Bad Auditions Do Not Make You a Bad Actor
You’re Not the Only One Who Hates Auditions
(By Tonya Tannenbaum)
(Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels)
When you think about it, the whole audition process is pretty jacked up!
I mean, think about it. Auditions are an actor’s job interview, right? Ok. Tell me, how many job interviews last for three minutes?
“Auditioning sucks hippo d**k. Everybody knows it and no one will say it. It’s the worst part of the business.”
(William H. Macy)
When you went into your last traditional job interview, you were nervous, right? It probably took you a few minutes to regain your composure and relax. When you finally got your feet on the ground, you became more confident.
But imagine if they didn’t give you enough time to compose yourself. Imagine if you showed up to the interview, sat down, answered questions for three minutes and left.
“I was never good at auditioning. There are a number of actors over the years come up the ranks who are horrific at auditioning.”
(Johnny Depp)
That’s what an actor’s job interview – the audition – is like. It’s not a reasonable way to examine what an actor can truly do, if they were given enough time.
Just think about the last time you were cast in something. When you first began rehearsing your lines, you probably sounded like you never acted a day in your life!
But after you learned your lines, became more familiar with the story, built your character and went through your process, you were Oscar-worthy.
“I was awful at auditions. I think it’s unfair to throw four pieces of paper at somebody and be like, “Act, monkey!”
(Jennifer Lawrence)
Unfortunately, for auditions, you must be Oscar-worthy from the start. That’s hard for many actors to do!
The result is, you could have a fabulous actor who never gets to work because he or she is terrible at auditions. And because they don’t audition well, and don’t get work, they begin to believe they are not a good actor.
(Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels)
I think the key is for actors to recognize that acting and auditioning are two related, but different, skill sets. Just because you don’t audition well doesn’t mean you’re a lousy actor.
“I don’t audition well.”
(Delroy Lindo)
Just look at almost any famous, successful actor. They all have audition horror stories to tell. Some will even proclaim themselves to be terrible at auditions.
Yet, they still made it. It can be done!
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