Acting classes in nyc focus on developing your skills as an actor, especially the foundational skills that are required to practice the craft. A solid auditioning technique is also paramount however and acting classes in nyc do not always include this in their curriculum. Audition tapes are the new must have, since they can be emailed instantly, and casting agents and producers can see how you are on camera and get a sense of who you are as an actor. Audition tapes need not be expensive, professionally shot videos. Enlist the help of a director friend, rent a simple camera and follow these rules.
How you appear is key, and lighting is a big part of this. Strong shadows falling in the wrong places can eliminate your chances of producers watching the tape all the way through. Looking completely washed out from lights that are too strong or close doesn’t work either. If the lighting serves as a distraction to your performance you’ve wasted your time. Lighting needs to be clean, and completely unnoticeable. A professional acting program, especially acting classes in nyc, should have someone on staff that has experience producing tapes. Ask for help creating a simple diagram that outlines a lighting scheme.
There should be two or three light sources. Two soft lights can be placed on either side of the camera, about 10′ feet or so away, focused on where you will be sitting. A third source of light can be focused softly to fill in the background and highlight the talent from behind. In some instances audition tapes leave the background completely dark which creates a certain mood. This is okay as long as the overall feel is not too dark. The all important next step is the white balance on the camera.
The color temperature of lights sources can be different. Incandescent lights are yellow, daylight is very blue. If you set up lights near a window the camera must correct for that. A mix of light sources is possible but, the camera must be “balanced” to correct for these color differences. The White balance button on the camera makes this possible. Just place something white in the approximate place where you will be standing and hit White Balance. If you do not use this feature the color will be completely off, especially your skin tones. It will be evident if you forget to do this, because the skin tones and colors will all be incorrect.
Another very important thing to consider is sound. A good audition tape is only as good as the sound, because your voice is your main instrument. No one wants to sit through a tape that they can’t hear. Keep the mic as close to the talent as possible. While easy, the camera mounted microphones are usually not very high quality. Communicating character, and a sense of who you are as an actor depends on what you sound like so make it great. Acting classes in nyc sometimes have ways to help with this.
On to content, the all important piece of the puzzle, the character you are portraying, or a sense of who you are as an actor. An audition prepared for taping has some slight differences. Preparation can be made easier if you’ve studied Meisner acting techniques with trained coaches. Using the Meisner acting tools can help create a riveting audition tape that does not seem rehearsed or staged. Anyone who has studied Meisner acting nyc will understand that acting is as much about what you leave out as what you put in. Cramming every emotion and gesture into a performance will always seem false. The key to great acting is what you don’t present, but leave simmering underneath. Audiences like to work, think, and look for clues which is a way to engage them in your performance.
At times, actors are asked to include something very specific, but it should still have your own ideas incorporated. More frequently actors are asked to turn in monologue audition tapes, just to give viewers an idea of their range and abilities. Whether you have the gift of comedy, or a talent for dramatic roles, a great audition includes both. The greatest actors are well rounded and can include many layers of abilities during a short piece. Audiences identify easily with a comic figure’s dark moments, and like to laugh briefly to endure intense drama. Acting classes in nyc are led by experienced professionals who can help give constructive feedback. Professional actors are always open to direction, certainly as an up and coming actor it’s smart to remain open to input regarding your audition tape.
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides nyc acting classes for serious actors. To learn more about commercial acting visit the studio website.