“An audition is not a test of your skills. They are not looking for the best actor, but the right one for the role. So focus on your imagination and not on avoiding mistakes." Greg Apps
When someone dedicates themselves to acting, one of the situations they will have to face the most is that of casting, whatever the discipline. The first one is always scary, you never know what he might find, that's why it's important to be mentally and physically prepared for everything. For this there are disinhibition techniques that can help prepare a casting and lower the level
Tips for preparing a casting
Before any casting, the instructions for it are always received. In general, an email is sent with the offprint or the song that must be prepared, depending on the type of casting, as well as the time and place in which it will take place. Special instructions will also be added, if any, such as something to wear, type of clothing, extra songs, etc.
Read the call well
Whenever the call of a casting there are clear instructions and requirements that the actor or actress must meet. So, if it fits the profile, it is highly recommended to send the application, or even if it is not completely fulfilled but it can be useful. Of course, if it does not fit in at all or there are essential things that you do not have, such as age, for example, it is better not to send the application.
As an example of a call:
“Woman is sought for a fiction short film. Age: 30-40 years. Dark-haired, with the ability to sing. Send your updated CV, videoreel and photographs to the mail xxx”
In this case, people of about 25 who can appear older, or 45 who appear younger, can apply without any problem, since they have possibilities. But being much older, it is more than likely that they will not even take your candidacy into account, since it must always be accompanied by an updated photograph. So it is better to try to send applications to profiles in which one really fits. Be honest with yourself and with the people who are going to receive hundreds of applications.
Prepare the reprint
As data, a reprint is an excerpt from the script, it can be from the same production or from something related, which is given to the candidates so that they represent it in the casting.
At the moment in which the reprint is received, the first thing to do is a first reading. From there it is advisable to analyze the character with the phrases he says and the actions he does, this will always give clues as to how that character can be.
It is also advisable to perfectly learn the handout according to the personality of the character that has been previously analyzed. That is why it is very important to keep in mind that a casting is not a job for a while, but requires prior preparation well done. Rehearse, rehearse and rehearse, that is the best technique.
Something that may also be interesting is trying to prepare different versions of the reprint to bring various perspectives and demonstrate versatility.
It is possible that the casting does not have an offprint, but that it is for some musical action and what has to be prepared is a song. In this case we are faced with the same thing: rehearsal. The voice is a very powerful element, but it is also fragile. Taking care of your throat and having the song more than prepared will reduce the possibility of clashing with the nerves typical of the castings.
Although it is not advisable to burn the song either, there comes a time when, when it is already perfect, it is counterproductive to continue rehearsing, since it increases the chances of failure. However this depends on the person, it does not have to be the norm.
try to be original
It must be emphasized, that is the reality. It is important to keep in mind that recruiters are people, that is, they can get bored, so bringing more imaginative or impressive proposals will make any candidate stand out. When rehearsing, imagination and experimentation are the best method.
In the event that the casting is musical, it is interesting to bring a different proposal to the song that has been chosen (either by the recruiters or by the candidate).
prepare the character
There is no information accompanying the reprint, that is, there is usually no information about the character beyond the dialogue or the actions that appear in the script. This is the challenge for the candidate, when he prepares the casting, he has to break down all the text and remove everything that can shed light and shape the personality of the character he wants to prepare.
This work is going to be noticed in casting, nothing happens if it is not successful, but the recruiters are going to perceive that research and preparation.
answer honestly
Recruiters have to have information on each candidate, there are things they want to know, such as availability on dates or even if they have tattoos or skin marks. They can also ask about qualities or abilities, in the sense of imitating or neutralizing an accent, singing, dancing, etc. All this is discovered from one moment to the next, which is why it is essential to always be very sincere.
Find or bring items that help with the scene
In this previous exercise of analyzing, you may have the feeling that there are elements that can help develop the action, such as a cup, a book or any other object. It is always good that this, whenever possible, be taken to the casting, because the recruiters will be able to better imagine the candidate on stage.
Go in plenty of time
Better than over not missing. Going to a casting implies waiting, it may be late, what's more, it usually goes like this. It is essential to allow plenty of time for any complications that may arise, such as delays in other candidates or technical problems. Of course, something essential: never be late, that gives a very bad impression and leads one to think that it could happen on set.
be kind and humble
Recruiters always give instructions or guidelines in a casting, what's more, they can ask to change the proposal completely at any moment. At that moment, it is important to develop the ability to improvise and to listen well to what is being asked to give one's best. It does not have to be perfect, but you have to demonstrate the ability to understand and act following the guidelines that will inevitably occur during filming and rehearsals. At this time you have to put your nerves aside and jump into the void.
This does not only happen in acting castings but also in musicals, they can ask for a change of tone or even a song.
To de-dramatize
We always have the feeling that we have to give drama to the scenes and songs to show that we are capable of making the viewer feel, but the reality is that we have to mediate. Excessive dramatization can be very exaggerated and create rejection in recruiters. You have to try to be as natural as possible whenever you work for a camera. The case of the theater It is different, but it is always preferable to go neutral and for recruiters to ask for more drama, than to give the maximum from the beginning, if they want more, they will ask for it.
Patience
A casting is not something momentary, but it takes time, not only per candidate, but the entire process. From the moment the first candidate walks in, recruiters start analyzing and comparing options. And when everyone is finished, it is time to re-analyze all the applications. In general, castings are usually recorded to rewatch the performances of all those who showed up a few days later to fight against first impressions.
The answer may take time to arrive, so despair is not recommended. You have to be patient both on the day of the casting and the days or weeks after.
