Who do you look at when performing a monologue?

Question

There's the judges and a camera.
Who do you look at?

Answer 1

It's a good question. But, it begs another question, which has to do with the selection of appropriate monologues.

99% of the time, actors should choose monologues in which their character is directly addressing ANOTHER character. Pieces in which characters are "talking to themselves" are to be avoided, as are pieces in which characters are talking directly to the audience.

In most instances, the people who are observing your auditions want to see that you can handle the essential task of the actor, which is to have an immediate effect on the other people on stage.

If you've chosen such a monologue, then the answer to your question is relatively simple: you look at that OTHER character...the one who's not really there in the space with you. But, your focus should be on the space that they WOULD be occupying, if they were onstage with you.

As a technical matter, don't play profile. Remember to keep yourself in focus as you perform your piece; keep yourself open to the judges and/or camera. As a simple rule of thumb, if you place yourself in an advantageous upstage position, place that "other" person at about a 30 degree angle downstage from you. That will enable you to play TO them, while still keeping yourself fully available to your audience.

Answer 2

It depends on the type of audition. Don't look at the camera unless that specifically ask you to. Usually in a monologue you are addressing someone. I like to make the invisible person just to the left or right of the key person you are auditioning for. If there isn't a person you are addressing then talk the audience in general... if there isn't an audience, pretend... that's what you are really doing anyway right?

The camera, well... the whole point is that it isn't there right? I mean in say.... Tomb Raider, how often do you see Angelina Jolie looking directly at the camera, or in Hearts Over Atlantis, do you ever see Anthony Hopkins look directly at the camera.... no, if they get a full on shot, the camera moved there on purpose.

Answer 3

Go with the monologue. If it "jumps" (changes in character) preiodically, give each judge a little focus time. Don't just stare into the camera, but that's the center of the "world".

Answer 4

Unless it's a monologue to the audience (which usually directors don't like to see) you should decide where to place the other (invisible) character on the stage - and talk to them. Picture them standing or sitting on the stage with you and go for it.

Break a leg!

Answer 5

You have to think of the camera as the eyes of your audience. So talk to the camera. The judges are just observers not a part of your act.

Answer 6

When performing a monulouge ask yourself who am i talking to? My friend, the directors, my dog, God? That will give you your answer. For example if you're script is about making it in the show you're talking to the director. So you'll be looking and acting to him!

Answer 7

I don't look at either, or if I do, it's just passing. That way, my nerves don't get to me, and I can do what I rehearsed without freaking out. If you have to look, though, look at the camera more often, so that you don't see the judges immediate reaction to what you are doing.

Answer 8

you look at whoever they tell you to look at mostly your gonna wanna look at the person behind the camera because if your looking at the judges and the cameras on you its going to show your face looking some other way.

Answer 9

When you studied acting, what did your acting teacher tell you to do, when working in front of a camer?