Choosing the right outfit will help you look and feel the part. It will help bring out confidence in your new persona that the outfit will emanate. When you wear an expensive outfit, it shows quality and prestige. Whereas wearing a T-shirt and jeans makes you look too casual and average. The first impression on how directors, agency execs and clients view you is very important and stems from what you choose to wear to an audition.

Tom Ford said it best: “Dressing well is a form of good manners.”

Here is some terminology that most casting directors use to describe the designated audition wardrobe.

Casual: Relaxed environment. Clothing made for socializing comfortably.

Upscale casual: Clothes that are comfortable enough to party in, yet super fashionable.

Outdoorsy: Anything from denim, wool, sweaters, jackets and jeans.

Formal: Tuxedoes for men and evening dresses for women.

Business: Suit and tie for men, pant suit or tailored dress for women.

Trendy: Must be up to date with the latest fashion trends as a casting director is looking for you to wear the latest fad in fashion.

Uniforms/Costumes: Policemen, nurses, doctors, priests, pilots, teacher, firemen etc. This is usually specified in the role your playing.

Work Clothing: Kind of like uniforms. Clothing associated with an occupation.

Sports Wear: Athletic attire i.e. jerseys.

Most of the time the camera will shoot you from the waist up, so put a lot of focus on that part of your wardrobe.

Choose jewel tones (emerald green, topaz, ruby red, sapphire blue, turquoise blue) and rich autumn colours except orange, yellow and gold as those colours dont flatter on TV.

Choose V necks as they are more flattering on camera. Turtle necks make clients wonder why you are hiding your neck and isnt flattering on camera.

Avoid busy patterns, stripes, bright colours, shiny jewelry and logos. They draw attention away from your face. Also, avoid wearing clothes that show too much skin or cleavage unless specific otherwise. It might send the wrong message or be too unflattering.

At the end of the day, you all know your body best and what works for you. These are just tips that can help but if you think something else has been working better for you, then by all means, keep doing it!

Stay tuned for what to wear to a casting call or Go-see for modelling!

Ladies, in this industry, its important to carry around a makeup bag for any occasion. Being prepared for any circumstance shows great organization skills. For example, if your MUA is late or unavailable, you can do yourself up the best you can with your own make up. Or if your MUA cant seem to find a match for your skin tone with foundation, you can just use your own. Or if you prefer to use your own make up you could certainly do that. Or if you need to do touch ups yourself etc. Usually, MUAs are professional and these instances are the very worst case scenario. Plus, MUAs like to use their own make up brand so you can show case it to the public and then people can ask where you got your make up done. Great publicity But like I said, its always good to be prepared.

So here are some essential items to have in your make up bag:

1. A gentle make up remover. (I recommend suggest facial wipes but cotton buds and tissues are good too)

2. Face moisturizer (make sure that your moisturizer isnt too oily. The oil shows during photo shoots and video shoots).

3. Make up brushes! Its good to have a kit of all the different brushes.

4. Lip moisturizer (blistex or vaseline is a good choice here), lip sticks and lip liners.

5. Contour, blushes, and concealers.

6. Eye shadow palettes. Make sure to have a variety of choices, from natural to smoky!

7. Natural foundations and primers. Its good to have eye primers and skin primers. Usually you can find foundations that have primers built into them already.

8. Suncreen. SPF is very important! But its hard to blend a very oily and creamy sunscreen with your make up so I recommend getting a foundation or face primer that includes a good amount of SPF in it. That way, itll blend and protect you at the same time.

9. Mascara, eye liner, fake lashes.

10. Nail polish. Usually, nails should be natural. But in the event that your nails should be painted, bring a nude colour and a bold colour like red. You never know.

The following arent make up items but they should be included in your make up bag:

11. Hair spray and dry shampoo.

12. Hair elastics, bobby pins, hair straightener and hair curler.

13. Tweezers and an eye brow brush.

These items are basics to start with, but if you have anything else you think is important and you wish to add, by all means go for it! The more the merrier.

Auditions are crucial for actors as it makes or breaks their careers. Here are a few tips to successfully impress a casting director so you can ace those auditions!

1. Be prepared!

– It is very important that you know what exactly your auditioning for. Know your monologue inside and out. Be one with your character. Also be prepared to perform any requested material from your casting director.

– Make sure that you fit the part. If the casting director is looking for a 60 year old, grumpy and intimidating grandma, dont show up if you happen to be all peppy and if you look young. Make sure you are exactly what they are looking for because they probably wont change the whole script just for you.

– That being said, make sure you have read and understood the guidelines of the audition. Adhere to them and you should be okay.

– Bring head shots and a resume. Even if they say they dont need one, bring one just in case. Its always better to be prepared and organized!

2. Be a Pro!

– Punctuality and reliability go hand in hand for casting directors. If you show up for your audition 15 minutes early, this already shows a great first impression!

– Be polite and be courteous. No casting director wants to cast a rude and arrogant diva, no  matter how talented you may be.

3. Dress to impress

– Do not wear costumes, sports wear or casual wear. Act as though this audition is a job interview. Dress business casual unless otherwise specified.

– Ladies, if your going to wear heels, make sure you can walk confidently in them. Make sure they dont hurt your feet.

These tips should help you impress any casting director! Good luck to all those auditioning for parts this week !