Photo Credit: Quinn Dombrowski via cc
We are delighted to republish this article by Marci Liroff. Marci Liroff’s extensive credits as a casting director span more than 50 films. Read more from Marci on her blog.
As an acting coach Marci teaches actors what they need to know before, during and after their auditions. Marci also offers coaching via Skype
Marci’s Audition Bootcamp DVD is available to purchase online.
How to recover from an audition mistake
Do you ever flub a line or get lost when you’re auditioning for a role?
Your palms get sticky, your throat gets dry, you start seeing black spots floating in front of your eyes and you suddenly can’t hear?! Fun…right?! Actually, no, it’s not fun at all! It’s a horrifying feeling when that happens and I’m going to tell you how to win over the room when this happens.
Yes, you heard me…win them over.
Here’s what’s happening when you’re auditioning or performing live. I liken it to a tightrope walker. When the tightrope walker is up on the rope, the whole audience is rooting for them. They are on the edge of their seats with anticipation and are subconsciously praying for them to do well. When the tightrope walker missteps and loses her footing and almost plunges to the ground (or rather the net!), the entire audience gasps. But, when the tightrope walker gracefully and masterfully recovers and rights herself back on the rope the entire audience springs to their feet and applauds.
What to do if you forget a line during a casting
Likewise, when you’re in an audition and go up on your lines, it’s how you recover that can either make or break you. If you dissolve into a puddle on the floor with “I’m sorry’s” or “Can I please, please start over again?!”, or “Damn, I f*cked it up again!”, you’ve essentially just lost your audience.
Yet, if you can gracefully dip down and check your sides (because in your preliminary auditions you’ll still be holding your sides and turning the pages along with your scene), find where you are, and look up and continue…..you’ve just won us over.
It’s as if you’ve almost fallen off the rope, corrected your footing and gotten back onto the rope and pulled off your trick. We’ll follow you anywhere.
What to do if you lose your way during a casting
Another smart thing to do is if you’ve just started your scene and you feel you are way off-track from what you’d prepared – say, “I’m going to start again”…..compose yourself, and immediately start again.
When you start saying “I’m sorry, can I please start over….please?!!” you’ve lost us because you’ve lost your power. Remember…this is your audition.
Take charge, take control of the room. I don’t mean you should act obnoxious or needy or demanding. There’s a fine line between being charming and in control in an audition and being a diva.
And please, don’t do this when you’re 2-3 pages into your scene!
The Casting Director is on your side
We want you to succeed. How you behave in an audition is indicative of how you may be on set. A true pro wouldn’t fall apart because they forgot or screwed up a line. Hey we’re all human. ALL of us.
It’s just a line, you didn’t run over my dog, it’s not the end of the world.
But, how you handle it is everything. Everything.
Marci Liroff – Audition Bootcamp – Online Course
“Your audition should not feel like a visit to the doctor! It is your time to show us what you’ve got. I will help you feel more in your body than you’ve ever felt before.” – Marci Liroff
Audition Bootcamp: a one-of-a-kind online class to help actors learn exactly what it takes to win the role in a film and television audition. Takes you step by step through the audition process.
Your purchase of this online course gives you lifetime viewing privileges. New lectures are added throughout the years.
Marci Liroff – Audition Bootcamp – Testimonials
I read Marci’s articles in Backstage and was thrilled to see she had an online class. Her Backstage articles are amazing & full of great info all of us actors need to know, so I knew a class by her would be even better. I’m 50% done and I can’t believe how much I’ve learned. Writing extensive notes and can’t wait to watch the next half. Great class. I highly recommend!
I feel that if I can walk away from an online course with one juicy tidbit then I am happy. Holy Cow, this series offers dozens! And the cherry on top are the links in the end. Great! Thank you!
If you want to understand what you can really bring to an audition, this course is for you! Learn from Marci’s many years of experience in an honest and open class format. You’ll love being able to go back to this course over and over again!
I’ve been following Marci Liroff for a few years and have come to rely on her perspective as gospel. This behind-the-curtain look at the industry and where it’s gone over the last 20 years is a necessity for any actor who wants to connect with casting staff.
