Tag Archives: audition tips

Acting Tips, Auditions/Bookings, Insider tips, modelling tips

Max Agency’s Top 5 Tips for Nailing That Audition!

Max Agency is a successful Toronto talent agency, representing men, women and children. Max Agency is involved in providing actors, models and entertainers for the film, television, fashion and advertising industries as well as appearance in trade shows, promotions and special events.

With so many of our talent going out for auditions every day, we thought we would share a list of our Top 5 Tips for Nailing an Audition!

1. Always go to auditions

Just as the classic saying goes: “Practice Makes Perfect”. In order to get better at performing at auditions, you must actually attend them. The more auditions you go to, the more comfortable you will get with the process and the better you will perform. Do not believe that you will always get a booking after one audition (although it is possible and does happen). You should attend as many auditions as you can to build up your skills.

2. Show up on time

Casting directors work on a tight schedule and will not be pleased if they have to wait. Aim to be a little early in case you have to fill out any paperwork or in case you can get in early. If you absolutely know that you will not make it on time, be sure to let your agent know so they can pass it along. That way the casting people will be aware.

3. Dress appropriately

Most casting directors will provide instructions on how to dress for an audition. Always be sure to follow them if they are given. For example, they may ask you to dress according to the character you are trying out for (lab coat for doctor, athletic gear for athlete, etc.) If directions werent given, just be sure to look professional or even make the initiative to dress like your character if you have the information.

4. Come prepared

Besides dressing appropriately, you must also make sure to review the sides for the audition. If you have any lines or specific acting requirements, be sure you are aware and have them memorized if possible. Doing this shows you care about the project and putting in work right from the audition, along with ensuring your performance will be the best it could be.

5. Be confident

Confidence is something that may grow with time and with each audition you do. Its okay to have some nerves but just make sure youre being your friendly and expressive self. Hold your head high, have good posture and speak clearly when performing lines or simply speaking to the other people in the room. Dont be afraid to show some personality and make yourself memorable!

Anything else industry related that you are curious about? Let us know and wed be happy to explain in our next blog post!

For more weekly industry related tips,  be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and tune in every week to the blog!

For more of our awesome talent check out our roster at http://www.maxagency.com/

If you want to become one of our talent, apply here! http://www.maxagency.com/application.php

Acting Tips, Insider tips, modelling tips

#TipTuesday: Always Let Booker Know When Out of Town

#TipTuesday is a series Max Agency — a successful model and talent management agency in Canada representing men, women and children — will be doing every week where we share helpful tips for the industry! This could be tips on auditions, bookings, and more!

This week’s tip is: Always let your booker know when you are going to be out of town/unavailable!

If you are going out of town or have an engagement and cannot go to auditions (i.e. exams, work, weddings etc.) you must let your Booker know ahead of time. If they are not made aware of these times, they will assume that you are ALWAYS AVAILABLE.

Clients and Casting Directors get very upset if you have been submitted for a job and cannot make the casting. They may become invested in you as the talent, and it can be extremely disappointing to later find out there is no chance of seeing or booking you.

Letting clients or casting directors down like this enough times can ruin relationships between them and the agency. Most agencies will not put up with this and may end up releasing you. This is why you must always let them know if you are unavailable.

 

For more weekly tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and tune in every week to the blog!

For more of our awesome talent check out our roster at http://www.maxagency.com/

If you want to become one of our talent, apply here! http://www.maxagency.com/application.php

Acting Tips, Insider tips

5 Tips For Making A Self Tape Audition

First of all, what is a self tape?

Self tapes are becoming more and more popular in the casting industry so you must become aware of them. Essentially a self tape is a video of your audition which you film yourself and then send to the casting director or client.

Max Agency receives self tape requests of our talent every week, so we thought wed share some of our tips for creating them!

  1. Good lighting

Good lighting is a MUST for a good self tape! You want the clients to be able to see you, dont you? In reality, even if you are the best actor for the job, if the lighting is bad in your video it could cost you the job. Do not make the mistake of having too much light as that will completely wash you out. It is best to use natural lighting or incandescent lights if possible, one pointed at your face and one pointed to your side.

A diagram from Breakdown Express can be seen here:

2. Good Sound Quality

You must be sure to have decent sound quality for the obvious reason that the person casting needs to hear how you deliver the lines. One way to ensure this is to perform the lines at a volume that the device youre using can pick up. That means no mumbling! Another way to ensure quality sound is using a digital camera with a built in microphone, no need for anything too fancy. With the quality that smartphones provide now, recording on a phone is even acceptable!

3. No distractions

When filming a self tape, the least amount of distractions the better. That means visually and orally. Make sure there is no distracting background nosies happening whether thats a loud family member or the A/C. Go to a quiet room in the house or wait until everyone has gone to bed. In terms of visuals, be sure to film in front of a solid coloured background, such as a blank wall. Make sure your clothing is also not too distracting, no logos or crazy designs just like for in person auditions! You want the focus of the video to be your performance not your surroundings.

4. Listen to instructions

Most self tape requests come along with a set of instructions from the casting director or client. Be sure to read over them carefully to ensure you are doing exactly what they want and submitting it properly. For example the instructions may say which props to use, how to act, the sides aka lines to say, etc.

5. Show your personality!

Just like any audition, the client is watching tons of actors and actresses performing the same lines over and over. Be sure to make yourself standout by showing your personality! This can be done while slating, before getting into the actual audition. Dont be too monotone or serious; be professional and friendly!

Filming self tape auditions can be great! They allow you to audition from anywhere in the world, including your own home.  However, there are many mistakes that can be made which could cost you the job, so you must pay attention to the technical side! Re-watch your takes, reshoot if you have to and remember these tips!

Good luck!

Max Agency is one of the most successful model and talent management agencies in Canada representing men, women and children. Max Agency is involved in providing actors, models and entertainers for the film, television, fashion and advertising industries as well as appearance in trade shows, promotions and special events.

 

For more fun content, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Never miss a moment with MAX Agency!

For more of our awesome talent check out our roster at http://www.maxagency.com/

If you want to become one of our talent, apply here! http://www.maxagency.com/application.php