To aspiring actors out there...?

Question

How have been your experiences on auditions and getting roles.
Any of you failed and decided to change dreams?
Tell me some of your experiences good or bad.

Answer 1

ACTING MYTHS

"Reprinted from ACTOR'S TOOL KIT, THE SEVEN ACTING MYTHS
by Bob Fraser

Myth #1 - YOU HAVE TO START YOUNG
This commonly held belief is far from the truth. Although starting young will certainly give you more time to perfect your craft, many stars have started "late."
Phyllis Diller started her career at age 38 after raising a family and spending almost twenty years as a newspaper writer.
Richard Farnsworth was over fifty before he began his acting career. When he won an Academy Award nomination for his role in Comes a Horseman, it came as a surprise to many in the industry that this 'newcomer' had been around since the '30's - as a stuntman.
There are literally hundreds of these examples. No matter how old you are, if you love it - TRY.

Myth #2 - IF YOU HAVE TALENT ... YOU WILL MAKE IT
Although it's important to have some talent, any reasonable observer can point to dozens of successful actors who might be considered 'talent challenged.' In fact, depending on talent alone is a strategy for disaster. There are many other skills (mostly business skills) that lead to success as an actor. If you're talented, great. But don't depend on your gifts for success. It's mostly hard work.

Myth #3 - AN ACTOR MUST BE OUTGOING
Not at all. In fact, I'd say that the opposite is closer to the truth. Most of the stars you watch and enjoy are basically shy people. It is under the cover of a role that actors seem to be demonstrative. If you are shy or retiring, you are like most successful actors. Don't sweat it.

Myth #4 - ACTING CLASS WILL RUIN YOUR NATURALNESS Wow, this one is really off base. In fact, without some training it is unlikely you will get to the top ranks of the acting profession. Agents look for training. Casting directors look for it.
And it goes without saying that education has rarely hurt anybody.

Myth #5 - HAVING AN AGENT GUARANTEES YOU WILL WORK There is no doubt that having a salesman for your acting business is beneficial - but signing with a good agent rarely happens before you have already achieved some level of success.
Actors who think an agent will automatically get them to the top, rarely get there. Agents are not magicians - they are salespeople who develop leads for your acting business.
Period.

Myth #6 - YOU CAN BECOME AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS
This almost never happens. In fact, a brief study of the careers of very successful actors will convince you that the average time it takes to get into the ranks of regularly employed actors is about 9 years.
Like becoming any sort of professional (doctor, lawyer, architect) this is a business that takes time to accomplish.
That's why they call it 'paying your dues.'

Myth #7 - ACTORS MAKE THE BIG BUCKS
No. This is totally wrong.
Sure some do ... and their salaries are publicized to the skies. But the reality is that the large majority of actors make very small paychecks and they don't make them very often. Go to SAG's website and see the statistics. Just making a decent living as an actor is a huge challenge.
Bottom line: Don't go into acting for the money. If you want to act, do it. And do it for money as often as possible.
But don't kid yourself ... this is hard work and the pay is nothing to write home about - unless you have the tenacity, business skills, and work ethic to get to the very top.
I hope you do.

Here's some good advice from the cadets at West Point:
RISK more than others think is safe.
CARE more than others think is wise.
DREAM more than others think is practical.
EXPECT more than others think is possible.
posted by Luvs2Act @ 1:02 PM
Source(s):
http://www.actingresource.blogspot.com/...

Answer 2

At 18 acting was everything to me. Unfortunately, I was in South Carolina where there is not a lot of opportunity. AND - I was not brave enough to move to New York.

If you are already in or near a major city, that will be helpful.

Because I was in South Carolina - there also was almost NO competition. I got almost every role I wanted. I took classes at college and learned the craft. I truly believe though, that most of your learning regarding acting is from doing it.

I've had about a dozen friends move to L.A. or New York after their dream. One - of them. Count them - ONE is currently a full time actor. And - that only happened for him after about 20 years of holding down other jobs and doing theatre on the side. He is one of the most driven, optimistic people I know.

I'm not trying to discourage you. What I am saying is that in order to make it you will have to make it your priority and be willing to take risks.

As it turned out - I moved to Northern California - and trained a bit further (mostly improv) - and I've landed some semi-prefessional gigs - in the past - but that's about it. Auditioning and getting roles has really not been that difficult for me. But getting PAID jobs - was quite hard. Also - juggling work and theatre is very difficult. It's hard to know if you should quit a job because you have a killer audition coming up and you MIGHT get a role. Side jobs for actors usually need to be time manageable things like waiting tables. 9-5 doesn't cut it - because that's when the auditions are usually held.

I have a family now - and there is NO WAY I could put theatre in front of them. Being single and free makes it much easier to be a performer. Theatre takes a LOT of time. In fact, if you're driven - it takes all of your extra time after you've earned enough for rent and food. Your craft pretty much has to be your top priority in life - your passion - and in your consciousness 24/7.

Now - I just do theatre at my church - with my family. Did I fail and change my dream? I suppose you could look at it that way - but I just see it as a change in priorities.

Break a leg - no matter what you do!

Answer 3

Well i havent 'auditioned" for anything big yet. Hopefully I will soon. But I have sung for my teachers, so they could cast me a part in the chorus for the school play. I did it twice for two different plays. Into The Woods Jr. and Rodger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella. I had to sing nursery rhymes like row row row your boat. It was hard, for I had forgotten one word, but sung it the way I thought it was. The school plays were awesome! The practices were super fun!

I've also been in the chorus. I am again this year. It is awesome and I recommend it to people still in school, or if your church has a quire.

Auditions for big things are, well, BIG! You need to be confident, because they will critisize you. Watching auditions like American Idol Rewind can help. It has helped me learn a few things about auditions. So I suggest people wanting to act/sing like me to watch those things. also America's Next top Model, or anything that involves judging, except judge courts!

Answer 4

I've had some pretty bad audition experiences. I almost burst out in tears during one audition. But then I got the part, so it was all good. Nothing beats getting that call!

Answer 5

my first few plays were non audition. they were small and everyone made it. then I had my first real audtion for Beauty and the Beast and I made it in the chorus. then I auditioned for Sound of Music and I made it in the chorus also. I'm not giving up because I'm still young and I know that "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. " Phil. 4:13
I wish to make it to broadway one day.

Answer 6

While when I was young I was getting my fair share of roles, I hated auditioning--- so I became a director.

Better to be the picker than the pickee.

Answer 7

Ok well I used to have stage fright but after your infront of a lot of people more then once and have big roles in something. But since my cousin and me both have the same dreams we are trying to get ahold of an Actress that both of us are related to, to get us refered to someone. But if you want to get started in acting, go to www.ask.com and type your question I'm sure they might have an answer.

Answer 8

I have stage fright but I love acting and will never give up!

Answer 9

I have stagefright. It's fuuuuuuuuuuun...