For all the ACTORS out there... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

~Teddybear~ · 10-23-2004, 11:59 AM

I'm going to an audition on Friday and I've never auditioned before. Does anyone have any tips or secrets on how i can impress the judges...what to do and what not to do?

Kay Scarpetta · 10-23-2004, 12:26 PM

Don't mumble, whatever you do. I know you might be nervous, but keep your head up at all times and speak clearly. It's all about the speaking. Also, when you're reciting the dialogue, remember facial experssions. Those are important. Don't be all smiling and giddy when you're talking about Aunt Emily's funeral. Put feeling into the dialogue, and good luck

TheGreatPretender · 10-23-2004, 12:33 PM

Just get into character, if you are doing a monologue it helps to have a focal point to keep your eyes on. And most importantly, project, be nice and loud. The worst thing for an actor is to be reserved and mumble all the time. And don't be nervous either. I used to have that problem but I always pretended no one was watching me. I would always lose myself in the character in the script. Best of luck to you.

G-Force Glockstar · 10-23-2004, 04:34 PM

Don't be shy, and just try to be cheerful and do your best.
I'll wish you good luck!

Hollow · 10-23-2004, 05:09 PM

speak clearly and with the right tone, use body language and facial gestures and put the right feeling into the situation you're acting out. if you're supposed to be worried about something, talk panicky and a little quicker than usual, but don't overdo it. it helps to imagine how someone would do it if you saw it on TV, and notice what you do when you react to things in real life. or watch TV (namely dramas) and take note of how the actors react to things. good luck.

Georgia's on my Mind · 10-24-2004, 01:34 PM

what does your audition include you doing?

Kitt · 10-24-2004, 01:56 PM

Very good advice from all in my 'know nothing on the subject opinion', lol. One succesful actor who was a glaring exception to the "don't mumble" rule though was James Dean. Another one was Marlon Brando. Still... by all means, don't mumble.

Liza · 10-24-2004, 02:46 PM

The best advice I can give you is don't act.

I'm serious. One of the worst things I've seen in younger actors is that when they're delivering a monologue about sadness - they aren't sad, they're acting sad. They come across as either wooden or over-emotional. Neither is real. Instead of trying to think of something in your own history that makes you sad - just get sad. Instead of remembering something that made you p*ssed - just get p*ssed. You'd be surprised how easy it comes if you just let the words speak for themselves.

~Teddybear~ · 10-24-2004, 07:58 PM

Quote:

what does your audition include you doing?

I have to perform 2 monologues and explain in dept the purpose of it. Then I have to improvise 2 scenerios the judges give me. I also have to demonstrate my knowledge of acting and tell them about my previous acting experiences.

I have another question. I've never done improversation. Any tips???

Quote:

Don't act

One of my monologues is from alice and wonderland. since this is a fictional story, would your advice be an exception??

also, how can i stand out from all the other actors???

I know i'm asking alot of ?'s, but i'm so nervous and I really want to make the cut. PLEASE HELP!!!

Liza · 10-24-2004, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ~Teddybear~
One of my monologues is from alice and wonderland. since this is a fictional story, would your advice be an exception??

I don't think you really understand what I'm telling you. It doesn't matter if the story is fiction or not - to the character you're playing, it's all real. Just don't try and fake emotion. That's the killer. If you feel it, go with it. If you don't feel it, don't don't don't fake it.

You really need to be yourself. Go with what you feel and what you're instincts tell you. In the words of the great philosopher, Bernadette Peters (

), "Ya gotta be original, because if you're not, what do they need you for?"

Hollow · 10-24-2004, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ~Teddybear~
One of my monologues is from alice and wonderland. since this is a fictional story, would your advice be an exception??

Don't act too much. Show the right expression in your voice, use facial gestures and body language, etc.

TheGreatPretender · 10-25-2004, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ~Teddybear~

I have another question. I've never done improversation. Any tips???

One of my monologues is from alice and wonderland. since this is a fictional story, would your advice be an exception??

also, how can i stand out from all the other actors???

I've done improv tons of times and my advice to you, don't think about what you are going to say, just let out all the emotions you are supposed to be portraying. Just don't be nervous and ideas will come to you. Just have fun with it. Improv is actually alot of fun.

How to stand out from all the actors, I would just connect with the character, don't try to mimick other actors or people. Just put your own attitude and your own emotions into it. Like Liza said don't act sad, just get sad or just don't act mad, get mad. Actually put yourself in your characters situation. Like these other people said, nothing is worse than just pretended to be something. Oh and don't worry about it. Going on auditions should be exciting and don't let nerves hold you back. Best of luck again.

CheersChild4life · 10-25-2004, 09:53 PM

I'll be taking improv classes soon, but everything I've heard is say the first thing that comes to your mind. It may not be the best thing, but as long as there's no thinking pauses for even a moment unless cleverly put in to timing.

Annnnnnyway good luck!

10-23-2004, 11:59 AM	#1
~Teddybear~ The New and Improved Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 17, 2002 Location: I'm eveywhere...I could be right behind you.... Posts: 547	For all the ACTORS out there... I'm going to an audition on Friday and I've never auditioned before. Does anyone have any tips or secrets on how i can impress the judges...what to do and what not to do?
	__________________ My name's BRIANA aka The Great 1....I'm livin' large and takin' charge and I aint too young to party!!!

10-23-2004, 12:26 PM	#2
Kay Scarpetta Defy Gravity 8.26.05 Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 04, 2001 Location: La Vie Boheme Posts: 28,013	Don't mumble, whatever you do. I know you might be nervous, but keep your head up at all times and speak clearly. It's all about the speaking. Also, when you're reciting the dialogue, remember facial experssions. Those are important. Don't be all smiling and giddy when you're talking about Aunt Emily's funeral. Put feeling into the dialogue, and good luck
	__________________ The people who think they know everything about Broadway make me laugh. They've never seen a Broadway play in their life. "oh mi godddd RENT's a mooovie! lyke 525600 minuuuuuuutes!" No. To be a Broadway Freak, you must live, eat, sleep, study, devout, think, obsess, dream, believe Broadway. You must know original & revival casts, soundtracks, performance runs, dates, theatres, numbers, how many Tony Awards A Chorus Line won. You must be Broadway. That's right bitches. I AM Broadway.

10-23-2004, 12:33 PM	#3
TheGreatPretender just because Forum Veteran Join Date: May 22, 2004 Location: Trying to think of a creative, witty location. Posts: 7,628	Just get into character, if you are doing a monologue it helps to have a focal point to keep your eyes on. And most importantly, project, be nice and loud. The worst thing for an actor is to be reserved and mumble all the time. And don't be nervous either. I used to have that problem but I always pretended no one was watching me. I would always lose myself in the character in the script. Best of luck to you.
	__________________ Peace is a good thing and so is salmon when it's smoked

10-23-2004, 04:34 PM	#4
G-Force Glockstar Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Nov 22, 2003 Posts: 21,768	Don't be shy, and just try to be cheerful and do your best. I'll wish you good luck!
	__________________ Formally, FullHouseFan8795, CamdenGirl89, Lana Lang, Ruthie Lang, CravinForCarrie, and Girl Meets World.

10-23-2004, 05:09 PM	#5
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,420	speak clearly and with the right tone, use body language and facial gestures and put the right feeling into the situation you're acting out. if you're supposed to be worried about something, talk panicky and a little quicker than usual, but don't overdo it. it helps to imagine how someone would do it if you saw it on TV, and notice what you do when you react to things in real life. or watch TV (namely dramas) and take note of how the actors react to things. good luck.
	__________________ the artist formerly known as safety pin

10-24-2004, 01:34 PM	#6
Georgia's on my Mind Senior Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Aug 19, 2001 Posts: 25,054	what does your audition include you doing?

10-24-2004, 01:56 PM	#7
Kitt James Dean Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 16, 2001 Location: California Dreamin' Posts: 6,115	Very good advice from all in my 'know nothing on the subject opinion', lol. One succesful actor who was a glaring exception to the "don't mumble" rule though was James Dean. Another one was Marlon Brando. Still... by all means, don't mumble.

10-24-2004, 02:46 PM	#8
Liza BestYearsofOurLives Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 24, 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,537	The best advice I can give you is don't act. I'm serious. One of the worst things I've seen in younger actors is that when they're delivering a monologue about sadness - they aren't sad, they're acting sad. They come across as either wooden or over-emotional. Neither is real. Instead of trying to think of something in your own history that makes you sad - just get sad. Instead of remembering something that made you pssed - just get pssed. You'd be surprised how easy it comes if you just let the words speak for themselves.

10-25-2004, 09:53 PM	#13
CheersChild4life Absolutely Fabulous Senior Member Join Date: Nov 23, 2002 Location: Somwhere Fabulous Posts: 2,814	I'll be taking improv classes soon, but everything I've heard is say the first thing that comes to your mind. It may not be the best thing, but as long as there's no thinking pauses for even a moment unless cleverly put in to timing. Annnnnnyway good luck!