In this blog post, we will answer the question; “what’s the role of a casting director?”, ” How to make casting directors happy in audition room”, and “techniques to have more confidence as an actor”.
WHAT’S THE ROLE OF A CASTING DIRECTOR?
Casting directors are the people who are usually responsible for recruiting actors for a production.
Their main role is to find actors who could potentially be cast in a production and give advice to the director on whom to cast.
The casting director’s main task is to make sure that the production has enough talent and that there are no conflicts on set.
There is a duty of care that casting directors have to actors.
This means that they must provide a safe space for auditionees to give their best performance, feel comfortable and make them feel valued.
It is the responsibility of the casting director to make sure the audition room is free from distractions and that all parts of the audition are conducted in a professional manner.
Some responsibilities of casting directors :
- Post casting calls online and schedule auditions.
- Uphold best practice in all aspects of casting.
- Contact actors for auditions
- Supply cold-read material for actor
- Treat all personal information in accordance with data protection law
- Communicate effectively with actors, agents, creatives, audition venues and employees. And treat them with respect and consideration at all times.
- Give feedback where possible and helpful, but this cannot be guaranteed, particularly for first meetings
- Ensure that casting services are charged for appropriately
How to make casting directors happy in the audition room ?
1. Text preparation
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” ― Benjamin Franklin
Know the ends and outs of your monologue, It’s important to be prepared, especially if this is your first audition.
Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in the story and let the text do all the work. But what’s most important is that you stay engaged. Approach your writing from a receptive point of view and allow yourself to be swept up in the story.
2. Flexibility in the room
No one can deny the importance of being present and flexible to one’s surroundings. It has been widely accepted that a person’s ability to be in the present moment is strongly linked with their mental health.
This idea was explored by psychological scientist and author, Dr. Daniel Siegel, who found that “the more flexible we were in the room, the more alive it felt.”
It’s important to have a flexible approach ( Mentally, emotionally and physically ) to working in this moment and using your environment as inspiration.
Having flexibility makes your performance much richer and more enjoyable for you and the casting director.
3. Vibe
The entertainment industry is driven by good vibes and is constantly evolving.
There are many common practices that companies use to keep their employees and customers happy and help them maintain a positive, productive work environment.
By having good vibes youare able to connect with your character so audiences can feel connected with the story.
This makes for a more immersive experience for the audience.
In short : Think good vibes, give good vibes, receive good vibes. It’s going to make you feel good, help you sleep better and give you more energy to perform better.
4. Professionalism
Professionalism is the one of the easiest/most effective ways to separate yourself from the pack.
It’s a way to build your credibility, and prove that you’re more than just another person out there trying to make it in this business
Attributes of professionalism :
- Preparation : There are a handful of questions that you can ask yourself to get a better idea of where the company is in terms of its culture and missions, who the company is looking for, and what you should do to prepare for your audition.
- Attitude : Being polite is an essential part of professionalism. Be sure to thank everyone you meet, from the receptionist to the casting director. Follow this rule and you will find that it pays off in time saved, lower stress levels and more success in your career.
- Be Punctual
- Listen and communicate well
- Articulate Your Skills and Accomplishments : It’s no secret that the job market is tough these days, and with so many people applying for every position, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. One way to do this is by taking a closer look at your resume. Keep it concise, and make sure you have concrete examples of your experience that demonstrate the skills that will help you land the role.
5. Acting Choices
In order to be a successful actor, it is important to choose a path of preparation that works for you. It is imperative to find what type of preparation you like the most, and try it out, Be Bold !
You might choose to walk and talk as your character based on their personality, or the environment. For example, if the character is a soldier you might use a military stance when walking and talk in a disciplined voice.
So, always do your homework and study your character. Not only does it free the actor to find the most compelling and grounded version of his/her character, it galvanizes other cast members to do the same.
Remember casting directors and producers want to hire actors who are clearly prepared. They also want to hire actors who are able to draw attention towards themselves in their auditions.
6. Toolbox
An actors toolbox consists of:
- Voice
- Body
- Imagination
- Concentration
- and Cooperation
Actors use these tools to break down the barriers between themselves and their characters during rehearsal in order to experience empathy for their role.
Casting directors are looking for a good understanding of the script, the scenes, the arc of the character, the action, the obstacles, and more to make casting decisions.
If you have a good understanding of these factors and are able to give them an original take on your character then you’ll be sure to impress.
7. The “ IT factor ”
Ask yourself, “what separates me from the crowd”?
- Experience
- Skillset
- Confidence
- Adaptability
- Professionalism
- Your smile
- The way you portray the character
- Dynamicism etc…
8. Dress the part
Make sure your clothes are clean, cleaned, and pressed.
Avoid heavy makeup, strong perfume, or aftershave. Don’t overkill it.
Dress to impress!
In short, You want the casting director to focus on you and not be distracted by your outfit. So put on your best professional self and go out there and show the world why you’re a great choice for the job.
To stand out from the crowd and ensure that the casting director will focus on you, you should put your best professional self on and make a strong first impression.
9. Be “in character”
Watching a movie or reading a story is not just about entertainment. It’s also about building characters and getting inside their heads, knowing what they are thinking and the feelings they are going through.
Character development and expression is what really makes a narrative work engage audiences. The best narratives have this as their number one goal.
“ It is the character’s personality that creates the action of the story and not the other way around ” — Flannery O’Connor
What motivates your character? The individual motives of every character are unique and different, so they need to be discovered. Use your own personal experience as a source to uncover what motivates your character.
Also, ask these questions :
- What does my character want ? ( Objective )
- What is standing in his/her way to achieve their desires ? ( Obstacle)
- What is the best action to employ in order to achieve what they want ? ( Tactics )
10. Confidence
Having a confident presence on set is crucial for an actor. It starts with your day to day goals, which is why actors should ask themselves what they need to accomplish today and follow through.
This will give them the necessary belief to go even further on set.
Techniques to have more confidence as an actor :
- Acting is a great way to express yourself creatively, but it can be difficult. Being able to sight read skillsfully means that you can perform without memorizing lines and without much rehearsing.
- Be prepared
- Sign up for acting lessons
- Gain experience
- Never stop learning
- Practice expressing emotions through your face and body language
Even if you don’t get the part, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dream.
Most casting directors will remember the confident and professional people in the room.
This can be a huge advantage when you come back for more auditions in a different role.
Check out Famous Celebrities Who Shared Their Advice on How to Feel Confident
11. Conversation
Casting directors run through many auditions in a day, so you should ask only necessary questions.
Here are some examples ;
- Can you mention some of your successful clients ?
- How can you make my job easier?
12. Decisions
It’s important to take responsibility for your decisions and think twice before making a decision.
Committing yourself to your performance will show them that you’re willing to learn from your mistakes.
13. Props
Props are usually distracting and can actually hinder your performance, especially if you are not used to handling it.
Props are usually distracting and can actually hinder your performance, especially if you are not used to handling it.
So, keep it simple. and KNOW what the casting directors are looking for.
14. In Front Of The Camera
If you want viewers to connect with your story, you’ll need to work on the ways you move and act in front of the camera.
Your body language is important and that’s what a camera will pick up.
It’s not just about looking at these two little dots on a screen, it’s about connecting with your audience.
Tips for being confident in front of the camera :
- Practice
- Be prepared and flexible
- Expirement with different camera angles
- Always be aware of your scene partner’s eye line
CONCLUSION
Casting directors want you to succeed as much as you want you to succeed.
Stay focused and all the people in the room will likely be impressed with your honesty & professionalism.
So, keep it simple. and KNOW what the casting directors are looking for.
Leave a comment with your opinion or any questions you may have below…
