What is Type?

By Webmaster

  • What is Type?

    You have to know exactly what you’re selling in order to consistently make the sale

    (by Tonya Tannenbaum)

    An actor’s “type” generally refers to the category or categories that the actor is loosely placed in for purposes of casting. An actor’s type is useful for narrowing down which actors, among the vast sea of potential actors, might fit the breakdown of a role being cast. Sometimes referred to as an actor’s “niche”, type is also useful for actors in their understanding of where they fit into the market, relative to other actors.

    Breaking down “Type”

    All theatrical presentation is based on an audience’s ability to suspend disbelief. That is, audiences understand that the production they are experiencing is make-believe. They understand the character in The Martian, for example, is not really on the planet, Mars, and that the character, Mark Watney, is actually the famous actor, Matt Damon. But the audience suspends their disbelief in order to accept this imaginary world and enjoy the story.

    However, this suspension of disbelief can only go so far. The imaginary world still must be genuinely believable. Otherwise the audience will reject the imaginary world altogether.

  • What if, for example, the role of Mark Watney in The Martian was cast, not with Matt Damon, but with an actor who looks 18 years of age; too young to realistically be the astronaut, Mark Watney? The audience would, of course, reject the story wholesale, because the 18-year-old astronaut is simply not plausible in that story.

    This is where type comes into play. An actor’s type plays an essential role in the casting process. Because, no matter how talented an actor is, he or she can only, believably, play a limited number of roles.

  • Criteria for “Type”

    As an actor, you probably already know what criteria generally make up an actor’s type. They are the key physical and personality factors that are usually laid out in breakdowns. They include things like:

    Gender – male or female

    Age range – whether an actor appears to fall within the general age range of the character

    Race – whether an actor appears to fit within the racial background of the character

    • Physical build – whether an actor fits the size, height, weight and overall dimensions required for the character

    • Look – whether the audience can immediately identify an actor as fitting with the character’s personality and profession, such as lawyer, doctor, grandfather, geek, affluent, arrogant, etc.

  • Type is important for casting

    Casting must choose actors who can believably fit the roles being cast. While there is lots of room for creativity and deviation, casting, nonetheless, must choose an actor who fits the breakdown well-enough for audiences to take the character, and the overall story, seriously.

    Type is one of the first things casting directors examine when determining from whom to request a self-tape or to bring in for an in-person audition.

    If an actor does not fit the essence of the character as described in the breakdowns, the casting director will likely move on to the next actor.

    While there are always exceptions made during the casting process, actors rarely get cast outside of a small collection of roles.

    Type is also important for casting because it narrows the field of potential actors, making it easier to find and cast the right actor in a role that is right for them and for the story.

  • Type is important for actors, too

    Understanding “type” is important for actors, as well. Since actors can only believably play a limited number of characters, knowing your type is essential to effectively finding and competing for the roles that are right for you.

    Auditioning for roles that you’re not right for is usually a waste of time, since it is very unlikely that you’ll be cast in a role that doesn’t fit your type.

    It is the proverbial fitting of a square peg into a round hole. If you constantly audition for roles that don’t fit your type, your success rate will suffer, no matter how talented you are. There are just some roles an actor cannot do or, at least, cannot do nearly as well as another actor who better fits the type that the role demands.

    It is also a waste of resources. Auditioning for roles that don’t fit your type is a waste of money, effort, and focus. Knowing where you effectively fit into the marketplace – your type – makes it easier to concentrate your resources and to find success. In other words, you have to know exactly what you’re selling in order to consistently make the sale.


  • You Might Also Like:
    What is a “Cold Read”?


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • Why Do Actors Say, “And, Scene!?”

    Question: Why Do Actors Say, “And, Scene!?” (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Ben Collins | Pexels) The phrase “And, scene!” is a common expression used by actors, directors, and performers across various forms of…

    What Are the 4 C’s of Acting?

    What Are the 4 C’s of Acting? Mastering these four elements can help you build a lasting career (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) There are a set of core principles that…

    What Is the Meisner Object Exercise?

    What Is the Meisner Object Exercise? The Meisner Object Exercise is a powerful tool in an actor’s toolkit (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) The Meisner technique, developed by renowned acting…

    What is the Best Casting Website?

    What is the Best Casting Website? Each platform has its strengths and considerations (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Yan Krukau | Pexels) Casting websites are essential tools for actors seeking roles in film, television,…

    What is an Actor Website?

    What is an Actor Website? Breaking down the key components of an actor website (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Jopwell | Pexels) An actor website serves as a personal online portfolio that showcases an…

  • Ad

  • What is a Self-Tape Audition?

    What is a Self-Tape Audition? Everything you need to know (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Mart Production | Pexels) A self-tape audition is a way for actors to audition for roles without being physically…

    What is a Virtual Audition?

    What is a Virtual Audition? Everything you ever want to know about Zoom and virtual auditions (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Visuals/Unsplash) At its core, a virtual audition is a casting process conducted remotely…

    What is the Meisner Technique?

    What is the Meisner Technique? The ultimate guide to Meisner (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Sanford Meisner (1905–1997) was an influential American actor and acting teacher, best known for developing the…

  • Ad

  • What is a Fi-Core Actor?

    What is a Fi-Core Actor? Everything you need to know about Financial Core (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Teja J | Pexels) A Fi-Core Actor, also known as a “financial core actor,” refers to…

    What is a Non-Union Actor?

    What is a Non-Union Actor? Everything you need to know (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Hannah Nelson | Pexels) A non-union actor is an actor who is not a member of a labor union…

    What is Stage Kissing?

    What is Stage Kissing? Everything you ever wanted to know about kissing for the camera (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Vera Arsic | Pexels) Stage kissing, also known as fake kissing or simulated intimacy,…

    What is a Callback Audition?

    What is a Callback Audition? A step-by-step guide to callbacks (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro Studio | Pexels) A callback audition, also known as a recall audition, is a follow-up audition that occurs…

    What are “Sides” in Acting?

    What are “Sides” in Acting? A definitive guide to audition sides (By Tonya Tannenbaum) Audition sides are portions of a script that are selected by casting directors or producers for actors to perform…

  • Ad

  • What is an Understudy?

    What is an Understudy? The unsung heroes of the theater world (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) An understudy is essentially a backup performer who is ready to step into a specific…

    What Defines an A-List Actor?

    What Defines an A-List Actor? Decoding A-List Status (By Tonya Tannenbaum) The term “A-List actor” is frequently used to denote the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry. But what exactly places…

    What is Scale?

    Understanding the Scale Decoding Acting Salaries in the Entertainment Industry (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Karolina Grabowski | Pexels) In the intricate world of acting, compensation is often discussed in terms of “scale.” This…

  • Ad

  • What is a Meal Penalty?

    What is a Meal Penalty? The specifics of meal penalties can vary, but here are some common elements (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Lukas | Pexels) A meal penalty in acting refers to a…

    What is the Entertainment Community Fund?

    What is the Entertainment Community Fund? The Entertainment Community Fund provides help in various forms (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Monstera Production | Pexels) The Entertainment Community Fund, for the Actors Fund, is a…

    What is Method Acting?

    What is Method Acting? Exploring the World of Method Acting: Techniques and Principles (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Genarlo Servin/Pexels) Method acting is a renowned and influential approach to acting that has produced some…

    What is Craft Service?

    What is Craft Service? Exploring the Role of Craft Services in the Entertainment Industry (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Craig Adderley | Pexels) In the fast-paced world of filmmaking and entertainment production, ensuring that…

    What is a Stand-In?

    What is a Stand-In? The Role of a Stand-In in Filmmaking (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Ron Lach | Pexels) A stand-in is a person hired on a film or television production to substitute…

  • Ad