One of the most misunderstood areas of a young actor's experience is the interview and the audition. While the interview experience resembles the audition in some measure, they are not the same. The tone and purpose of an initial meeting or interview is drastically different from the audition and, therefore, has its own unique preparation and focus.
How do I recognize how to prepare for each differently to insure the most successful outcome?
The interview is more focused on who you are as a person and how you will conduct yourself in the business of acting. While you are still marketing yourself as actor--the professional persona is now at the forefront of this presentation. Preparing yourself to be at the greatest comfort level possible, being clear about who you are and what you want this agent or manager to know about you will be crucial in this brief interaction.
How do you create a rapport that will make them feel confident that you will represent them and yourself well?
Coaching Defining Your Coaching Needs
Your good friend's boyfriend has a sister who works for a reputable commercial agency and you ask her if she could pass your picture an agent in the print / commercial department. After a few calls and coffee chats, she finally directs you to call the agent's assistant to set a time for you to come in and meet---one on one! What do you do now?
After many months dropping off your picture and resume to a few agents you have targeted as a good fit for you and following up with postcards or invites to your recent showcase, you see a role in breakdowns that is perfect for you. You are sure you can nail this one--if you can only get in the door. An agent's submission will make all the difference--What do you do now?
You've worked as an extra once or twice on this show and have a decent rapport with the extra casting agent. However, you feel it is now time to move up. You have maintained some contact with the actors you worked with as well as the casting agent. After requesting to audition for an "under 5" or featured role in recent cover letters--you get a call to do extra work again--What do you do now?
You train with fervor and focus in all your acting exercises. However, you have also set clear personal boundaries and limits as to what is and is not acceptable in language and material for you. One recent "repetition" exercise requires a raw emotional response as you repeat the word or phrase spoken by your partner... You seem to get foul or offensive language to repeat often and you are feeling uncomfortable- while not wanting to inhibit good technique training or your actor instinct you still desire to maintain your boundaries... What do you do now?
