Cynthia Stillwell Cynthia Stillwell Casting www.stillwell-lester.com
I always prefer actors who have worked in the theater. Actors who are organic, who can BE instead of act. (downfall) Too much talking and trying to be a friend can be a real turn-off.
Heather Hylton Bivens Hylton Casting www.HyltonCasting.com
It is important that an actor comes to an on-camera audition well prepared… has reviewed the material beforehand and understands the requirements of the role being cast. The actor should have a commanding presence, and exudes self-confidence. One should be cognizant that each casting director has a unique persona and approach to the production/work at hand.
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OZ MAGAZINE: TALENT SPECIAL ISSUE
If you want the casting director to like you, show you can take direction. Commit to your character, but be flexible and keep yourself open to instruction. a better shot than an actor who only halfway commits.
The Call Back After your audition, the waiting can be daunting. You could get a call in a matter of hours, days, weeks or months … or you could hear nothing. The wait for the callback depends on the production. Sometimes the casting director will know almost instantly whether or not you’re worth calling back for a second look. “I make the decision in the room,” says Casting Director Cynthia Stillwell, adding that she picks only 25 to 30 percent of auditions for a callback. If you make it to audition #2, be ready. Ask for sides, if they are available. If you get them, memorize them! (For the uninitiated—a side is a sample script, prepared for an audition that will serve as a fair indicator of the character or production you are auditioning for. It is not typically taken from the actual production script.) Learn the lines, do your research, and understand who your character is. Make sure you discern your objectives. A lack of preparation will leave you dead in the water. There is no way you are going to retain 100 percent of the script, however, the more you have memorized, the more you can safely forget.
A lack of preparation will leave you dead in the water.
If you want the casting director to like you, show you can take direction. Commit to your character, but be flexible and keep yourself open to instruction. Most importantly: do not vary your style. If the casting director liked you enough to call you back, you had to be doing something right! Something about your take on the character struck a chord. Do not try to show off your range by playing the scene from another angle. Additionally do not change your look. Appearance is key. If you received the callback, you have the look. After the second audition, the process for filling the role can vary wildly. A casting director might consult with a director or producer by sharing your taped interview. You may be compared to another auditioning actor for chemistry. You may also be asked if you are open to playing parts different from the one you auditioned for. (Always say yes.)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want If you don’t get the part, chances are you won’t be notified. Don’t take it personally. “Most times,” Louden-Kubin says, “it has nothing to do with you.” The director wanted to go in a different direction. The casting director owed the other guy’s agent a favor. Your co-star was already cast, and you weren’t a perfect fit for that actor. Maybe you just had a bad audition. Or maybe you have a lot to learn. Essentially, don’t be afraid to learn. Ask questions. Find out what you did wrong. Go back to the casting director and ask for constructive criticism. Casting directors like Cynthia Stillwell are almost always willing to help. The