Resources
Working Actor Taped Audition (Year One)
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9 – 12 Years
Recommended For Working Actor Students
Resources to continue learning for young Working Actor Taped Audition (Year One) actors and their parents.
Check out these general resources, then scroll down to find more recommendations broken down by monthly topic!
Parenting in the Spotlight: How to raise a child star without screwing them up
By Denise Simon
When your child wants to become an actor, you may be thrilled and a little scared. The entertainment industry can be confusing and overwhelming. How do you know when to hire an agent and a manager or what kind of clothing should be worn to auditions? What about taxes, school, and helping your child cope with rejection? What’s the best way to ensure that your child actor has a successful experience and doesn’t end up in the tabloids? Denise Simon has spent 30 years as an Acting Coach, Personal Talent Manager, and Director, specializing in child actors. She’s worked with some of the best and brightest young actors in television, film, commercials and on Broadway. In this book, Simon shares not only the practical how-to information all parents need but more than 75 valuable life lessons that acting will give your child.
The Hollywood Parents Guide: Your Roadmap to Pursuing Your Child’s Dream
By Bonnie J Wallace
Written by the mother of Disney star, Dove Cameron. Accurate, experience-tested information on every step needed to give your child the best possible opportunity to make it in Hollywood. Inspiration. Resources to help you on your own journey, and even help you decide if this dream is right for you and your family to pursue at all.
By Diana Ivelis Cherubin Wolfe
Do you have a talented child that everyone says is made for television but you’ve hit a brick wall in helping them break into show business? Well this book will outline everything you need to know and do to successfully navigate the Entertainment Industry. No matter where you live, there are steps you can take to get your child’s professional acting career started today!
By Harriet Greenspan
Top Hollywood Casting Director Harriet Greenspan helps demystify the casting process for young actors and their parents, guiding them on their journey to book roles in television, movies and theater. Harriet Greenspan casts projects for all the major cable youth networks including Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel, The Hub and The Cartoon Networks.
Does my child have what it takes to make it as an actor in Hollywood?
That is the most common common question asked of Hollywood acting coach Diane Christiansen by parents of young actors.
Audrey Helps Actors is exactly what it sounds like! Every episode Audrey invites someone from the business to chat about everything from advice for auditions and getting a new agent, to the nitty gritty of exploring different markets and information about how you can better use your union.
Dana Bowling a Casting Director, Audition Coach, Career Consultant and Mom dedicated to helping young actors and their parents find their way through this confusing yet exciting business! Join her as she speaks with all kinds of people who have gone through this journey just like you, as well as other experts in this small world of “Hollywood”
Great information geared towards the family of young actors
HMB is a blog directed to parents of professional and aspiring young actors. The blog offers guides to aid parents in their children’s career as well as casting call notices
For parents who want to raise a child actor in a happy, successful, and balanced manner
Hosted by the mom of Disney star, Dove Cameron, Bonnie J Wallace walks parents through her journey of successfully taking a child actor from Hometown to Hollywood (Both a blog AND a podcast!)
Twitter:
- Tammy Smith Casting- Tammy Smith casts background roles for huge films that shoot in the Atlanta area like “Black Panther,” “Sully,” and “Jumanji.” Plus, she lets actors know of any last-minute need for background actors in the Atlanta area
- Central Casting–The official account of Central Casting, the leading background casting company in the United States. Est. in Hollywood in 1925.
- Arvold– offices in North Carolina and Atlanta, arvold. has helped cast huge projects in the southeastern United States like “House of Cards,” “Loving,” and “Lincoln.”
- Chase Paris
- TaraFeldsteinBennett
Instagram:
- Beyond Acting
- Rhavynn
- **Actor Minute Mondays by Rhavynn Drummer
- The Casting Directors Cut
- Atlanta Actors Collective
Facebook:
Tik Tok:
Class Resources
Ready to dive deeper into your TAS curriculum? These supplemental resources are intended to give you a deeper understanding and more well rounded view of your TAS education. While these are not meant to replace your TAS classes, they are provided to enhance what you are learning in class.
**All resources are from 3rd party sources which are clearly listed. Any questions about the material can be directed to your TAS acting coach. TAS does not endorse the people or products in the articles, and suggest that students use discretion in their studies.
Month 1: Rules of the Taped Audition
Slating Resources:
- How To Slate in an Audition (Backstage.com)
- How to Create Your Kid’s Slate at Home (Kids Casting Academy)
Self Taping Resources:
- Self-Tapes Are Here to Stay (Routledge)
- How to Self-Tape Your Child’s Acting Audition (Kids Casting Academy)
- A Casting Director’s 12 Rules for the Perfect Self-Tape (Backstage.com)
- How to Prepare for an Acting Audition (City Academy) **More resources on audition can be found in the Working Year One Resource Center, but this article is a good overview.
Memorization Resources:
- 6 Useful Tips to Help Your Child Memorize His / Her Lines (Young Actors Camp)
- 4 Tips To Help Kids Memorize Monologues (Backstage.com)
- 8 Simple Tips for Memorizing Lines for Kids (Kids Casting Academy)
- Do’s and don’ts to boost your child’s memory (British Council) ***Not related to acting, but it’s about how to boost a child’s memory in general
Relaxation Resources:
- Balanced Lifestyle Habits for Child Actors (Backstage.com)
- How to Lower Stress for Actors & Child Actors (Kids Top Hollywood Acting Coach)
- Mindfulness for Kids: 12 Calming Exercises to Teach Your Child (Connecticut Children’s)***Not related to acting, but about building mindfulness in your child, which can impact their acting
How to Self-Tape Child Actor Auditions
(Video: Youtube) Backstage
How to Slate for On Camera Acting Auditions (video acting lesson for kids and teens)
(Video:Youtube) 3-2-1 Acting Studios
Acting Tips For When A Casting Director Says “Tell Me About Yourself”
(Video: Youtube) Tips on Acting
(Video: Youtube) Conscious Discipline
Try and get a stellar self tape setup, and practice doing slates for the camera that look and feel natural. You can add a hint of the character if you’d like, but confidence and knowing the order of what you need to say is key!
A resource by Drama Notebook. This open scene can be used for practicing scene analysis, cold read, and/or memorization practice
50 Calm Down Ideas for Kids of All Ages
An article by Go Zen
Month 2: Eyelines, Movement, and Props
Eyeline Resources:
- One Easy-to-Fix Mistake You Make During Self-Taping (Eyelines) (Backstage.com)
- Film 101: What Are Eyelines? How to Use Eyeline Match to Tell a Story and Drive a Narrative (MasterClass)
- 4 Ways To Act With Your Eyes in a Close-Up(Backstage.com)
- The 180 Degree Rule, Looking Space and Eyeline Match(LearnAboutFilm)
Movement Resources:
- Why On-Camera Actors Need to Know Coverage – Video(Kids Top Hollywood Acting Coach)
- Why Movement Is Important for Acting (Stagemilk)
Props Resources:
- Prop Etiquette (Actor Hub) ***Not about film, but still very good on-set etiquette when it comes to props!
- What is the purpose of prop and set design?(AllAboutCareers.com)
- The Right Way for Child Actors to Work with a Film Crew (Backstage.com) ***Mentions props among other on-set etiquette protocols for young actors.
9 On-Set Tips for Kids and Parents
An article by Backstage.com
Using Props: Video Acting Lesson for Commercial Acting
Article and video by Kids Top Hollywood Acting Coach
How to Act in an Audition With Props
(Video:Youtube) Acting Career Center
Audition Tips for Actors – Eyelines & Setting The Scene
(Video: Youtube) Actor Playbook
7 Unique Acting Games for Kids: Fun, Easy, Valuable
An article by Kids Casting Academy
Improv Commercials:
Practice improvising commercial scenes while using props! You can record these or just practice in the mirror. Remember that you should only use props if they’re going to add value to your audition, which they definitely can in a commercial audition! **Focus on your movements, and make sure that you use them intentionally within the frame
Practice Scenes
Grab a scene from a show, movie, or play, and practice self-taping with a reader (Parent). Experiment with different eyelines, looking at either your actual reader or some type of mark in the room to signify the other person. See how different eyelines (based on the script scenario) change the look of the audition, and decide where you think it is generally best for you to place your eyeline. ***Remember to NOT look into the camera, and that casting wants to see your WHOLE FACE in your audition! (For more information- check out the articles and video from this month’s section). **Focus on your movements, and make sure that you use them intentionally within the frame
Month 3: Atmosphere, Setting, and Reactions
An article by Drama 4 Kids (with video by 3-2-1 Studios)
How Young Actors Can Play Emotional Scenes
An article by Backstage.com
6 Secret Kid Acting Tips That Shouldn’t Be
An article by Backstage.com
An article by The Drama Teacher
***Students may use these dramatic elements to determine the atmosphere and the tone of a project
The Power of Listening and Reacting: Actors Listen Up!
(Video: Youtube) Kids Top Hollywood Acting Studio
(Video: Youtube) The Actor’s Scene
The Chronicles of Narnia: Edmund and the White Witch
(Video: Youtube) Captain Darrow
***Notice the various reactions that Edmund (boy) has toward the queen and the situation
The Chronicles of Narnia: Lucy Discovers Narnia
(Video: Youtube) Prince Caspian
***Notice how Lucy takes in her new surroundings. The young actress had to use expression to react to her setting.
Open Scenes for Acting Practice
An article by Liveabout Dot Com
These practice scene can be used to practice script analysis, cold read, and memorization skills.
Help your child decide Who they are, Who they are talking to, Where they are, Goals, Obstacles, Moment before, and Moment after
10 Theatre Games and Warm-Up Exercises for Kids!
An article by Stage Agent
***Exercises to practice acting to bring locational awareness.
Setting Exercise
- Keep a journal detailing the many places you travel to throughout the week. Don’t just write down the place, but keep track of as many details about the location as you can. Was it loud or quiet? Busy or calm? Formal or casual? Did it make you feel at ease or on edge? Conspicuous or hidden? Even within your own home: How do you react to being in your kitchen? Bedroom? Office? Sitting Room? Front porch. Notice your reactions and demeanor, and notice the many various ways that you approach different settings.
Month 4: Speech and Habits
10 Habits That Can Improve a Young Actor’s Career
An article by Backstage.com
10 Top Industry Tips on Voice Training for Actors
An article by City Academy.
***Though this article was written for an older audience, all of the advice is applicable and important for young actors
Taking Care of the Actor’s Voice
An article by Pioneer Drama Services
How to Get Kids to Project Their Voices
An article by Healthfully
How to Become a Voice Actor as a Kid
An article by Kids Casting
4 Voice Exercises for Child Actors
An article by Backstage.com
How Actors Train Their Voices For Animated Movies | Movies Insider
(Video: Youtube) Insider
Voice Warm-Ups for Actors | Christi Bovee | The Voice Love Co.
(Video: Youtube) The Voice Love Co.
How To Create 100 Distinctly Different Voices
(Video: Youtube) Improve Your Voice
***PARENT WARNING: This video is over 14 minutes long with minor language in the last 30 seconds. To avoid this, turn off the video at 13:30.
Don’t worry about trying to master over 100 voices, but follow the speaker’s tips and see if you break out of your vocal comfort zone
50 Tongue Twisters to Improve Pronunciation
An article by Eng Vid
An article by Australian International Academy
An article by BYU Theatre Education
5 Things Actors Should Do Every Day to Succeed
An article by On Location Education
Month 5: Genres and Mediums
And Nonverbal Communication Resources
A Guide to the Basic Film Genres
An article by Premium Beat
*Refers to all kinds of movies. Read with Discretion
The Difference Between Film and Television Credits
An article by Kid’s Top Hollywood Acting Coach
Nonverbal Communication and Body Language
An article by HelpGuide
Genre Research:
Watch two movies from very different genres. For example, a Romantic Comedy and a Western. See how the actors act differently based on their genre. Are there any scenes where either type of actor would fit into the scene? For example, if there’s a romantic scene in a Western maybe the acting is similar in execution to the romantic scenes in the Romantic Comedy. Pay attention to how the acting in each genre is different.
Gestures List.
How do we communicate without words? What are some common gestures? Come up with as many ways of nonverbal communication as you can in 1 minute (eg: shrug, hands on hips, finger to lips, shake head, nod head, make a face, smile, wink). Notice how many of these gestures are used around you in everyday conversations. How can this knowledge be applied to your acting?
Month 6: Under 5 & Two Take Auditions
And Research Resources
An article by Casting Frontier
5 Steps You Should Take to Prepare for an Audition
An article by Backstage.com
How to Prepare for an Acting Role
An article by Cindy Tanas Acting Studio
Audition Tips from Tony Award Nominees
(Video: Youtube) Amanda Guzman
What Do Casting Directors Look For in an Audition?
(Video: Youtube) Backstage
Monologue Adaption: Choose a character from a favorite book or a monologue you already know well.
Using a separate monologue or script, or using the character’s story to create a monologue, perform the new piece as your chosen character Even something as simple as creating a monologue so that you are now The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle) is going to change your objective, your physicality, and maybe even the way you talk! It sounds silly, but give it a try!
Audition Research: Browse for auditions on your own, and really dive into who is working on this project. Look up writers, directors, casting, and even producers on IMDB. What can you watch/familiarize yourself with to better understand what they might be looking for with these audition postings?
Month 7: Character Research
How to Prepare for an Acting Audition
An article by Actors Fast Track
What to Expect at a Film or TV Audition
An article by Stagemilk
Character Building and What Makes a Truly Great Character
An article by The Guardian
Bryan Cranston’s Advice to Aspiring Actors
(Video: Youtube) Oscars
How to Create a Character with Samuel L Jackson
(Video: Youtube) MasterClass
Character Building:
Build a character from the ground up using the article from The Guardian (Link HERE) as a reference for what questions to ask. Make BOLD choices!
Script Practice:
Grab a sample script from the internet, adapt your character prep as needed to fit in with the piece, and rehearse the scene as the character that you have built!
Month 8: Casting Directors of the Southeast
9 Atlanta Casting Directors to Follow on Twitter
An article by Backstage.com
5 Atlanta Casting Directors You Should Know
An article by Stagemilk
Interview with Emmy Award Winning Casting Director, Chase Paris
An article by Daniel Johnson
Interview with Casting Director Jordan Blair Brown
(Video: Youtube) Acting Career Center
***Minor Content Warning. Watch with discretion.
Rhavynn Drummer on Good Day Atlanta
(Video: Youtube) Fox Five Atlanta
Do your homework! Look into who is casting for the shows and movies that you love. What can you find out about their body of work through IMDB or other sources? Do they have a website? If so, check it out!
Research: See if there are any interviews of Southeastern Casting Directors online or if you can find any tips they’ve released that help you know what their pet peeves are, what they look for while casting, etc.
13 Years and Older
Resources for Working Actor Students
Resources to continue learning for Working Actor Taped Audition (Year One) Students.
Check out these general resources, then scroll down to find more recommendations broken down by monthly topic!
By Jen Rudin
Confessions of a Casting Director is a must-have for any aspiring actor or stage parent—the definitive guide to breaking into film, television, theater, and even YouTube from longtime casting director and studio executive Jen Rudin. Packed with information that aspiring actors want, her up-to-the-minute expert advice is essential for anyone pursuing an acting career.
The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide
By Jenna Fischer
Jenna Fischer’s Hollywood journey began at the age of 22 when she moved to Los Angeles from her hometown of St. Louis. With a theater degree in hand, she was determined, she was confident, she was ready to work hard. So, what could go wrong? Uh, basically everything. Learn from her journey in this witty and informative book.
How To Audition On Camera: A Hollywood Insider’s Guide for Actors
By Sharon Bialy
To win a role in a movie or on network or cable TV, you must make a strong first impression in your brief, crucial audition―and the first person you have to impress is the casting director.
In How to Audition On Camera, Casting Director Sharon Bialy answers the twenty-five questions actors ask most frequently about how to nail an audition. What is the casting director looking for? If you mess up, can you start over? What is the most common mistake experienced actors make? Should you audition off book or can you look at the page? Should you dress in character? How much can you improvise? Actors―both novice and professional―are often misled by myths and outdated prescriptions. This guide replaces such misinformation with concise and accurate advice from someone who is in the room helping to make the decision on who gets the job. Bialy gets readers started immediately on the road to screen acting success.
By Brian O’Neil
Since its original publication, Acting as a Business has earned a reputation as an indispensable tool for working and aspiring actors. Avoiding the usual advice about persistence and luck, Brian O’Neil provides clear-cut guidelines that will give actors a solid knowledge of the business behind their art. It’s packed with practical information—on everything from what to say in a cover letter to where to stand when performing in an agent’s office—including:
— Tactics for getting an agent, including preparing for the interview
— How to research who will be casting what—and whether there is a role for you—well in advance
— Examples of correspondence to agents and casting directors for both beginning and advanced professionals
— A detailed analysis of the current trend of paying to meet industry personnel
— How to communicate effectively with an agent or personal manager
— Creative ways to use the internet and social media
O’Neil has updated Acting as a Business to keep up with the latest show-business trends, making this fifth edition a reference no actor should be without
6 Essential Podcasts for Actors
An article by Podcast Review
Welcome to The Actors Lounge Podcast, where actors share their stories including the challenges, successes and lessons learned along the way!
Dana Bowling is a Casting Director, Audition Coach, Career Consultant and Mom dedicated to helping young actors find their way through this confusing yet exciting business!
Audrey Helps Actors is exactly what it sounds like! Every episode Audrey invites someone from the business to chat about everything from advice for auditions and getting a new agent, to the nitty gritty of exploring different markets and information about how you can better use your union.
Great articles for working actors.
A blog for new working actors and for veteran actors alike
Facebook:
- Casting Directors For Actors
- Atlanta Georgia Casting Calls & Auditions for Film/TV Actors & Actresses
- Casting directors for Actors and Actresses
- Actors and Filmmakers Collective (Cali)
- Amy Jo Berman
Twitter:
Instagram:
Tik Tok:
Class Resources
Ready to dive deeper into your TAS curriculum? These supplemental resources are intended to give you a deeper understanding and more well rounded view of your TAS education. While these are not meant to replace your TAS classes, they are provided to enhance what you are learning in class.
**All resources are from 3rd party sources which are clearly listed. Any questions about the material can be directed to your TAS acting coach. TAS does not endorse the people or products in the articles, and suggest that students use discretion in their studies.
Month 1: Rules of Taped Auditions
Self Taping Resources:
- A Casting Director’s 12 Rules for the Perfect Self-Tape (Backstage.com)
- Self-Taped Auditions & 8 Tips on How To Do a Self-Tape at Home (Acting in London)
- Self-Tapes Are Here to Stay (Routledge)
Memorization Resources:
- 6 Simple Tips for Memorizing Lines (New York Film Academy)
- How to Memorize Lines: 8 Fast Methods and Tips (Daily Actor)
- How to Improve Your Memory (HelpGuide.org)
Relaxation Resources:
SELF TAPE AUDITION EXAMPLE | What they should look like + how to self tape like a BOSS
(Video: Youtube) Kat Elizabeth – Personal Branding Coach
How to Self Tape on Any Budget
(Video: Youtube) Will Westwater
How To Stand Out in Acting Auditions | Casting Director Tips
(Video: Youtube) Backstage
Audition Tip: How to Answer the DREADED “Tell Me About Yourself”
(Video: Youtube) The Acting Career Center
Jim Parsons on Memorizing His Lines
(Video: Youtube.com) learnwithvideos by Carlos Gontow
Hollywood Actor’s Secret for Relaxing
(Video: Youtube) Freedom Fast Track
**Check out this actor’s very unique and highly unusual tip for relaxing at auditions.
Why We Need RELAXATION – Acting Tips with David Strasberg
(Video: Youtube) West Hollywood Lee Strasberg
**Minor language warning
13 Brain Exercises to Help Keep You Mentally Sharp
An article by Healthline
8 habits to live by for actors
An article by Stagemilk
Relaxation Techniques for Actors
An article by Vocal Zone
Month 2: Eyelines, Movement, Props
Eyeline
- Film 101: What Are Eyelines? How to Use Eyeline Match to Tell a Story and Drive a Narrative(An article by Masterclass)
- 4 Ways to Act with Your Eyes in a Closeup (Backstage.com)
Movement:
- The 180 Degree Rule, Looking Space and Eyeline Match (Learn about Film)
- Acting: What do I do with my hands? (Acting Coach Scotland)
An article by Screen Actors Workshop
Props: How Commercial Actors Hold Their Products
(Video: Youtube) Top Hollywood Acting Coach
(Article and Video by Casting Frontier)
An article by BYU Theatre Education
**Written for a classroom setting, but can easily be done at home
8 Body Language Tips for Actors
An article by LA Acting Studios
Nonverbal Communication Exercises for the Drama Class
An article by Theatre Folk
**Written for a classroom setting, but can easily be done at home with a friend
Month 3: Atmosphere, Settings, Reaction
A Casting Director Offers 5 Tips for Getting into Character
An article by Backstage.com
An article by Backstage.com
8 Forms of Nonverbal Communication Actors Must Master
An article by Backstage.com
***For more articles on Setting, Moment Before/After, and other Scene Analysis Resources, check out the Working Actor Year One Resource Center.
Setting Ideas for Improv Acting and Comedy Sketches
An article by Thought Co
**An article about Setting within Improv Scenes. Can also be used as a creative guide for script analysis practice with Open Scenes (See Exercises)
(Video: Youtube) The Actor’s Scene
Using Atmosphere in Your Acting: 10 Minute Acting Class
(Video: Youtube) The Inspired Actor
(Video: Youtube) Movie Clips
**Watch how Michael Caine’s reaction to what is happening tells a story
(Video: Youtube) boierulmintii79
**Clip from the movie, Monster in Law, where both characters have strong, but natural reactions. ***Content Warning.
(Video: Youtube) Elsa Anna Arendelle
**Watch the mother’s nonverbal reactions
(Video: Youtube) Sarah Gaston
Open Scenes for Acting Practice
A resource by West Linn-Wilsonville School District
**These are very short generic scenes to practice your script analysis and reactions. Work with a partner and use a recording device to make the most out of your practice time.
Setting Exercise
- Keep a journal detailing the many places you travel to throughout the week. Don’t just write down the place, but keep track of as many details about the location as you can. Was it loud or quiet? Busy or calm? Formal or casual? Did it make you feel at ease or on edge? Conspicuous or hidden? Even within your own home: How do you react to being in your kitchen? Bedroom? Office? Sitting Room? Front porch. Notice your reactions and demeanor, and notice the many various ways that you approach different settings.
Month 4: Speech and Habits
An article by Backstage.com
An article by New York Film Academy
8 Vocal Health Tips for Actors and Singers
An article by Backstage.com
Acting Advice: How To Act Natural In 3 Easy Steps
An article by Direct Submit
The Art of Balancing a Career and a Personal Life
An article by Backstage.com
How Actors Train Their Voices For Animated Movies | Movies Insider
(Video: Youtube) Insider
Voice Warm-Ups for Actors | Christi Bovee | The Voice Love Co.
(Video: Youtube) The Voice Love Co.
How To Create 100 Distinctly Different Voices
(Video: Youtube) Improve Your Voice
***Don’t worry about trying to master 100 voices, but follow the speaker’s tips and see if you break out of your vocal comfort zone
11 Articulation Exercises for Actors: Practice Breath Control and Tongue Twisters
An article by Masterclass
50 Tongue Twisters to improve pronunciation
An article by Eng Vid
Five Tips to Keep Your Voice Healthy
An article by MajoringinMusic.com
Month 5: Genres, Guest Star/Co Star, & Nonverbal Expression
The Conclusive TV & Movie Genres List
An article by No Film School
The Difference Between Film and Television Credits
An article by Top Hollywood Acting Coach
8 Forms of Nonverbal Communication Actors Must Master
An article by Backstage.com
Acting Tips: Non-Verbal Acting
(Video: Youtube) An Actors Playhouse
Kate Flannery: Non-Verbal Acting Tips
(Video: Youtube) Comic Cure
An article by Daily Actor
Rework your resume using the Top Hollywood Acting Coach Article (Found under Articles Tab) to make sure that your film and television work is labeled properly! Here’s another resource to double check your resume organization.
Practice Alone
Improve the understanding of your own non-verbal behavior by observing yourself in a mirror. Practice a forth-coming speech, recreate your part in a recent conversation or watch as you talk on the telephone. Notice how your face and body convey your emotions. Check whether you gesture aggressively by finger-pointing or rolling your eyes. Monitor the pitch and volume of your voice. Repeat the exercise using different non-verbal behaviors.
Consider Animals
Put in some practice with a domestic pet, using facial expressions, gestures and eye-movements to indicate whether you plan to feed him or take him for a walk. Notice whether you achieve the correct response. If your pet becomes confused, you may be offering mixed messages. Many animals are skilled in non-verbal communication. You can elicit a wide variety of emotions and actions in a horse without using words. For example, changes to your stance and facial expressions can cause a horse to back away in fear.
***Exercise Suggestions from an article by Healthfully. Read it HERE.
Month 6: Research
An article by Georgia.org
An article by AtlantaFi
***This is a great resource to see what is currently casting in Atlanta with information about plots, actors working on the projects, as well as who is on the production side of things! Whether or not you utilize the casting calls section of the site, it’s a great place to see what shows and movies are still casting so that you can look them up on actors access, backstage, or whatever platforms you and your representation use.
An article by Georgia Entertainment News
Researching a Role with Actor Jesse Eisenberg
(Video: Youtube) The NSLS
What Actors Should be Doing the Night Before Their Audition
(Video: Youtube) Acting Resource Guru
Check out this article by Backstage.com, and be sure to follow the recommended casting professionals.
Local Research
Watch at least 2 episodes of an Atlanta-based show (or show filmed near your area, if you aren’t in GA). Try your best to watch a couple of episodes of each show you think that you have a shot at being cast in! This way, when you find yourself auditioning for a local show, you’re familiar with the plot, characters, and you know the style of acting that production is looking for!
Month 7: Research (Cont) & Breathing Exercises
An article by Casting Frontier
9 Simple Steps To Prep For Every Acting Audition
An article by My Actor Guide
An article by Spacious Acting
***Written for theatre, but applicable for film.
How to Prepare for an Acting Audition
An article by Actors Fast Track
Voiceover Exercises for Breath Control
(Video: Youtube) Susan Berkley
(Video: Youtube) National Theatre
Podcasts
Listen to at least 2 podcasts or interviews from creators in the area. Look at your favorite shows and movies filming in Atlanta and see who you’d like to hear an interview from. Maybe you love Tyler Perry films and want to hear more about his process, or you love Stranger Things and want to find an interview with the Duffer brothers!
An article by Theatre Folk
Voice is the most important instrument for an actor. Take any great actor, you will realize how they use their voice for great effect. It’s not just the quality of the voice, but how they modulate it to convey the emotions.
There is no factor that affects your voice as much as breathing does. Even doctors acknowledge that by correcting the breathing process, most of the speaking inabilities can be corrected.
So, how do you master the breathing process? Follow this direction:
- Lie down on the floor on your back and keep one hand on your stomach.
- The first thing you must do is to breath only through your nose and not through the mouth.
- Inhale until you can feel your stomach rising. Try to inhale as much as possible.
- Exhale slowly not forcefully with “hmmm” sound.
- Repeat the steps again.
Simply by mastering this process, you will be able to improve the quality of your voice.
Month 8: Creative Choices
Props & Casting Director
How To Make Bold Audition Choices from a Casting Director
An article by Backstage.com
Making Great Choices in Acting
An article by Backstage.com
How to Use Props for Acting Auditions
An article by Our Deer
Casting Directors of the Southeast Handout
Casting Director Notes Handouts
Making Strong Choices in Acting
(Video: Youtube) Acting with Keira
Acting Tip: Make Unique Choices as an Actor
(Video: Youtube) Intentional Acting
An article by Method Acting for Me.
Have you ever watched a scene where the actor does nothing but still keeps you hooked as an audience? By external appearance the actor may seem inactive, but he is active internally.
What do I mean by being active internally? It means thinking as your character.
You have to understand that you cannot hide anything from the audience or camera. Whatever you are thinking, it shows. You may think you are not showing much, but your body is too sensitive; it keeps on broadcasting your thoughts with your body language.
How many times have I seen actors showing their nervousness in the scene without them realizing it?
How many times can I easily see that the actor is trying to remember the next line, just by looking at their eyes?
Hence, it is important that you keep your thought process within the dimensions of the character. Even without any dialogues, the audience will know that you are still the character- and not you.
So this acting exercise (to do alone) will help you fine tune your thought process in any way you need. Follow this direction:
- Sit down on a chair comfortably.
- Now pick an objective from your real life. For helping you understand this exercise, I am asking you to pick objectives from real life. But if you are preparing for a play or film, you can pick the objective of your character.
- Now, ask yourself, What will happen if you do not achieve your objective? Lets say for example, you want to get an acting gig badly. If you don’t get it, you may go broke or may not able to pay your rent.
- Now ask a question on the consequence of not being able to achieve your objective. For this example, let’s say you won’t be able to pay your rent. So the consequent question you ask is, “What happens if you won’t be able to pay your rent?” You may be kicked out. Now go to the next consequent question, “If you are kicked out, what will happen?” You may have to move back to your parent’s house. If you move back to your parents, what happens then? Your parents may ask you to stop pursuing your acting career and ask you to take a real job. Now form a consequent question for that answer and so on.
All you have to do is keep thinking of the questions, and not try to act. Whatever you will be thinking, it will show in your body language or in your eyes. If you do this truthfully, you may even feel real emotions.
This exercise requires you to record yourself on a good quality camera. So that you can see, that was your body expressing your thoughts? If not, you were not really asking questions truthfully.
People required: One
Direction: It’s nothing but you have to sit in one place and try to discover objects out of space. Mind you this exercise requires knowledge of sense memory. You have to mime all the objects that you discover out of space. For example, you are sitting on a chair(you can take an actual chair, the rest are all imaginary made out of space ). Feel yourself there is a coffee table in front of you. Now you discover there is a coffee mug on it. You pick it up and drink it. Then you discover there is lighter in your pocket. You take it out and then you can discover there is a candle on the table, light the candle with your lighter. So, on and on. Try to discover as many as possible. But make sure it fits the location you are using. You cannot have a pressure cooker if you are drawing a bedroom as location or a laptop if you are in the bathroom.
Advantage of this exercise: This exercise will help you be aware of the props that are accessible to you during a scene. You will be able to create real life activities which would make the scene even more interesting. Again, the actor will be in the state of doing, hence he will be out of his head.
