Just like other interviews and casting calls, film and movie auditioning requires adequate preparation and proper organization. Becoming a movie star may sound very exciting and easy to many of us, but it’s no joke. An actor has to deal with everything in a very professional and organized way to shine in this industry. Like any other corporate job, acting also requires training, practice, knowledge and skills. Let’s explore how a young actor can take her first step into this industry and prepare themselves for movie extra auditions in the US.
Why are Movie Extra Auditions are the first challenge for a newcomer?
None becomes a showbiz star overnight; working as an extra will add value to your profile. The experience you gain from such unimportant roles will help you grow up and turn you into a mature, skilled actor; to be more precise – a movie star. It’s just your first step into the industry, so you must pay attention while preparing yourself for the first audition (even as an extra) ever.
5 tips for the newcomer-actors: how to impress the director and grab the role at the first audition
- Be an early bird: You must reach at the location or movie set earlier. Your enthusiasm will certainly get noticed by the director himself, co-directors or assistant directors. A good first impression will certainly help you get a suitable role. This will also reflect your sense of responsibility and professionalism.
- Dress-up like a professional: You may think that some fancy dress will help you enter into the industry as it’s all about entertaining others. But, dressing sense clarifies how serious you are about your acting career. Dress yourself up properly, just like a corporate professional. Your appearance is certainly a very important factor.
- Put up a smile: As it’s your first audition, you may get nervous. But this could spoil everything; so just calm down and put a relaxed smile on your face. This will help you improve the performance on stage. Your relaxed attitude will definitely help your co-actors as well. Your natural movements and acting performance can only get you through a successful movie audition.
- Do some research on the script/storyline: It’s always important to have a look at the storyline of the movie before you attend an audition. This will help you explore the roles, do a formative assessment about the potential extra characters you could play. Your knowledge will certainly drag the focus on you. So take some time, research on the script if possible; or you can go through the story to have an overall idea about the sequences.
- Finally, it’s something about the performance itself. You have to concentrate on delivering a dialogue, acting naturally and adopt the flow of the movie-script carefully. Forgetting about the audition-stuff could be an effective technique to relieve the stress and nervousness. Staying cool and calm is the biggest challenge for a newcomer-actor. You may practice meditations if necessary. Concentrate on your work, just like you do other tasks. Be what you actually are! Your comfort and spontaneous participation will work like a magic and you’ll get a kick-start in acting career.
The tips discussed here are collected from some famous movie directors and successful actors. Following these tactics will help you act smarter and better. While attending an interview, don’t forget to bring your headshots, and a well-organized portfolio. If you’re serious about your acting career, you will gradually learn the ins and outs yourself.