20 Things You Should Never Do in an Audition

By Webmaster

  • 20 Things You Should Never Do in an Audition

    Follow these 20 important rules during your next audition

    (By Jim Webb)

    (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels)

    There’s a million books and articles out there that can tell you what to do at an audition.

    “Be prepared!”

    “Be off-book!”

    “Dress the part!”

    Blah, blah, blah.

    How about we do something different. Why don’t we address all the things that you should NOT do in an audition?

    Whew! We could literally be here all day, discussing this topic. But let’s condense it down to 20. Here are 20 things you should NOT do in your next audition.

    * Don’t be intimidated by the other actors in the audition waiting room. They might have more credits than you or more training than you. But remember, you were called to audition for a reason.

    *Don’t go into the audition room desperate to book the job. Desperation can make it seem like you’re an actor who doesn’t get much work.

    Who wants to hire a desperate actor who no one else seems to be hiring?

    *Don’t make excuses. Late for an audition? Don’t waste time making excuses, telling the casting director how it’s not your fault, how your agent screwed things up, how bad traffic was. Seriously, nobody cares!

    *Get into the habit of acting BEFORE you audition. Having a bad day? Fine! But at least ACT like you’re thrilled to be there. At least ACT like you’re thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase your talent.

    *Don’t be afraid to ask questions. What’s the dumbest question to have, before an audition? The one you were too afraid to ask.

    *Don’t forget to be a professional. Even when things don’t go your way, keep a smile on your face and stay professional.

    *Don’t apologize when you make a mistake, during your read. Simply repeat the phrase correctly and move on.

    *Don’t hit on the pretty girl or handsome guy, before your audition. Stay focused. Save all the romantic stuff for later.

    *Remain quiet and cooperative until it’s your turn. Don’t be disruptive when other actors are auditioning.

    *Don’t be hostile to actors who are competing for the same role as you. If the role is meant for you, you’ll get it!

    *Don’t be overly enthusiastic about the audition. Because all you’re doing is heaping unnecessary pressure on yourself. Just go in, do your job, and leave.

    *Don’t act like an arrogant jerk. You’re not a star yet. You’re not above being asked to perform the audition differently from what you expected. Stay humble and flexible throughout.

    *Don’t attempt to shake hands with the casting director. Just say hello and get started.

    *Don’t forget to enter the audition with confidence. This is your chance to shine. You cannot be timid.

    *Don’t ignore direction, when a casting director asks you to try something different from what you rehearsed at home. Take their direction and do your best to deliver.

    * If you’re thinking of bringing a real gun, or even a toy gun (or knife), to your next audition to use as a prop, do yourself (and everyone else) a favor:

    DON’T!

    * Never begin your audition or scene from level 10, emotionally. Otherwise, there’s nowhere else for the scene to go but down.

    * Don’t mime parts of your audition unless it’s absolutely necessary. Things like fake smoking or fake driving can make your acting look…fake.

    * Don’t aggressively attempt to stand out. Wild and crazy attempts to “stand out” at an audition usually don’t end with you booking the role. It usually just makes you look…wild and crazy.

    * There is such a thing as over-preparation. Be careful not to prepare yourself for your audition to the point that you become inflexible to redirection, script changes or new circumstances.


    You Might Also Like:
    The Power of Positive Thinking


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • Headshot Do’s and Don’ts

    Headshot Do’s and Don’ts 9 tips for acting headshot success (By AM Staff) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) Should I smile when I take my headshots? Yes, if it’s a headshot to be…

    QUICK TIPS | How to Create a Convincing Character

    QUICK TIPS How to Create a Convincing Character 11 steps for building your character (By AM Staff) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) What is it called when an actor is in character? It is…

    10 Self-Tape Mistakes You Should Avoid

    10 Self-Tape Mistakes You Should Avoid Get your self-tape game rockin’, by avoiding these common mistakes! (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Anna Shvets | Pexels) Casting directors are going to go through hundreds of…

    3 Easy Ways to Market Yourself to Casting Directors

    3 Easy Ways to Market Yourself to Casting Directors How to reach out without being pesky (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) When you’re swimming in a sea of actors, you…

    5 Things Every Actor Should Have

    5 Things Every Actor Should Have If you want to be considered a professional actor, get these 5 things asap! (By Javier Guerra) It’s ok to not have all your sh-t together when…

  • Ad

  • 22 Easy Things You Can Do to Prepare for Your Audition

    22 Easy Things You Can Do to Prepare for Your Audition Read this list and act accordingly! (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) #1: Celebrate Celebrate getting the audition. Get excited! A…

    QUESTION: Can I get an agent without a reel?

    QUESTION: Can I get an agent without a reel? (By AM Staff) ANSWER: Yes, it’s possible. But you’d be better off pursuing a reel before pursuing an agent! If you’re a beginning actor,…

    How Do I Know If Acting is Right For Me? 

    How Do I Know If Acting is Right For Me? Ask yourself these 5 questions (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko | Pexels) Are you thinking about becoming an actor? Are you considering…

  • Ad

  • The 10 Most Important Questions You Should Know About Your Character 

    The 10 Most Important Questions You Should Know About Your Character They’re the same questions you would ask a stranger whom you were trying to get to know (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Pixabay…

    7 Ways to Be Less Nervous and More Confident During Auditions 

    7 Ways to Be Less Nervous and More Confident During Auditions Confidence is the magic ingredient for an actor entering an audition (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Christian Buehner | Unsplash) Go ask any…

    5 Essential Items You Need for Self-Tapes

    5 Essential Items You Need for Self-Tapes Make sure you have the proper equipment for your self-tape studio (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Karolina Grabowska | Pexels) What equipment do you need for self-tapes?…

    ACTING TECHNIQUE | Identify the Moments

    ACTING TECHNIQUE Identify the Moments Knowing where the moments are will give you a form and structure for your acting choices (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Alex Green | Pexels) Every scene will have…

    8 Subtle Ways to Stand Out in an Audition

    8 Subtle Ways to Stand Out in an Audition You can’t look like you’re trying to stand out, while you’re trying to stand out (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Shvets Production | Pexels) Standing…

  • Ad

  • 5 Ways Actors Can Use Social Media 

    5 Ways Actors Can Use Social Media Get with the times. Get your acting career online! (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) You may not think that social media is all…

    5 Ways to Find a Good Talent Agent 

    5 Ways to Find a Good Talent Agent Above all else, remain positive and persistent (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) I recently met an actress who had all but given…

    Can a Shy Person Be an Actor? 

    Can a Shy Person Be an Actor? How to overcome audition nerves  (By Kesha Tyler) (Photo: Anna Shvets | Pexels) Are you the type of actor who becomes nervous during an audition? Does…

  • Ad

  • The Audition Checklist 

    The Audition Checklist Are you fully prepared for your next audition? (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Pixabay | Pexels) Are you fully prepared for your next audition? Are you sure you haven’t forgotten anything…

    5 Ways Actors Fail 

    5 Ways Actors Fail Avoid these 5 key mistakes (By Kesha Tyler) (Photo: Mike van Schoonderwalt) Do actors fail because a casting director chose a different actor for a major role? Do they…

    5 Great Audition Tips

    5 Great Audition Tips  These 5 are the most consistent, no matter which type of audition you do (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels) Here are 5 general audition tips to keep…

    Bad Auditions Do Not Make You a Bad Actor!

    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…

    What Should Be on an Acting Resume?

    What Should Be on an Acting Resume? Remember, the goal is to sell yourself (By Javier Guerra) (Photo: Markus Winkler | Pexels) So, what should you put on your acting resume? All of…

  • Ad