130997 1058 Performing Arts Acting Auditions true Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:38:10 -0800 /system/videos/6/97/09/13/130997.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, performing, arts, acting How To Impress a Casting Director http://www.howcast.com/videos/130997-How-To-Impress-a-Casting-Director http://www.howcast.com/videos/130997-How-To-Impress-a-Casting-Director/edit approved 226 640 360 <object width="425" height="273" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="howcastplayer"><param name="movie" value="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=130997"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=130997" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="273" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" ></embed></object> 12 natewood http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/Picture_11_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png 2328 false false false 57218 1 27 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/27.jpg Gather materials Whether you’re submitting for a role or just want to get noticed, it’s important to have strong marketing materials, like a persuasive cover letter, a detailed resume, a realistic headshot, and, hopefully, a reel that shows your acting chops.

]]> 57219 2 42 Tip Set yourself apart from the crowd by having custom stationery made—or make it yourself.

]]> 57220 3 47 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/47.jpg Assemble a packet Assemble a packet to send to the casting director’s office. If applying for a role, explain why you’d be perfect for the part. Include any good reviews or press clips as well.

]]> 57221 4 58 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/58.jpg Follow up Follow up after sending your packet. If you’re granted an audition, tell them you’ll be there. If you submitted your materials cold, send a postcard that’s a mini headshot a week later. Be polite, friendly, and professional—and never hound them!

]]> 57222 5 72 Tip If you’re hoping to meet the casting director without an audition, drop off your materials in person. At the very least, you might get in good with her assistant.

]]> 57223 6 81 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/81.jpg Volunteer Volunteer to be a reader. Some casting directors use volunteers to read lines opposite the auditioning actor. Even though you’re not up for the part, it’s a great way to get seen.

]]> 57224 7 92 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/92.jpg Practice on camera If you’ll be auditioning on camera, know how you appear on film. Borrow or rent a video camera and have a friend tape your performance. Practice appearing comfortable and natural.

]]> 57225 8 104 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/104.jpg Know where to look Know where to look. Usually it’s not wise to perform exclusively for the casting director running the audition. Conversely, don’t just fixate on the person reading with you. Let your eyes wander a natural amount. And never stare into the camera!

]]> 57226 9 120 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/120.jpg Memorize the sides If you’re going to be auditioning and have received the sides beforehand, memorize them as best you can. This will allow you to concentrate on the work and show the casting director that you’re a professional.

]]> 57227 10 132 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/132.jpg Be early Be at least 20 minutes early to any audition. You’ll notice that other actors are sometimes late. Not good—the director might assume you’re always late and decide to go with someone who isn’t.

]]> 57228 11 143 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/143.jpg No dumb questions If you have any smart, useful questions to ask about the role or what they want from you, go ahead and ask. But don’t ask questions just for the sake of it—you’ll look unprepared.

]]> 57229 12 154 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/154.jpg Listen and react If someone is reading another character’s lines with you, remember to listen and react to them—even if they’re only doing it half-heartedly. Show you can work with another actor, no matter how invested they are.

]]> 57230 13 166 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/166.jpg Take direction If the casting director asks you to try doing it a different way, do it. This is your chance to show you are flexible and can take direction.

]]> 57231 14 175 Tip Don’t end the scene yourself, even if you’re done with the dialogue. Stay in the moment until you’re told that it’s over.

]]> 57233 15 182 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/182.jpg Don’t apologize Never apologize or in any other way comment on your work.http://www.howcast.com/images/markers/label-tip.png?1233461644

]]> 57232 16 188 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/188.jpg Be professional An audition is not a schmooze-fest. Be polite and professional. Casting directors are busy people and if you waste their time they won’t remember you fondly.

]]> 57234 17 199 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/130997/199.jpg Be yourself Most importantly, be yourself. A casting director is casting your personality and charisma as much as they’re casting the specific character, so let yourself shine through. Happy auditioning!

]]> 57235 18 212 Fact The classic 1950 film Sunset Boulevard was controversial for casting former and current film legends, including Cecil B. DeMille and Buster Keaton, to play themselves.

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10:16:57 -0800 11 natewood ]]> 165 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/56/45/14/144556.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, performing, arts, acting Performing Arts Acting General Acting 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/144556/stage_firght_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/144556-How-To-Overcome-Stage-Fright 1056 204919 How To Get Into the Screen Actors Guild AssignmentGuide 691 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:32:14 -0700 2 downpourpro ]]> 82 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/19/49/20/204919.flv screen, actors, Guild, sag, screen actors guild, get into, get in, film, movies, acting Performing Arts Acting General Acting 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/204919/Picture_8_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/204919-How-To-Get-Into-the-Screen-Actors-Guild 1056 211687 How To Prepare a Monologue AssignmentGuide 606 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:17:28 -0700 6 Booner ]]> 85 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/87/16/21/211687.flv performing, arts, acting, preparing, auditioning, choosing, practicing, monologues, learning Performing Arts Acting General Acting 4 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/211687/Picture_7_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/211687-How-To-Prepare-a-Monologue 1051 218217 How To Join the Circus AssignmentGuide 425 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:17:26 -0700 0 k8jonez ]]> 117 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/81/88/25/258881.flv join, circus, performing, arts, performing arts, art, show Performing Arts General Performing Arts Circus 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/218217/Picture_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/218217-How-To-Join-the-Circus 1061 13220 How To Look Good in Your Roller Coaster Snapshot AssignmentGuide 4043 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:45:24 -0700 9 natewood ]]> 71 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/4/20/32/01/13220.flv performing, arts, carnivals, Festivals, amusement, parks, park, look, good, rollercoaster Performing Arts Carnivals, Festivals & Amusement Parks 6 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/13220/Picture_18_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/13220-How-To-Look-Good-in-Your-Roller-Coaster-Snapshot 1062 225563 How To Look Like Burt Reynolds AssignmentGuide 1582 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:18:57 -0700 2 VEHDER ]]> 86 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/3/20/42/22/224220.flv Burt Reynolds, macho, sexy, hairy chest, moustache, cool, bandit, Performing Arts Celebrities 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/225563/40_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/225563-HOW-TO-LOOK-LIKE-BURT-REYNOLDS 1062 228032 How To Meet Celebrities AssignmentGuide 687 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:47:55 -0700 1 rachybop ]]> 91 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/48/44/26/264448.flv meeting,celebrities,seeing,spotting,stars,getting,know,hanging,finding,hollywood,movie,famous Performing Arts Celebrities 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/228032/celebs_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/228032-How-To-Meet-Celebrities 1063 113636 How To Tango AssignmentGuide 3509 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:05:41 -0800 9 natewood ]]> 127 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/36/36/11/113636.flv performing, dancing, dances, ballroom, learning, moves, tangoing Performing Arts Dance 3 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113636/Picture_11_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/113636-How-To-Tango 1064 83350 How To Belly Dance AssignmentGuide 34072 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:01:15 -0800 29 Equilibrio ]]> 202 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/50/33/08/83350.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, performing, arts, dance Performing Arts Dance General Dance 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/83350/5_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/83350-How-To-Belly-Dance 1064 113637 How To Swing Dance AssignmentGuide 5069 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:05:26 -0800 8 natewood ]]> 98 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/37/36/11/113637.flv performing, dancing, dances, learning, moves, swinging Performing Arts Dance General Dance 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113637/Picture_10_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/113637-How-To-Swing-Dance 1064 217848 How To Hula Dance AssignmentGuide 4383 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:47:01 -0700 6 NelsonN ]]> 156 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/05/65/22/226505.flv performing, arts, dancing, hula, hawaii, hawaiian, learning, moving, moves, girl Performing Arts Dance General Dance 4 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217848/hula_dance_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/217848-How-To-Hula-Dance 1064 241552 How To Ace a Dancing Audition AssignmentGuide 593 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:06:27 -0700 1 natewood ]]> 106 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/54/39/26/263954.flv 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