Often times folks tell us that finding good actors and crews for their film is the toughest part of the procedure. (welcome to Hollywood about finding the perfect casts) We time and again find that difficult to believe, we just think casting directors are looking in the wrong places.
Numerous filmmakers seem to think that the only folks that can act are those with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Surely these are a remarkable crop but there are a ton of talented people out there.
Search local.
Hunt for acting classes/groups in your region, be present in community theater. When you are on that set as a stagehand, get the number of that performer you see killing in every take. It’s really those ways that you meet the best thespians. You just have to look around.
And then lastly auditioning… you have to do just that.
When you’re putting together auditions, pay more care to your performers when they’re not conveying lines. Pay attention to how they’re reacting and adapting to the scene.
Why would you this? Pretty simply, it’s a quick way to quantify the depth and breadth of what an artist can bring onscreen. Some of the most moving, emotional instants in films come from simple reaction shots, so discovering actors who can reply in a fascinating way is a recipe for success.
When you’re auditioning thespians, here are some things to look for:
- Do they stay in character when they’re not talking?
- Are they reacting to the distinctions of the scene in a convincing way, or are they just waiting for the reader to complete their lines so they can jump back in?
- Are their facial expressions and body language similarly invested in the piece?
- Are they adjusting their performance to what the reader is doing?
Ultimately, giving a good line reading isn’t too hard, but being able to engage yourself in a character and stay in character and use your body as an emotive tool during a scene is extremely challenging.
The performers who can do this are the ones you want for your film. So use these quick tips as a means to find them next time you’re auditioning for a film or project.
