My Top 7 Acting Audition Tips to be on TV
 
In the scary world that is acting auditions, there is good advice, bad advice and just plain counter-productive advice. Its bad enough attending an audition but with my top 7 tips, I hope you'll at least get out alive with your dignity :-) These tips are from my own experience over the last 5 years of attending casting calls and acting auditions for film, television dramas and even a music video of which I was rapidly rejected due to my dance ability of a hoof-less beach donkey.
 
1) There is a big myth that it is advantageous to imagine the potential employer or casting director in their underwear / naked / on the toilet etc. This technique is supposed to make you feel at ease by realizing that casting directors are just human like yourself. Don't do it! I've tried and all it does is cause a distraction. Get rid of 'stage fright' using calming breathing techniques for 10 - 15 minutes beforehand and save the naked imagery for 'private' moments ;-)
 
2) If you are offered a role to be on TV then keep your appearance just as it is. Don't get any drastic haircuts or new looks as many casting directors base their decisions on how you looked at the time of the casting. The last thing a director needs is to audition a slim brunette that turns up for filming as a plump blonde!
 
3) Remember that dozens, if not hundreds of actors may be potentially applying for the same role. You are easily replaceable so know your place (at least until the production is under way!) If you start making unreasonable demands concerning pay, expenses or just general head-up-arse diverish demands then expect to be replace faster than a Katie Price marriage.

4) Beggars cant be choosers (unless you're a tramp filling in a multi question survey) If you didn't get that coveted lead role then try another role and if that falls through, keep plugging down the ladder until all roles have been cast! Its better to get a 2 second walk-on-part than sitting at home watching degens squirming over lie detectors on Jeremy Kyle!
 
5) Character research. If you know in advance the type of role you are auditioning for then research the mannerisms and personality traits and inject them into your acting audition. Be confident in your approach and hopefully you'll have more success than ... erm ...me!
 
6) Get things into perspective. The entertainment industry is a fiercely competitive industry. When a good role becomes available, you need to know that many people will be moving mountains to get the part. The film industry will not stop, television soaps and dramas will continue to be made and cinema is here to stay! There will always be upcoming roles so learn to deal with disappointment because as sure as the sky is green and trees are orange, you will have much more disappointment that joy.
 
7) Consider becoming a film extra! Take the pressure off a bit and apply to become a film or television extra. Most walk-on parts are non speaking, and are much easier to achieve as productions nearly always use many more extras that the roles they have available. Just think of a street scene for example or a crowd and its clear that you will land a part as an extra within no time. Get the on-set experience and move forward from there.
 
I hope these tips help. The web has hundreds of tips for acting audition success but pick and choose wisely and who knows, you could soon be collecting an Oscar blubbing your eyes out whilst you that everyone from you parents to you binmans cat! Good luck.

Written by Ezzo