By focusing on developing a deep skill set, in acting classes in nyc or other qualified institutions are of the utmost importance. However, there is one skill you may have to develop on your own if your acting classes in nyc do not include it, and that is auditioning technique. Recently, audition tapes have become a big part of the process. An expensive, professional video is okay for an audition tape but, certainly not necessary. Enlist the help of a director friend, rent a simple camera and follow these rules.
First is lighting, because everyone has seen what a poor lighting job can do to someone's appearance. Shadows look like a ravaged complexion or dark circles under the eyes. Looking completely washed out from lights that are too strong or close doesn't work either. This is distracting and will take attention away from your performance. Nice, bright yet completely unnoticeable lighting is the goal. If you are studying in a professional acting program, or taking acting classes in nyc, there should be someone who is teaching an "Acting for the Camera" class or something similar. Ask for help creating a simple diagram that outlines a lighting scheme.
Two or three small lights will do the trick. Two soft lights can be placed on either side of the camera, about 10' feet or so away, focused on where you will be sitting. Then a third light can be used to fill in the background. There are audition tapes that have dark backgrounds which can set a certain mood and this can work. Just be careful that the contrast is not too great between the talent and background which is distracting. Every camera has a White Balance feature that needs to be set.
This reads the color temperatures of the combined light sources. Incandescent lights are yellow, daylight is very blue. Let's say you set up the lighting, and you are also near a window. A simple white balance button will take care of it. Just focus the camera on a white card or sheet of paper and it should correct for color. If you do not use this feature the color will be completely off, especially your skin tones. You want good clean skin tones, eye color and hair color, so you must not forget this step.
Another very important thing to consider is sound. Distracting static, muddy tones in your voice, are all ways to kill what might otherwise be a good audition tape. With so many good tapes to watch an audition with poor sound will be quickly rejected. The mic should be as close to the source of the sound as possible to eliminate stray noise. Renting a good quality microphone is a good idea, as the camera mounted variety are usually prone to pick up lots of static and stray noise. You aren't communicating with the audience if you can't be heard clearly. Again, quality acting classes in nyc that include skills on how to be camera ready can help advise you on this.
With these basics in place now is the time to think about content. An audition prepared for taping has some slight differences. A coach trained in the Meisner acting technique should be able to offer a lot of great tips on how to prepare. An audition tape that is engaging, riveting, and fascinating is easier for actors that have studied Meisner acting. Anyone who has studied Meisner acting nyc will understand that acting is as much about what you leave out as what you put in. Of course, you can't cram every possible emotion that a character "has" into a few moments. The key to great acting is what you don't present, but leave simmering underneath. Doing your job as an actor is not presenting everything and making it easy for them, but drawing them in by making them think about the work.
Of course, if you are asked to prepare an audition tape of something specific, some sides or a scene, the tape will consist of this. More often, casting agents and producers ask for monologues not scenes. Prepare something that plays to your strengths, of course, be it comedy, drama or character driven. Legendary actors can present mesmerizing layers of emotion in a short time. Audiences identify easily with a comic figure's dark moments, and like to laugh briefly to endure intense drama. Enlist the teachers of acting classes in nyc, or wherever you study, to review your practice tapes and incorporate their suggestions. Professional actors are always open to direction, certainly as an up and coming actor it's smart to remain open to input regarding your audition tape.
First is lighting, because everyone has seen what a poor lighting job can do to someone's appearance. Shadows look like a ravaged complexion or dark circles under the eyes. Looking completely washed out from lights that are too strong or close doesn't work either. This is distracting and will take attention away from your performance. Nice, bright yet completely unnoticeable lighting is the goal. If you are studying in a professional acting program, or taking acting classes in nyc, there should be someone who is teaching an "Acting for the Camera" class or something similar. Ask for help creating a simple diagram that outlines a lighting scheme.
Two or three small lights will do the trick. Two soft lights can be placed on either side of the camera, about 10' feet or so away, focused on where you will be sitting. Then a third light can be used to fill in the background. There are audition tapes that have dark backgrounds which can set a certain mood and this can work. Just be careful that the contrast is not too great between the talent and background which is distracting. Every camera has a White Balance feature that needs to be set.
This reads the color temperatures of the combined light sources. Incandescent lights are yellow, daylight is very blue. Let's say you set up the lighting, and you are also near a window. A simple white balance button will take care of it. Just focus the camera on a white card or sheet of paper and it should correct for color. If you do not use this feature the color will be completely off, especially your skin tones. You want good clean skin tones, eye color and hair color, so you must not forget this step.
Another very important thing to consider is sound. Distracting static, muddy tones in your voice, are all ways to kill what might otherwise be a good audition tape. With so many good tapes to watch an audition with poor sound will be quickly rejected. The mic should be as close to the source of the sound as possible to eliminate stray noise. Renting a good quality microphone is a good idea, as the camera mounted variety are usually prone to pick up lots of static and stray noise. You aren't communicating with the audience if you can't be heard clearly. Again, quality acting classes in nyc that include skills on how to be camera ready can help advise you on this.
With these basics in place now is the time to think about content. An audition prepared for taping has some slight differences. A coach trained in the Meisner acting technique should be able to offer a lot of great tips on how to prepare. An audition tape that is engaging, riveting, and fascinating is easier for actors that have studied Meisner acting. Anyone who has studied Meisner acting nyc will understand that acting is as much about what you leave out as what you put in. Of course, you can't cram every possible emotion that a character "has" into a few moments. The key to great acting is what you don't present, but leave simmering underneath. Doing your job as an actor is not presenting everything and making it easy for them, but drawing them in by making them think about the work.
Of course, if you are asked to prepare an audition tape of something specific, some sides or a scene, the tape will consist of this. More often, casting agents and producers ask for monologues not scenes. Prepare something that plays to your strengths, of course, be it comedy, drama or character driven. Legendary actors can present mesmerizing layers of emotion in a short time. Audiences identify easily with a comic figure's dark moments, and like to laugh briefly to endure intense drama. Enlist the teachers of acting classes in nyc, or wherever you study, to review your practice tapes and incorporate their suggestions. Professional actors are always open to direction, certainly as an up and coming actor it's smart to remain open to input regarding your audition tape.
About the Author:
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides acting classes for serious actors. To learn more about commercial acting class visit the studio website.
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