Sunday, September 13, 2009

How Not to Mess Up Your Commercial Audition

By Alan Ross

Commercial auditions are very different than theatrical auditions in that you never know what to expect and a casting director may end up having you doing nothing but smile or running a marathon. No matter what you end up having to do there are some steadfast rules you should always follow to ensure you don't ruin your chances at the audition because the truth is you can't afford to. As an actor you're lucky to even get that audition as they might have called in one hundred people for a single role but gone through over one thousand photos. Thus avoid doing all these things to help increase your odds of getting a callback.

1. Forget your headshot and resume Your headshot is your calling card. This is a job and a headshot is like a business card. It identifies you and gives the casting director all your information so you they can contact your representation to call you back.

2. Getting too friendly with the CD Touching the casting director is out of the question. You may not be sick but they don't know that and after seeing a hundred people a day they need to protect themselves.

3. Chewing bubblegum Fresh breath is nice and all but you need to spit out that gum before you enter the audition room. Chewing gum on camera looks miserable and will ruin your audition. The only exception is if the casting director or script specifically asks you to chew gum.

4. Blabbermouth Talking a little is okay, all kindness is not lost but it's best to just go in, do your job, say a quick thank you and leave. Remember it's a job not a sorority meeting.

5. Unscheduled auditions Unscheduled auditions or "crashing a casting" is unacceptable. You can be banned or blacklisted for doing this. If you really think you're right for something and weren't called in you can ask the casting director if you may audition, don't just sign in. They might say yes, they might not, respect that decision.

6. Show up late There is always traffic. There are always things going on. Try your best to always be on time. You don't know when their casting session is set to run. They may only be seeing people from two to three so when you show up at three thirty they're already done. Be professional and get there on time.

7. Make excuses Do not make excuses for not being prepared. There is no excuse. You should show up early to get the copy if there's one, look over the storyboard and get yourself ready. Casting directors get tired of hearing excuses. If something's not perfect just go with it and try your best. They will respect you a lot more for just coming in and doing your job.

8. Talk about acting, singing or dancing If asked a general personality question don't talk about acting, singing or dancing. Everyone in the entertainment world can act, sing and dance. It's nothing new. Show them a different part of your personality. Talk about things you believe in, your volunteer work or your favorite things to do with your free time. Be a real person.

9. Being unkind Rudeness is uncalled for. Don't do it. It will bite you in the ass. Even if someone is unkind to you just smile and move on, it will serve you a lot better.

10. Telling a lie Why lie? You'll likely get caught at one point or another. If you can't do something or don't know something admit it, it's alright.

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