an actor and a person. Slate and then, give them a brilliantly original, fresh fascinating character that will make their project soar. Creating character, building spontaneity into a performance and other essential auditioning skills can be learned by studying Meisner acting NYC.




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