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.
Being "closed off" or self aware is a very bad acting habit, and one that threatens to get in the way of a great audition as well. In essence, "you" and whatever you are feeling needs to disappear, and make way for a fascinating, exciting character to emerge. It is the character, with all his or her flaws, energy, sorrow, tension, humor, really a balance of all of these human traits, that must be present.
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.
This is challenging for the actor, but challenging is what spurs growth. Fair or not, this is the way it is more often than not. While some acting classes deal with auditioning, many don't. Acting classes in NYC may be able to help you practice your slate. Slating on an audition tape is sometimes required to enroll in acting classes in NYC. This skill can be practiced much like any other. Have a friend set up a camera, some lights and give it a go. Here are some things to consider when practicing slates. True communication is connecting with someone even if through a device, like a camera. By recording several versions and playing them back you can begin to get a feel for you how you are presenting yourself. 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.
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.
Being "closed off" or self aware is a very bad acting habit, and one that threatens to get in the way of a great audition as well. In essence, "you" and whatever you are feeling needs to disappear, and make way for a fascinating, exciting character to emerge. It is the character, with all his or her flaws, energy, sorrow, tension, humor, really a balance of all of these human traits, that must be present.
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.
This is challenging for the actor, but challenging is what spurs growth. Fair or not, this is the way it is more often than not. While some acting classes deal with auditioning, many don't. Acting classes in NYC may be able to help you practice your slate. Slating on an audition tape is sometimes required to enroll in acting classes in NYC. This skill can be practiced much like any other. Have a friend set up a camera, some lights and give it a go. Here are some things to consider when practicing slates. True communication is connecting with someone even if through a device, like a camera. By recording several versions and playing them back you can begin to get a feel for you how you are presenting yourself. 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.
About the Author:
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides meisner acting instruction in New York City. For more information about acting classes nyc visit the studio website where you can get specific answers to any question you have.
