MicroCinema Scene

As aspiring moviemakers, we are always burdened with finding actors to appear in our movies. Where do these elusive beings live? How do we get them to be in our movies? How will we know if they are right for a role? The answer is simple: hold auditions. This is very basic info, but also handy.

First things first: Set a dates for the actual shooting of the movie. What does this have to do with casting? It ensures that this movie is going to happen! Many people forget to make sure they have a camera and a way to edit their movie before they start involving actors. What good is an audition or even footage for a movie if you can’t finish it? And by setting the shoot dates, you can quickly whittle down your choices by making sure actors are even available for those dates to begin with.

Now, you have to let people know about the auditions. Many newspapers, especially the alternative, more arts-friendly papers, will post your audition notices for free. There are also message boards, posting boards, and Yahoo Groups on the Internet which provide several new outlets for letting people know about auditions. Also a flyer or an email to acting teachers or even local talent agencies could lead to more people knowing about your casting call. As long as you are up front about the amount being paid, even if it’s no money, things will go a lot smoother in the long run.

Give plenty of notice, and remind people a few days before teh actual audition dates. You may want to have more than one audition time to allow people with varying schedules the chance to audition.

One of the most often asked questions is “Where do I hold my audition?” Public libraries have conference rooms anyone can use for free. Or you can do the cal at home, but for some people that can be a turn off. Alas,if it’s all you’ve got, then use your house. Just make sure you have two rooms. One for the auditions, and one for people to wait. It’s not fair if some people get to see how everyone else auditions and the opportunity talk to the director/producers when not auditioning isn’t indicative of their acting ability. This isn’t a social, it’s a casting session, and even in a house it should be treated as such.

To keep track of everyone, use a Sign-In Sheet that includes the auditioners’ names, phone numbers, emails, and the times they arrived. It’s always good to have everyone’s contact info. Also find out if they are SAG, AFTRA, or any other union. Have a column on the sign in sheet for “union or non-union”. A union actor may not be able to work on your film, or they can get permission. You will also want them to sign a release that allows you to use their audition tape for anything you need as well. You may never know when you may have the next J-Lo during your audition and oops, you pass her up! These auditions also make great DVD extras, even for us aspiring filmmakers, and they often can contain additional info a headhot, resume or sign-up sheet may not have.

If more experienced actors come, they will have their own headshots, if not a Polaroid or digital camera will also be good to use for any new or aspiring actors that don’t have headshots. Attach the pics to the release form/info sheet.

Make sure you tape the auditions. Even if you just go to VHS, you need to see the actors on tape. It’s amazing how many people seem to read well, but watching the tape it comes across flat. Or sometimes, someone that didn’t feel good in the room really shines on tape. You don’t want to get into editing your movie to only find out then that this person doesn’t work well onscreen.

When taping the auditions, make sure you follow these steps. First you’ll want the actor to “slate” for the camera, that is state their name, their age, the part they are reading for. It would also be wise to have them state a phone number so you can get a hold of them or their agency if they are represented.

You can have actors bring their own material to read, but the best thing for you to do is provide the actors with “sides”, meaning 1-2 pages of script that will be used to test them for the character. The idea is to give them something with depth and some meat, or something that at least represents the character to you, the director. Allowing actors to brings their own material could result in your finding one of those types who have worked this one great scene so many times that it comes off as brilliant. Then you cast the person and suddenly discover he or she cannot act in anything but that one scene!

Next, tell the actor something about he character and the scene they are about to read. Then let them read it through without any direction. After one read, don’t deliver the lines yourself and tell them “more like this…” (also called “line readings”), but ask them to do it again with more of the particular emotion you want. Tell them “how” you want them to act, don’t show them. This is also called “directing.”

One of the most important things you can do while auditioning actors is use a poker face. Even if the actor is doing horrendous, don’t make the person feel bad. It can cause your reputation to be ruined as it’s a huge indicator of unprofessionalism. And even if an actor is perfect for a role, do not make any offers at the audition. Take your time, review the tapes and be sure of it. If there are two actors that could be right for a role, and even if you’re fairly sure which one it is you want, try doing “call backs.” Call Backs are a second round of auditions. Bring the best actors back, have several of them read the sides together and see how they read with other actors.

After the Call Backs, feel free to make offers for parts. Verify their ability to work on the shoot dates. Be flexible, especially if you aren’t paying, but also know that sometimes you won’t get your first choice for a role, even though they auditioned and even did call backs. And sometimes you will even get through rehearsals and an actor will be a no-show. That’s when you call your second, third, and sometimes even fourth choice.

If you held professional auditions, it won’t be a problem to attract good actors.

Good luck.

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• Indebted
• Actress Apocalypse
• Deadly Obsession
• Creating the Right Cast