| Acting Tips - page 2 |
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| Five Tips for a Perfect Cold Reading As a playwright who directs his own work, I've easily had over 100 cold readings of my plays over the last 20 years. And I had one last night of a new play I'm working on, called Cycatrix Adaptitude, which will be appearing in November 2009, and the experience has given me some insights into what an actor should do and should not do at a cold reading. So I thought I'd share those with you. 1. Come Early - Simple, but vital. Get there 15 minutes early so that when the director shows up, you are waiting there, looking eager. This instantly impresses. 2. Be Social, but Professional - Some actors come into cold readings and instantly start chatting everyone up, telling some loud story, acting like they're at a party. A cold reading is not a party. It is a professional engagement, and you should act that way. That said, it's good to keep your eyes up and smile at people and introduce yourself cordially. Never look bored or inconvenienced by being there. Act like you're ready to work, but very happy to have the opportunity to do so. And it's best not to be studying the script, or asking to see the script in advance. It makes you seem nervous. Just wait for instructions and emit warmth and openness to the situation. 3. Make Big Choices - Cold readings are about showing what you can do, not about showing that you're ready to be told what to do. Too many actors do a cold reading in a kind of neutral voice, as if they can't act without direction. Make big choices. Choose a character, an accent, an attitude, and go with it. That will impress a director. 4. Stick to the Script - You will immediately score big points with the director and/or playwright if you pronounce all the words correctly, say no more and no less than what's on the page, and say your line when it's your cue. If this is difficult for you, then you should practice reading out loud. With practice, you'll get better, and you'll have fewer slip-ups. 5. Interact - It's not enough to be good in and of yourself. You need to be good in relation to other actors. As the play unfolds, search out other actors to build relationships with. React to what they're doing. Laugh at what they're doing. Give them energy and focus. This will show the director you're more than just an isolated presence. 6. Express Interest - If you like the play, tell the director and/or playwright so. Tell them you had a great time, you think the script rocks, you want to be in the show. Everyone loves flattery, and your expression of interest will put you foremost in their minds. Kirk Bromley InverseTheater.org Thanx and a tip of the hat to: Chad Gracia www.actortips.com ActorTips / The Gracia Group 360 West 43rd Street, Suite N9D New York, NY 10036 |
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| Free Tips for the Aspiring Actor! Issue #317 We all know headshots are one of the most important aspects of landing jobs and making good impressions. Today we have some tips for making the best decisions for your next photo shoot and ensuring your headshots are a success. Best wishes in your acting pursuits, Chad Gracia CEO, ActorTips Keeping Up With Headshot Trends A good headshot can be an Actor's strongest marketing tool, so it is extremely important to keep your photo current and up to snuff with the trends. You should have your headshot updated every few years, or more frequently if your look has changed (these changes can include anything from a haircut to losing weight.) It's very important that the photo portrays whom you truly are, and that it genuinely looks like you. Oftentimes a headshot and resume are a director's first glimpse at you. In a profession where looks are crucial, they should be able to get a sense of the natural you and your type from your headshot almost immediately. Here are some answers to the FAQ of the headshot world. Don't be caught with an unprofessional or outdated headshot. Follow these rules and you will be looking like a star in no time. 1) Color or Black and White? Color has almost completely taken over in the headshot world, and this is because most photographers are shooting digitally, making the cost for shooting in color no more than in black and white. While it's still acceptable to use black and white for theatre auditions, it's worth it to upgrade to color if you haven't done so to make your tool more versatile. This has been the standard in modeling and film for some time, and has recently become the norm for the stage as well. Color also helps you show off those icy blue eyes or rocking' red hair. It's time to embrace this trend, but if your photographer is shooting with a digital camera you can ask them to switch between color and black and white if you want to have a variety to choose from later on. 2) How should I wear my makeup? In this case, less is more. Make-up should be natural and worn in subtle ways that accent the features. Use tones that match the skin without overpowering your look. Wear eye shadows that open your eyes. Make sure to do any plucking or bleaching at least 2 days prior to the shoot to ensure that any evidence of skin irritation has subsided. My biggest advice is to embrace your unique features. Let your freckles shine! Things like this make you memorable in the director's eye. 3) How should I wear my hair? Hair should have a natural shape, but don't go all Farrah Fawcett before a shoot. It should look the way you normally wear it, but polished, with a style that frames the face. Whether you plan to get a drastic haircut or a simple trim, make sure to do this at least one week prior to a shoot so you can have a handle on the new doo. 4) What should I wear? Keep it tasteful, but be sure to wear a neckline that reveals the collarbone. Directors want to see this to determine your weight and stature. You should also pick pastels that complement skin tones rather than wearing whites. Wear something that you feel comfortable in, and that makes you feel confident. Your look should be clean and polished, and you should look like you're ready for an audition. 5) Where should I take my photo? This is a trend that also continues to change. The most important thing to keep in mind is to find a background that isn't busy or distracting. You need to be the main focus of your photo, so you can shoot in front of a scrim for full effects, or you can find a nice place outside to take the photo. The natural light from an outdoor photo is also a plus. On a side note, make sure your photographer knows what he or she is doing. They should have a good knowledge of lighting and focus, otherwise your photo will come out poorly and it will make you look like an amateur. Now that you have your beautiful, up to date headshots, consider using postcards, thank you cards, and other mediums stationary with your headshot to constantly remind directors who you are. Thanx and a tip of the hat to: Chad Gracia www.actortips.com ActorTips / The Gracia Group 360 West 43rd Street, Suite N9D New York, NY 10036 |
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