Auditioning in a World of Covid!

Where technology and creativity meet

 

We currently see the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to this terrible pandemic. If you are interested in a career in show business, get vaccinated. Get vaccinated no matter what industry you’re in. That being said, let’s get on with some business talk.

I have several students who didn’t let the virus stop them from seeking work in our industry. Obeying all the guidelines expressed by the scientists, they pursued work. At first, they had little luck, but because they persisted, they began getting work. They continue to get work to this day. One actress is currently filming a feature.

Every one of us at one time or another will experience both sides of the win/lose coin. We will be winners and losers. The great salesman, Napoleon Hill, once said, “as a traveling salesman, in order to sell one item you had to knock on a hundred doors.” That meant ninety-nine failures out of a hundred tries. I believe any good salesperson will cut down the number of failures if they learn something new with each door that opens.

Let’s discuss several areas where we can cut down our possibilities of failure.

Today’s audition world has changed dramatically. In the past year auditioning was done generally from the actor’s home to the casting person’s home. This meant the actor had to find a new way to present himself/herself professionally using this new approach.

Our industry seems to have embraced the method of self-auditioning with much enthusiasm. It appears more than likely this method may be here to stay.

Let’s look at the best way to get representation. Google in your neighborhood or nearby big cities for Theatrical Agents and Management. Before you contact these people, you first need to get a headshot in 8×10.

One big mistake beginning actors make is presuming to know what the industry is looking for. For the most part, they are wrong. First, they are not looking for glamour shots. They are looking for real people. They are looking for a picture that has some energy to it. This does not mean a busy picture with silly expressions. Does the person in the picture appear to be greeting you, or glad to see you? Can you see if the eyes hold a specific thought? For beginning actors, two pictures showing different sides of yourself, for example, one serious and one smiling picture, is a great way to show range as an actor.

Women especially need to watch their makeup. Do not have a professional makeup artist do your makeup. Apply your own makeup. I recommend an actress apply the same amount of makeup she would wear if she were going to dinner at a very nice restaurant. Men need only apply enough makeup to take away any shine. Men, if you have very light eyebrows, maybe a little brow pencil. When having your picture taken, look directly into the camera and have an unspoken conversation with the camera to get the energy you want to project in the picture. If you need more information, go to past articles by me in Pageantry magazine.

 

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