10 Audition Tips for Actors from a Casting Director

From headshots to handing over the power to you, the actor, Casting Director and Associate Faye Timby (The Witcher, Netflix) gives you 10 top tips to take onboard for your next audition, self-tape and general approach to the casting process.

1. We’re on your side.

   We want you to get the job just as much as you want the job. If we present a list of super tapes to our creative team, we look great and you stand a better chance of getting the job.

2. Headshots

   Make sure your headshots are a true reflection of how you look now. We’re less concerned when it comes to facial hair (which can grow and change over time and in a second with a razor), but uploading headshots that have been airbrushed within an inch of their life, isn’t helpful. We want real people.

3. Punctuality

   Don’t be late. We always appreciate there are extenuating circumstances. Trains get cancelled, the babysitter doesn’t show up… but where possible, be on time. Leave more time than you need to arrive so you can grab a coffee, take a moment to relax and settle your nerves. If you go into an audition late (and apologising), you’ll feel flustered and we’re then already off to not a great start. If you’re going to be late, call your agent to communicate this to us. That way, we can see someone else before you and give you more time to arrive and settle.

4. Self-Tapes

   When sending in a self-tape, always be sure to follow the instructions. Label your tapes correctly and if you’re asked to, ensure multiple tapes are made into one file. I often receive multiple tapes of different versions of scenes that haven’t been correctly labelled and it can take a lot of time to unpick what is what and what goes where.

5. Redirection

   Learn to take direction well. It’s very easy to over rehearse a scene often which results in a very one-track mind approach. Often it means actors are unable to move away from the version they’ve practised.

6. Let it go

   Try to let it go. You’ve prepped, you’ve done a great read, try to walk out of the room (or send off the tape) and know you did the best job you could, and that’s enough. You might not get the job (for an extensive list of reasons, most of which aren’t a reflection of your talent) but, you did the best job you could, so be proud of yourself for that.

7. Privacy and Communication

   Don’t call our mobile phones or WhatsApp us if you find our numbers online (unless explicitly instructed by us or your agent concerning an audition or meeting). It isn’t an appropriate way to communicate with someone in a professional setting.

8. More Privacy and Communication

   Following on from the above tip, this also goes for private Instagram accounts and Facebook. If you want to connect with us professionally, send us an email or add us on LinkedIn. If you want to connect via social media – most offices have professional Instagram and Twitter accounts. These are a great way to feel connected and involved without us feeling like you’re invading our privacy.

9. Emailing Casting Directors

   If you do decide to email us, know who you’re writing to and avoid doing a blanket send to all. Address it to the Casting Director and know their work. A ‘send to all’ email feels lazy, as does misquoting shows we’ve cast (when they were cast by someone else).

10. You have the power

    Don’t second guess what we want. The power you have as an artist when auditioning is the power to make your own creative choices, so take that power and utilise it. We don’t want 4 different versions of what you think we might want. We want to know what you think, what your interpretation is.