By focusing on developing a deep skill set, in acting classes in nyc or other qualified institutions are of the utmost importance. However, there is one skill you may have to develop on your own if your acting classes in nyc do not include it, and that is auditioning technique. Recently, audition tapes have become a big part of the process. An expensive, professional video is okay for an audition tape but, certainly not necessary. Enlist the help of a director friend, rent a simple camera and follow these rules.
Everyone knows what a bad lighting job can do to someone’s appearance. Poor lighting creates deep shadows in all the wrong places. Too much light an you look completely washed out. This is distracting and will take attention away from your performance. A well lit subject is one in which the lighting just “disappears.” If you are studying in a professional acting program, or taking acting classes in nyc, there should be someone who is teaching an “Acting for the Camera” class or something similar. Ask for help creating a simple diagram that outlines a lighting scheme.
There should be two or three light sources. A light should be placed in front of the talent (you) one on either side, and far enough away to not cause shadows or hot spots. A light can also be brought in to illuminate the background. There are audition tapes that have dark backgrounds which can set a certain mood and this can work. Just be sure the overall tape is not too dark, or the contrast too great between your face and the background. Correcting the color with a white balance feature is the important next step.
This reads the color temperatures of the combined light sources. Incandescent lights are yellow, daylight is very blue. Let’s say you set up the lighting, and you are also near a window. A simple white balance button will take care of it. Just focus the camera on a white card or sheet of paper and it should correct for color. If you do not use this feature the color will be completely off, especially your skin tones. You want good clean skin tones, eye color and hair color, so you must not forget this step.
Perfect, clear sound is also critical. Distracting static, muddy tones in your voice, are all ways to kill what might otherwise be a good audition tape. No one wants to sit through a tape that they can’t hear. Keep the mic as close to the talent as possible. Camera mounted microphones are not very close to the subject, so looking into the rental of a good quality Lavalier microphone might be worthwhile. Let’s face it, acting is a form of communication and you cannot communicate clearly if you can’t be heard. Lots of good acting classes in nyc, include advice on how to do this.
With these basics in place now is the time to think about content. An audition prepared for taping has some slight differences. A coach trained in the Meisner acting technique should be able to offer a lot of great tips on how to prepare. An audition tape that is engaging, riveting, and fascinating is easier for actors that have studied Meisner acting. Anyone who has studied Meisner acting nyc will understand that acting is as much about what you leave out as what you put in. Of course, you can’t cram every possible emotion that a character “has” into a few moments. The key to great acting is what you don’t present, but leave simmering underneath. Doing your job as an actor is not presenting everything and making it easy for them, but drawing them in by making them think about the work.
Sometimes, the requests are very specific, however a great actor will never be hindered or constrained by those ideas. More often, casting agents and producers ask for monologues not scenes. It makes sense to prepare something that involves your strengths. The greatest actors are well rounded and can include many layers of abilities during a short piece. The best comedians always have an underlying sense of tragedy, and the most dramatic performances are capable of lighter moments. Acting classes in nyc are led by experienced professionals who can help give constructive feedback. As actors we tend to be insecure and it’s best to accept direction from the outside about what makes our audition tape stand out.
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides acting classes for serious actors. To learn more about commercial acting visit the studio website.