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What Casting Directors are Looking For
You may encounter this phrase from casting directors more than once in your career: "I'll know what I want when I see it." One thing is for sure: They're not looking for a scene-stealer. They're not looking for a prima dona. Chances are, they want chemistry within their cast. They need to see that you're a team player, someone who listens, is respectful of others, and ultimately brings more to the team. Showing casting directors and fellow actors that you can work with them is far more valuable than showing them up.
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Acting Technique: The Vocal Warm-up
Part of any serious actor training involves training the voice to articulate and project. Here's a great exercise to get your pipes in tip-top shape for performance time.
Begin by standing up straight, knees unlocked. Breathe long and deeply. Exhale through your lips in a sigh.
Open your mouth very wide, and stick your tongue out. Then pull in pack in and purse your lips very small.
Next, blow air through your loosely closed lips so that they flap like a horse.
Stick your tongue out and move it in all four directions.
Then try a tongue-twister. You can find lots of tongue-twisters online, or ask your friends for their favorites.
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The Basic Acting Classes
Everybody has to start with the basics in acting class. Your first classes should teach you the basics of movement and voice. Learn how to hold your body for maximum breath control and healthy posture. Improv classes are also a wonderful way to learn to use your body effectively. When studying voice, practice projection, annunciation, and breathing. Basic classes will cover these skills. Once you have your instrument tuned, you should move onto scene study courses.
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Casting Calls
If you're wondering how to become an actress, one of the first things you'll need to aside from attending an acting school for training is to get used to the fact that you will have to attend a lot of auditions. Hundreds if not thousands of them. There are a number of types of auditions you may be going to, so it's best to get the jargon down right off the bat.
Casting Call: This is usually an open-ended audition for which you may or may not need to have an agent book you. In general, casting calls can go on all day and you may have a window of time during which you are called in to audition.
Cattle Call/Open Call: This is similar to a casting call, but is much looser in terms of how it's organized. You often do not need an agent to book you a slot. In fact, often there is no time slot for anyone; it's first come, first auditioned.
Casting Director Audition: This is generally a specific appointment set up by your agent, during which you will read for a specific director.
Callback: Once you've passed the first round of auditions, you may be called back to read again. Often, these auditions will involve you reading sides from the play or film rather than having you perform prepared material.
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Succeeding at a Casting Call
You're the only one who can make yourself look good in a casting call, so be proactive. Take note of the following advice: Show up on time. Be prepared for any readings that you have to do. Bring two copies of your resume/headshot package. Be very respectful to all of the people that you interact with, even other actors. Show that you can work professionally with the casting director and anyone else attached to the production. Follow up with a postcard or another small mailing the next day.
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Teaching Acting at the University Level
While an M.F.A. in acting is hardly a requirement for success as a performer, it's crucial if you hope to teach acting at the university level some day. Unfortunately, landing a spot as an M.F.A. candidate at a reputable acting university is as difficult as landing the lead in a movie. The competition is fierce, and only a handful of applicants are accepted each year. Improve your chances of success by following these tips:
Research the programs. Each program has its own requirements. Some accept only working actors. Others specialize in a particular technique or style. Make sure you apply to programs that are right for you.
Cost. An M.F.A. is expensive. Money is to be had, however. The trick is finding it. Look into loans and scholarships. And keep looking. As they say, when there's a will there's a way.
Consider the program's location. If you have to uproot yourself anyway to go to school, maybe now's the time to make that move to L.A. or New York.
The application. You'll need a resume, headshots, and letters of recommendation and/or a personal mission statement. You'll also need enough money to cover application fees.
The audition. This is the most important part of your application. Choose a monologue that showcases your talents, and rehearse, rehearse, rehearse! Perform for a few actor friends to get their feedback ahead of time.
There is no higher degree in acting than an M.F.A., so if a university teaching post is what you're after, then an M.F.A. is a smart move.
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Acting Jobs and Industry Connections
Keep in touch with the industry community. They will be your peers, your support group, and hopefully your connections to better acting gigs. Go to the plays of your friends and get to know the cast, crew, and any management. Watch new movies and television shows to see which way the industry is headed. If you like a show, find out who casts it. There are several seminars in larger cities you can attend and meet agents, casting directors and managers. Go to as many as you can to network and learn the names of important players in the film and/or theater community.
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Trying New Acting Classes
Choose acting courses that best suit your needs. You should be seeking acting training that will help you to develop your strengths and assuage your weaknesses. Don't be afraid to try new things. Every chance to add new and different skills and training to your repertoire is a good one; you may discover new strengths that you never knew you had. Take a look at classes that scare you or put you off. These are often the best indicators of where you need to improve, so why not dive into some acting classes in NYC?
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The Screen Actors Guild and Your Acting Career
If you want to be a film actor, membership to the Screen Actors Guild is critical to your career. Membership insures that you will receive the optimal wages, as well as payments from producers to your pension and health insurance accounts. As a member of the SAG, you will also be able to collect residual payments from your work. There are several ways to get into the union. Visit their website at www.sag.org for membership information.
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