How to stand out at a callback?
Mastering the Callback: Tips, Strategies, and Insider Advice to Book the Role
(By Jim Webb)
(Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels)
Understand What a Callback Really Means
Getting a callback is already a major accomplishment. It means the casting team saw something they liked in your initial audition and want to see more. You’ve made it past the first round—now it’s time to elevate.
“A callback is not a second chance—it’s the next step in a narrowing-down process,” says veteran casting director Marci Liroff. “It’s your opportunity to confirm you’re the right fit and show even more range.”
Example:
When Andrew Garfield auditioned for The Social Network, he didn’t initially get the lead, but was brought back multiple times. He later said, “Each callback gave me a chance to deepen my understanding of the character. I stopped trying to impress and started trying to connect.”
Come Prepared—But Stay Flexible
You’ve likely already performed the material once. Now, the casting team may throw curveballs to see how well you adapt. Be off-book, but not rigid. Know your lines, but be ready to shift tone, tempo, or motivation at a moment’s notice.
“It’s not about memorizing perfectly—it’s about owning the material,” says actor and coach Margie Haber. “At the callback, they want to see if you can live in the scene, not recite it.”
Tip:
Practice your sides in multiple emotional tones at home—angry, joyful, suspicious—so you’re ready for any direction.
Example:
Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o recalled that during her callback for 12 Years a Slave, the director asked her to perform the scene in a completely different emotional register. “It threw me off, but I stayed open. That’s when I saw his eyes light up. Flexibility mattered more than polish.”
Make Strong, Clear Choices
Callbacks are not about playing it safe. Casting directors want to see confident, specific choices—emotional clarity, physicality, intention.
“Ambiguity kills performances,” says casting director Bernard Telsey (Rent, Hamilton). “We don’t need you to be perfect. We need you to be bold.”
Example:
Zendaya once shared that she landed a major role not because she looked the part, but because she made a bold emotional choice in a key scene. “Everyone else played it cool. I cried. And it wasn’t scripted. That decision changed everything.”
Tip:
Ask yourself: What does my character want in this scene? What’s stopping them from getting it? Use those answers to fuel your choices.
Treat Everyone Like a Director
From the receptionist to the assistant to the reader, everyone you meet at a callback can influence the outcome. Your professionalism, warmth, and attitude matter.
“You’d be amazed how many casting decisions are influenced by behavior in the waiting room,” says casting associate Jen Rudin. “We notice everything.”
Tip:
Arrive early. Be kind. Don’t gossip or act superior. And treat the reader like a scene partner, not a prop.
Example:
Actor Sebastian Stan says he always thanks the reader after every audition or callback. “It’s about respect. You’re both telling the story together.”
Be Ready for Adjustments
Directors at callbacks often want to test your ability to take notes. They’ll give new instructions to see how well you can pivot.
“We’ll ask for changes not because what you did was wrong—but to see if you’re directable,” says director Ava DuVernay.
Example:
Jacob Elordi described a moment during a callback where he was asked to play a scene “like he was hiding a deep secret.” “That tiny adjustment made me discover something new—and it booked me the role,” he said.
Tip:
Listen closely. Nod to show you understand. Then take a beat before performing again. Don’t rush—process and then perform.
Dress for the Role—But Don’t Wear a Costume
What you wear to a callback matters. It should suggest the character, but not scream it. You want to help the team visualize you in the role while still looking natural.
Tip:
If the role is corporate, wear a clean blazer.
If it’s a free-spirited artist, go casual but creative.
Avoid overdoing it—no swords, uniforms, or full character makeup.
Example:
Rachel Brosnahan once said she wore a vintage-inspired blouse to her Marvelous Mrs. Maisel callback. “It wasn’t a costume, but it gave the vibe. That small touch helped them picture me in that world.”
Know the Script Inside and Out
While you may not receive the full script, do your research. Learn everything you can about the story, tone, and characters. This context shapes your performance.
Example:
Florence Pugh, before her Midsommar callback, read the entire script—even the scenes she wasn’t in. “It gave me insight into the character’s emotional arc. That knowledge changed how I delivered my lines.”
Tip:
Ask your agent or the casting office for any materials they can provide. Research the director’s style. Watch similar projects from the same creators.
Manage Your Nerves
Callbacks can be intense. You’re close to booking the role, and the pressure is real. But letting nerves take over can diminish your presence.
Tip:
Use breathwork before entering the room.
Repeat a grounding mantra.
Visualize a successful performance.
Quote:
“Nerves are just excitement without breath,” says actor and teacher Larry Moss. “Breathe into the moment and claim the room.”
Example:
Anya Taylor-Joy says she was trembling before her callback for The Queen’s Gambit. “I told myself, ‘They want me to succeed.’ That mindset changed everything.”
Take Up Space—With Intention
Confidence is not arrogance. It’s presence. At a callback, you want to project assurance without ego.
Tip:
Make eye contact when appropriate.
Own your body language.
Don’t shrink yourself—stand tall, move with purpose.
Quote:
“Walk in like you already have the role,” says Bryan Cranston. “Not in a cocky way—but like you belong there. That energy is magnetic.”
Example:
Millie Bobby Brown said that during her Stranger Things callback, she told herself: “This is my Eleven.” That boldness helped her win the role despite intense competition.
Leave Them Wanting More
Your goal isn’t just to nail the scene—it’s to make them need to see more of you. Don’t explain yourself, apologize, or ask how you did. Let your work speak.
Tip:
End with a polite smile.
Thank the team and leave with grace.
Avoid asking for feedback on the spot.
Quote:
“Let your exit be as confident as your entrance,” says casting coach Risa Bramon Garcia. “The impression you leave in the final seconds is often the one that lasts.”
Example:
Actor Diego Luna said he always makes sure to “exit with energy—not like I’m deflated, but like I’m just getting started. That confidence sticks with them.”
Final Thoughts
Standing out at a callback isn’t about gimmicks or perfection—it’s about authenticity, preparation, and presence. You don’t have to be the most experienced actor in the room. You just have to be the one who connects, adapts, and brings the character to life in a way no one else can.
Callbacks are a chance to go deeper, take risks, and collaborate. Embrace the moment. Trust your craft. And know that whether you book the job or not, each callback is a step forward in your career.
As Oscar winner Mahershala Ali puts it:
“When you walk into that room, it’s not about getting the role. It’s about sharing your art. And when you do that fully, you never walk away empty.”
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