Free Acting Tips

So . . . How'd Your Audition Go?

by Laura Interval

Sometimes it’s just not that easy to answer that question, is it?

The fact is as actors and performers auditioning is just as much a part of our job as . . . well . . . acting and performing! There have been a few years that auditioning is ALL I’ve gotten to do. And because getting the job is based on so many other factors that are out of our control, the quality of the audition experience shouldn’t be based solely on whether or not we book the job. Understanding the reality of the casting process will help you to audition better in the future and increase your chance of landing the roles! Make sure to check out the acting tips and evaluation page for more...

I was very excited about an audition that I had recently. It was a well written TV pilot and I thought I was really right for the role. And although, I did my work and went into the room feeling strong and grounded, I walked out of the room feeling disoriented and a little sweaty. When I was in my car, my friend called asking “so, how’d your audition go?” I replied, “I have NO IDEA!”

Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever walked out of an audition having no idea how you did? It’s complicated, because it’s actually two-fold. Isn’t the question really… “how did you feel in your audition… and did you get the job”? It’s tricky. Because we are in there showing producers/directors and casting directors our work… not just for fun… but, to GET THE JOB! So, at the end of the day, an audition that went “great”… isn’t really that “great” if we don’t book the job… or is it?

To get a better perspective on what goes on during the casting process, I began a conversation with a friend of mine. He is an actor who has the good fortune of running casting sessions from time to time. He has broken the “audition experience” down into four classes and I think it’s helpful to understand each one… and what they mean to you as a performer. See if you can relate to these:

Class 1:
This is when you THINK you did a good job… and you DID do a good job.

When you walk out of the room . . . you are happy with your work. And the director complimented you, the casting director nodded at you approvingly, the producer asked if you are available for the dates. You feel like you’re the best actor in town! This is what we all strive for as artists. This is the best experience by far. You had the effect you wanted to have in the room and you knew it! You have a good chance of booking this job. But, of course, you still may not.

Class 2:
This is when you think you DIDN'T do a good job… but, you DID do a good job.

When you walk out of the room . . . you may be a little confused. You didn’t do what you wanted to do with the material. You were nervous and you flubbed your lines and you had to start over… but, the director complimented you, the casting director nodded at you approvingly and the producer asked if you are available for the dates. You’re still trying to figure it out. Maybe you were better than you thought? Well… probably not… but you were the right height, size, color, or you just look like the kid who plays your son. Not exactly how you want to get the role, but hey! You got it!

Class 3:
This is when you think you DID a good job . . . but you DIDN’T do a good job.

When you walk out of the room . . . you, again, may be a little confused. You thought you were at your best. You thought you really “brought it”. But, the director didn’t make eye contact with you, the casting director hurried you out the door, and the producers began eating lunch. How is this possible? This is a dangerous one. You didn’t have the effect you wanted on the room. And they didn’t give you favorable feedback, but you’re sure you nailed it! You can’t let this shake you. You can’t please everyone… and remember, it’s not your job to try! It’s better to just validate yourself and move on.

Class 4:
This is when you think you DIDN'T do a good job . . . and you DIDN'T do a good job.

When you walk out of the room . . . you know that you will never hear from this production. You were nervous and you flubbed your lines and you had to start over and the director didn’t make eye contact with you, the casting director hurried you out the door, and the producers began eating lunch. At least you can review what threw you off… and work to improve it.

Of course we all want a Class 1 experience. But, this business is not based on talent alone. The fact is you may never know why you didn’t get a role… or why you did get a role for that matter!

Begin to recognize your experiences. What was your last one? Which do you most often experience? I think this realization will help you get a handle on your auditions and help to make them more positive.

So really, the Class 1 and the Class 3 experiences are the only ones of value to us. If you can honestly walk out the door knowing you did a good job, than there is nothing more you can do! There is no value in trying to predict what they want… or trying to "read" them in the room.

I realize that that’s what made me nervous and sweaty in that room that day. I was trying to read the director and his reactions instead of focusing on my work. That only weakened me as an artist. I was a watered down version of myself.

I didn’t get that job. I know as an artist I would feel so much better if I knew I did my best in the audition. Then, I could say, “well, they just didn’t get me”… and believe it. I think as actors and performers, that’s the best answer we can have.

So, next time someone asks you “so, how’d you’re audition go?”… answer them proudly, “It went great! I had so much fun! I was on fire!”

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