Acting Auditions: Expectations Vs Reality

By: Eddie Ramos | March 24, 2022 7:40 AM

Every actor new to the industry must audition at least once in their career. Acting auditions can be tricky and tough to crack. It can be an actor’s favorite thing to do or their most dreaded. At the end of the day, it all comes down to their expectations vs reality.

In order to understand expectations vs reality in the audition process, you must consider art. Or rather the subjectiveness of art. I’ll quote directly from Christoper P Jones’ article Subjectivity and Objectivity in Art…

Subjectivity in art is the word we use to explain how different people can respond to a work of art in different ways. Subjectivity is based on personal opinions and feelings rather than on agreed facts. A painting might be “beautiful” to one person and “ugly” to another, but the material object remains unchanged.

The audition tape can be looked at the same way as a painting. Some may see it and think “wow, here’s the best thing since sliced bread” or “yikes… don’t quit your day job.” (Hopefully, your tapes are getting the former response 😅)

Now I recognize that the people judging whether an audition is good or bad are professionals. However, so are many of the actors, their agents, and coaches they study with. That leaves a lot of room for professional opinions.

Everyone is working within a certain confine or set of rules. However, these “rules” are ever-changing, constantly updating, and are subject to personal interpretation. How can an actor expect to keep up?

The best way for today’s modern actors to stay sane is to consider their own expectations vs reality.

Here are 3 common ones to consider:

Expectation:

A Casting Director Will Give You More Than 24 Hours Notice For An Audition

Reality:

This isn’t always possible. As much as we want to complain it’s the nature of the industry. Actors are asked to turn out auditions according to the deadline as part of their jobs. If you can’t, sadly another actor will. So it’s up to you to make it happen.

Expectation: Your Audition Needs To Be Perfect

Reality:

Perfection is a trap. It’s more important to remain loose and connect with the reader. Commit to the given circumstances of the piece. Really listen to your scene partner. If you fumble over a line, don’t stress it.

Expectation: If I Do Something Crazy In My Audition I’ll Be Cast For The Role

Reality: This rarely works and should not be used as a method for auditioning. The audition tapes that have become famous on the Internet for their use of music, outdoor gymnastics, artistic editing, etc.. should be looked at as the rare exception, not the rule.

You Were Saying About The Art Thing…

In the end, it is the clash between subjectivity and objectivity that creates a dilemma. In fixating on whether an audition is “good” or “bad” certain tastes will win out over others. It’s no use trying to please everyone.

Actors must stick to their “own set of rules.” But beware, your expectations may not always be your reality. Then again this is just my subjective opinion!

Read More: Philosophy Meets Acting

Can you come up with more audition expectations vs reality? For more make sure to follow the blog or sign up for classes with The Modern Actor coaching.