Actor in Waiting
Howdie All,
This post goes out to all the actors just starting out. It also goes out to all the non-actors who want to understand what actors go through.
What is an audition. Websters defines it as "an interview for a particular job consisting of a practical demonstration on one's abilities or skills". BINGO! It's a job interview.
Every actor has gone through it at one point in their career... the AUDITION. There is so much at steak, you could litteraly have a meltdown trying to over analyze it. Then when you don't get a part or a callback, you over analyze what you did wrong or what you could have done differently resulting in meltdown number two which leads to depression and drugs. A majority of the time, the decision is out of your control. So why go through it? For the love of the art... man!
So what is like waiting around to audition? One word... PAINFUL! It really does not matter what level you are at; whether it be an actor just starting out or an A-list Star... the waiting is the hardest part (I just stole that from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers).
As an actor, you hone your "craft" your entire life searching for the right combination of character, talent, and opportunity. When all three collide you get magic on screen or stage. The key is being prepared so that when opportunity knocks, you can step up and hit it out of the park. One Audition can litterally change your life. So why stress yourself out over something so out of you control? Because you just can't help but think woulda, coulda, shoulda. It's only human.
As an actor you need to take each audition as an opportunity to perform. Why not have fun with it. You never know what it might lead to. Even if you don't get a callback, the Casting Director may have you in mind for something else. Don't ruin your chances by asking questions. There are so many stories of actor destroying their chances at success because they asked the wrong question before or after an audition. Just shut up, do the work, say "Thank You" and leave. After the audition is over reflect a bit on what you did and then let it go. Get your mind off of it. It is now out of your control so why fret... right? See a movie, work on your garden, take your dog for a walk. Do anything to forget about it.
If you get a callback... Awesome. They liked something you did. Be prepared to do it again, but also, be prepared and open for an adjustment or "note" as we call it. Relaxing in an audition is the hardest part. I try breathing and focusing on what needs to be accomplished... the work. Callbacks can be intimidating because everyone is there. The Casting Director, The Director, The Producer, The Client (in commercial auditions), and little old you. Focus on the work.
Auditioning takes practice. Kobe Bryant didn't just score 81 points by talent alone; He practiced. The more you audition, the better you get. If you can't audition, take a class.
To me, auditioning is fun. I love being called in for something. It's an opportunity to perform, it's an opportunity to be seen. It's an opportunity to work. It is a challenge. I Love it. Waiting for that opportunity is life. Enjoy it and live it.
Next Blog... Life on the set of [scrubs]
This post goes out to all the actors just starting out. It also goes out to all the non-actors who want to understand what actors go through.
What is an audition. Websters defines it as "an interview for a particular job consisting of a practical demonstration on one's abilities or skills". BINGO! It's a job interview.
Every actor has gone through it at one point in their career... the AUDITION. There is so much at steak, you could litteraly have a meltdown trying to over analyze it. Then when you don't get a part or a callback, you over analyze what you did wrong or what you could have done differently resulting in meltdown number two which leads to depression and drugs. A majority of the time, the decision is out of your control. So why go through it? For the love of the art... man!
So what is like waiting around to audition? One word... PAINFUL! It really does not matter what level you are at; whether it be an actor just starting out or an A-list Star... the waiting is the hardest part (I just stole that from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers).
As an actor, you hone your "craft" your entire life searching for the right combination of character, talent, and opportunity. When all three collide you get magic on screen or stage. The key is being prepared so that when opportunity knocks, you can step up and hit it out of the park. One Audition can litterally change your life. So why stress yourself out over something so out of you control? Because you just can't help but think woulda, coulda, shoulda. It's only human.
As an actor you need to take each audition as an opportunity to perform. Why not have fun with it. You never know what it might lead to. Even if you don't get a callback, the Casting Director may have you in mind for something else. Don't ruin your chances by asking questions. There are so many stories of actor destroying their chances at success because they asked the wrong question before or after an audition. Just shut up, do the work, say "Thank You" and leave. After the audition is over reflect a bit on what you did and then let it go. Get your mind off of it. It is now out of your control so why fret... right? See a movie, work on your garden, take your dog for a walk. Do anything to forget about it.
If you get a callback... Awesome. They liked something you did. Be prepared to do it again, but also, be prepared and open for an adjustment or "note" as we call it. Relaxing in an audition is the hardest part. I try breathing and focusing on what needs to be accomplished... the work. Callbacks can be intimidating because everyone is there. The Casting Director, The Director, The Producer, The Client (in commercial auditions), and little old you. Focus on the work.
Auditioning takes practice. Kobe Bryant didn't just score 81 points by talent alone; He practiced. The more you audition, the better you get. If you can't audition, take a class.
To me, auditioning is fun. I love being called in for something. It's an opportunity to perform, it's an opportunity to be seen. It's an opportunity to work. It is a challenge. I Love it. Waiting for that opportunity is life. Enjoy it and live it.
Next Blog... Life on the set of [scrubs]
posted by Aaron Ikeda at 7:25 PM
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