Work on the Self

In addition to understanding the purpose of the scene and analyzing the text, actors need to present themselves in such a way that producers and directors want to work with them.

Ideally, at an audition an actor will be:

• Relaxed
• Natural
• Spontaneous
• Energetic
• Exuding confidence
• Listening and reacting in the moment
• Professional
• Able to take direction
• Displaying “charisma”
• Looking like someone who'll be fun to work with, or at least not difficult.
  

This is a lot to accomplish, considering the high stakes and short time you have at an audition. But if you can have these qualities at an audition, directors and producers figure you’ll have these qualities on the set when it becomes REALLY important.

Work on the self is a continual, ongoing process. Discoveries and progress you make in this area can carry over from one audition to the next.

You can work on specific ways to help you exude the qualities they’re looking for.

• Preparing yourself physically and mentally before you go in the room
• Relaxation and visualization techniques
• Knowing who you are and how you’re different from everybody else
• Dealing with mistakes in a professional manner
• Being prepared with alternate approaches in case they want to see it “another way”
• Using your script to help you, rather than hinder you
• Focusing on your work while taking in the environment
• Focusing on your work while interacting with others in the room

By preparing yourself fully and knowing your choices and your lines, you’ll be much more professional and confident at your audition.

By being comfortable with your unique qualities and knowing you’re the best at being who you are, you’ll have that “charisma” they want.