Saturday, August 25, 2012

Why Some Directors Only Watch The Slate - Common Audition Mistakes

By Maggie Flanigan


Serious actors understand that the ability to audition well is a skill that needs to be studied, practiced and developed. 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. Acting classes in NYC might be the place to build strong auditioning skills, but it doesn't hurt to work on this independently as well. Landing a role is luck and timing but, none of that matters if you're not prepared when the opportunity comes. Meisner acting classes in NYC that teach the Meisner technique are known for producing disciplined actors. There is a known connection between the Meisner acting technique and professional, inspiring auditioning techniques.

One or two ways actors tend to crash and burn during auditions are common. The first is to be overconfident. The second is if you are overly insecure or nervous. 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.

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. Too nervous, and it's too distracting to you and the auditors and you run the risk of not being open to the performance and the emerging character. The many layers of human traits, communicated in a thousand smalls ways is what must shine through, how you feel personally can't inhibit this.

The slate, as it is called, may not seem important at first. But, as you state your name into the camera for the auditors to keep track of your tape, you are already communicating a lot about who you are. It seems like a throwaway moment, just a way for the people conducting the audition to keep track. The bad news is this. Many times, directors and producers never even get past the slate. With hundreds, perhaps thousands to see for a role, it's an overwhelming process. If a slate is poor, or overdone they may not even get past it. They need any excuse to move through the auditions as quickly as possible.

This is challenging for the actor, but challenging is what spurs growth. 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. Acting classes in NYC may be able to help you practice your slate. Some institutions that offer acting classes in NYC will even ask for a slated 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. Have a friend set up a camera, some lights and give it a go. If you do practice slates here is more to consider. Looking into the camera and truly communicating to a presence beyond the camera is an art form in and of itself. Record and play back several versions of the slate and see how it plays. You can get feedback from people you trust, and keep working at it until you feel like your slate is a natural extension of who you are as an actor.

The information you include need not be lengthy, they really just want your name and possibly your agent. 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. 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. Classes that offer Meisner acting NYC are a great place to develop the skills that can be used to build excellent auditioning skills.




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