After weeks or months of searching for work as an actor, getting a call to come for an audition can seem like winning a marathon, but in fact you have only won your right to take your place on the starting blocks. The race is just beginning, and in the excitement, it’s important that you don’t stumble and fall in the first few steps.
The call telling you that you have an audition may come from a production company, a casting director, or your agent, but no matter who it is, there are ten questions you need to ask. Always have a pen and paper on hand to take notes, and - if in doubt - always have these ten crucial questions at the ready:
1) What are the dates of the job?
Whether it is a shoot for television or film, or a production run in a theatre, your first question, has to be, “When do they need me?” If you are not available for the job, you must - sadly - turn down the offer of the audition. Don’t accept the audition in order to get the chance to meet the director or casting director and give them the chance to see you. That would be a huge mistake. If you are not available to do the job, you mustn’t go to the audition. You will be wasting everyone’s time and the only impression you will make will be a bad one.
2) When is the audition?
In all the excitement, it can be easy to say, “Yes,“ before checking your other commitments. But ensure that the date and time of the audition doesn’t clash with any other appointments or work, and that you are free and available.
3) What is the location of the audition?
Take the details of the audition down carefully and accurately. Be clear about where it will take place not just the street address, but the building if it’s a large studio lot, or the room name or number. Be clear that you know how to get there and ask any questions if you’re not sure.
4) Who will you be meeting?
You need the name of the production company, the producers and the director of course, but it is also useful to ask the name of the writer. The more information you have, the more research you can do beforehand.
5) Who is the organiser or contact person for the audition?
The person who is in charge of scheduling and running the audition might be the director or producer’s assistant, or production or stage manager. It’s important to make sure that you have their name, job title, mobile telephone number in the event that something happens on the day of the audition that will cause you to be late, or to have to cancel.
6) What is the role that you are being considered for?
Try to get as much information as you can about the production, the story and the character you are up for.
7) Will you be expected to prepare an audition speech?
Find out if the producers will be expecting an audition speech from you. If they do, it’s important that you know how long they would like it to be and what style or type of speech they are looking for.
8) Will you be asked to read from the script?
Find out if you will have to read from the script, if you wear spectacles for reading then at least you’ll know to remember to take them! But also, if you will be asked to read from the script, you need to ascertain if they will be sending you the pages in advance. That way, if it doesn’t arrive, you will at least have time to let them know and do something about it.
9) Are there any special requirements?
Everyone lists their special talents on their CVs, but in the event that you may have embellished yours, find out in advance if you have to ride a motorbike, or walk a highwire, or juggle. In short, make sure you know if anything more than straightforward acting is involved and be sure that you are capable of doing it.
10) If the audition is a commercial, what is the product being advertised?
If you are allergic to animals, or peanuts or perfumes; or if you have any moral or philosophical objections to being associated with any types of products, then it is important that you find out all the details before wasting anyone’s time at an audition.
Once you have all this information, use it to your advantage. You'll arrive on time and at the right place, knowing who you will be speaking to and knowing what is expected of you. By finding out as much as you can about the part and the production company, you can feel more confident, assured and relaxed when the day of the audition comes.
Janice Hally - Janice Hally has written more than 300 broadcast hours of prime-time TV drama in the UK, as well as fiction and non-fiction books.
