Want to become an actor? Well here’s everything you need to know about casting calls.
In our ongoing series, Beginner’s Guide to Acting, we will break down what are casting calls, and essentially 5 facts you should know about open casting calls in the film industry.
1.What are extras casting calls? How are they different than an actual audition?
A call for extras is going to be pretty different from an actual audition. I’ve done a few of those and yes, it will probably be a cattle call. They’ll take your headshot and resume if you have one, they might take a snapshot right there, and that will probably be it. Did they mention something about an interview? Because extras really don’t need to do that. They’ll take just about anyone within the types they need for a scene.
2. What’s a real audition like?
A real audition is much more structured. In the best scenario, they’ve already sent you the scene you’ll be doing the day before the audition so you have time to prepare it, and hopefully you’ll have an assigned time to get there. Arrive early, not too ridiculously early but at least 10 minutes beforehand. They’ll probably have a sign in sheet so do that and just wait and stay cool. Then someone will bring you into the room, you’ll introduce yourself and then do the scene with a reader or maybe another actor who’s auditioning for the other part, but usually a reader. They might give you an adjustment for another try at it, or they might just say thanks and you’re done. Neither one necessarily indicates whether you did well or not.
3. How should you prepare for an open casting call audition?
Variations on this: you don’t get the scene beforehand, but when you arrive at the audition. In which case get there earlier and spend as much time as you can getting familiar with it. Or, you’ll be doing a monologue that you’ve already learned and worked on on your own. There might not be time slots, it might just be a first-come first-served thing. They might not have anything for you to read nor ask for a monologue, and you’ll just improvise something for them when you get into the room. It varies from audition to audition, but most generally you’ll encounter the first scenario I detailed.
4. How to stand out in an open casting call?
If there is a little interview or small conversation, just be yourself. Which is hopefully a pleasant, relaxed person with whom people want to work. But really they’re usually trying to get through everyone so they don’t have time for much of that.
Related Acting Tips:
- Beginner’s Guide: What To Look for in a Talent Agent
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Beginner’s Guide: How Actors Can Impress Casting Directors [VIDEO]
