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Boo’s
Audition Tips
By
Peter John Ross
www.sonnyboo.com
As
aspiring moviemakers, we are always burdened
with finding good actors and actresses to
appear in our movies. Where do these elusive
beings live? How do we get them to be in our
movies? How will we know if they are right
for a role? The answer is simply -
auditions. This is very basic info, but also
handy.
First
things first.
Set a date(s) you'll need for your
actors to be available. I recommend not
holding your auditions until you already are
almost ready to start shooting and editing
your film. What good is an audition or even
footage for a movie if you can’t finish
it? And setting the shoot dates can let you
know if certain actors are even available
for those dates to begin with.
We
have to let people know about the auditions.
Many newspapers, especially the alternative,
more arts-friendly papers, will post your
audition notices for free. There are also
message boards, posting boards, and Yahoo
Groups on the Internet that provide one of
the best new outlets for letting people know
about auditions. Also a flyer or an email to
acting teachers or even the local talent
agencies give an outlet for this. As long as
you are upfront about the amount being paid,
even if it’s $0.00, will make everything
work better.
Give
plenty of notice, and remind people a few
days before as well. You may want to have
several auditions, at differing times and
days, to allow people with varying schedules
the chance to try out for your flick.
Where
to do auditions
Usually,
public libraries have conference rooms
anyone can use for free. Or you can do this
at home, but for some people, that can be a
turn off, but if it’s all you’ve got,
then use your house.
Just
make sure you have two rooms. One for the
auditions and one for people to wait in.
It’s not fair if some people get to see
how everyone else auditions. Also, don’t
let some of the actors talk to the
director/producers and some not.
You’ll throw off the audition –
you want everyone competing on an even
basis.
Use
a Sign-In Sheet – include their name,
phone number, email, and the time they
arrived. It’s always good to have
everyone’s contact info. Also find out if
they are SAG, AFTRA, or any other union.
Have a column on the sign in sheet
for “union or non-union”. A union actor
may not be able to work on your film, or
they can get permission.
You
will also want them to sign a release that
allows you to use their audition tape for
anything you need as well. You may never
know when you may have the next J-Lo
audition & you pass her up. These
auditions also make great DVD extras, even
for us aspiring filmmakers.
If
the more experienced actors come, they will
have their own headshots, if not, a Polaroid
or digital camera will also be good to use
for any new or aspiring actors that don’t
have headshots. Attach the pics to the
release form/info sheet.
Make
sure you tape the auditions. Even if you
just go to VHS, you need to see the actors
on tape. It’s amazing how many people seem
to read well, but watching the tape it comes
across flat. Or sometimes, someone that
didn’t feel good in the room really shines
on tape. You don’t want to get into
editing your movie to only find out THEN
that this person doesn’t film well.
How to
conduct auditions
First
you’ll want the actor to SLATE for the
camera. That is state their name, their age,
the part they are reading for, and a phone
number so you can get a hold of them or
their agency if they are represented.
You
will provide the actors with SIDES, meaning
1-2 pages of script that will be used to
test them for the character.
You should provide them a scene that
has depth and some meat, or at least
epitomizes the character to you, the
director.
Tell
the actor something about the character
& the scene they are about to read. Then
let them read it through without any
direction. After one read, don’t deliver
the lines yourself and tell them “more
like this…” (also called LINE READINGS),
but ask them to do it again with more of the
particular emotion you want. Tell them
“HOW” you want them to act, don’t show
them. This is also called DIRECTING.
Use
a poker face. Even if the actor is doing
horrendous, don’t make the person feel
bad. It can cause your reputation to be
ruined. And even if an actor is perfect for
a role, do not make any offers at the
audition.
Take your time, review the tapes and
be sure of it.
If
there are two actors that could be right for
a role, and even if you’re fairly sure,
try doing CALL BACKS. Call Backs are a
second round of auditions. Bring the best
actors back, have several of them read the
sides together and see how they read with
other actors.
After
the Call Backs, feel free to make offers for
parts. Verify their ability to work on the
shoot dates. Be flexible, especially if you
aren’t paying. But also know that
sometimes you won’t get your first choice
for a role, even though they auditioned and
even did call backs. And sometimes you will
even get through rehearsals and an actor
will be a no-show. That’s when you call
your 2nd, 3rd, and
sometimes 4th choice. If you held
professional auditions, it won’t be a
problem to attract good actors.
Good
luck.
By
Peter John Ross
www.sonnyboo.com
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