As actors, you’re going to have many victories and many periods where nothing is happening, but both of these periods are essential to when you book the job. When you’re not booking, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there is something inherently wrong, or that you have to go seek out a new magic formula that is going to help you book more. The magic formula is you. You are enough.
That is exactly what casting directors are looking for: you.
They want to see what you do with the material, not some pre-calculated, micromanaged performance that you think is going to win them over.
You are the answer to their casting problem. Who you are essentially is exactly what casting directors want to see. Great news, right?
Sounds easy. But it isn’t.
Actors are masters at self-sabotage.
The moment is going to give you 99.9 percent of what you want””but the moment is uncontrollable. Actors want to control, to go through audition sides meticulously and beat out a scene and ignore their instincts, and then put on a controlled, perfectly thought out performance of what they think the casting director might be looking for.
We second-guess and ask ourselves questions like, “Is this too much? Is this what they’re looking for? Is this correct? Do they like me?” But this is never going to get you cast.
Because…drum roll, please”¦ no one cares.
The casting director doesn’t care. The director doesn’t care. They just want to see you and what you do with the material in the moment!
You can become the answer to their casting problem if you allow yourself to do it your way! You have something unique and wonderful and weird and beautiful to share just by bringing yourself to the audition.
We’re programmed to think we are not enough, to not trust ourselves, to cover ourselves up with over-preparation and unnecessary questions and trying to be someone else or some idea of what we think the casting director wants.
Not everyone is going to like you. Not everyone is going to “get you.” So what? If you’re always trying to neutralize yourself for all people all the time, what are you left with? Nothing.
Isn’t it refreshing to realize that not everyone is going to “get you” and accept it and move on and just be you! Some people love Jennifer Lawrence, some people don’t. I don’t think she cares!
Accepting this, being yourself unapologetically and beautifully in life and in the audition room””that’s empowering. It takes courage to go into a casting room and be who you are. If you do this, some people are going to get you, and that’s how you break through and book the f#©king job!