Auditioning

• Ok, so you're struggling with auditioning. That's a common problem, and I know it can sometimes feel overwhelming, but you just need confidence and belief in yourself. Easy to say, hard to do, I know. I'm sorry.

1. I'm having trouble just getting into the room.​
   1. You probably don't have a good resume or your headshot is unprofessional. Or you're submitting to the wrong projects. Look carefully at the roles you're submitting for and ask... do I actually look like the character they want? Remember also, the higher the pay rate for a role, the more competition and the more important it is for your resume to be strong.
2. They're selecting other actors over me for things outside my control, like nationality, look, ethnicity, etc.
   1. Sorry, you must not be reading the casting notices closely enough, or the people running those auditions are just stupid. Can't help you there, besides saying - focus on other projects that are better for your type. Not sure your type? Check this page out.
3. I'm not sure whether casting directors actually like me.
   1. Casting directors are mostly concerned with three things: First, do you look, sound, and behave like the character? Second, do you give them goosebumps during the performance? And finally, do they think you'll be friendly and easy to work with on set? If you did anything during the audition to make them see otherwise, they're probably worried about number three the most. So be friendly and nice!
4. I'm worried that I might be bad at auditioning.
   1. Go to an audition technique class.
5. It's too challenging having so many different lines to memorize for all these different auditions.
   1. You should probably refine the auditions you're going for. As an actor, you should be good at memorizing lines, and if you're going on so many auditions that remembering your lines is tough, you might want to consider focusing on more specific auditions you actually REALLY want instead of doing so many. The shotgun approach rarely works. The sniper rifle approach is much better, easier, and faster.
6. I rarely land the job even though I audition a lot.
   1. Again, refine your auditions and only focus on the ones that you know are perfect for you. Figure out your type and brand by clicking here. And read my answer to question 4.
7. I'm worried casting directors are starting to see me as, "The actor who always auditions but never books."
   1. Time to go see other casting directors. Stop seeing the same people over and over again! It's like Einstein's quote - "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Go to other casting directors for a while, for 6 months to a year, and then come back when you've booked something. Then when you come back to the original casting directors, they'll remember you and be impressed with your booking. Then they'll start casting you again. This strategy was told to me by professional working actor Eric Michael Gillett. See his interview by clicking here.
8. Casting directors are gatekeepers and all they want to do is keep me out.
   1. That's a lie you tell yourself to rest easy at night. Just kidding. The truth is, casting directors want the right actor for the project - they are trying to let the perfect person in, not keep everyone out. If you use this belief as an excuse for why you're not booking, you're bound to stay stuck because you'll never feel confident auditioning. You were MEANT for certain projects, and your job is to find them and audition for them.
9. I struggle being vulnerable during auditions, which stops me from doing my best.
   1. I'm sorry but if you can't be truly vulnerable, you might want to rethink acting. You can google some solutions online for this, but remember - no one cares about whether you're being vulnerable or not - they won't judge you because they don't know you or care. All they want is to FEEL something when you perform. If you're truly being vulnerable, casting directors will get goosebumps.
10. How do I "give them goosebumps?"
    1. See my answer for question number 4 (because I'm not an acting teacher). Also, live and breathe the character. Let your vulnerabilities out. Before every audition, ask yourself this one, powerful question: How can I raise the stakes in the scene by at least 5X? Raising the stakes lets you really internalize what's going on and take it much more seriously. It makes your performance much more interesting - enough that, even if you don't make the exact choice the director wants - they'll ask you to do it one more time and give you specific direction. Also, check out this section on Acting Technique.