Be Prepared, Know your lines!
By Lori Wyman (casting director)
This past month I was casting an independent film. I usually preread
the actors before I bring them in to meet the producer and director,
but I didn't have a lot of prep time on this movie, so I brought the
actors in directly to meet the clients. I witnessed some of the most
horrendous mistakes that I have ever seen on an audition. I must share
them with you so that you will not make these sames mistakes.
I am hopeful that you know that you should be memorized before you
go into your audition. I realize that may not be feasible, but your
goal is to know your dialog as best as you can. I have been teaching
this for years. This one actor came in to the casting last week and
had downloaded all of his dialog onto his iphone. I thought this was
strange, but if it worked for him, that's all that really matters.
Well, lo and behold, he began to scroll on his iphone DURING THE AUDITION
to find his dialog. He'd scroll up and down. Once he found his part,
he'd recite it. I would then deliver my line and he'd begin to scroll
again to find his next line. And so it went on for the entire audition.
It was a first, for sure. I then realized I have another book with
so many new and unusual audition mistakes to impart to everyone. I'll
share one more with you. Another actor clearly didn't know his dialog.
He had to read it. When you have to look at your dialog during an
audition the idea is to look up towards camera as much as possible.
This young man spent the whole 2 minutes looking down at the sides
other than when he turned completely profile and looked down at the
ground. Part way through the audition, the director stopped this actor.
I must say it was quite painful to sit through. I realize nerves play
a big part in these audition mistakes. Actors forget about the camera
and look everywhere else except the camera. I also know that when
an actor walks into the room and there are 3-4-5 clients sitting there
all staring at you, this can shake your confidence.
It's a small investment in yourself to spend some time in an auditioning
class so that you don't become a failed statistic.
ACTORS, THERE ARE WAYS TO OVERCOME A LOT OT THESE MISTAKES!
Everyone is working to bring back the film incentive to Florida. When
this happens and the projects start rolling in, YOU MUST BE PREPARED.
I, as always, wish you the very best and I only want you to "pursue
your passion, so you can live your dream."
Compliments of Lori Wyman - www.theorganicactor.com
