Tips for the Actor

If the actor is managing his own business than he has to look after his own image just a prospective employee would when going to an interview. There are directors that will not take on an actor who is difficult to approach or does not have his demo in order. Here are ten things for the actor to consider and for the director to apply when casting for a film.

1. The actor should come to an audition with a head shot and resume even if that has been sent via email because there is always the likelihood that his material was not printed out prior to the interview
2. The actor should always have a monologue prepared in case he is asked to audition for a theater role. He should have looked at his sides if he has to audition for a film part. The English system in Canada does not require the actor to know his lines off by heart but it is common for French directors to expect actors to know their lines.
3. The actor should be polite and not inquisitive. He is not there to interview the director or producer who has a list of people to test.
4. The actor should not expect a call back just because he has come to the audition and a no call means that the actor has not been selected. If the actor represents himself he could call the production company and try to get some feedback within a reasonable amount of time.
5. The actor should be as relaxed as possible and adapt to the situation at hand. If asked to give a range of emotions then he should try to make then as distinct as possible one from the next.
6. The director will know whether the actor is inexperienced by looking into the camera lens, so the resume should reflect what the actor knows
7. Some roles may continue on indefinitely when a film is cast. It is up to the actor to keep in touch with the director to find when the next shooting date is, in order to be informed. The world would be to good a place to live if all directors informed actors spontaneously.
8. Actors might have to run after production companies for a video clip of their role. They should allow the company time for the product to be marketed and should supply an address where their demo can be mailed.
9. An actor who is versatile is more likely to get work. If he can sing and dance as well as act those are pluses and the director might value that. This information and other information, which would set him apart from the next, should be on the resume.
10. The resume should be updated at least once a year, the head shot can go unchanged for a little longer but the actor should keep in mind that a change of look should be a signal for him to have a new photo shoot or for him to have new pictures