subject: The Worst Mistakes Actors Make With Audition Tapes - Audition Techniques [print this page] Focusing on Developing a Deep Skill Set - Acting Classes in NYC
Acting classes in nyc focus on developing your skills as an actor, especially the foundational skills that are required to practice the craft. A solid auditioning technique is also paramount however and acting classes in nyc do not always include this in their curriculum. Audition tapes are becoming the norm, since the producers and agents can easily see if you are camera ready. There is no need for a professionally produced, expensive audition tape. Just borrow or rent a camera, enlist the help of an aspiring director friend and follow these simple rules.
First is lighting, because everyone has seen what a poor lighting job can do to someone's appearance. Poor lighting creates deep shadows in all the wrong places. Too much light an you look completely washed out. This is distracting and will take attention away from your performance. Lighting needs to be clean, and completely unnoticeable. Acting classes in nyc often include people who are experienced at producing tapes. Ask for help creating a simple diagram that outlines a lighting scheme.
Two or three small lights will do the trick. A light should be placed in front of the talent (you) one on either side, and far enough away to not cause shadows or hot spots. The background can lit using a third light. Some audition tapes have chosen to leave the background dark. While this can work you must be careful to that the overall feel of the tape is appropriate and not distracting. The all important next step is the white balance on the camera.
This reads the color temperatures of the combined light sources. Incandescent lights are yellow, daylight is very blue. If you set up lights near a window the camera must correct for that. A mix of light sources is possible but, the camera must be "balanced" to correct for these color differences. The white balance feature is used to make this correction quickly and automatically. A pure white card or sheet of paper needs to be placed in the middle of the lighting sources. If you do not use this feature the color will be completely off, especially your skin tones. You want good clean skin tones, eye color and hair color, so you must not forget this step.
Sound is another very important feature. Distracting static, muddy tones in your voice, are all ways to kill what might otherwise be a good audition tape. With so many good tapes to watch an audition with poor sound will be quickly rejected. Keep the mic as close to the talent as possible. Camera mounted mics might be convenient, are not the best choice, renting a Lavalier would be better. If you aren't being heard clearly you aren't able to communicate who you are as an actor or the character. Acting classes in nyc sometimes have ways to help with this.
Of course, content is truly what will set you apart from the other actors. Preparing for a live audition is slightly different than preparing for a taped one, of course. Coaches trained in Meisner acting techniques can help you prepare for those differences. An audition tape that is engaging, riveting, and fascinating is easier for actors that have studied Meisner acting. In Meisner acting nyc, a key thing to keep in mind is what is left "out." Trying to cram every emotion into a few minutes of an audition will seem false. The key to great acting is what you don't present, but leave simmering underneath. Doing your job as an actor is not presenting everything and making it easy for them, but drawing them in by making them think about the work.
If asked to present something specific, of course you must. More often, casting agents and producers ask for monologues not scenes. It makes sense to prepare something that involves your strengths. However, keep in mind that the best actors have developed strong skills in all of these genres and use it all. Audiences identify easily with a comic figure's dark moments, and like to laugh briefly to endure intense drama. Enlist the teachers of acting classes in nyc, or wherever you study, to review your practice tapes and incorporate their suggestions. The best audition tapes are those which have had input from lots of sources with the most constructive criticism incorporated.
