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MyAuditionCoach.com |
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AVI SIMON - Coaching Actors for Successful Auditions |
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"I was struggling with a role in a regional production of Sweeney Todd. Avi came to a performance and coached me afterwards. He helped me find things in the script that I had overlooked -- active intentions, specific relationships, exciting character choices, and important turning points. The following night I received a standing ovation!”
Evan Alboum |
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WORK ON THE SCRIPT |
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Before they even begin to audition actors, directors and producers have a script they believe in. When they start casting, they want actors who will make their script work. In television, the executive producers are almost always writers. In film, directors very often have also written or co-written the script. Not surprisingly, writers view the story as being very important. So, it’s in the actor’s best interest to look at his or her character and scenes and figure out how they contribute to the storytelling, the tension, the suspense, the humor, and the believability of the world that goes into making a successful production. Even a one-line character has an important role in a script. Otherwise, cost-conscious producers wouldn’t be paying money to hire an additional actor! You can give a terrific “performance” in your audition but if you haven’t made the scene work, chances are you will not get the job. Work on the script involves: · Understanding the purpose of your role and scene within the context of the story and the project · Knowing what your character wants and how your character goes about achieving it · Exploring character relationships · Making active, exciting choices · Identifying beats · Playing moments before and after · Understanding the style of the production Work on the script changes with each audition. There are always new questions, new challenges, and new solutions with every script you get.
· Are you there to provide conflict to a main character? · Are you there to emphasize certain character traits of a lead character? (how kind they are, or how generous, or how evil) · Are you there to provide a “plot point” and move the story along? · Are you there to provide an important bit of exposition or information? · If the scene is with a star (especially those with casting approval!), what choices can you make that will make the star shine the way he or she wants to shine? · Once you understand how your character and your scenes fit into the script, you can do your homework to make your character a living, breathing, believable participant in the story. In private coaching sessions, we can work on your audition scenes to decide what you need to do to fulfill the intention of the scenes. Once we’ve made that decision, we can work on specific choices to bring your character to life. The ultimate goal is for them not to see any of the work you’ve done on the script. If the scene “works” and they believe you ARE the character...you’ve got a great shot at getting the role!
Copyright 2010 Avi Simon. All rights reserved.
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