5 Things Casting Directors Wish Actors Knew About Auditioning

[@Orchid_cchild]

1 bring variation never seen before to make my audition stand out 2 bring somethng to character they have never imagined 3 its ok if ur nothng lyk character discription 4 they hVe 100 of roles they mi8 get u any role

[@allisoncambre371]

The tip that surprised me the most was your advice to go ahead and audition for a part even if you think you don't necessarily fit the parameters of the character as stated.

[@TipsOnActing]

I'm glad and I hope you do it! :-)

[@bobsmith2943]

I audition for anything and everything they send my way. I'm not a singer but I'm auditioning for a commercial that requires I sing. I'm going to give it my best shot no matter what.

[@fayenovick401]

I'm glad to learn that a CD will fight for you.

[@TipsOnActing]

Awesome!

[@HaleyMary]

I love that #1 tip. I sometimes think it's a challenge to think of a way to say lines that haven't been done when hundreds of people are reading the same part, but it doesn't hurt to put some thought into it. Thanks for the info, Amy!

[@TipsOnActing]

Even a subtle variation can stand out. Most important is to not just do it by default. Try other things and you'll likely discover something that you didn't see on the first go.

[@KymberlyMCruz]

I am super grateful for all of your hard work. I appreciate your authentically genuine words of wisdom. I am excited to know that casting directors want to advocate and truly find the perfect person for their projects. Thank you

[@TennantMary]

Your the Nail in the wall to support story. 😂

[@ricstoneback9798]

Excellent info, Amy. Thanks! I wouldn’t say I was surprised by any of the 5 points, but the one about auditioning for the part even if you don’t fit the breakdown description is perhaps the most intriguing. It makes perfect sense. Any opportunity to audition is an opportunity to book a job, and provide the powers that be with a fringe choice they might not have considered before. Keep those videos coming!

[@TipsOnActing]

Exactly!

[@RSHeslin]

Not to mention that they may end up considering you for a different role.

[@Stone007]

Yes tip #1, love your description of the "somewhere in between". The obvious choice with some variation, something fresh and clever? Let's call it "the choice less traveled." Thanks!

[@joncarlson279]

Reevaluating your initial instincts and making interesting bold choices… I love it! ❤❤❤❤👍👍👍🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@TipsOnActing]

Awesome!

[@sandralucas1885]

Hi Amy. Number 5 surprised me but it actually makes sense.

[@TipsOnActing]

Love it!

[@raymondclapsadle9310]

Good example of #3: Morgan Freeman played the character ‘Red’ (and nailed it of course) in The Shawshank Redemption. But in the original story, Red was a native Irishman with bright red hair 🧑‍🦰

[@that1guy335]

AJ you look INCREDIBLE

[@tmwest61]

Excellent advice that I shall follow from now on.All 5 points are equally important to me and my future success in the acting industry

[@TipsOnActing]

Perfect! I love hearing that!

[@allisoneberly7048]

Yes, thank you Amy!! They were all points I knew, since I've been following you for quite some time, but still such a great reminder/reinforcement/inspiration. Thank you!!

[@TipsOnActing]

😀

[@emmawalilko526]

Great points to keep in mind. Number one was a great refresher and reminder. I thought number three was the most helpful.

[@TipsOnActing]

Love hearing that!

[@sirenofthegoddesssea4354]

This was great Amy, 🙌🏻💫Thank you!❤️✨Though all 5 were perf,👌🏻and informative it was #3 that jumped out for me! 🙏🏻:)

[@Donnadelbueno]

Good stuff. Thanks, Amy.

[@TipsOnActing]

My pleasure Donna!

[@kimleamays7111]

Priceless info! Thank you Amy

[@TipsOnActing]

My pleasure!

[@GoJolli]

💡....Surprising and guaranteed to be unexpected: is it possible that existence banes are boons in the room?! Say Whaaaat? Dahlink! Where have you been all my life? 💪

[@Steppa000]

Thanks for the tips 🙂

[@cyrusdeboo6423]

This is really good👍🏻

[@TipsOnActing]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@composurdadon3355]

Love it

[@TennantMary]

Some times all in the eyes if done right

[@tonijeanbevilacqua4776]

Thank you, AmyJo

[@sethparadox]

Wow! Did not know CDs go all the way to the Exec level to ensure who they see as the one for the role can get it. 🤔

[@TipsOnActing]

Not EVERY time, but they definitely do when necessary. Like everything else, you've got to choose your battles. And CDs will definitely do that when they're passionate!

[@sethparadox]

@@TipsOnActing makes sense. This gives me a better sense of how CDs' work makes all our movies and TV that much stronger. Thanks! 🙏🏽

[@thejayflats]

Well said 😊

[@davidmoskowitz1801]

Would be nice to see the other auditions! 😉

[@TipsOnActing]

That would also give you a great opportunity to contract a case of "comparison-itis". #dontgothere

[@rayoneal8770]

I always worry that my choices were not unique

[@TipsOnActing]

Time to do something about it!

[@davidmoskowitz1801]

So why isn’t there a casting director category at the Oscars!? Why is the academy not saying anything for decades!? Hmmm

[@TennantMary]

Its not about us it's being the story pusher.

[@TennantMary]

Doing nothing IS MORE!! They want the person in the head shot for small roles. They want your essence as is…

[@robert_nyc]

Who would send you to an audition if you were not a fit? Or how would you get this far? 🤔

[@TennantMary]

Doing nothing IS MORE!!

[@davidmoskowitz1801]

#5 is bs. It’s after the fact (audition). So why WOULDNT the CD reveal to the actor they’ll “fight” for them!?

[@claya7336]

Because then the CD may have to tell the actor that the director thought they were a real dud! and that would hurt the actor's confidence.

[@davidmoskowitz1801]

@@claya7336 Can't the CD just say "They went in a different direction"? I'll wait.

[@NoteFromSELF]

I'll trust Amy Jo on this. She doesn't seem like a BS artist.

[@bodyhairpositive9485]

I've been told by a casting director that #4 is not always true. Sometimes, they already have someone else that they really want for the role. But they just want to go through the process of auditioning everyone, to prove that they went through the motions and gave other people a chance. Before they offer the role to the person they wanted all along. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. After all, if you are super amazing, they might keep you in mind for a future role on another project. Or offer you a different role in the same project.

[@TipsOnActing]

There's always the exception to the rule. But if you allow that to be the thing that drives you, you're missing out on so many great possibilities!