Any tips for getting the part?

H

harmonica44

I have been picked to come to a casting call for a series, and this seems to be a bit of a big series, as I have been getting emails from different producers, the director, and a casting director. Not just a couple of people running the whole thing, as to what I am use to. The Auditions are held at more than usual, expensive venues too. They are also asking for references and resumes, which I have never been asked for before. They also want me to bring a current photo of myself but should I bring it of a certain size, on certain paper, etc?

So I want to make a good impression. Any tips on how I can come off as professional, or anything I can do to not look bad? This is kind of a first for me, that is not a few minute short film being all done by one or two people.
 
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Just give them whatever you have as far as your references and resume, even if it's not much. You can phrase it as positively as you can, but don't BS them; and yeah, it's a fine line to walk.

Be yourself. Again, stay positive, but don't BS them.

If you don't get the acting gig find out if they need a PA or a go'fer. You have an opportunity here; make the best of it.
 
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Sure thanks. I probably won't get it but we'll see lol. You know what sucks is that every casting call, wants me to come only a few days after I apply, and I have to take a fake sick day at work, just to make the call. I don't know why they can't have more notice, they send out the calls, and expect the auditions to be only a few days later. Thus, probably limiting the number of responses you get in time. That's my experience anyway.
 
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The thinking is that, if you can't be there when THEY want you there for the audition, you won't be reliable during filming. I realize that isn't always true, but they're the ones with the part and you're the one that wants it. As far as head shots go, 8X10 on real photo paper.
 
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Always do your best work.
It doesn't matter if it's for a student film or Hollywood billion dollar budget summer blockbuster, if you perform to your utmost, and aren't some kind of arse hole, you'll be judged on that (and will end up with a more impressive show reel should you land any parts).

That aside, the producer will likely give a speech as to what the project's about and the feel they're aiming for; use this to form your identity of the character.
If/when given lines to read, ask for some back-story if not provided so that you can better understand what your character's been through to that point and how he'll act towards the other characters.

Be confident. Take your time. And sometimes it's more impressive to meet a director/producer who already has a distribution deal in place than it is to link up with 7 or 8 "producers" at a swanky venue.
 
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Okay thanks. I emailed them back, and didn't sound suck up-ish at all, if that's a good thing. Personally, when I did my casting call for my short film, I actually liked the suck ups in the end, because they are the ones that stayed and saw it through, so if an actor sucks up to me, it's a good impression for me (shrug).
 
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^ Um, no.

If you can't stand butt-kissers in real life, would you hire one for a part?

Just be yourself - a performer is (or should be) judged as much on his own personality as on his craft. At the end of the day, if you were to choose between three great-looking men, one was late for the interview, one forced a laugh at your every show of wit and the third was an every day bloke you could see yourself having a beer and chatting about sports with, who would you choose?
Well, assuming that all three can deliver lines, that is.
 
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That's true. Hope I did well. The audition was for a narration, which they did not tell me. Had they told me I would have prepared different but the script did not say that my character's dialogue was narrated, and thought I was having a conversation with the people in the scene (shrug). It did not say (V.O), in the script or anything like that. Now it makes a lot more sense to me and wish I had known that going in.

One of the actors who showed at the audition, was actually coincidentally the guy who was suppose to show up to act in my short film but flaked out right on the shoot day and never got back to me with a reason, causing me to have to put it on hold and have to recast. Do you think I should inform them that that actor flaked out on mine? I just don't want the same thing to happen to them. Or should I just not mention anything? If we are both cast in it, it will likely come up later, which will be even more awkward, and they might think why I didn't mention it before.
 
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harmonica44 said:
That's true. Hope I did well. The audition was for a narration, which they did not tell me. Had they told me I would have prepared different but the script did not say that my character's dialogue was narrated, and thought I was having a conversation with the people in the scene (shrug). It did not say (V.O), in the script or anything like that. Now it makes a lot more sense to me and wish I had known that going in.

One of the actors who showed at the audition, was actually coincidentally the guy who was suppose to show up to act in my short film but flaked out right on the shoot day and never got back to me with a reason, causing me to have to put it on hold and have to recast. Do you think I should inform them that that actor flaked out on mine? I just don't want the same thing to happen to them. Or should I just not mention anything? If we are both cast in it, it will likely come up later, which will be even more awkward, and they might think why I didn't mention it before.
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Yes. Tell them.
 
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harmonica44 said:
That's true. Hope I did well. The audition was for a narration, which they did not tell me. Had they told me I would have prepared different but the script did not say that my character's dialogue was narrated, and thought I was having a conversation with the people in the scene (shrug). It did not say (V.O), in the script or anything like that. Now it makes a lot more sense to me and wish I had known that going in.
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Unless you stressed out about it at the audition it may have worked to your advantage. I always have problems with narrators trying to oversell the narration. Sure, it's great when you're doing advertising, but for most films a conversational style works much better. I love Morgan Freemans narration in "The Shawshank Redemption," he's just telling a story and adding a few comments, nothing dramatic - even though it is completely dramatic, if you catch my drift.
 
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