Congrats to Renee Santos for her episode of Stand Up and Deliver that aired on Nuvo TV!!
Renee Santos: Stand Up And Deliver Promo
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Congrats to Erica Jenkins for booking the Voice Promo with Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green, and Christina Aguilera !
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The number one thing an actor needs to be successful is an Attitude of Gratitude. It’s absolutely true because the opposite is either entitled or desperate – both which are casting repellents.
Casting Director, John McCarthy, says you should be grateful if you even get an audition – you’ve been selected from a pool of over 2000 submissions! He also says that if you book the job it’s like winning the lottery!
I speak to actors from all over the country and the world and what they would give to be in Hollywood pursuing their dream! If you’re here – be grateful.
I’m so grateful to you, my readers, my students – you allow me to make my living as a creative person. I know I’m very lucky that coaching and teaching wonderful actors is my job. Thank you.
I’m grateful that my teachings have helped and inspired so many to reach their dreams and goals. I want to acknowledge some great actors who have booked jobs recently:
- Adrian Black – The Cobbler with Adam Sandler
- Mason Douglas – All I Want for Christmas with Shannon Doherty and Antonio Sabato Jr.
- Renee Santos – Stand Up & Deliver
- Becky Paz – PSA: Break the Box
- Peter Harris – Pilot with Bill Duke Directing
- Keith Nagel – Mobster Kids premieres December 7th
Unfortunately in Hollywood, there is no second place. So, I want to acknowledge the actors who have gotten soooo close lately:
- Josh Douglas
- Morgan Styers
Thank you for making my look so good!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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The number thing that blocks an actor from creating an authentic performance or audition is not relating to the scene (Question #2 of the 9 Questions of Intentional Acting) or often described as “Judging the Character”.
The only way you can get inside the shoes of your character and live their circumstances or also described as “Be the character” is if you relate, connect, and believe the character’s convictions. But if you judge them, you instantly cut yourself off from being the character.
Here’s how to know if you’re judging your character. Listen to yourself and notice if you’re saying any of these statements or anything similar to them.
- “I’m not that.”
- “I don’t like her or him.”
- “He’s dumb.”
- “I would never do that.”
- “I would never say that.”
- “I can’t say that.”
- “He or she is mean.”
- “My character is the bad guy.”
- “She’s a bitch.”
Start again – look for the positive attributes of the character. What you do you like about your character? How can you relate to your character?
For example, if I got the opportunity to play Osama Bin Laden, I’d have to focus on the fact that he is passionate and believed that he was doing the absolute best thing for his people. I can relate to that. I am passionate and want to do the best thing for my people.
Find ways to connect to your character so you can put yourself in their shoes and you will “Be the Character.”
In the comments below whare ways that you connect to your character and step in their shoes.
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How do you prepare for an audition when casting doesn’t give you a script? A student auditioned for Woody Allen – Woody doesn’t let the script go out of the room. Here is the process I recommended to the actor and his mother. (The Casting Director later said he was the number one choice for the role!)
#1 priority is that you understand the scene and that you know the meaning of everything you’re saying, so take the 9 Questions to your audition.
When you get the script, focus on the Question #1: What is the scene about? Answer the bullet points:
- What is the relationship?
- Where does it take place?
- If what happened the moment before isn’t clear, just keep going to the next bullet point.
- What is the conflict? This is the number one thing I see actors forget in their auditions. Ask yourself: what is the problem between the other character in the scene and my character? What is it that I want and they don’t want me to have? = Conflict.
Then find as many ways as possible to relate to the scene (Question #2). If the experience (Question #3) doesn’t come to you quickly, focus on the Intention (Question #4) what do I NEED the other person to say or do?
Next ask yourself if there are any lines that you don’t understand – don’t take anything for granted. Then read the scene again – making sure you know what everything means and clarifying your intention – what you want the other person to feel or do.
Now that you understand the script better, before or as you go in the room, remind yourself to get your eyes off the page and to connect to your reader with your intention.
If you still have time, finish going through the last five questions.
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What does the word “Audition” make you feel? Panic? Joy? Fear of screwing it up? Or maybe entitled – this is my role!
Many actors feel these feelings then tell themselves to either “Get over it” or they indulge in feeling them. Either way the feelings cloud their ability to analyze the script and prepare properly.
In the audition, the feelings show up again, keeping the actor from being in the moment. The actor and the Casting Director feel it and everyone walks out disappointed.
Next time you get your sides, start by acknowledging the feelings that show up for you. Yes acknowledge the joy too! I’ve seen plenty of actors who are so excited that it distracts from their audition.
When the sides come, notice what you are feeling and take out a piece of paper and write it down: the fears, the expectations – your story about how it’s going to go – good or bad – or how it should go. Then pick up the phone and share these feelings with a friend. It doesn’t matter if they are an actor, it only matters if they are a safe, positive, and supportive person who can listen neutrally and not feed your story.
Now you’re ready. Pick up the 9 Questions and get to work.
Write a comment below letting us know how you benefit from this blog.
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Congrats Mark!
“Loren’s Intentional Acting classes absolutely helped me book the job! The 9 questions and the “I need to get my attention out over there on the other actor ” helps me get out my head and live in the moment so I can listen and react to the other actor.”
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Congrats Becky for booking your first role in an Independent Film! Wilderbeast
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Many actors tell me that when they go into an audition they just want to “Get it Right.” But “Getting it Right” doesn’t get them the part. Because when you focus on “Getting It Right…”
- You become the most important person in the scene.
- It creates no reason for you to connect to the other person in the scene.
- It puts you in judgment of your performance and doesn’t allow you to be in the moment of the scene.
“Getting it Right” doesn’t allow the actor to experience what the scene is about and leaves an actor feeling unsatisfied, in turn, leaves the Casting Director unsatisfied and on to the next actor.
Make sure you breakdown that scene and you know what your character’s intention is: What do you want the other character to feel or do. Connect to that intention, how do you relate to that, make it personal and fight for that intention. Then allow the experience of the scene to unfold.
More likely, this is what will get you a call back and the part.
Share below your audition experiences and how you prepare for an audition.
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Check out Erica on the NBC THE VOICE Season 5 Promo – “REUNITED” with Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, and Cee Lo Green.
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