How to Get More Acting Auditions

For an actor, the more auditions, the better. Every audition is an opportunity to get a job so if you can increase your chances of work by getting more auditions, you're in a good place. Getting quality auditions can be difficult, particularly in tough markets like New York and Los Angeles. Here are some tips for ways to get more acting auditions.

Things You'll Need

• Headshots
• Resumes
• Photo postcards
• Perseverance

Instructions

1. Find representation if you don't already have it. Quite often, casting directors only release projects to agents and managers. This means that the average actor without representation cannot submit himself for consideration on these projects. An agent or manager can greatly increase the number of solid auditions you get.

2. Begin a consistent mailing routine. Send postcards to casting directors every two months or so with your career updates. Your headshot photo should be on the front of your postcard as well as your name and contact information. If you have an agent, you should put his contact information there rather than your personal phone number. Try to only include relevant news on your postcards such as a commercial booking, a television show airing, a film's release and so on. You want to show casting directors that you are busy.

3. Attend casting director workshops. Though you have to pay for most of these workshops, you do get the opportunity to perform for prominent casting directors. If the person likes your work, she may call you in for an audition. While it's not a perfect system, it is helpful, particularly if casting directors in town aren't familiar with you.

4. Maintain contact with any casting directors you meet. If you meet one at a workshop, send a follow-up note to thank him for his time. This establishes the ground for future communication.

5. Subscribe to online casting services that allow for actor submissions. You can submit yourself to all projects that are released to actors. These can include independent, short and student films as well as industrials, commercials and print jobs.

6. Make sure you have all the necessary materials you need to get auditions. This includes good headshot photos. You need photos that are accurate representations of you and that fit the marketplace. You should have hard copies of your headshots to give out at auditions, workshops and showcases, and to mail out when necessary. You should also have all your related headshots up online via the various submission services.

7. Do good work every time you audition. The best way to get more auditions is to impress the casting people when you do audition. Always prepare thoroughly and never arrive late.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that casting directors are the people who call you in for auditions. They are your first avenue to work so familiarize yourself with all the prominent ones in your area.

• Be aware of social boundaries. Never hound or harass casting directors in the quest of an audition.

• Don't expect instant results. As with any career, it takes a lot of ground work to have success with acting.