Hi Actor,
We have established the benefit of watching our work and reviewing it in a couple of different ways. This allows us to see our work from different perspectives. Each strategy illuminates more detail & specificity. Each time, we are taking a step away from generality within our reviewing practice.
Now I would like to present an additional approach. Putting on our 'Producer Cap'.
Unlike our previous attempts, we are not going to be turning the sound down or hiding the visual. We instead, watch our work in all it's completeness; detach from our identities as 'Actors' and channel a new one, 'The Producer'. Putting a focus on the genre, tonality & choices within the audition piece.
Do the following work before you tape:
Have a look at your audition brief.
What type of film project is it?
If it is TV research the producers attached to the series.
If it's a feature film, look at the director attached.
IMDb Pro is an invaluable tool for this. If you can afford it, go get yourself a subscription. By looking at the producers and directors of the films we audition for we can begin to get a general sense of the work. With this particular tool, it's great if you already have watched heaps of film and tv. Ideally, you're familiar with a director's and producer's work already, bringing you a little closer to the tonality of the project in question. This allows you to be more specific than other actors auditioning for the same part. If you have time up you sleeve (not a luxury we often get in this industry) go and watch some of their work and see if you can pick up on any particular flavours/ essence that might be utilised within the project your auditioning for. This exercise is simply to help inform your intuition, don't take another actors performance and do that, just allow your intuition to be affected.
Note: Generally there will be a team of producers attached, and so you aren't spending an entire week watching their filmography, you might want to just watch 10 minutes or less of a few of their films. We are looking for generalities at this stage, so don't let this be too time consuming.
Now, once you feel like you have a little bit of an understanding of either the director's (for Feature Films) or the producers (for TV) work, it's time to act. Prepare however you like and start filming.
After each take, watch your footage back with what I call a "Producer's Eye". Keep a slight sense of detachment from your "acting” self. Here, you're not looking for "good acting", your focus instead is directed on tonality, genre & fitting character choices.
In addition, ask yourself :
Do I, "The Producer", believe the performance?
Does this character belong in the universe constructed within this film?
Does this audition fit the genre?
Do I believe each moment?
What would I change?
Be honest with yourself, keep detached and don't take your own criticism personally, there is no time for it. Ask the questions and jump back in for another take. Continue this process till you're happy or if you are a bit of a perfectionist and know that "happy" only comes after Take 78, set a timer and stop when it goes off.
By altering our perspective and channelling our "producer" we continue to get more and more specific with our feedback. I think people struggle the most with generalised feedback, so go easy on yourself by getting specific. I would love you hear about what you look for in your own audition tapes. Comment below or reach out directly. Talk soon.
Lachlan is an Australian Actor who has been working within the industry nearing a decade. He’s worked in Film & Theatre.
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