What to know before auditioning for movies, television or commercials

Stakeholder checklist

1 – Always bring an 8×10 photo to the audition. Even if it’s a callback or you’ve met the customer before. Without exceptions!

2 – Always bring an acting resume to the audition. Without exceptions!

3 – You must staple the resume back to back to your photo. Never go to an audition without your headshot and resume stapled back to back. A staple in every corner!

4 – Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your audition and make sure you have the correct address and directions for the audition. No exceptions or excuses!

5 – Once at the audition, look for a sign-in sheet and make sure you clearly fill in the correct information if there is a sign-in sheet.

6 – Do not bother or ask the Casting director questions, do your research before the audition.

7 – If they are recording the audition they will ask you to make a list. When you say “blackboard”, look at the camera and smile and say hello with confidence, my name is (say your full name). They may also ask you to indicate the role you are playing and your agency. Do not give them this information unless they ask for it!

8 – When you are ready to perform your part, find the mark or place where you would like to stand or sit (your option is to stand or sit unless specified).

9 – When you start your performance, read only to the person with whom you are having the dialogue. Don’t look at the camera or the casting director, the client, etc. Unless they’re acting the scene with you

10 – Maintain as much eye contact as possible with the person you are reading with, even when you are reading your lines. Really listen to them and react naturally to what they tell you.

11 – When you do the scene, act as natural and credible as possible. You should appear very relaxed, comfortable, and confident.

12 – Really know the scene and the characters inside and out. Prepare it over and over again. Try to memorize the scene, but make sure you know the lines and never break character!

13 – Auditions are not practice sessions. Auditioning clients expect them to know what they are doing and to be a professional end product. Get the training before you start attending auditions!

14 – Often they won’t make you do the scene more than once. If they do and give you instructions or changes, they will really go overboard with making the changes.

15 – Have and project that you are having fun. Remember that you are an entertainer. Clients don’t want to hire or be around boring, ordinary talent.

16 – If you get a callback, try to watch and perform the scene in the same way.

17 – If you accept an audition you must attend! Without exceptions. If you are not 100% sure you can attend, please do not accept the audition, we will understand. (Agents generally give the client an advanced timesheet of exactly who will be at the audition and what time they are scheduled.) If you will not be available when the job is completed, do not accept the audition.

18 – Do not be discouraged if you were not hired. Every client and every situation is different. The most important key to success in this business is patience and perseverance!

19 – It’s your career, so practice, practice, practice, because the competition will be!