The Best Actors Are Often Not The Best At Auditioning

Why do so many actors find displeasure in reading for casting directors? We at Child Actor LA are discussing this topic here in detail.

One reason might be something that would be a surprise to people outside of the entertainment industry... casting directors are almost always bad actors. This is a fact that was brought up by the actors in the Showtime documentary. When an actor is reading lines in an audition, the casting director rarely delivers their lines with anything that the actor can use as far as "listen and react". The actor is forced to simply imagine that the casting directors lines were delivered in a "real" way.

To the defense of casting directors, they are in a situation where they have to audition hundreds or even thousands of actors over the course of casting a feature film or television show. Can you imagine how hard it would be to put out your very best performance effort for every single reading? The casting director would be emotionally drained beyond belief at the end of each day. It also must be clarified that when actors come in for the preliminary audition they almost always read their lines directly with the casting director. In subsequent auditions, they read with another actor and the process becomes slightly more tolerable.

Another reason for actors indisposition for the process is the same reason that non-actors often dislike interviewing for regular jobs. It puts you on-the-spot and can make you uncomfortable. There is that "first impression" factor that can be stressful. People usually do not like being judged. Sometimes an individual may really need that job for financial reasons and creates an environment where "the pressure is on". So it is not just actors who must endure audition-like situations.

So as excruciating the audition process may be for many performers, it is the only thing that works. And until someone comes up with a better way to cast actors, reading with casting directors will continue. There is a promising trend that is beginning to take hold in the entertainment industry. Casting directors are beginning to accept videotaped auditions in lieu of coming in to their office and read with them. And the talent that is chosen comes in and goes directly to reading with an experienced actor. But the vast majority of initial auditions remain to be held the traditional way. Taking cold-reading workshops and studying other audition techniques is of utmost importance if you want to minimize the pain and possibly become one of the rare few who actually love auditioning!

Also read: Child Actor LA Institute Tips for Scam Prevention