One of the most important skills an actor can learn is auditioning and there are many acting studios in NYC where actors can learn these skills. 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. Landing the right role, is part luck, part good timing but, above all you must be prepared when the opportunity comes to audition. Acting classes in NYC that teach Meisner acting offer foundational skills that can be developed over time. Meisner acting techniques are suitable for improving your auditioning ability also.
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. Directors and producers are used to seeing overly confident or insecure actors and this is not what will count against you. 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 or overly nervous auditioned is usually closed off to far more important emotions, those of the character they are creating in the moment. Too nervous, and it’s too distracting to you and the auditors and you run the risk of not being open to the performance and the emerging character. Many layers of human traits must be there, along with the one or two that are at the core of the characters being in the story.
The slate, as it is called, may not seem important at first. Remember this will be the first impression you make. It seems like a throwaway moment, just a way for the people conducting the audition to keep track. This is the bad news. Not all casting directors, producers or directors watch all the tapes past the slate. For any given part there are likely hundreds of folks auditioning. 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.
While this may seem harsh, it is certainly expedient. 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. Acting classes in NYC in some institutions, may ask for a slate and audition tape for entry into their program. It’s something you can do on your own, and do quite well with a little help from a friend. Set up a camera, a good mic and then give it a try. Some things to think about if you do practice slates. True communication is connecting with someone even if through a device, like a camera. This is something you can record, playback and assess. Feedback from people you trust is also important, the slate should communicate 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. When auditioning for commercials a hint of character might be okay. You could be wrong in your assumption about what they are looking for, and lose them before they even view your real work. The real purpose of the slate is for them to keep track of your tape, so just let them know if a few short seconds who you are. Slate and then, give them a brilliantly original, fresh fascinating character that will make their project soar. Creating character, building spontaneity into a performance and other essential auditioning skills can be learned by studying Meisner acting NYC.
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.