Auditioning is a critical skill you can develop, much like scene study or emotional prep, and it's an acting skill you can learn in acting classes in NYC. Working actors know that gaining experience is critical, and that won't happen if you tend not to audition well. If you are considering acting classes in NYC, look for an institution that helps its students build auditioning skills. Being prepared, with a deep set of auditioning skills is necessary if you expect to exploit every opportunity to audition that comes your way. Acting classes in NYC that specialize in Meisner acting, offer one of the most respected acting disciplines in the business. Meisner acting techniques are strongly connected to powerful auditioning skills.
There are one or two ways that are common reasons actors "fail" to turn in arresting auditions. 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. Being overly nervous or overconfident is not what will count against you in an audition. The real problem is when you are nervous, and you attempt to hide it, an attempt which in turn makes you wonder if you are showing it, and before long you are completely shut down emotionally.
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. 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 many layers of human traits, communicated in a thousand smalls ways is what must shine through, how you feel personally can't inhibit this.
Many preparing for auditions consider the slate unimportant. Remember this will be the first impression you make. This is not a throwaway moment, it's an opportunity. 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. A quick dismissal of an actor's tape because of a lackluster slate gets them to their goal more quickly.
This may seem tough, but no one said auditioning was easy. The fact remains that learning to slate well increases your chances of being seen. Teaching auditioning skills is not part of every acting academy's curriculum. Acting classes in NYC are a great resource for learning about slates. Slating on an audition tape is sometimes required to enroll in acting classes in NYC. 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. Here are some things to consider when practicing slates. True communication is connecting with someone even if through a device, like a camera. Record and play back several versions of the slate and see how it plays. Feedback from people you trust is also important, the slate should communicate who you are.
The information you include need not be lengthy, they really just want your name and possibly your agent. First impressions should be short and sweet. It won't hurt in commercial auditions to put a hint of the character in your slate but avoid going over the top. 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. Once the slate is done, move quickly into character and give them the portrayal they could never have anticipated, the character they didn't even know they wanted. Classes that offer Meisner acting NYC are a great place to develop the skills that can be used to build excellent auditioning skills.
There are one or two ways that are common reasons actors "fail" to turn in arresting auditions. 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. Being overly nervous or overconfident is not what will count against you in an audition. The real problem is when you are nervous, and you attempt to hide it, an attempt which in turn makes you wonder if you are showing it, and before long you are completely shut down emotionally.
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. 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 many layers of human traits, communicated in a thousand smalls ways is what must shine through, how you feel personally can't inhibit this.
Many preparing for auditions consider the slate unimportant. Remember this will be the first impression you make. This is not a throwaway moment, it's an opportunity. 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. A quick dismissal of an actor's tape because of a lackluster slate gets them to their goal more quickly.
This may seem tough, but no one said auditioning was easy. The fact remains that learning to slate well increases your chances of being seen. Teaching auditioning skills is not part of every acting academy's curriculum. Acting classes in NYC are a great resource for learning about slates. Slating on an audition tape is sometimes required to enroll in acting classes in NYC. 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. Here are some things to consider when practicing slates. True communication is connecting with someone even if through a device, like a camera. Record and play back several versions of the slate and see how it plays. Feedback from people you trust is also important, the slate should communicate who you are.
The information you include need not be lengthy, they really just want your name and possibly your agent. First impressions should be short and sweet. It won't hurt in commercial auditions to put a hint of the character in your slate but avoid going over the top. 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. Once the slate is done, move quickly into character and give them the portrayal they could never have anticipated, the character they didn't even know they wanted. Classes that offer Meisner acting NYC are a great place to develop the skills that can be used to build excellent auditioning skills.
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.
