What Is It Like at an Acting Audition?

Auditioning is just a fancy way of saying a "job interview," but at the same time it's so much more. I will say that if you've been auditioning for a while, you'd make a killer job interviewer in the real world. Why? Auditions are crazy last minute and you have to be prepared and confident for what you came up with.

Breakdowns

So at the very beginning of the auditioning process, before you even audition. You or your agent see's a breakdown that fits your Character Type. You decided to submit for the Role(s) and when you do so, you also get a rough estimate of the pay and fitting/shooting dates to make sure you'll be available if you book it. Now after being submitted it's up in the air, The Casting Director and the Team will be reviewing your Headshots and Resumes and approving or declining your submission. You will ONLY be notified if you've been approved to audition with an email from either your agent (if you have one) or directly from the Casting Department. Attached to the approval, you will receive a Time and Date confirmation for you to confirm or decline, the time and day of your audition as well as your sides (piece of the script for you to work on).

Now that you've been selected, start memorizing your lines, working on a unique character. Auditions are very last minute, so be sure to have a open schedule.

Auditioning

It's the day of your Audition, you should be confident with the work you've been memorizing and creating. I recommend looking up the directions on MAPS, just so you can get a clear picture of where your audition is located, for parking reasons. There's going to be a lot of people there, parking is crucial, so have a couple of spots in mind so you wont waste time looking for parking. I recommend getting there about fifteen to twenty minutes ahead of your scheduled time. Being on time is very important and doesn't cost much. Once you arrive early and find a great parking spot, you'll go inside the building. One of the reasons you should also get there early is sometimes there are different auditions happening at the same time, and you don't want to be in the wrong place. So when you found where you're supposed to be, you'll want to check in and sign in, even ask if the Sides have been updated, just so you can be safe that you're working on the current updated script.

While you wait for your name to be called, I recommend having your Headshot and Resume ready in case they ask for it. Also, be getting ready in Character, so when you go in the room it's easy for you to bring your character to life.

They just called your name and its your turn to go in the room. They'll usually be around two to three people in the room, sometimes It's just you and the casting director. So usually the Casting Director will be behind a camera and tripod along with his computer filming. You never want to shake their hands, they meet hundreds of people a day and don't want to get sick now. You ask if they need your resume and headshot, if they don't save it for another audition. The first time they'll do is ask you to SLATE. Slating is pretty easy, you just say your name, age, height, and agency. Sometimes they'll ask for you to just say your name or add some things to it that the client would like to know. Be very confident and yourself in the Slate because that's the only way they'll know anything about you, since you are acting after all. After the Slate you will work on your Sides, they'll then give you direction to give the client some different versions if they like you.

After that you're done with Auditioning, I recommend forgetting about your audition, and moving on with your life.

Callback

So you heard back from the Casting Director and are asking for a Callback! Congratulations! You are on step closer to getting the role. They cut down the actors up for the role and you're basically in the finals now. You will get a confirmation email, like you did when you first got the Audition. I'd recommend looking back at your first audition and trying to remember what they liked and what they didn't and get rid of what they didn't like.

You go back to the studio building and sign in like at your audition, you wait to be called in. Remember to be confident with your work, you did get a callback after all.

It's your turn to go in, there will be more people in the audition room, about 10 to 12 people. Those right there are the customers who are paying the casting director to find them Actors. Do your best in the Room, they'll ask you to Slate again, and usually will ask you questions after the slate, like a conversation, to see how you are as a person. Then you will do your scene and anyone can give you direction, so be open on that.

And then you're done with the Callback. Sometimes some projects end on Callbacks and in others it's just the beginning.

Screen Test

A screen Test is mainly done only in TV and Film, not really in commercials. A screen Test is usually about two to five actors up for a role doing chemistry reads with other actors just to see who works best with who and what looks and feels better for the project. Be happy you made it this far, many don't make it to Screen Test's without putting hard work into your character.

Check avail

So it's about a couple of days before Fitting and filming starts, you're worried you didn't get it after all the hard work you put in.

Then your agent sends you a email asking for you to basically confirm that you're available for fitting and filming dates so you don't accept other work also known as a " Right of First Refusal "

Again this doesn't mean you booked the role, however you've made it in the Final two actors up for a role usually. One actor is their favorite and the other is basically the back up. Either way be happy you made it this far.

Booking

Congratulations! You booked the part. Usually your agent will call you telling you that you booked the role, along with times for you to get to work! Again each project is different. Make sure to be there early and break a leg! Be nice to everyone and make connections, and that might help you book work again in the future.