tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post1008681985223149556..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: How to audition for pilotsBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-40561881148510542432018-02-14T12:06:18.925-08:002018-02-14T12:06:18.925-08:00Been on both sides of the camera, as have you, and...Been on both sides of the camera, as have you, and this is great advice for any actor. The process sometimes feels so mystical but being armed with information really takes much of the mystery out of it. My only addition to what you said would be to say that no matter what you do there will always be some A-hole directors and producers who talk or don't give you the respect you deserve. They forget that, at the point of the audition your job is not specifically acting, it's getting getting jobs. But no matter how rough it may be in that room and you're reading thinking 'they hate me', you could be dead wrong and they LOVE you... they're just a-holes. So do your job, read your sides, thank everyone and leave. Because what you do not want to do is alienate the casting person. Believe me, they know when they're working with A-holes and you're doing them a solid by being professional and keeping your cool.<br />Jonathan Starknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1748728484082758212018-02-12T09:34:01.554-08:002018-02-12T09:34:01.554-08:00I can't imagine why anybody auditioning for a ...I can't imagine why anybody auditioning for a role wouldn't leap at the opportunity to read a scene twice.<br /><br />Last year, my fiancee was auditioning for a play I assistant directed at my local community theatre. Her first reading was hilarious, but didn't suit the tone of the script as a whole. I think she realized partway through that it wasn't what the show needed, but she'd already settled into that character and changing mid-reading would've ruined the scene worse than a wonky interpretation. As soon as she was done, she asked to read it second time to try something else, and she gave an emotional, heartfelt performance. The best acting I've ever seen from her in an audition or otherwise, and in my (probably biased) opinion, the best audition for the role. It really astonished me just how much difference a second reading can make.<br /><br />In the world of theatre, every performance is a rehearsal for the next. I feel that's just as true of auditions, whether for plays, pilots, movies, or whatever. If there are really people who have a shot at a second reading and don't take it... just, wow. How could you possibly justify throwing away something that would improve your shot at the role so much?Covarrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05512077437345823232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3469080262880690992018-02-11T22:18:34.754-08:002018-02-11T22:18:34.754-08:00Some years ago (everything now is years ago), I au...Some years ago (everything now is years ago), I auditioned for pilot starring a verrry famous comedienne. The role was that of her son. Just as Ken advised, I came in, was polite, read the scene, said thank you and left. My efforts were successful enough to get a callback (second audition for the producers). The callback went very well, too, and I was quite excited about getting the job. <br /><br />Much to my disappointment, my agent called to tell me I was not going to get the role because the casting director said, "you were too Jewish." Thinking he was kidding, I quizzed him seriously for more information. With confidence, he laughed, repeated the casting director's words as being hers and said we'd get the next one. <br /><br />I called SAG to express my discomfort about being "too Jewish" or, except for fat or thin, too anything for that matter. SAG went ballistic. <br /> <br />Investigations into the casting director's practices were launched. She went ballistic; the studio she worked for went ballistic; my agent went ballistic, suggesting that it was he who used that language, not the casting director. I knew him quite well, and it was not something he would say. Maybe somebody said it to the casting director, but in my heart of hearts, I think it came from her. And it shouldn't have. <br /><br />My point is, no matter what you do in that dynamic audition moment, there are forces, agendas and prejudices in place you have zero control over. Ken's recipe for an audition frees you from doing anything but being the best you you've got. Regardless how anything you may be.Jeff Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708037522976667642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61507602673151801722018-02-11T20:33:28.302-08:002018-02-11T20:33:28.302-08:00I read examples of a couple of notable exceptions ...I read examples of a couple of notable exceptions to your rules. One was Estelle Getty (by far the least established of the original Golden Girls cast) showing up in character including full makeup. The second and more notable was Tim Reid complaining vocally about the character of Venus Flytrap. In the account I read, this pissed off all of the executives in the room with one important exception, Hugh Wilson, who had always planned to make the character deeper as the show progressed and saw all the criticism as a sign that he and Reid were on the same page.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14705408455380402571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-24859275290496548532018-02-11T15:23:11.710-08:002018-02-11T15:23:11.710-08:00I've seen a number of video auditions where th...I've seen a number of video auditions where the actor gives their name and the part they're auditioning for, poses for a full standing shot, and then reads from a scene or two (with someone offscreen reading other characters' lines if necessary). I wonder how many of these make it to an in-person casting.Liggienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-42146253165454729172018-02-11T14:48:50.295-08:002018-02-11T14:48:50.295-08:00My favorite audition story is of Jason Alexander, ...My favorite audition story is of Jason Alexander, who auditioned for Seinfeld thinking he had no chance of getting the role. So he relaxed, felt no pressure, and walked out thinking that was the end of it. He was certain they were going to hire Jerry's friend Larry Miller.<br /><br />Here's a brief interview where he describes it:<br />https://youtu.be/Woi_aKsv69A<br /><br />And speaking of Seinfeld, this clip of the auditions for the pilot within the show is very funny:<br />https://youtu.be/exp0B2qzQKwAndrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00466932184113943306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80827954006791905452018-02-11T12:22:56.191-08:002018-02-11T12:22:56.191-08:00Too bad you didn't have a blog twenty years ag...Too bad you didn't have a blog twenty years ago. I really could have used this advice THEN. <br />M.B.Mike Bloodworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04755626259169126800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53915576081744015862018-02-11T10:32:45.956-08:002018-02-11T10:32:45.956-08:00Auditions aren't just for actors. When I was t...Auditions aren't just for actors. When I was trying to help aspiring withers develop their scripts, I would read their material and set up a meeting near my apartment. We'd sit down with a couple of cups of coffee, and I'd ask, "What are you trying to do with this?"<br /><br />Usually I'd hear how the writer had come to LA, the Magic City, to make their Dreams Come True. The next most popular answer was that they'd had an unhappy childhood and wanted the emotional support of the artistic community. Sometimes I'd hear how they wanted to go back to their high school reunion and show all those conformist losers who'd tormented them that they hadn't settled for a dead-end 9-5 job but had taken the chance of breaking into Hollywood. <br /><br />To my horror, one guy (and bear in mind these were always people I'd just met) enthusiastically launched into a graphic account of all the famous actresses he intended to have sex with once he became a famous writer. Before I could stop him, he got far enough to indicate that he had even worked out the specific order of his conquests.<br /><br />Approximately ONCE the writer began talking about the SCRIPT he'd written. It's no coincidence that his work was the best I'd seen from a beginner, and that we were able to set up goals to reach with it while agreeing on problematic areas of the story that had to be fixed.<br /><br />I always felt slightly guilty about this practice. I didn't intend it as a trick question, but frankly it was very helpful to me in working with clients. Most of the time they either wanted some sort of personal validation or for me to encourage their fantasies, while I was just there to help them prepare a script for submission, not be a counselor or cheerleader. I haven't done it in a few years now because most clients weren't happy with what I was actually offering them. <br /><br />That's the same feeling I got reading about the audition process today (bet you were wondering when I'd get around to the actual subject). Wannabes think they're selling THEMSELVES.... their quirks, their problems, their needs. Potential employers are less interested in the fascinating details of the applicant's life than finding someone who can fit smoothly into the grinding process of bringing a film or TV show together on time. They don't need you to tell them how great you are or try to charm them. They're looking for someone to PLAY a character, not BE one. <br /><br />Generally, the slightly hysterical types trying so hard to push themselves are the ones who'll be trouble to deal with. If you ask them to change their work, they'll argue with you out of insecurity instead of adjusting. They have the idea that artistes must be pampered in order to get their invaluable work from them. Nobody has time to put up with these games, especially with the clock ticking. What you want to get across to an employer is that you've prepared for this job, have respect for everyone involved, and have something special to contribute to the group effort. If you can do that, you'll get all the validation you need, but for positive reasons, not neurotic needs. <br /> E. Yarbernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-51522687960635131562018-02-11T08:48:04.171-08:002018-02-11T08:48:04.171-08:00Did the guy who auditioned for Big Wave Dave's...Did the guy who auditioned for Big Wave Dave's have a big orange comb-over?Garynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20989277711440211602018-02-11T08:41:53.960-08:002018-02-11T08:41:53.960-08:00Coincidentally, I just listened to a Nerdist Write...Coincidentally, I just listened to a Nerdist Writers Panel which discussed casting. A casting director (whose name I forget) on the panel discussed the role of diversity in casting. Generally, this director did not present herself well, seeming to look at diversity concerns as a pain and complaining about how a show she worked on was told to hire a Latina instead of the white actress which the director thought was perfect for the part. She didn't identify the show or the role.<br /><br />So, I guess my Friday Question would be: What advice would you have for those making casting decisions? What do those who are casting now telling you about bringing in a greater variety of actors for roles?<br /><br />Thanks!Charles H. Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-46420808448821859002018-02-11T08:28:18.990-08:002018-02-11T08:28:18.990-08:00Great advice, Ken.Great advice, Ken.Roseannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08393487748949411049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3966220544444281522018-02-11T07:50:11.171-08:002018-02-11T07:50:11.171-08:00This all makes me think of all those great auditio...This all makes me think of all those great audition scenes at the beginning of TOOTSIE. "Is my acting interfering with your talking?" <br /><br />wg<br /><br />Wendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.com