How to audition for screen acting

About to audition for an on screen role? Follow these steps and leave the casting director with the best possible impression of you and your skills.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Resume
• Comp Card
• Agent(not compulsary, but makes you seem more professional)
• Confidence(alternatively you can fake it till you make it)

1. For some auditions you will either be sent a script(sometimes with as little time to learn it as 1 night) or be given it when you arrive at the audition. You must learn this off by heart! If you walk into the audition room and forget your lines, you won't look like you really want the job. Always have 2 monologues memorised(1-2 mins) in case the casting director wants to see more of your ability.

2. Dress casually but not too casually. Don't go over the top and dress for the character you are auditioning for UNLESS they ask you to. Also, try not to dress like you've come straight to the audition from the beach or a dinner party. Wear something that will make you stand out-but don't dress up in a giant cartoon suit or something like they do on Idol.

3. Bring with you to the audition a resume with all your previous experience and training up to date. Also bring a comp card with some (preferably) professional pictures of yourself.

4. When you are called into the audition room, take a deep breath, relax, walk in confidently and go straight to your 'mark' on the floor. Remember that the casting director has probably seen or will see a LOT of other people auditioning for the same role, say hi to them and maybe ask them how they are.

5. They will ask you to introduce yourself to camera, when you do this say your name, age and agent. If you don't have an agent just say that you're 'freelance'. Smile(friendly not creepily) into the camera. He/She might ask you to say a few things about yourself--don't just say that you like acting!! Say something interesting eg. "I train dolphines at 'Sea World' and I represented Queensland for the 100m."
   Make it the truth.

6. Don't act over confident, as this can come off as being up yourself. Follow the casting directors instructions without complaint. If he/she is going to speak as the second person in your script, ask where they want your eyeline to be. An eyeline is the spot you look at when saying the script.

7. When you finish your audition, thank the casting director and smile at them.

Tips & Warnings

• If you mess up a line in your script, don't lose it. STAY IN CHARACTER!
• Pep talks are always good before an audition.
• If the casting director looks bored or talks to other people in the room while you are saying your monologue/script don't let this put you off.
• If they don't ask for a monologue, ask them if they'd like to hear it. If they say no it's usually just because they don't have enough time.
• There's no such thing as enough training!
• Don't be mean/arrogant to other people auditioning for the same role as you, as you could end up working along side them in the future
• If you don't get the role don't send hate mail or something like that to the casting director, because there will always be other roles! He/she have your details now, so if a job comes up that you could audition for they can contact you.

Resources

• More Tips On Auditioning