Holding auditions

[Matty2phatty]

I just held an audition for a short film i'm working on, and i really couldn't get over how nervous the people are when i direct them on the stage.

I dunno if i'm really bad at making people feel comfortable, or if it's just the normal nerves people get auditioning for something...

What do you guys do to make people feel comfortable without losing your professionalism?

One thing i had the people do was to say a line while crying. I could visibly see peoples nerves go nuts as they approached the dreaded line.

Some were awesome at crying though, made me want to cry too heh [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

[emjen]

hmm, well, I try to take it as informal as possible. You need them as much as they need you. I'm only 20 years old, I'm not that serious but when the things actually get to the point where they have to audition I take them serious. I guess it's a nice balance of informality and formality.

[richard.fisher]

The auditions for our first film were a bit of sham. We were only auditioning for one part, and had four applicants. The first two we auditioned at my flat, which did little to put them at ease. Also we didn'tsound like we knew what we were doing (we didn't), and that can't of helped. After the failure of those auditions we decided to move our next two applicant's auditions to the pub. This made it much less formal, they were very relaxed, we knew who we would be able to get on well with, but had absolutely no idea about acting ability.

The auditions for our second film were n contrast a great success. We hired out a room in a central London conference centre (?105 for the weekend) and booked in applicants in 20 minute slots. This time we acted as professionally as we could. We sounded like we knew exactly what we were doing (we didn't) and this heped them relax, because they felt like they were in safe hands. You can be extermly friendly and open, but still come across as proffessional, and I think this is where you need to pitch yourself. At this early stage at least, the people you audition will still view you as a potential employer (allbeit one who probably isn't going to pay them). When they came in we offered them a glass of water, and all took a seat. We then spent 5 minutes discusing the script, what they liked, what they didn't etc. Then we would spend 5 minutes going through one or more of the scenes we had asked them to familarise themselves with. If it was going well we would then ask them to try one of the scenes which they hadn't been asked to prepare. The final 5 minutes would be wated showing people out, showing the next person in, paperwork etc.

As well as trying to get an idea of acting ability and suitability for different roles we made sure to think about other things that would be important. Had the person read the script, if not had they read the scene syou asked them to prepare. If they haven't done this what makes you think they'll know their lines when they turn up for shooting. Were they late (excusable), and if they were did they fail to ring ahead (unexcusable). Filming will always be delayed by the person who turns up last, so you need ALL of your cast to be punctual. Probably most importantly, can you bear to spend 18 hours a day for 2 weeks in this persons company, in incredibly stressful situations, because you will have to.

[taragolden]

I will tell people to run through the first time wrong. It seems to loosen people up and make everything that they do ok.
I can tell quite soon if the person has the charisma/energy/look that I am seeking. if so they are worth cultivating. I will work with them one on one at first spending time getting to know each other.
After i do have them run lines or improv, Ill ask for an adjustment.( lets do it as if you hadnt slept all night) and see how they accept direction.
I look for actors who have that magical ability to let the charactor INHABIT them. If they can do that I dont worry much about line readings.

[TJ_the_director]

If you're gonna pay them for the gig, their nervousness better disappear when you say "action" during the audition.

[img]cool.gif[/img]

[Matty2phatty]

you know i think the fact that i couldn't guarantee payment probably attracted a lower calibre of actor, so maybe that's why they had nerves... some had reasonably impressive resumes though.