Firstly, just want to say thank you for all of your support & feedback to my first blog. Literally blown away by the amount of viewers in their tens of thousands reading my simple thoughts. Hard to comprehend & wrap my head around the fact that people are even interested in what I have to say.
My first thoughts for writing a blog were to give people an insight into the "behind the scenes" stuff that goes on that they don't see. Since then I've received so many requests from actors, agents & even producers whom have shown interest in hearing more views on certain topics. If you do have anything in particular you would like to read about please do let me know in the comments section below. Anyway moving on.
In this blog I have decided to talk about something I have come across recently quite a lot by working with numerous different creative teams. This industry thrives on opinions. Bold statement, yes, let me divulge.
1) "That Actor freaked me out by staring at me the entire time during her audition speech" balance that with "I got no connection what so ever from him, his eyes were all over the place”.
2) "There was waaaaay too much vib (vibrato) in that voice" balance that with "that was a lovely clean sound, no vib at all jus natural beautiful sound, perfect for MT”.
3) "They favourite like EVERYTHING I ever post on social media, its weird" balance that with "Yes I know his name from Twitter, always supports my work, so lets bring him in”.
See the trend starting to develop? It’s all a matter of opinion. You might be the best thing since sliced bread to one panel but to another panel, 10 minutes later you’re a Deatheater! (Yes I’m a Harry Potter fan & proud!) You CANNOT please everyone all the time. No matter how hard you try or research. Its so subjective at times it hurts.
Do remember that the team are forming their opinion on you as soon as you walk in that door. My assistant the delightful Scott Livingstone is usually hovering around outside in the corridor waiting to sign people in & say hello. He is there to make you feel welcome, calm you down & have a chat to bring you to our level so you’re not nervous. If he comes into the room & lets us know you are a nightmare or bitter or resentful then the team form an opinion on you before you even get to showcase your talent to us (Not that he does that often LOL). Remember the director is the one that has to spend 4 to 6 weeks in a rehearsal room with you. They want to spend it with nice, easy going people. People they can get on with. Not the kind of actors mentioned above. Don't shoot yourself in the foot, the waiting room isn't the place for a good bitch, leave that until your on the phone to your mam after filling her in on your day. As mums love us to do. (Hi mum! Scott quickly calls his mum Babara to let her know he's been mentioned in a blog hahaha).
Gosh your probs all reading this now thinking "aaaagh I should just quit now", absolutely NOT. Its my job as a Casting Director to make sure you’re best prepared for that audition & if this blog helps just one of you with these comments then BOOM job well done, if we were playing Tetris we would now be on level 3! Whoop whoop!
There are way more examples than just the above but they are a few basics for you to get an idea of what I mean about opinions.
In answer to example 1) I always say, just ask the team before you start if they mind you looking at them, then you've got your answer right there. For singing auditions the majority look above the head & some now & again glance down at the panel on select moments that are appropriate. But once again, it is a matter of opinion. I've worked with some directors that HATE being eye balled but worked with some that LOVE it! Ya can't win!
I do believe in Irish luck. As some times that luck on the day of your audition may just sway it your way & make it your lucky day. Ha that totes rhymed.......Tetris level 4! Whoop!
If you believe in your talent enough, and don't give up, someone's opinion will align with what you have to offer sooner or later.
My first thoughts for writing a blog were to give people an insight into the "behind the scenes" stuff that goes on that they don't see. Since then I've received so many requests from actors, agents & even producers whom have shown interest in hearing more views on certain topics. If you do have anything in particular you would like to read about please do let me know in the comments section below. Anyway moving on.
In this blog I have decided to talk about something I have come across recently quite a lot by working with numerous different creative teams. This industry thrives on opinions. Bold statement, yes, let me divulge.
1) "That Actor freaked me out by staring at me the entire time during her audition speech" balance that with "I got no connection what so ever from him, his eyes were all over the place”.
2) "There was waaaaay too much vib (vibrato) in that voice" balance that with "that was a lovely clean sound, no vib at all jus natural beautiful sound, perfect for MT”.
3) "They favourite like EVERYTHING I ever post on social media, its weird" balance that with "Yes I know his name from Twitter, always supports my work, so lets bring him in”.
See the trend starting to develop? It’s all a matter of opinion. You might be the best thing since sliced bread to one panel but to another panel, 10 minutes later you’re a Deatheater! (Yes I’m a Harry Potter fan & proud!) You CANNOT please everyone all the time. No matter how hard you try or research. Its so subjective at times it hurts.
Do remember that the team are forming their opinion on you as soon as you walk in that door. My assistant the delightful Scott Livingstone is usually hovering around outside in the corridor waiting to sign people in & say hello. He is there to make you feel welcome, calm you down & have a chat to bring you to our level so you’re not nervous. If he comes into the room & lets us know you are a nightmare or bitter or resentful then the team form an opinion on you before you even get to showcase your talent to us (Not that he does that often LOL). Remember the director is the one that has to spend 4 to 6 weeks in a rehearsal room with you. They want to spend it with nice, easy going people. People they can get on with. Not the kind of actors mentioned above. Don't shoot yourself in the foot, the waiting room isn't the place for a good bitch, leave that until your on the phone to your mam after filling her in on your day. As mums love us to do. (Hi mum! Scott quickly calls his mum Babara to let her know he's been mentioned in a blog hahaha).
Gosh your probs all reading this now thinking "aaaagh I should just quit now", absolutely NOT. Its my job as a Casting Director to make sure you’re best prepared for that audition & if this blog helps just one of you with these comments then BOOM job well done, if we were playing Tetris we would now be on level 3! Whoop whoop!
There are way more examples than just the above but they are a few basics for you to get an idea of what I mean about opinions.
In answer to example 1) I always say, just ask the team before you start if they mind you looking at them, then you've got your answer right there. For singing auditions the majority look above the head & some now & again glance down at the panel on select moments that are appropriate. But once again, it is a matter of opinion. I've worked with some directors that HATE being eye balled but worked with some that LOVE it! Ya can't win!
I do believe in Irish luck. As some times that luck on the day of your audition may just sway it your way & make it your lucky day. Ha that totes rhymed.......Tetris level 4! Whoop!
If you believe in your talent enough, and don't give up, someone's opinion will align with what you have to offer sooner or later.
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