There are many acting classes in NYC where actors can study and practice audition techniques. Learning to audition well is an important aspect of the craft as it is key to getting cast, and getting that all important experience in front of the camera or onstage. Developing auditioning skills may be up to you as some acting classes NYC don't cover this thoroughly. Getting the right kind of auditions that play to your strengths is key, but even that won't help if you are not prepared when the opportunity comes. Acting classes in NYC that teach Meisner acting offer foundational skills that can be developed over time. Meisner acting techniques are strongly connected to powerful auditioning skills.
There are several ways you are guaranteed to fail when auditioning. The first way to fail is to enter the audition with overconfidence. At the same time you cannot allow yourself to be overly nervous or insecure, unless the role calls for it. Either one of these can count heavily against you--and not because auditors don't like overly nervous or over confident actors. It's actually the block that these types of feelings cause, which inhibits the emergence of an authentic arresting character.
This is a very bad acting habit, being too closed off and too rehearsed and it's a poor auditioning technique as well. 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. The character can't emerge and deliver that great audition.
Many preparing for auditions consider the slate unimportant. As many of you know, the slate is when you state your name into the camera so the auditors can keep track of everyone they've seen. This is not a throwaway moment, it's an opportunity. This is the bad news. There is no guarantee ever that a producer or director will watch a tape past the slate. For any given part there are likely hundreds of folks auditioning. They are on the lookout for the best of the best and a so-so slate will indicate that your tape is not worth their while. So, a quick dismissal of someone who doesn't slate well gets them closer to their goal.
This may seem brutal, it does speed up the process. Learning to slate well is one way to get an advantage over some of the actors you go up against. Some acting classes teach excellent auditioning skills knowing how important they are. When researching acting classes in NYC, research those that teach about slates and other auditioning skills. Some institutions that offer acting classes in NYC will even ask for a slated audition tape for entry into their program. Slating is a skill like any other, it has to be practiced. Have a friend set up a camera, some lights and give it a go. If you do practice slates here is more to consider. Communicating to a "presence" or person rather than the camera is important. By recording several versions and playing them back you can begin to get a feel for you how you are presenting yourself. Get honest feedback from people you trust, and make sure that the slate presents who you are.
Keep the information to a minimum and keep it simple. The shorter the better so they move on to the critical thing, the audition. It won't hurt in commercial auditions to put a hint of the character in your slate but avoid going over the top. If you fall short of their expectations they may hit the eject button before the actual tape. The aim of the slate is to give them a sense of who you are as an actor and a person. 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.
There are several ways you are guaranteed to fail when auditioning. The first way to fail is to enter the audition with overconfidence. At the same time you cannot allow yourself to be overly nervous or insecure, unless the role calls for it. Either one of these can count heavily against you--and not because auditors don't like overly nervous or over confident actors. It's actually the block that these types of feelings cause, which inhibits the emergence of an authentic arresting character.
This is a very bad acting habit, being too closed off and too rehearsed and it's a poor auditioning technique as well. 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. The character can't emerge and deliver that great audition.
Many preparing for auditions consider the slate unimportant. As many of you know, the slate is when you state your name into the camera so the auditors can keep track of everyone they've seen. This is not a throwaway moment, it's an opportunity. This is the bad news. There is no guarantee ever that a producer or director will watch a tape past the slate. For any given part there are likely hundreds of folks auditioning. They are on the lookout for the best of the best and a so-so slate will indicate that your tape is not worth their while. So, a quick dismissal of someone who doesn't slate well gets them closer to their goal.
This may seem brutal, it does speed up the process. Learning to slate well is one way to get an advantage over some of the actors you go up against. Some acting classes teach excellent auditioning skills knowing how important they are. When researching acting classes in NYC, research those that teach about slates and other auditioning skills. Some institutions that offer acting classes in NYC will even ask for a slated audition tape for entry into their program. Slating is a skill like any other, it has to be practiced. Have a friend set up a camera, some lights and give it a go. If you do practice slates here is more to consider. Communicating to a "presence" or person rather than the camera is important. By recording several versions and playing them back you can begin to get a feel for you how you are presenting yourself. Get honest feedback from people you trust, and make sure that the slate presents who you are.
Keep the information to a minimum and keep it simple. The shorter the better so they move on to the critical thing, the audition. It won't hurt in commercial auditions to put a hint of the character in your slate but avoid going over the top. If you fall short of their expectations they may hit the eject button before the actual tape. The aim of the slate is to give them a sense of who you are as an actor and a person. 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.
About the Author:
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides meisner acting classes in New York City. For more information about commercial acting classes visit the studio website where you can get specific answers to any question you have.
