SAG-AFTRA Building

Drop Your Anxiety & Prepare for Post-Strike Auditions

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Fingers crossed that we are almost at the end of the actors strike and ready to get back to the windfalls of work waiting for everyone!

What will that mean? A LOT of auditions! Are you ready to handle a high volume of auditions with professionalism and confidence? Here are some tips to help!

1. Preparation is Key:

Preparation is a big ingredient to being confident! Work your material so you know it as well as possible. Also do your research on the material and the team so you can make the most appropriate choices.

2. Practice Regularly:

If you aren’t working your muscles as an actor regularly, it will be harder to work quickly and efficiently when you need to! Stay in great creative shape by practicing and staying in class.

be a little bit different3. Deep Breathing:

Take deep and slow breaths to help center yourself and keep yourself calm before major auditions.

4. Visualization:

I love this tool for actors! Visualizing success has been proven to help you produce better results in studies around the world for YEARS. Take some time to visualize your audition experience to help you feel prepared and pave your brain for success.

5. Physical Warm-Up:

This is a great way to prepare and it doesn’t need to be intense. A good stretch or a short walk can help you release nervous energy so you can focus on your performance.

6. Positive Self-Talk:

If YOU aren’t speaking positively and thinking positively about your career, you can’t expect people to think positively enough to hire you. Stop taking yourself out of the running before you even get started by telling yourself negative things.

7. Accept Nervousness:

Being nervous means you CARE–and that is awesome! It’s ok to be nervous and it’s nothing to beat yourself up over!

8. Stay Hydrated and Eat Well:

Keep your tools performance ready! You can’t have a healthy body and voice if you aren’t drinking enough water and eating healthy foods. Your body is your most important tool as an actor!

a sign reading 'dont panic'9. Arrive Early:

An old acting teaching of mine used to say “Early is on time and on time is late.” Arrive to any audition early enough to take a minute for yourself. Rushing doesn’t do anyone any favors.

10. Focus on the Character, Not Yourself:

Get out of the trap of “watching yourself” by focusing on your characters and what THEY want, and not about you and what YOU want.

11. Stay Present:

Stay in the moment! Don’t worry about the outcomes. Outcomes are in the future. You need to be in the now.

12. Connect with Other Actors:

Community is key to longevity in this business! Surround yourself with actor friends that understand the lifestyle and support you!

13. Keep Auditioning:

It’s your job as an actor. The more auditions the better! The more you audition, the more you hone your skills.

14. Seek Professional Help:

If you find anxiety particularly paralyzing, look into getting a counselor. They can help you with more focused coping skills.

15. Learn from Rejections:

Rejection is a part of the biz. Learn from them and then LET THEM GO. Dwelling on rejection never booked anyone a gig…

Let’s get ready for a waterfall of opportunities— we can’t wait to hear about all of your bookings as soon as this strike is over!!!

Written by Colleen Kahl, President, ActorsConnection.com

Special thanks to Tim Wildsmith for the featured image… and Tonic for the inset. 

paul liberti acting coach

A New Perspective on the Audition Process

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Actors often see auditions as trying to please someone else – casting, but the truth is that you already please those casting by being yourself. Actors will often see an audition as a chance for validation of what they are doing as ‘right.’

An audition is not there to emotionally satisfy you as valid – but it is the reverse.

You are auditioning – not to get approval for what you do – but to validate casting! WHAT?? How can that be?

Your audition is the first time casting hears this text brought to life. You are showing the writers, producers, and casting – possibilities in the text. You are strong in your process enough to show us a point of view. Casting is trying to GET IT RIGHT.

**You are not auditioning for validation of the value of your work – YOU AUDITION TO VALIDATE CASTING – TO KNOW THAT THEIR MATERIAL WORKS.

**That is the truth behind your daily auditions. They are infused with confidence, knowing you have the skills to bring this copy or character to reality. It is YOUR HUMANITY in auditions that validates the material. If you need more skills in bringing that work to life, it is time to return to class and refresh your confidence in your voice-acting skills.

On your next audition – know that you are the solution and not the one on the chopping block – the material and casting are on your chopping block.

Understanding and seeing the audition process in a new light will often give you renewed energy to do the next audition. And the next. And the next.

You are not auditioning to get it right – you are auditioning to show us your understanding of what YOU see as right to bring the copy to life.

Paul Liberti
https://paulliberti.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VoiceOverTuneUp

Why do you smile during Voice Over copy?

Why do you Smile in Voice-Over Copy?

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A Knowing Smile. Why do you smile in voice-over copy?

In any voice-over copy – commercial copy to medical text – you are often reminded to “Smile”. A smile is powerful and needed to brighten and warm the copy. A question now arises – “Why do you smile in voice-over copy?”

For one – it moves the sound FORWARD IN YOUR MOUTH and changes the sound of it. It brightens the copy and warms it because it IS A BRIGHTER SOUND. Yes, you may be directed to smile – but emotionally, you don’t just plaster on a smile. You need to create a reason why you do so emotionally. We are completely aware when you are disingenuine in your reads. We trust a person who makes natural and organic choices in copy – even if you have been directed to do so.

You smile because you know something. It is the discovery of thought that allows you to smile. The smile is not just a phony joyless motion you make by curling the sides of the mouth – but one that begins in your thoughts and starts in the eyes – and moves to the mouth. Now you have an organic natural smile. Even if you are directed to ‘SMILE!‘ on a word or phrase, you as an actor must create the REASON WHY you are smiling. Discover your smile in a lightbulb of thought.

Say this phrase – without any smile.

“I just discovered something – that’s going to help you.”

Now say this phrase and let your imagination ‘discover’ your thoughts and smile during the second half of the phrase. Read the line as a memory you are discovering.

“I just discovered something – (SMILE) that’s going to help you.”

Now say the phrase and let the smile start just before you speak the first phrase. Still invent the words as a memory.

(SMILE and Lightbulb your thought)

“I just discovered something – (nod) that’s going to help you.”

You smile because you discover your thought. You know something that is going to help someone.

A smile in voice-over copy gives us the gift of your wisdom – and the gift of you.

Paul Liberti
https://paulliberti.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VoiceOverTuneUp

the villain defines the hero

In Animation – The Villain DEFINES the Hero | By Paul Liberti

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All of the characters in animation stories – are connected.

One of the great lessons we learn in Animation Character Creation – is that all of the characters in animation stories – are connected.

The Hero and the Villain balance good and evil in the story and must balance each other. The story’s antagonist defines the protagonist’s limits and vice-versa, and the depth of the Hero’s strength is defined by the villain’s strengths – and weaknesses.

When given the opportunity, you must learn all you can from all the characters in a story as they must balance each other out. If the Hero can easily conquer the villain, there is no story. Often it can look bad for the Hero – but with some conquering of their weakness, they define their storylines.

There is always a story ‘payoff’ promised to the audience that we must understand comes directly from the balance of those characters. Learn and understand your character and how it fits in with the others as the story unfolds.

This Character Balance carries over to audiobook narration, Video Game Characters, and all character acting. In any story – discover everyone in the story that your character balances against – The villain, the love interest, the Hero, the best friend – and you will begin to find your story arcs and have a strong balance as you start telling your story.

Paul Liberti
https://paulliberti.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VoiceOverTuneUp

Treat every Audition as a Booking

See Every Audition As a Booking | By Paul Liberti

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The few minutes that you are auditioning – the job is yours!

When auditioning, it’s common to feel unsure and seek approval. However, true confidence comes from believing in yourself and being comfortable with your imperfections. As an actor, it’s essential to love yourself and the work you do.

Remember that you are unique and valuable; your individuality sets you apart. So embrace who you are, and let your authentic self shine through in your performance. Even if you can’t, remember that I believe in you!

Whenever you audition, remind yourself that you already have the part. During those precious moments when you’re in the script, the role is yours, so own it confidently. Believe in yourself and trust in your abilities. You are unique and valuable, and your individuality sets you apart from others. Embrace who you are and let your authentic self shine through in your performance.

Every audition is a win, even if you don’t book it.

Each audition is another opportunity to become yourself and work your acting process. Your auditions ARE your work so if you are an auditioning actor – you are a working actor. Remember that every audition is a win, regardless of whether you book the role. Each time you step to the mic, you work on your craft and become a better actor.

Embrace the process and trust in your abilities.

If you are an auditioning actor, you are a working actor because auditions make up much of a voice actor’s work. Keep believing in yourself and your unique talents, and success will follow.

Paul Liberti
https://paulliberti.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VoiceOverTuneUp

Actor Resources

AC’s Favorite Actor Resources

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There are so many resources available to actors. Here’s a short list of a few of our favorites that we think ALL actors should know about!

The Entertainment Community Fund- Formally called The Actors Fund, The Entertainment Community Fund specializes in supporting performing arts and entertainment professionals. They offer affordable insurance, affordable housing, career trainings, a health clinic and so much more! They are always running informative seminars and sharing resources with their community. Everyone who works in entertainment should be aware of the amazing resources here! They even offer emergency financial assistance programs for some individuals financially impacted by the strike! For more info: entertainmentcommunity.org/

Up To Date Actor- It’s important to regularly research opportunities as an actor. To make smart audition choices, you should be aware of trends, know the people who are hiring, and explore all the opportunities that are available to someone with your skillset. On top of that, you should be tracking your audition data to make sure you are always making the best choices for you. This online platform will do it all for you. It’s basically a virtual personal assistant for actors! It’s run by a hardworking mother/daughter team. For more info: https://uptodateactor.com/

Google Alerts- Got a show you are following? A director you want to work with? Looking for theatres to release their season announcements? Setting up google alerts for these things are a great way to stay on top of that knowledge! Set-up a google alert and always receive info about that topic! To learn how to set-up a google alert, go here: https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/4815696?hl=en

Drama Book Shop- Need to find great new material? Looking for something to self-produce? Trying to learn more about the most produced playwrights? Maybe you need to read the script of the show before your audition or callback. Or you need to find a new monologue for your acting class. The Drama Book Shop is here to help! The Drama Book Shop is located in NYC but you can order online and have your products shipped! https://dramabookshop.com/

The Casting Actors Cast- This podcast is produced by Jeffrey Dreisbach from McCorkle Casting. Each episode is BRIMMING with content, info and tips for professional actors. Jeffrey is extremely generous in these episodes. He’s a marvelous educator and presents info with great energy and kindness. These are great resources for schools and individuals alike! Give them a list today: www.castingactorscast.com/podcasts

Written by Colleen Kahl, President, ActorsConnection.com

Special thanks to Jon Tyson for the featured image! 

Stage = Body, On Camera = Eyes, Microphone = Mind

From an Actors Standpoint: The Body; The Eyes; The Mind

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From an Actors Standpoint
Stage = The Body; On Camera = The Eyes; Microphone = The Mind

Stage acting is about the body and voice – and On Camera, acting is about the face and the eyes. From that perspective, Voice Acting is about the theater of the Mind. What you can do at the mic is limitless because it is all about playing within the imagination. So are the listeners if your imagination is activated when reading or interpreting a character. You can be almost anything behind the microphone – and your appearance does not restrict you.

When acting on screen, an actor needs to focus more energy on the Camera than the average person might think. Unlike an audience of theatre-goers, the Camera will focus on the most microscopic and intricate expressions, including something as minute as an eyebrow twitch or a slightly clenched jaw. For this reason, the actor must always be conscious of where the Camera is positioned and perform by how it will look on screen, paying particular attention to their face and eyes.

However, you use your entire body and voice to communicate emotion on stage. Vocal projection and inflection are of utmost importance so that even the audience members sitting in the back row can hear and understand everything you’re saying.

Similarly, using your entire body to translate even the slightest emotion is critical to every stage actor’s repertoire. The physical movement must be exaggerated – even something as simple as standing needs attention to detail. The actor must be conscious of every physical detail to project each emotion.

Now when it comes to voice acting – you no longer have the visual performance of the facial expression you did on Camera – now becomes an added sound to the text.

In Voice Acting in animation or video games, your characters must be grounded to someone – and a voice actor must add sounds to the characters’ speech text to reveal their inner dialog. Voice Actors need to ‘invite the listener’ – into their imagination. The only limit in Voice Acting – is your imagination. You can go anywhere or be anything you can imagine, as there is no visual to your performance at the mic.

There may be an added visual or animation – but the voice actors’ performance is limitless where the imagination can take you. Often the best voice acting performances INVITE THE LISTENER into the actor’s mind to become them by using internal and external energies and going back and forth between them.

Wanna learn more and put all this into practice at the mic? Come back to class and bring your imagination.

Paul Liberti
https://paulliberti.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VoiceOverTuneUp

throw it away, what does that direction really mean?

“Just throw it away” – What does that direction really mean?

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Just throw it away – when we hear that phrase, we get guilt that we have held on to something too long, and it is time to DISCARD it. Cleaning out a closet is a great way to get rid of things you don’t need anymore.

When you get the direction to ‘throw a take away‘, it means something very different. Throwing a take away is to RELEASE the idea with simplicity or a shrug. I have given that direction to actors, and they tend to disconnect an idea and let go if it rather than release it and allow the words to do the work.

Words don’t capture us – they RELEASE what is inside of us. I don’t play the piano to make music – I play because it releases the music that already exists inside my head and heart, and I am expressing an attitude or a feeling in my music that I already have inside – i.e. contemplation, fear, joy, or playfulness. The same is true with text; text lets go of the thoughts, feelings, and points of view you already carry.

Pick a product name. Any product name and say it out loud.

‘Randy’s Hardware’
Now say it as you shrug your shoulders.
‘Randy’s Hardware.’

By releasing it with a shrug, you are saying how easy it is to find this product, or how simple it is to own one yourself.

NOW say it as though you hate it and never want to see it again and discard it.

That throws it away because you want to get rid of it. See the difference? So many voice actors never make that distinction. They think that they do, but in truth, they denigrate it.

To ‘throw a phrase or word away’ is to RELEASE it with a shrug and NOT DISCARD IT WITH DISGUST. That shrug is always there on everything – EVEN THE SLATE (if there is one).
Words don’t capture – THEY RELEASE

Paul Liberti
https://paulliberti.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VoiceOverTuneUp

lighting gear

Self Tape Equipment For Actors

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You can’t become an actor nowadays without learning about our industry’s most popular support technology. Nothing shouts “inexperience” like having a sub-optimal self-tape set-up.

As you prepare to embark on a professional career, here are some equipment suggestions to help you look polished during your auditioning journey.

Tripod/Phone Mount for your phone.

Modern cell phones have great cameras now and work really well for self-taping. Having a great tripod will help you get your phone at the right level so you can film easily. Make sure you have a phone mount so your phone will easily pop into that tripod. Then you can easily set your phone up for recording your auditions.

Pop-Up Background

a big blue backdrop with standA clean blue backdrop will showcase your professionalism and keep you from having to perform in a distracting setting. Our favorites are the light weight portable ones that can pop up and break down easily. Store them in a closet or under your bed and bring them out when you are ready to film.

Editing Software

You will likely need to edit slates and takes together for an audition at some point. Find a software that is workable and learn it inside and out now. There are even some great free options available. Most Actors involved with Actors Connection prefer to use IMOVIE for self-tape editing which you can find for free on most apple devices.

Lights

Starting off, you can pull regular house lamps to support your tapes and keep shadows off your face. But soon after, you may want to graduate to formal lighting that can help you look sharp anytime of day. Here’s a great kit to help you look great!

Lapel Microphone

Uplevel your sound with a lapel microphone. Make sure this is compatible with the device you record on. Here is an option that syncs with an iphone.

Need more tips on getting up to speed with technology for your acting career?
Check out Jeffrey Dreisbach’s vault class HERE!

hand out of water asking for help

Unworthiness, Fear and The Power of ASKING

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I recently had an interview come out that shared 5 tips that I wish I knew earlier in my career. The very first one I state is ASK FOR OPPORTUNITIES. I’d like to break down what I mean by that.

Often when people are on a new career path, they feel sheepish and unworthy because of lack of experience. It causes you to not want to take up people’s time coupled with the feeling that you aren’t worth their time anyway. That way of thinking is unhelpful and keeping many talented people stuck. After all…

WHO ARE YOU TO DECIDE WHAT SOMEONE SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DO WITH THEIR TIME? Let them make their OWN decision and stop doing it for them.

By assuming a “no” behind every door, you say “no” to yourself.

You take yourself out of the running for opportunities before you even get to the starting line. Let the other person answer the question for themselves. But that still means you need to ask the question.

Often, feelings of unworthiness lead to fear. Fear of the “no.”

Colleen Kahl

Actors Connection President Colleen Finnegan Kahl

“NO” isn’t nearly as scary as it is in our minds. There are 7 billion people in this world. Your YES is most certainly out there. If you aren’t asking for what you need or want, and going through no’s to get to yes, then you aren’t doing any legitimate looking.

The most FAMOUS and SUCCESSFUL people on the planet all talk about the sea of “NO’s” they have heard in their career. So if you are looking for success, and you are afraid of asking questions and putting yourself out there– then how can you expect to see that result?

Most of the time, “NO” doesn’t leave you any worse off than you are now. You didn’t have a yes before you asked, you don’t have a yes now. BUT! Through the laws of probability, you got yourself just a bit closer!

So what are you NOT asking for that could help you level up and become greater? Who could you ask to meet you for coffee? Who could make an introduction for you? Who could teach or explain something to you? Who could share a resource? Who could finance your project?

Practice dropping your fear of no with my 50 question game. Commit to asking 50 questions this month. Write them all out. They can be questions about your career, questions for important people in your life or they can be fun questions. The key is you need to ask ALL 50! And just know– you will get some yeses! It will be exciting which questions lead to great opportunities.

Some example questions:

  • I am interested in your line of work. Can I shadow you in the office one day to learn more?
  • I’m impressed by your career journey. Can we meet for coffee so I can learn more about your professional journey and ask your advice?
  • I love this product but can’t afford it at this time. Do you offer payment plans or discount opportunities?
  • I have a project you may be interested in. When do you have 10 minutes so I can share the details with you this week?

Important things to note when asking questions

People are busy! I believe people should be respectful of YOUR time and you need to be respectful of theirs. Don’t ask questions that google can answer for you or 10 minutes of research can solve. Tell the person in advance how much time you may need from them and hold yourself to that timeline. Keep things quick and easy for the ask-ee whenever possible.

A Smaller ask leads to an easier yes. For example, rather than asking someone to read a whole 90 page script, send a 3-5 page sample.

Be clear and succinct. Make sure everyone understands what you are requesting.

Do some wild card asks. I have reached out to people that I thought were “out of reach” and got responses. It’s incredibly energizing and can certainly happen.

Don’t plan on “asking” your way out of lack of preparation. If you expect people to help you, you also need to be doing your part to work towards your goals.

What will happen after you ask your questions?

Some people won’t respond. Some will say no. Some will say yes.

You get to practice hearing “no” and not freaking out and you get to see where a “YES” can lead you. You also start to combat any feelings of unworthiness. We are all just people trying to have a good life on this planet together! Stop assuming everyone is more valuable than you! You’ve got gifts to offer– own it! Ask some questions and get yourself out there!

Colleen Finnegan Kahl is an accomplished Theatre Arts Educator, author of this article, and President of Actors Connection. 

Many thanks for our Featured Image by Storm Seeker.