ACTING GUIDES

AUDITIONING
FOR FILM, TV
& THEATRE

A comprehensive guide to
Auditioning for Film, TV and Theatre
from StageMilk.com
How to Land
More Roles
Outside of drunken philosophising, coffee-shop complaining
and late night rumination, auditioning is how actors spend
most of their time. Auditioning is a skill; something that can be
refined with experience and hard work.

Auditioning is a strange part of our job as actors. In fact it’s so

far from the reality of acting on stage or set that it requires a
whole different set of skills. Improving your audition technique
is a great way, and really the only way to increase your
chances of landing roles.

So welcome to our e-book. We’ve put together all the

wonderful advice and techniques we’ve collected over the
years, to help you get in the audition room, and nail it.

1
How to get into the
Audition Room
Getting into a room takes time. The hard truth is you won’t be in the room
tomorrow. But what you do now will get you into the room. It will take a
year. Or two. Or ten. But you will get that audition. Here’s what you have to
start doing.

1. Get an Agent
The first step is the simplest, but probably the hardest. We know some great
freelance actors, but it can be tough going solo. (More info on getting an
Agent on StageMilk.com)

If you do have an agent, you want to trust them to do their job – which is to
get you auditions. That being said, you also want to stay on their case, and
stay hungry. If you hear about auditions that you are perfect for, let them
know. Don’t ring them everyday, but if something seems like a good
opportunity, let them know.

2. Online Casting Calls

If a project is looking for a specific look or demographic – they can often
put a call out online. There are a few open casting websites that will put
out a brief so keep vigilant and aware of what’s happening in your city. It’s
always wise to keep up to date with projects filming in your area and doing
some research.

Tip: Beware of dodgy projects. There are a lot out there. Aspiring actors
are easy bait for scam artists. Never pay to audition. Research the
producers, directors, anyone attached and if you can’t find any information
about them - steer clear.

3. Student Films
Cruise around your local universities or film schools and check the poster
walls for “actors wanted”. There are also an endless amount of social
groups on Facebook that serve the same purpose and can save you the
leg work.

Getting involved in student films and projects is a fantastic approach for

meeting people who will be in the industry. You’ll have the opportunity of
plenty of screen-time to hone your craft while making a good impression
on the filmmakers of tomorrow. A lot of student films do quite well in film
festivals and could serve as great material for your showreel!
2
 4. Independent Theatre
Before you play Hamlet at the Opera House you need to play Hamlet in the
shed behind the University gymnasium to a crowd of six. It’s going to take
time, but consistently putting yourself in front of people in solid Indie
productions is a great way to get noticed. Simply having your name being
said out loud between directors, actors, producers of any status is furthering
your profile and reputation.

Auditions for independent theatre are usually now online, through casting
websites and Facebook groups. Theatre’s also advertise on their websites,
and on noticeboards in the venue. Do the work. Another great way to get on
stage is with friends. Make some theatre friends.

5. Classes
There are plenty of screen and stage classes happening throughout the
city. Some are more expensive than others – but they can really be worth it.
The main reason for taking a class is to further your craft, however, it is also
a fantastic way to meet new people. Teachers of these classes are usually
working actors or directors, and simply putting up good work in front of
them is a good move.

6. Networking
Go to events. Fundraisers. Opening nights. After parties. Variety nights. Any
event heavy with industry people. Meet people. But, avoid selling yourself
and avoid any conversation about the industry, just be yourself and make
friends.

We cant emphasise enough the importance of networking. The

entertainment industry is a social one. Simply making an impression on
someone at a party could get you into an audition room. It happens all the
time. Being present at an after-party of a play could be more valuable than
being in the play itself because directors and agents are looking for people,
not performers.

7. Body of Work
Never feel like you deserve an audition. Always look to earn it. It’s not going
to happen overnight. It could take a decade of unpaid work to finally get into
that room. But with a large body of work behind you, the one thing no one
can deny is that you deserve to be in there. They will provide the opportunity
– not you. All you can do is to keep going further and deeper. Every second
you spend on furthering your craft is leading to something bigger and better.

The only way is up. Patience. Faith. Hard-work. Courage. And

networking. Embody these values and you’ll get your audition. 3
How to Prepare for an Audition
The best advice we’ve heard so far about auditioning is this: auditioning
is an opportunity to act. A chance to play a character and do what you
love. Whether that’s for a minute, an hour, or a year doesn’t matter. All
the excessive wanting, hoping and worrying around auditions just isn’t
helpful. Try to forget about the outcome of an audition as much as
possible, and focus instead on the prep.

Script Analysis
Every actor has their own technique. Find something that works for you, and
make sure you use it. Simply memorising the lines and winging it, will not get you
the job.

Think about things like objectives, relationships, backstory, tactics and actions,
physicality, vocal qualities etc. Be specific and make strong (but always truthful)
choices. There is an indefinite amount of preparation you can do for one scene,
so keep going right up until you walk into the room. Don’t give yourself an excuse
to fail.

Research
A lot of actors make the mistake of relying on talent, and improvisation. Those
things are great, but essentially useless without knowledge and understanding
to back it up.
When auditioning, you are given so little to help you understand a character, that
it would be crazy not to read everything you are sent. You may only have a few
days to try to understand a character or storyline that is completely foreign to
you, so make the most of it. Do some detective work, find out all you can about
the project itself, and the team behind it. This is where an iMDB pro account
comes in real handy.

If you are auditioning for an existing TV series, watch the show. Or, if the film is
a sequel, watch the prequel. Watch as much as you can to get a context for the
scene. This is vital for understanding the tone of a project. An audition for a soap
is very different to a dramatic indie film. Of course we are always playing for
truth, but there are nuances to different genres.

4
Practice
Standing behind a line on the floor, in front of a camera, with an unenthusiastic
reader, in a casting room - can feel extremely sterile. It can feel very
restricting, and inhibit your natural instincts.
You need to start feeling confident and comfortable in that space and the best
way to do that is to practice at home. Try filming the scene to camera. This is a
great way to see what works and what doesn’t work and get comfortable in
front of the camera. It’s like getting the warm up rounds out of the way at
home, so when you get into the room, you’re ready to start working.

Directors are always looking for how well actors take direction, so yes, make
strong choices, but also be loose and adaptable. Workshop your audition with
a friend and get them to direct you. Work the scene in a variety of different
ways, anything you can think of - and have fun with it! You will never know
what the director wants, so the more adaptable you can be, the better.

Warm up
Warming up is essential. It gets you physically and vocally prepared, but also
gets you focused. Don’t get too caught up in chatting to other actors or
stressing about the audition in the waiting room. Take a book, put your
headphones in and listen to some music. Do a solid warm up in the morning,
forget about everything else, and go in there and do your best.

5
The Process:
What you need to know

Film Auditions

Getting in the room with a casting director for film can feel much
more intimate than large theatre auditions. Before you head in,
calm yourself down. The more normal and relaxed you are, the
more authentic your performance will be. The camera is far more
sensitive than an auditorium, so let this inform your hype level.
There is less performance energy in the room, and the tight framing
of your audition tape holds you back from being as overtly physical
as you might want. The overall process of auditioning for feature
films is usually slightly longer, depending on the role and the
project.

Tip: Keep a monologue in your back pocket. Some film directors

might also ask for you to perform a monologue. Make sure it’s one
that showcases the skills you possess to bring to life the character
they’re casting. Avoid doing a well-known monologue delivered by
a famous actor.

6
The Process:
What you need to know

Television Auditions

Television casting often moves a lot faster than film projects. TV

casting directors have much less time to fill their roster, which makes
first impressions all the more important. Here are the basics of what
you should know going into a series audition:

Always be sure you have all the information. If you just get sides, ask
if you can have the script. If you get character breakdowns, episode
synopses, notes from the director - study it, and use it. Read the
script repeatedly until your analysis yields even further questions.

The casting director will be your first point of contact. As you

progress in the audition process, you will eventually get in front of the
network heads for final consideration—especially if you’re being
considered for the show’s leading role. (Sometimes producers,
showrunners, and creators will also be in the room.)

Reading the episode/film gives you context for your scene and is
vital for portraying the role in a way that serves the story.

7
The Process:
What you need to know

Theatre Auditions

There is a big debate in the acting world about whether there is a

difference between stage and screen acting. However, at the core of
either argument is this: acting strives at truth. Many would say that
that truth is often smaller on screen, and larger on stage, but it is still
truth. Always aim to be clear, honest and direct. Getting caught up
in playing to the medium is unhelpful. You may have to fill the space
in a theatre, but the fundamentals are the same.

You will either be asked to prepare a monologue of your choice, or

most likely a monologue or scene from the text you’re going in for.
The size of panel will vary, depending on the production.

And as you would with Film & TV do all the research necessary - you
will almost always have access to the whole script, so read it back
to front multiple times. Character work, scene analysis, vocal work,
movement work - do it all!

8
 What to wear
to an Audition
How you come across in an audition is half the battle. It’s a shame that your
acting alone isn’t what will get you the job. You want to give your best
impression, and that means nailing what to wear.
The best advice here is to “hint at character”. Make it a little bit easier for the
Casting Director to imagine you in this role.
1. Keep it simple
Whatever it is, keep it simple. Don’t go
too elaborate. You want to look good,
but don’t go wild with makeup, hairdos
or anything. Keep it classic. Pattern
fabrics can also come across badly on
screen and be a distraction. The focus
should be on your acting.
2. A Good Fit
Tight fitting clothing just looks better on
camera. As a general rule baggy just
doesn’t work on screen. But also make
sure you’re comfortable.
3. Know your colours
By now you probably know what
colours suit you, but there is a science
to it. Learn your colours. You can
actually pay for a full colour
assessment and really learn about
what works for you. Sounds kind of
extreme, but it will last you for the rest
of your life. For now, simply check in
with a friend.
4. Character
If you’re auditioning for a serial about
Lawyers, wear something more on the
corporate side: be neat and formal. If it’s
for a grungy feature film, wear something
more casual. There’s no need to purchase
a new outfit for every audition, that’s going
to get expensive. Use what you’ve got,
borrow if you have to, and make sure
you’re still comfortable. Hinting at
character with your wardrobe choices not
only help the casting director visualise you
in the role, but it will also help you feel
more authentic.
5. Hygiene
We have an audition hygiene checklist you
can check out on StageMilk.com. It
sounds obvious, but it’s amazing how
many actors miss the basics. You want to
be a breath of fresh air, literally.
6. Comfort
Being comfortable in an audition is
paramount. We always talk about how one
of the fundamentals of acting is relaxation.
If you’re uncomfortable either physically or
emotionally, perhaps self conscious about
what you’re wearing, you’re not going to
do a great audition. And at the end of the
day you are more important than what you
wear.
9
Overcoming
Audition Nerves
However well prepared you might be, nerves still have the power to erode
the memory, and dismantle great acting choices. If you let them take
control – they will be your undoing. So how do you battle nerves?

First of all, don’t battle them. Fighting your anxious feelings, is only
going to heighten your anxious feelings. Accept that you are nervous,
it’s a sign that what you are doing is important and matters to you. And
then use it! Perhaps this character is nervous about going after their
objective, perhaps they are in an uncomfortable situation. You’d be
surprised by how you can turn your real life nerves, into great acting.

Prepare:
Being prepared will eliminate all your worries of forgetting lines, not
understanding the scene or not knowing your choices. Doing the work,
and trusting it, will absolutely help you feel more confident going into the
room.

Warm Up:
Warming up is about preparing your instrument for work. And it’s also
about releasing tension, expelling negative energy and focussing the
mind. Don’t skip out on this one.

Remember the opportunity:

Forget about trying to get the role, forget about the money – it’s about
doing what you love.

They asked to see you:

You were invited to audition and you have every right to be here. How
about you just show them what you got?

Meditate:
We recommend making this a daily habit, but doing 5 minutes before an
audition will certainly ground and centre you. Doing 5 minutes after an
audition is also highly recommended.

10
How to Stand Out
in an Audition
The trick here is not to try to stand out. Don’t overthink it, keep it
simple and do the work.

Mentality
Funny thing is, as soon as we try to be confident, we are inherently pointing out
to ourselves how insecure we really feel. And no matter how great an actor you
are, people will be able to smell it from a mile away. Time and time again,
casting directors have to babysit nervous actors through auditions, trying to
make them feel comfortable, and hoping that they’ll get something good out of
the whole process. This is exhausting! The actors that stand out in auditions are
cool as a cucumber, and ready to rock and roll, the casting director’s don’t have
to worry about a thing.

Remember why you’re in the room - it’s an opportunity to act and show your
work, and remember who you are. You were offered to audition for this, so they
must already see some potential. Roll with that.

Creativity
Casting directors not only see nervous actor after nervous actor, they also see
the same generalised idea of a scene, over and over again. This interesting
thing happens when we first read a script, we say the lines, either out loud, or in
our head, and they come out in a kind of sing-song way. For example, the line
“Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you” – there’s a certain rhythm that comes to
mind when you say that line. Challenge the normal. How many different ways
can a character express themselves with the words they’ve been given by God
(the writer)? Casting directors love to see something different, and even if the
reading is inappropriate or not quite right, they can always give you direction. In
fact, they’d love to give you direction.

11
Diversity
A character is an idea, a shell, an outline, and it’s our jobs as actors to fill that,
and bring it to life. Forget about what you think the casting director might want,
and bring your unique, diverse self to the role. Sometimes they’re not sure
what they’re looking for, and they won’t know until you show them.

Tip: make a list of all the similarities between you and your character, and then
all the differences – it helps you define what you are bringing to the role, and
also identifies what challenge you’ll take on.

You don’t need to try so hard. Forget about ‘standing out’ and just do the work,
trust the work, then smash it.

12
What to do after an Audition
Here’s how to deal with rejection as an actor, because we’re telling you
now, you will have to. Over, and over, and over, and over again.

Be Practical
First of all, how many actors there are in your city? Then in your country? Then
the world? Now sure, you are unique, and different and sexy in your own way,
but there’s still a lot people out there, who are also unique, different and sexy.
That’s just a fact.

Also, think about how many auditions you will go for. Then think about how
many jobs you will book. Even if you did book all the auditions you went to –
first of all, that would be weird, and second of all, when would you find the time
to do them all! The ratio of not booking jobs, to booking jobs is like, 100:1. This
is not meant to discourage you, but remind you that you will be rejected many
more times than accepted.

Strategy
Organise something straight after your audition - coffee with a friend, make an
appointment, or run an errand, the last thing you want to do is go home and sit
there replaying the whole thing in your head over and over again, thinking
about what you should have done, but didn’t.

13
Take it personally
Sometimes you just have to take it personally, and then get over it. Go on,
have a tantrum, get pissed off, binge, complain, but you have to get over it
at some point. Otherwise it will eat you up inside.

Once you put your damaged ego aside, there may be some valuable
feedback in there. Train more, change your look, read some self-help books,
work on your voice, get new headshots, update your showreel and make
your own work. There is always something to do.

Let it go
How many times have you heard another actor beat themselves up after an
audition? “I sucked” “I can’t act.” “I will never get that role.” It’s actors trying
to lower their expectations of success so that they can avoid disappointment
if they don’t book the gig. The only advice here is to try your absolute best to
let it go. Let it wash over you, move on to the next thing and keep working.

Congratulations, you’re here, you’re doing it, you’re making it

happen. Be proud of that, and keep those things in mind next
time you don’t get the call.
14
Auditioning Advice
From the StageMilk Team

“Auditioning is an opportunity
to act”
Try to see it as a chance to do what you
love, and focus on becoming a better actor,
rather than becoming famous or getting the
role. Change the game for yourself.
Andrew

“Good luck!”
Actors with less talent than you are working,
and actors with much more talent aren’t. It
isn’t fair, but if you’re lucky, it will be unfair in
your favour.
Luke

“You’re not entitled to anything,

but there’s nothing you can’t earn”
If you put in the work, and want it bad enough,
it will pay off (eventually)…
Indiana

ACTING GUIDES