Landing your big role starts long before the actual audition. And the most effective way to get your “foot in the door” is to enroll in a reputable school such as The Playground. Or you can get an agent.
At The Playground, we groom our students to handle any role. Many of them have landed fantastic roles on television and the big screen. If you choose to go with an agent, they may require a percentage of your earnings. However, you can enjoy tremendous opportunities through their industry connections and experience.
Do The Prep Work
Once you’ve gotten that audition, there are a few things to consider.
- If you get the script beforehand, read through it and memorize your lines thoroughly.
- Acquaint yourself with similar roles to the one you’re auditioning for.
- If you are only given a character description, prepare a piece that fits what the character may be like.
- Dress the part.
- Have your headshots and C.V. on hand.
- Be polite to everyone you meet at the audition.
Lights, Camera, Action!
When you enter the audition room, it’s your time to shine. Make your way to the ‘X’ and introduce yourself. You will meet the casting director and a few other persons such as:
- The producer
- A cameraman (if the auditions are being taped)
- An advertiser (for commercials)
- Dance choreographer or musical director (for musicals)
Once given the go-ahead, take a deep breath, compose yourself, be confident, and breathe life into your character! Your audition could take about 10-15 minutes. When you’re finished, thank the group for the opportunity and return the script to the director or assistant. Sign out and leave promptly. After the auditions, the casting director will review all performances. If you are chosen, you will be invited to a call-back session or a screen test.
Always remember these four things:
- Be on time
- Be confident
- Be polite
- Congratulate yourself on a job well done
How to memorize lines…
Memorizing lines is more than just reading it over and over until it sticks. It is just as much an art form as acting itself. A number of key steps are used in acting classes all over the world.
- Read your lines out loud. When you say the lines, you will hear them and they are more likely to stick.
- Write them out.
- Run your lines with a partner. By working with someone, you will learn your cues. Your partner can also point out mistakes you may otherwise miss.
- Learn the cue lines for your parts.
- Recite your lines over and over.
- Memorize your lines a little at a time.
- Test yourself. Use a sheet of paper to cover up part of the script. As you read some of the lines, try to remember the line that follows.
- Use apps like Line Learner or Rehearsal Pro to record all the lines or upload the script. Listen or watch as it plays out with pauses for you to recite your lines.
- Be active while learning your lines, i.e. moving around, jogging, cleaning, etc. There is scientific evidence that being active can help your memory. You learn the ‘feeling’ of your lines rather than by rote.
Another effective method to memorize your lines is the use of script games. With script games, the director or coach calls out random lines from the script. The actors then hurry to the right spot and begin to act out the scene from the spoken line.
At The Playground, students learn using an exercise called Listening Exercise Scenes. Students get a collection of scenes with only their lines on it in no particular order. The students must then memorize the lines. When doing the exercise, they must say the right line to match what the teacher says. This helps them to develop excellent listening skills.
Give these strategies a try and you’ll be well on your way to success!