As a director and producer, I just really hate castings. Some people make it seem worth it. Some people make me wonder if they are simply there on a dare.
FIRST of all, Know what you are auditioning for. Don't submit a resume and headshot, then be surprised when I email you and ask you to audition. DO NOT ask what job this is for OR where the location is. It WAS in the original ad. AND realize that when you tell me how much you love zombies and want to be in MY zombie film - you better be DAMN certain I'm casting a zombie film and not a Sting-like adult comedy OR you WILL be on THE list.
FIRST, Part two. Resumes and Headshots. Know who you worked with on previous jobs. Make sure the names are spelled correctly for the production company, role, director and film. Yes, people do actually screw all of this up. Also, We ALL KNOW that actors starting out pad their resume roles. Do NOT do it if you are auditioning for that same director/producer. Adapt you resume. Don't say you were a Featured actor when you were one of a crowd. ALSO, Your headshot probably sucks. Make sure your headshots look like you. Preferably have more than one headshot that may aid in seeing you in the role you're auditioning for. But whether you have a dozen variants or just 1 - make sure the resume looks like you. If I look at your headshot and don't remember you, you have already lost.
SECOND, Show up. I lived in NYS in the Blizzard of '98. The state was closed down with snow drifts of more than 10 feet in places. I made it the 20 miles to work. I've sliced my arm open to a 6" gash, I used Bounty and Duct Tape to stop the bleeding and get back to work. You either take pride in yourself and do whatever it takes or you don't... and you don't. If you are NOT in jail, a coma or dead I don't want to hear your excuse. You want it or you don't. Only you can decide that.
SECOND, Addendum. As a father I realize that things happen. Contact me AS-SOON-AS-POSSIBLE and let me know what's going on and give me your thoughts on options. Being proactive may keep you off THE list. In general, my memory sucks, but I remember everyone that has ever auditioned for me and 99% of the people that have ever sent in a headshot. So, a year later you may submit for something else- but I will remember that you said that you couldn't get there until 5p and then I waited and waited and you never showed up. To me, you ARE undependable.
SECOND, and Lastly... Provide a damn good excuse, preferrably an honest one. If you tell me you were having a stomach virus, exploding from both ends and I check your Facebook or Twitter and find you at the club, you're done. If I ask you to be involved with projects and you say no, that's fine. After a 2nd or 3rd time I will no longer ask. Let me know that you have better paying jobs and I'll respect that. Just say no and I'll think that you don't want to work with me and I'll delete your contact info.
THIRD, Dress. If you know something about the character you're auditioning for come dressed as that character OR come as yourself. Don't come dressed for the beach or like you've been living in your car for a month. PLEASE do not wear overly tight clothes if you don't have the body for it, or overly big clothes as that gives the impression that you are trying to hide something.
FOURTH, Know your lines. We don't usually provide sides in advance. But you are free to ask. Ask about character's motivations and backstory if it helps. Whatever helps you prepare for a role will impress me with the time and effort that you are willing to put in. Also, try to know your lines, without looking at the paper if possible. For me, we usually don't provide sides until the audition day. But we allow you to take as much time as you want. Show up at 11am take the sides and go rehearse until 4p, then come back and blow my ass away.
FIFTH, Make me like you. The core people on my team stay the same. We want to find cast and crew members that can work with us more than once. You need to have talent, but all things being nearly equal - I'm going with the talented likeable guy over the super-talented arrogant ass every time. If you can relate a connection between the character and your life that's a HUGE plus. "Wait, you were dating 5 women in school and they did what to you? You CAN relate to the script!!!"
SIXTH, Who am I? Know something about who you are auditioning for. In the world of Facebook, Twitter, the Internet and IMDb you should be able to learn everything about the company/people that you are auditioning for. When we ask you if you have any questions this is two-fold. 1st, Is there anything that is unclear? Ask now or I will assume that you know and understand everything 100%. 2nd, Did you look into who you were auditioning for? Even if you know EVERYTHING you should ask something, preferrably a thought provoking question, "You made 12 shorts plus music videos in the last year, how did you do that?"
SEVENTH, Say "Thank you". Twice. I've been in auditions where we thank the actor for coming and he/she just walks out. No matter how good the audition was, I'm left with a WTF? in my mind. Use Facebook or Twitter just to say "Thanks for the opportunity and I look forward to hearing from you." I always feel worse saying NO to someone that posts on Facebook or tweets as there heading out the door. And, I will remember you.
EIGHTH, Listen. When I tell you that I keep your audition on tape (well, digital) I will. I've called up people that I've liked but were not "perfect" for previous casts and offered roles without new auditions, or just a meet-and-greet.
These are my biggest issues. Be honest, likeable have talent and work hard and all will work itself out.
Don.
