Be Prepared…or Be Prepared to Be Disappointed!
If you’re not going to give it your all, then why bother?
(By Jim Webb)
(Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels)
Be Prepared…or Be Prepared to Be Disappointed!
It’s a simple rule to live by. But it’s a rule that many actors often forget.
Just go ask a casting director what his or her top 3 pet peeves are, with respect to actors coming in for auditions. I can guarantee you that at least one of their top three pet peeves will be when actors come in (or submit a self-tape) and are ill-prepared for the audition.
They are ill-prepared because:
*They didn’t spend enough time understanding the material
*They didn’t put time into developing their character and making clear character choices
*They didn’t bother to learn their lines, or at least, get comfortable with them
*They didn’t thoroughly read over the details of their audition, to understand what’s expected of them
*They simply didn’t treat the audition seriously enough to be successful
You can’t always “wing it”, when it comes to auditions. Lack of preparation often shows up. Casting directors can tell when an actor has done their homework and is well-prepared, versus when an actor is completely disengaged. It shows up your performance, your body language, your confidence and your ability to be redirected.
Lack of preparation often shows up in your performance
Lack of preparedness is a waste of time for the casting director who chose to bring you in for the audition. But it’s also a wasted opportunity for you, as an actor.
If you’re not going to give it your all, then why bother? Just decline the audition altogether and move on. That would be better than wasting everyone’s time.
Nevertheless, you do have the right, if you so choose, to enter the audition ill-prepared. Just make sure that you are prepared for the inevitable outcome: disappointment!
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