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Nailing the First Impression in an Audition

-- By Faith Hibbs-Clark - Casting Director, Creator & founder of the Acting Science Method.™

Mastering first impressions in auditions is crucial for actors. Discover how the Acting Science Method™ empowers you with techniques to captivate casting directors instantly, ensuring your performance stands out and secures more roles. Learn to harness the power of precise psychological cues and boost your audition success today.

Humans are herd animals and key to our survival is our relationship to the pack. Because of this, we are quick to judge someone the moment we meet them. It is part of our survival instinct. Despite the discomfort associated with the topic and the potential political incorrectness of the statement, auditions essentially serve as a natural setting for making judgements. In my Acting Science Method™, I call this the JUDGEMENT ENVIRONMENT. It is not only going to happen, it is expected to happen. Knowing this as an actor, means you can prepare for it. Here is what to remember...

Tip #1 - You have to start strong!

Making a strong first impression is vital as it sets the tone for your audition. This entails not just physical preparation but also mental and emotional readiness. Take a moment to center yourself before entering the room, reminding yourself of your character's motivations and intentions. Confidence is key - even if you're not feeling 100% sure, projecting confidence is crucial to convince casting directors and directors that you're the right fit for the role.

As an actor, you don't have time to warm up or save your best for last. You will be judged within seconds.

The Acting Science Method™ is famous for creating easy-to-master formulas and other scientific techniques to enhance your performances. This includes our "opening formulas" that tie together key psychological elements to activate key reactions in the viewer. Using these formulas and techniques can help you get the attention of the casting director and book more roles.

Add Film Auditioning Weekend Intensive Workshop to your to-do list now!

Tip #2 - Remember the 8-10 Second Rule!

Interestingly, in everyday encounters, people typically take a mere 3-4 seconds to size you up. Or is it 30 seconds? Maybe 20? How about two or three? Forget what you have heard before! Not to overwhelm you, especially if you're gearing up for an audition, or a blind date, but recent studies suggest that you need to be on point in 1/10 of a second! Wow!

Princeton psychologists Janine Willis and Alexander conducted a series of experiments highlighting that it only takes a tenth of a second to shape an impression of a stranger based on their face.

To simplify this for you as an actor, I am going to default to my own research on the subject. Back in 2009, I tracked every audition at our busy casting office. As you may recall, auditions were mostly in person, taped, and uploaded to a casting platform site for the director to watch and review. I tracked how long each audition video was watched before the director clicked out of the audition. I observed that auditions were watch for an average of 8-10 seconds. This meant that auditions that were watched longer than 8-10 seconds, tended to get more callbacks and bookings. Why? Because, you got and held the director's attention.

If you have every heard of the 8-10 Second Audition Rule, it came from this research.

Tip #3 - Don't get in your head!

It's easy to dwell on your performance or the casting director's thoughts or reactions to it, but remaining focused in the moment is key. To respond authentically and make necessary adjustments, remember that auditions involve collaboration with the director, not just a performance for them. It's crucial to be prepared - practice your lines, understand your character emotions, and familiarize yourself with project details. Conducting research on the production and grasping its context can enhance your performance. Stay receptive to direction as directors might have specific visions that differ from yours. Approach the audition process with an open mind and willingness to experiment. Above all, be yourself - infuse the room with your unique personality and energy. Avoid imitating others or delivering lines inauthentically.

It is not so much WHAT you have to do to get the casting director's attention but WHEN! After that, you can think about the "what" part! -- Faith Hibbs-Clark

Your next steps ...

If you liked what you just read and want to learn more, sign up now for a private or class with me to learn more. I can even help you prep your next audition. Remember, the free stuff online is going to help you, but the gold is in the paid content. Discover the gold!

Add Film Auditioning Weekend Intensive Workshop to your to-do list now!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Faith Hibbs-Clark creator of the Acting Science Method™, a modern science-based film acting method that gets results!

Faith is a body language expert who specialized in deception detection before becoming a casting director and working in the film industry for over 25 years. She is the founder of the Communication Method for Actors, LLC & the creator of the Acting Science Method ™. www.actingscience.com

© 2019- This information is protected by copyright and trademark law. Reproduction, teaching, or imitation in any form is strictly prohibited without express written permission from Communication Method for Actors, LLC.

Faith Hibbs-Clark

Film Audition Continuity: Do you have it?

By Faith Hibbs-Clark, CD 20+ years, founder of The Acting Science Method™

In film acting, continuity is the idea that all shots in a scene should have the same physical moments. This includes repeating actions, like blocking, gestures, and prop work, in the same order and the same spot. It also includes maintaining consistency in a character's physical attributes, like their costume, hairstyle, and makeup, throughout a scene or production.

Audition continuity involves maintaining consistent eyelines, expressions, emotional reactions, body language, and styles between audition takes.  In other words, actors need to know and be able to recreate audition performances on demand. Equally important is the ability to change something on a redirect.

The Importance of Continuity in Film Auditions: Mastering the Art of Repetition

As actors, the ability to replicate a good performance is often what sets apart the good from the great. Picture this: you send in a self-tape with a captivating opening line that leaves the director in awe, and in the virtual callback the director requests you repeat what you did. Can you recreate the magic on demand? Do you even remember what you did?

Unlocking the Magic: The Power of Continuity

Sometimes, actors stumble upon moments of brilliance—those magical instances where everything aligns perfectly, delivering a performance that resonates deeply. I call these "happy accidents." However, the true art lies in being able to replicate that brilliance consistently. Directors may commend your work and ask for a repeat performance, expecting the same level of excellence each time.

Control Over Your Craft: The Key to Success

Being in control of your instrument and method is essential for maintaining continuity in your acting. Understanding how you achieved a particular performance allows you to reproduce it with precision. While "happy accidents", can lead to remarkable outcomes, relying solely on chance hinders your ability to recreate those standout moments when required.

The Director's Request: A Test of Skill on Set

Imagine the director praises your delivery and requests a repeat performance due to technical reasons like the quintessential boom mic in the shot. This moment tests your ability to recall and reproduce the nuances of your initial performance. With a clear understanding of your craft and process, you can confidently recreate the magic, ensuring consistency and professionalism on set.

Striving for Perfection: Embracing the Challenge

When faced with the task of repeating a specific line or moment, actors must rise to the challenge with focus and determination. Continuity is not just about matching actions—it's about embodying the character, maintaining the same emotional depth, and delivering a performance that aligns seamlessly with the director's vision.

Your Mission: Mastering Continuity

As you embark on your journey to enhance continuity in your auditions, remember the importance of precision and consistency. Practice recalling your standout moments, replicating key elements, and honing your ability to deliver a performance with unwavering continuity. By mastering this skill, you elevate your audition superpowers and demonstrate your readiness for the demands of film and television sets.

Take the Next Step: Elevate Your Audition Game

Ready to sharpen your continuity skills and excel in film auditions? Join us for the Film Auditioning Weekend Intensive, where you'll dive deep into the the Acting Science Method™ which is a method that puts you in control.

Remember, every audition is an opportunity to communicate not just with words but with your body language. Embrace the art of storytelling, connect with your audience in a grounded way, and let your performance neural couple with the true decision maker. Through the power of The Acting Science Method™, your success is limitless!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

-- Special thanks to Angela Clark for the adorable graphics

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Faith Hibbs-Clark

Audition Communication Model: What Every Film Actor Needs to Know

By Faith Hibbs-Clark, CD 20+ years, founder of The Acting Science Method™

One of the primary tenets of The Acting Science Method™ is that "all acting is communication." But, let's take a deeper look at the subcategories of that tenet.

The basic communication model is as old as time and is made up of the Sender, Message, Receiver, and Feedback, but it wasn't studied as a science until the invention of the telephone. That landmark study was funded by Bell Laboratories in the late 19th century. Suddenly we were putting into words what our nanas had always taught us. Suddenly, as a result of this study, all that we knew about communication and understood as the wisdom of communication was now officially identified as the science of communication.

In my creation of Acting Science Method™, I took this basic communication model and adapted it to the audition environment. In this method, I call this the Audition Communication Model.

To communicate effectively in a film audition, you need to know your place in that audition communication environment and what your true objectives are. With twenty-five years of casting experience, I find that most actors are unaware of the communication process and tend to focus on things that don't matter much while ignoring other areas that are critical to their outcomes.

As a film actor, here are some of the basics that you need to know:

The Sender: Embracing Your Role as the Actor

When I talk about the sender in the Audition Communication Model, I am referring to the actor. You as the actor are the one tasked with bringing characters to life and connecting with the audience through your performance. While this may seem like a given, it's essential to realize that your role extends beyond just merely saying the words in the script or portraying a character. You are an integral part of the audition environment at large, shaping the narrative with your presence and interpretation.

The Message: Going Beyond Just Lines

Many actors tend to associate the message solely with the lines they deliver. However, the message encompasses far more than just dialogue. It includes the emotional depth you bring to your performance, the body language, the non-verbal cues you express, and the overall story you convey through your acting. By understanding that the visual, body language, and emotional elements carry significant weight in your portrayal, you can enrich your audition and captivate the audience on a much deeper level.

The Receiver: Shifting Focus to the Director

While many actors believe the casting director is the primary receiver of their audition communication, it's crucial to recognize that in fact, the ultimate judgment lies with the director. The director evaluates your performance, deciding whether you receive a callback or secure a role. By directing your attention toward how the director perceives you, you can tailor your performance to meet their vision and expectations.

The Medium: Adapting to Different Audition Environments

Finally, actors need to consider the medium through which their performance is judged – whether it's live in-person, a live virtual audition, or a self-taped audition. Each medium presents unique challenges and opportunities for showcasing your talent. Understanding how to adapt your acting to suit different mediums can significantly impact how your audition is communicated, received, remembered, and if you get booked or not. Adapting to your communication medium is just one of the many concepts I teach you in the Acting Science Method™.

In conclusion, mastering the Audition Communication Model involves recognizing and embracing the roles of the sender (the actor), understanding the nuances of the message (the story you tell), shifting focus to the right receiver (the director), and adapting to the medium in which your performance is judged. By honing these elements, you can elevate your auditions and leave a lasting impression on those who have the power to shape your acting career.

Remember, every audition is an opportunity to communicate not just with words but with your entire being. Embrace the art of storytelling, connect with your audience in a grounded way, and let your performance neural couple with the true decision maker. Through the power of The Acting Science Method™, your success is limitless!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: