Auditions: Co-Star Vs Guest Star

Are you giving "Guest Star Reads" for "Co-Star" Auditions? Or vice versa? Watch to find out what we mean by that. Don't fall into the trap that Matt did several years ago when a Casting Director called him directly with feedback related to this topic...
Doing Two Takes for a Self-Taped Audition: • Doing 2 Takes For a Se...
Check out The Scuttlebutt issue that is paired with this video, and be sure to subscribe: mailchi.mp/0c1a3f875357/the-s...
Get Taped: www.get-taped.com
Explore the SAG-AFTRA website to learn the nuances of different billings (Co-Star, Guest Star, Top of Show Guest Star, etc.): www.sag-aftra.org

[@rose.bianco]

Sometimes a role is labeled as 'co-star' but, upon reading through it, you realize it's a guest star role that is downplayed for the Southeast market. So discernment is needed because if you want to book the role, you have to recognize the difference.

[@Cynsantoyo]

So glad I kicked, fell, rolled, and hand hit my screen onto one of your vids. So much great info and cannot wait for when it’s my turn. Thanks!

[@GetTaped]

Yay! So glad you found us, too! And hang in there. There are plenty of opportunities that will come your way. Like waves on the ocean. They never stop coming...

[@elitpena]

Matt, I laughed so hard when you showed the second take of the waiter!! The look you gave when you wanted to come back to the table was priceless!! 😂😂 Great video!!

[@GetTaped]

Thanks for watching Eli!

[@alleyeditor]

Thanks for this. Really helpful. Look forward to more!

[@GetTaped]

Thanks for watching, Jeff! New videos every Monday, and if you’re not subscribed, we do a newsletter every Monday called The Scuttlebutt: mailchi.mp/0c1a3f875357/the-scuttlebutt-issue-1-4152281?e=a37d932ced

[@brentgill7180]

Such a great video! Very succinct and absolutely hit the nail on the head. One of the most valuable lessons an actor can learn 👌

[@GetTaped]

Thanks Brent! Glad you liked it.

[@sharonsquires3556]

Omg, you seriously rock! what an entertaining way to give the example. I'm subscribed! Thank you!

[@GetTaped]

Thanks for subscribing, Sharon!

[@veradragilyova3122]

This is the smartest, most to-the-point, funniest, and most inspiring channel on ACTING!!!! :D THANK YOU! :D

[@GetTaped]

Thank you soooo much for that!

[@realjimmyd]

So we'll put brother took me my first year to realize that as a co star you're not there to stop the show just to help move it along 😎👌

[@hollybritt]

Never thought about this like that. Thanks!

[@sylviamadden2677]

Good insight. Thank you

[@williamsouthworth9321]

I never heard that explained so well. Thank you!

[@GetTaped]

You’re so welcome!

[@daviedrummond2989]

Oh my goodness I need to hear that !!!! Thank you 🙏🏽 this about to help me a whole lot

[@GetTaped]

Glad it was helpful, Davie! Thanks for watching!

[@daradoes]

best video on this topic hands down! simply because of the actual examples! 😭 & I'm in Atlanta too!

[@GetTaped]

Glad you liked it Dara!

[@portiacue5320]

Thanks for the valuable advice. Matt!

[@GetTaped]

You’re so welcome, Portia. Thanks for watching!

[@kelseylanefitness]

This was really helpful! Thank you!

[@GetTaped]

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@Blazingbox]

Thank you!

[@linabrennan2357]

Been enjoying your commentary over these few months, Matt. I see now why you are an excellent acting instructor! Yours, Frank (tho this space is listed under my wife's name!?)

[@GetTaped]

Thanks Frank!!!

[@johnmoonmullins]

Matt, you consistently provide great insight! 🤔 BTW rumor has it there is a big production coming up about the early years of Rock and their looking for someone to play Elvis 😉

[@GetTaped]

I’ll start practicing my lip curl 😁👍🏻

[@ItsMeHammie]

Found this very informative. Thank you for sharing

[@GetTaped]

Our pleasure! Check back every Monday for a new video and/or subscribe to our industry newsletter, The Scuttlebutt: mailchi.mp/0c1a3f875357/the-scuttlebutt-issue-1-4152281?e=a37d932ced

[@charlita25]

Great 👍🏾 tips I like the contrast 🎬

[@GetTaped]

Glad it was helpful!

[@danvaida6938]

Great info. Thx for sharing

[@GetTaped]

You bet!

[@SomeRandomHobo44]

really helpful! i just got my first co-star audition and I've been a bit confused on how to approach it

[@GetTaped]

Break a leg!

[@cataribero]

Great advice, Matt!

[@GetTaped]

Thanks, Catalina!

[@kish2003]

Great advice! Thanks so much

[@GetTaped]

Our pleasure, Kisha! Stay tuned next Monday for our next video :)

[@cortneygift7347]

Lovely!!

[@GetTaped]

Thanks, Cortney!

[@gingerjoy5836]

Aaaaah YES!💡 Perfect timing, Thank YOU!✌🏼💗🎬😊

[@GetTaped]

You are so welcome, Ginger! Thanks for watching!

[@gingerjoy5836]

@@GetTaped You’re welcome! Will definitely be watching more!🤗

[@fredgalyean]

Great succinct advice. And although this holds true most of the time, I think there are some exceptions, such as comedic co-stars that are written to be big, and dramatic co-stars in intense scenes, such as a mugging. I always err on the side of subtlety and utility when uncertain, however. Thoughts?

[@GetTaped]

Totally see your point. I would counter with the fact that if your character is not designed to affect the overall trajectory, then even if it’s heavy drama or rip roaring comedy, you have to be smart about how much focus you steal. It gets murky, though, because some roles are co-star by contract, but recur and do have importance (comedy or drama). So I did make a gross generalization in the video that does start to break down when you get into the nitty gritty.

[@fredgalyean]

@@GetTaped I agree. Always better to err on the side of playing the utility character for a co-star. And if you do think it calls for something bigger, which is the exception and not the rule, keeping the character's role in the story is essential. Thanks for your thoughts, Matt!

[@charlita25]

“Those sideburns 🧔🏻‍♂️” 😩🤦🏾‍♀️

[@sharonsquires3556]

Could you please include more sessions like this one? I've been in theatre many years but new to tv/film and that was so helpful! Now what about "featured"? and "Principal" and back ground featured? something like that. I had a friend in a sleepover she says she's a "feature" but she had no lines. I really have no clue of the differences. Do you have some more videos in this vein? thanks

[@GetTaped]

I don’t have any current videos addressing this, but maybe in the near future? In short, a “featured” extra is a debated term. Some people say it’s meaningless from a contract standpoint. In other words, you’re either an extra (no lines) or a principal (speaking part). However, there are times where a production may “feature” an extra, and might give them slightly more money, but that’s rare. Whether an extra is featured or not, it bears little importance when trying to get an agent, and it’s conventional wisdom that no extra work (or stand-in work) should be on a resume. Agents (and Casting Directors) only care about speaking (principal) roles. Hope that helps!

[@sharonsquires3556]

@@GetTaped Yes, this is helpful thanks! and YES! it would be SO awesome if you could shed some light on the different terms. I like how you explain things. My friend played the Queen of Moldavia. So the main characters were walking up to meet the king and queen. The scene ended with one of the characters throwing up all over the Queen's dress. So perhaps why it was "featured extra"?.

[@GetTaped]

@@sharonsquires3556 If she was hired as an extra (featured or not), then that meant they had no scripted dialogue for her. It's a huge difference in pay and benefits. Extras all stay together in "extras holding" (usually a large tented area) and get paid $80/day here in the Southeast (rates vary in different markets and for different types of productions). Extras also don't audition for their roles. There is an Extras Casting agency that has a library of headshots, and they just send actors to set who match what production needs. Principal roles require an audition. You have to "earn" that type of role. Sometimes extras get "bumped" up to a principal role because the director wants them to speak a line. There are many different scenarios that can happen. But the bottom line is if you're hired as an extra, you're an extra until they put a mic on you and ask you to speak. Then you become a principal.

[@sharonsquires3556]

@@GetTaped thanks. actually she had her own trailer. i saw the photo.

[@mykstand]

Yeah, this is great. It seems common sense, but it's easy to forget "in the room" (or in front of our self tape studio. :P )

[@GetTaped]

Yep. Especially when we, as actors, only get to act a few minutes a week. The temptation is always there to do too much

[@mykstand]

Absolutely. A fantastic reminder.

[@underh76bvc]

Brilliant guest star take for costar!! Hilarious!

[@GetTaped]

Hahaha! Thanks for the feedback!

[@kaseconder]

Great reminder Matt! One take or 2 for co-star do you suggest?

[@GetTaped]

Depends on your understanding of that casting office’s preferences, whether the takes are different enough, etc. For a one-liner, though, I’d almost always submit two takes.

[@kaseconder]

@@GetTaped thanks Matt!

[@holyhillfilms]

Thank you! Can you address a Co-Star read that is 25 lines.? Thanks

[@GetTaped]

holyhillfilms great question. It’s a judgment call on your part. If the character is really affecting the main characters and trajectory of the story, then you definitely need to avoid doing “too little”. If you have a trusted acting coach, I would work through it with them.

[@holyhillfilms]

Get Taped! Thank you soo much. Will do

[@sarahirwin6631]

Ok I feel like I’m a comedy the co-star roles could be the fun quirky characters. Like the waiters on friends for example. They add to the comedy. What do you think of this?

[@GetTaped]

Sarah, I’m not clear on the question. I feel like there’s a missing word or an auto-correct that happened. Can you clarify?

[@sarahirwin6631]

@@GetTaped absolutely! Sorry if I wasn’t clear. I mean in comedy sometimes those little co-star roles are there for comedic effect. I mentioned the show Friends as an example because they had a lot of little parts where the characters were super quirky, rather than simple. And I suppose I’m wondering when the tone of the show you are auditioning for would make a difference :)

[@GetTaped]

@@sarahirwin6631 thanks for clarifying, and yes, you're right. In the comedy genre, specifically, your character might either be written to "stand out", or it will be welcomed if you make it so funny that it does stand out. Steve Urkel from Family Matters is a perfect example. He was supposed to be a one-episode character, and ended up being the "face" of the show. You just have to be discerning about whether the role warrants it or not. I think Gunther from Friends was another anomaly. By casting someone who looked interesting, it made his first appearance more memorable, and gave the writers a reason to keep him coming back. I've personally had the opposite experience, where I was cast as recurring comedic relief in a show. I was initially "guaranteed" 3 of the first 6 episodes, but got written out of the 3rd of those 3, and was never brought back. I wasn't given a reason, but when you watch the show (The Gates from 2010), you see that it actually didn't benefit from the comedic relief. The show skewed much darker in the end, and I think they realized that as they were shooting, so they slowly eliminated my character.

[@sarahirwin6631]

@@GetTaped thanks for the response! I’m an actor in the northwest (Canada) haha and I’m loving your content :)

[@JesseMurphyactor]

The inappropriate "guest star" read for the costar role is hilarious. Typical "AC-TOR" flexing!

[@ireneziegler5405]

Um...I missed Brooke.

[@GetTaped]

Well this is an old video from last year before I established the routine of calling out Brooke. Sorry!