Audition tips for new poducers

Advertise on message boards of Film Groups on the Internet, posting boards at schools, colleges, universities, libraries. Inform acting teachers, local talent agencies, film departments at local universities and colleges and arts-friendly magazines and newspapers. Send or email a flyer to the people responsible for entering advertisements. These people will do it for you for free. This is particular great if you are an independent film producer working on a tight budget.

Don't wait until the last moment to place your casting calls. Reconfirm those booked for auditions a few days before the actual audition.

If you don't have your own casting office, you may rent a room for the day at a local casting office. You may for free book a conference room at a public library or a performing arts theater. If you are going to hold it at your own house, prepare two rooms: one as a waiting room and one as the audition room. Actors should not audition in front of others - they are nervous enough.

When actors arrive, let them sign in and fill in a form that includes their name, phone number, email, the time they arrived and their union affiliation, if any. If this is a non-Union film and they belong to a union they must bring a permission letter from their Union. They should hand their headshot and résumé to your assistant in the waiting room. The résumé can be printed on the back of the headshot; stapled to the back of it or be attached with a paper clip. If you prefer a certain style, let the actors know beforehand.

You may want actors to sign a release that you may use their audition tape for anything else you may need it for.

If you haven't done so before you will provide the actors with SIDES, that is 1 or 2 pages of script that will be used to test them for the character. Choose a piece that will really prove to you if this person is the one you really need to portray a particular character.

When the actor enters the room be friendly to put him at ease. You may tell the actor something about the character & the scene they are about to read. You may even let him read it a second time, directing him to convey a particular emotion. That is if you have the time. If the actor had the script beforehand you would expect him to know what kind of emotion is required.

Always tape the auditions. People may read well and look like the real thing but may look awful on film - or vice versa.

When the cameras are rolling you will want the actor to SLATE for the camera first. This means they must give their name, age, phone number and the name of their agency if they are represented by one.

Don't flirt with the actors - this will give you a bad name in the film industry.

After the reading maintain a poker face. This is not "American Idol". You don't want to insult the actor as this may ruin your reputation. On the other hand, don't make any offers at this point if you think the actor gave a brilliant performance. Review the tapes first - he may come out bad on film.

If you got several great performances on tape, extend Call Backs to these actors. A Call Back is a second round of auditions. At the second audition let these actors read with actors already cast to see how they interact. Also check their flexibility with regard to shooting dates. The person you ultimately want may not be available on crucial filming days.

Ask your 2nd and 3rd choice actors if they will be able to take over the role if your main choice actor is unable to continue for whatever reason.

Ask your 2nd and 3rd choice actors if they will be willing to play a different role in your film. They may not have been great enough for the role that they have auditioned for but you may have seen that they will be great in another part in the same film. Most actors want to audition for the main role giving little notice to supporting roles that they may be excellent for.