How to Get Auditions for TV
Until an actor succeeds to the point of being offered roles on merit, an audition is the only way to secure work. Professionals have their agents booking auditions for them. but an unrepresented actor must hustle on his own. While landing one is challenging, dedication, information and dog-eared persistence are usually what it takes to get a TV audition.
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Instructions
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Obtain professional-quality photo head shots. Find a photographer with experience in that area to do the job. Perform in showcases, student films and any parts you can land. Create a reel of your work -- the more roles portrayed on it, the more presentable it is to a casting agent.
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Obtain a directory of casting agents and casting directors, as well as a directory of TV-production companies. The Hollywood Creative Directories are an established source that provides this type of information, including contact info for producers and writers of television shows. Professional, lead-acting job tryouts are primarily secured by talent agents or managers.
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Send your head shots and resume to casting agents and casting directors.
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Register for one of the many Internet services that track auditions, such as Actorspages, Spotlight, Auditions TV or Auditions Auditions. Submit your head shots, with contact information, as required by each site.
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Read the industry trade magazines for actors, such as Backstage East or West if you are located on either coast, near New York or Los Angeles. Also, check Craigslist classifieds for acting work, local classifieds for open auditions and subscribe to government activity site emails for casting calls. It isn't necessary to live in New York or Los Angeles to find open local auditions, especially if registered with an Internet site.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to list any special skills or talents on your resume. For example; plays music instruments, singing ability, martial arts.
Contact the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) for tips on how to land open auditions.
Auditions for commercials are more difficult to land, while reality TV shows tend to be easier.
Most open-call auditions are for smaller roles. Occasionally, TV -- and especially movies -- conduct nationwide searches for non-established actors.
Purchase copies of actor's monologues, found online or in known specialty bookstores, such as Samuel French, in New York or Los Angeles. Practice a monologue as flawlessly as possible for potential auditions.
Consider taking an acting class, or actors boot camp in you are in New York or Los Angeles. These classes will allow you to develop relationships with other actors and possibly be seen by visiting casting agents.
Do not register for any site or sign up with any organization that promises to get you an audition. Also, be wary of talent-scout agencies that charge for their services.
Many open auditions are for background work only. Background work is the "extras" seen in the backgrounds on TV shows and commercials. While it may be easy to land a background audition, or even a resulting job, these usually will not lead landing speaking parts on TV shows. Once you start doing background work there is a high probability of getting stuck there.
Chances are also good you won't find longterm acting jobs unless you join the union.
References
- Photo Credit IT Stock Free/Polka Dot/Getty Images
