Auditioning is not just another skill on the roster, but a skill that is just as critical as scene study, emotional preparation or any other acting skill you might pick up in acting classes in NYC or elsewhere. Learning to audition well is an important aspect of the craft as it is key to getting cast, and getting that all important experience in front of the camera or onstage. 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 specialize in Meisner acting, offer one of the most respected acting disciplines in the business. Meisner acting techniques are strongly connected to powerful auditioning skills.
There is no such thing as “failing” an audition unless you have fallen into one of these traps. 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. Producers and directors, casting agents see overconfidence and extreme nervousness all the time and this is not what will work against you in the end. Nervousness, overconfidence or any other type of emotional reaction to an audition is an unwanted block to the emotional presentation of the character you are auditioning for.
An overconfident actor may come across as being too rehearsed, without enough room for spontaneity to emerge during the audition. If you are over thinking it, you jeopardize the chance for something unexpected or thrilling to happen in the moment. It is the character, with all his or her flaws, energy, sorrow, tension, humor, really a balance of all of these human traits, that must be present.
The slate may not seem important. Remember this will be the first impression you make. What may seem like a tiny practical thing, can have huge consequences if they don’t like what they see. This is the bad news. Not all casting directors, producers or directors watch all the tapes past the slate. With hundreds, perhaps thousands to see for a role, it’s an overwhelming process. They are on the lookout for the best of the best and a so-so slate will indicate that your tape is not worth their while. So, a quick dismissal of someone who doesn’t slate well gets them closer to their goal.
This may seem brutal, it does speed up the process. Fair or not, this is the way it is more often than not. Teaching auditioning skills is not part of every acting academy’s curriculum. Acting classes in NYC are a great resource for learning about slates. 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. Enlist a friend to help record your efforts on tape and you will instantly see how well you are doing. Here are some things to consider when practicing slates. Communicating to a “presence” or person rather than the camera is important. This is something you can record, playback and assess. Get honest feedback from people you trust, and make sure that the slate presents who you are.
Keeping it simple is the best route, let you personality be upfront, and be quick. First impressions should be short and sweet. It won’t hurt in commercial auditions to put a hint of the character in your slate but avoid going over the top. If you fall short of their expectations they may hit the eject button before the actual tape. The aim of the slate is to give them a sense of who you are as an actor and a person. Once the slate is done, move quickly into character and give them the portrayal they could never have anticipated, the character they didn’t even know they wanted. 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 classes in New York City. For more information about audition techniques visit the studio website where you can get specific answers to any question you have.