The question is this: “What can we do as actors in the audition room to ensure we get the role?” To which every casting director is stymied.
And what answer could they possibly give? Every role is different. Every production is different. Every producer and director are different. Does he really think there’s one magical answer that will propel his mask his suspect acting skills?
I’ve always enjoyed interviews with casting directors about what does and doesn’t work for them, and with successful actors about what the climb was like. But while the former helps keep you from making stupid errors and the latter can be inspiring and occasionally even yield a useful tip or two, neither is a roadmap. That indefinable “whatever” that makes everyone in the room realize that this one person is the right person for the job can’t be deconstructed into one sentence.
And it’s such a small-picture view by an actor. This is a business. You gotta work at it constantly, and it’s only as crazy as you want it to be. It’s your choice. Though it’s essential that you commit to your long-term success as an actor, you must also commit to living a fulfilled life outside of acting. It’s a lot easier to treat yourself like a starving artist than to behave like the genius you know you are. It’s a lot safer to play it small, struggle and suffer than it is to make bold choices and take some risks. That’s for sure.
The way you do anything directly reflects the way you do everything. Respect your career, but don’t neglect your finances, your personal life, or your day-to-day happiness. Life’s too short to suffer on your way to success. Now is the time to make a habit of living it fully, and I believe this will influence your life after you make it.
Or, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe we can get the role in the audition room simply by pretending to be nice. I mean, look at Betty White.
Questions?
