By focusing on developing a deep skill set, in acting classes in nyc or other qualified institutions are of the utmost importance. No matter how high quality the class, there is one thing acting classes in nyc are not responsible for and that is your auditioning technique. Audition tapes are becoming the norm, since the producers and agents can easily see if you are camera ready. An expensive, professional video is okay for an audition tape but, certainly not necessary. Enlist the help of a director friend, rent a simple camera and follow these rules.
How you appear is key, and lighting is a big part of this. Shadows look like a ravaged complexion or dark circles under the eyes. Too much light an you look completely washed out. This is distracting and will take attention away from your performance. Lighting needs to be clean, and completely unnoticeable. If you are enrolled in acting classes in nyc or elsewhere, there is likely a teacher or professional who can assist you. A diagram of a simple lighting plan is something they can help you with.
Two or three small lights will do the trick. Lights can be placed on either side of the talent to help illuminate the face. Then a third light can be used to fill in the background. Some audition tapes have chosen to leave the background dark. Just be sure the overall tape is not too dark, or the contrast too great between your face and the background. Every camera has a White Balance feature that needs to be set.
The color temperature of lights sources can be different. They range from being very yellow to very blue. If you set up lights near a window the camera must correct for that. A mix of light sources is possible but, the camera must be "balanced" to correct for these color differences. A simple white balance button will take care of it. Just focus the camera on a white card or sheet of paper and it should correct for color. If you do not use this feature the color will be completely off, especially your skin tones. It will be evident if you forget to do this, because the skin tones and colors will all be incorrect.
Another very important thing to consider is sound. If you cannot be heard, you cannot perform. With so many good tapes to watch an audition with poor sound will be quickly rejected. The mic should be as close to the source of the sound as possible to eliminate stray noise. Renting a good quality microphone is a good idea, as the camera mounted variety are usually prone to pick up lots of static and stray noise. If you aren't being heard clearly you aren't able to communicate who you are as an actor or the character. Lots of good acting classes in nyc, include advice on how to do this.
With these basics in place now is the time to think about content. Preparing for a live audition is slightly different than preparing for a taped one, of course. Preparation can be made easier if you've studied Meisner acting techniques with trained coaches. The discipline of Meisner acting is one that helps create riveting, unpredictable performances, which is what you strive for. What you leave "out" of a performance is just as important as what you leave in, according to expert coaches of Meisner acting nyc. Cramming every emotion and gesture into a performance will always seem false. The key to great acting is what you don't present, but leave simmering underneath. Audiences like to work, think, and look for clues which is a way to engage them in your performance.
At times, actors are asked to include something very specific, but it should still have your own ideas incorporated. More often, casting agents and producers ask for monologues not scenes. Prepare something that plays to your strengths, of course, be it comedy, drama or character driven. However, keep in mind that the best actors have developed strong skills in all of these genres and use it all. Tragedy and comedy always work together, for instance and its good to include a sense of both. Enlist the teachers of acting classes in nyc, or wherever you study, to review your practice tapes and incorporate their suggestions. Professional actors are always open to direction, certainly as an up and coming actor it's smart to remain open to input regarding your audition tape.
How you appear is key, and lighting is a big part of this. Shadows look like a ravaged complexion or dark circles under the eyes. Too much light an you look completely washed out. This is distracting and will take attention away from your performance. Lighting needs to be clean, and completely unnoticeable. If you are enrolled in acting classes in nyc or elsewhere, there is likely a teacher or professional who can assist you. A diagram of a simple lighting plan is something they can help you with.
Two or three small lights will do the trick. Lights can be placed on either side of the talent to help illuminate the face. Then a third light can be used to fill in the background. Some audition tapes have chosen to leave the background dark. Just be sure the overall tape is not too dark, or the contrast too great between your face and the background. Every camera has a White Balance feature that needs to be set.
The color temperature of lights sources can be different. They range from being very yellow to very blue. If you set up lights near a window the camera must correct for that. A mix of light sources is possible but, the camera must be "balanced" to correct for these color differences. A simple white balance button will take care of it. Just focus the camera on a white card or sheet of paper and it should correct for color. If you do not use this feature the color will be completely off, especially your skin tones. It will be evident if you forget to do this, because the skin tones and colors will all be incorrect.
Another very important thing to consider is sound. If you cannot be heard, you cannot perform. With so many good tapes to watch an audition with poor sound will be quickly rejected. The mic should be as close to the source of the sound as possible to eliminate stray noise. Renting a good quality microphone is a good idea, as the camera mounted variety are usually prone to pick up lots of static and stray noise. If you aren't being heard clearly you aren't able to communicate who you are as an actor or the character. Lots of good acting classes in nyc, include advice on how to do this.
With these basics in place now is the time to think about content. Preparing for a live audition is slightly different than preparing for a taped one, of course. Preparation can be made easier if you've studied Meisner acting techniques with trained coaches. The discipline of Meisner acting is one that helps create riveting, unpredictable performances, which is what you strive for. What you leave "out" of a performance is just as important as what you leave in, according to expert coaches of Meisner acting nyc. Cramming every emotion and gesture into a performance will always seem false. The key to great acting is what you don't present, but leave simmering underneath. Audiences like to work, think, and look for clues which is a way to engage them in your performance.
At times, actors are asked to include something very specific, but it should still have your own ideas incorporated. More often, casting agents and producers ask for monologues not scenes. Prepare something that plays to your strengths, of course, be it comedy, drama or character driven. However, keep in mind that the best actors have developed strong skills in all of these genres and use it all. Tragedy and comedy always work together, for instance and its good to include a sense of both. Enlist the teachers of acting classes in nyc, or wherever you study, to review your practice tapes and incorporate their suggestions. Professional actors are always open to direction, certainly as an up and coming actor it's smart to remain open to input regarding your audition tape.
About the Author:
The Maggie Flanigan Studio provides nyc acting classes for serious actors. To learn more about commercial acting visit the studio website.
No comments:
Post a Comment