12 May Beyond Your Headshots
We here at BunkerLA not only want to give you a stunning headshot print that will get you in the room, but we want to see your acting career flourish. There are multiple components to landing a gig, and training is an excellent start to build your craft.
There are many acting coaches and workshops to choose from, but no matter the avenue you take for your study – whether it’s a 4 year degree or a weekend warrior crash course – your audition technique is the magic behind securing the job.
With your BunkerLA print in hand, we want you to walk into the room with confidence and ease. That ease comes with preparation. On your next big day, employ these steps to give you the edge over your competition.
Your Sides
The first step to a great audition is knowing the character and the words you’ll have to deliver in your audition. Gain as much information about the project as possible, but the key to this is not getting too set in your idea of what the character should be. This can be a double-edged sword. You want to be prepared and know your lines, but you don’t want to be so rooted in your choices that if the casting director asks for an adjustment, you’re unable to make it. The secret to this is to be present, in the moment, at all times. Don’t get lost in your own head full of ideas. Know the material, but be willing to let go of your idea of the character. You want to make a strong choice, but you’re ultimately there to show your talent. Part of that talent is taking direction. Go in with an idea, but have fun with it. Be flexible.
Your Preparation
Knowing your sides is one thing, but being able to deliver your lines effectively with your sides in hand is another skill all to itself. Be sure you can read your copy, pick it up off the page, and address your partner (or the camera). Cold reading is a skill that’s acquired through enormous personal commitment. Some coaches instill this into their students, others focus on character development or scene study. If you can’t cold read, you’ll fall flat in an audition situation. Practice cold reading into a mirror daily. This could make or break your audition success rate.
Your Energy
Being able to focus solely on your audition while you’re auditioning sounds easy, but as an actor, you’re constantly juggling your schedule. You may have to drive across town in maddening traffic to get to your audition and then back again to be at work at a certain time. Being able to clear your mind of all these other factors is essential to nailing your audition. The best way to do this is to practice when you’re not auditioning. Always focus on the big picture of your career.