Acting involves the development of many skills, one of which is auditioning, a skill you can study and learn in many acting classes in NYC. Becoming a working actor is essential to gaining experience, and becoming a working actor can’t happen if you don’t audition well. If auditioning is not being taught in your acting classes in NYC, it’s a skill that you will need to work on developing. Being prepared, with a deep set of auditioning skills is necessary if you expect to exploit every opportunity to audition that comes your way. Acting classes in NYC that teach the Meisner discipline are known for turning out highly professional actors that know how to work. There is a known connection between the Meisner acting technique and professional, inspiring auditioning techniques.
There are one or two ways that are common reasons actors “fail” to turn in arresting auditions. One way to be discounted is to appear overconfident. At the same time you cannot allow yourself to be overly nervous or insecure, unless the role calls for it. Directors and producers are used to seeing overly confident or insecure actors and this is not what will count against you. The real problem is when you are nervous, and you attempt to hide it, an attempt which in turn makes you wonder if you are showing it, and before long you are completely shut down emotionally.
Being “closed off” or self aware is a very bad acting habit, and one that threatens to get in the way of a great audition as well. In essence, “you” and whatever you are feeling needs to disappear, and make way for a fascinating, exciting character to emerge. The many layers of human traits, communicated in a thousand smalls ways is what must shine through, how you feel personally can’t inhibit this.
The slate, as it is called, may not seem important at first. But, as you state your name into the camera for the auditors to keep track of your tape, you are already communicating a lot about who you are. It seems like a throwaway moment, just a way for the people conducting the audition to keep track. The harsh reality is this. Not all casting directors, producers or directors watch all the tapes past the slate. Actors must think about how many hundreds of other actors are also turning in tapes our auditions. If a slate is poor, or overdone they may not even get past it. So, a quick dismissal of someone who doesn’t slate well gets them closer to their goal.
This is challenging for the actor, but challenging is what spurs growth. Whether it seems fair or not, the fact remains you had better learn how to slate well. While some acting classes deal with auditioning, many don’t. A good resource for learning about slates are often acting classes in NYC. Slating on an audition tape is sometimes required to enroll in acting classes in NYC. Slating is a skill like any other, it has to be practiced. Have a friend set up a camera, some lights and give it a go. Some things to think about if you do practice slates. True communication is connecting with someone even if through a device, like a camera. Record and play back several versions of the slate and see how it plays. Find people you trust to watch the slate and give you feedback.
The information you include need not be lengthy, they really just want your name and possibly your agent. The shorter the better so they move on to the critical thing, the audition. While it might be okay to offer a hint of character for a commercial audition, it’s still a risk. You will have to assume what they are looking for in a character and you may not be right. Mainly, the aim is to give a slate that represents you as a person and as an actor. Then, give them what they want and deserve, a brilliant, fresh take on the part you are aiming to get. Seek out Meisner acting NYC if you want to know more about how to create character with this technique.
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides meisner acting instruction in New York City. For more information about acting classes nyc visit the studio website where you can get specific answers to any question you have.