IDOL AUDITIONS
What are Idol Auditions ?
Idol Auditions - Interview for actors conducted by a director or a casting director in order to determine if the actor fits the role. The actor should prepare a monologue or in most cases read from the project's sides.
Usually after a successful audition, the actor would be asked to come again for a callback.
Some auditions involve cold reading, or performing a script that the actor is not familiar with. This is similar to many dance auditions, in which the focus is on learning new choreography, rather than showcasing prepared work.
For smaller roles in a large production, mass auditions are held at which many inexperienced or aspiring performers, most without agents or manager show up. These are popularly known as cattle calls, since the hopefuls are often kept together in one large room like a herd. American Idol is doing auditions by using this technique, since there are so many auditions.
Idol Auditions Advice from Casting Directors :
Ask any casting director what matters most when an actor shows up to an audition. Most will say, "They need to be prepared." (Showing up on time can't hurt either.)
These should be obvious, but it's surprising how many actors make a bad impression with something as simple as inappropriate behavior. It can knock you out before you step into the ring. Remember: Casting directors already have the job — you don't. So you need to prove yourself to them, not the other way around.
Other suggestions we heard from CDs: Avoid unnecessary chit-chat. Don't linger in the room for too long after you read. Stay away from using most props. And avoid making physical contact with the casting director during your audition.
A feeling of desperation is another sure way not to get a callback. Never view an audition as nerve-wracking nightmare, or make it look that way. Consider each audition an opportunity: A chance to perform for an audience — albeit a small one. Or walk into the audition saying, "No matter what happens, I'll do the best I can today." Remember: The casting director is not here to judge you harshly; he or she simply wants to find the perfect person for the role. That could be you.
Actors sometimes seek out coaching for auditions, but primarily for large film/TV roles, or for admittance to an MFA program. Many believe it is worth the expense — if only for the boost in self-confidence. In last-minute emergencies, actors even resort to phone coaching, although that's not an ideal situation.
However, with or without coaching, one trap to avoid is too much preparation. Read the sides carefully but don't freeze your approach — you may be asked to change it. Longtime coach and acting teacher Craig Wallace says he never sends actors out 100 percent set for the audition. "If you're over prepared, you have no flexibility," he says. "And you don't know what 50 percent of the process is until you walk into the room.
"You can't have the piece controlling you. You have to leave room for the circumstances of where you're going to be."
Idol Audition Tips !
- Come at least 15 minutes earlier to your cal time.
- Make sure not to eat at least two hours before your call time.
- Try not to talk with anyone in the audition room. Kindly ask them not to disturb your preparation. No, it is not rude, it is necessary.
- When you come into the audition, it is strongly recommended to arrive as the character. Remember that this is why you are here for. Your own persona can come out only after the casting director thanked you for coming.
- If you require to bring your own monologue, always choose something that feels familiar to you. Don't take inaccuracy risks when you auditioning. Leave the risks in your acting class.
- Choose a strong piece that don't exceed 5 minutes. A good efficient length would be 2-3 minutes.
- Remember that there was some action before the character begun to speak. Think what happen before your character speaks its first line. It will help you get into the character faster and most likely eliminate some disturbing butterflies.
- Don't rush your lines. Even if you feel you lost it. You are not a mind reader, and therefore don't know what the casting director is looking for.
- Many times the casting director would tell you to say your name to the camera. Sometimes this is the only thing you have to do in your audition. Don't take this thing lightly. It is the way you present yourself, even with one line that can get you the audition.
- BELIEVE.
American Idol Auditions
So you've made the decision to try out for the sixth
season of "American Idol." Congratulations. Your choice in career paths is
almost as ridiculous as Simon Cowbell's choice in clothing. If you live far from the venue, your best bet is to stay
at a nearby hotel the night before and plan to arrive to the audition sometime
after 6 but before 8 in the morning. And if you live close by, plan to leave
plenty of time for traffic to the venue. Lots of traffic. Last year about 12,000
contestants came to the auditions at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Ma, just south
of Boston You will get slightly more time with the producers in this
round because there will be far less people to audition, but not that
much more time. You still have to bring your 'A' game and look sharp. Beyond
that I really don't have much advice. Once you get into that room, you're just
going to have to conjure up that same magic that got you through the first time.
Remember the tips about song choice and dance moves, or a lack thereof. As a final note, when I attended the "American Idol" press
conference in Boston last year after the third round of auditions, the judges
couldn't use the word "talent" enough. Yes, the audition footage shows emphasize
the quirky, the strange and the downright bizarre, but those are the contestants
who are used for their comedic appeal and then cast aside.
Just kidding.
But before you consider an "American Idol" audition you should realize a few
things. One, you're in for hours upon hours of waiting, all for roughly 15
seconds of actual singing in front of people who are not Randy, Simon and Paula.
Two, your chances of actually making it in front of Randy, Simon and Paula are
slim to none, and way closer to none.
Three, if you do make it in front of the Big Three, chances are the self-esteem
you've spent a lifetime amassing will be handily destroyed in a matter of
seconds. And even if you make it past that obstacle to somehow sneak into the
actual competition, your chances of actually becoming America's next Idol are
virtually nonexistent.
Now if all of that nay saying hasn't deterred you, read on.
Focus
Just so you know, this article won't spend much time discussing the rules and
general details of the auditions, like what cities they're taking place in and
what paperwork you need to fill out beforehand. All of that is available
here
on the rules section of the "American Idol" website.
Instead I'm going to tell you the kinds of things the "American Idol" website
won't tell you about your audition.
I know these things because I covered "American Idol" season five from the very
beginning to the Top 12 for my newspaper. I even got to go to the Top 12 party
in Los Angeles. Yippee! That was fun. Now onto the audition process...
Preliminary Auditions
This is where it all begins. Usually "American Idol" holds auditions in seven
different cities, strategically spread out across the country. No matter where
you live, chances are you'll be relatively close to an audition location.
Now the first audition is basically a cattle call. You will be one of thousands
of people who arrive at some large venue with one goal: Make it big. Most of
these people are extremely determined. Many of them have been singing or
performing for most of their lives. Few people make the trip to an "American
Idol" audition on a whim.
At this preliminary audition, you will most likely be waiting outside of a large
venue like a stadium. There will be metal barricades set up, and long lines of
hopefuls in between them. It could be raining out. In fact, at our local venue
last year, it was. So be prepared for less-than-perfect weather at your
audition.
This year the rules have changed slightly, so you can't camp overnight inside or
outside of any of the venues. Most of the auditions begin at 8 a.m., but in most
cities you can't line up before 6 a.m. And even if you are in line by 8 a.m.,
there's still no guarantee you'll actually get to audition.
, to give you an idea of what kinds of crowds these auditions attract.
During this first audition, keep in mind that you will be singing in front of
the show's producers, not the show's Big Three. This doesn't mean it's any less
important, but if you were looking forward to catching a glimpse of Randy, Simon
and Paula at the first audition, it's not going to happen.
You will only have about 15-30 seconds during your audition to impress the
producers. They take in about three people at a time so it's basically a
drive-thru version of an audition - in and out. Very quick. You don't have a lot
of time to make a first impression.
Keep in mind that looks obviously do matter, so you should look your best.
Emphasis on YOUR best. Don't try to fit in with some style you think "American
Idol" will like. Instead, be you, to the fullest. Look attractive, but your
version of it. A good look could sway a judge who's on the fence about you. An
over-the-top appearance could make them cringe and shoo you away when they
otherwise might have said "yes."
Of course, you could always make it through to the next round as one of the
gimmick contestants, but I wouldn't take the chance.
FYI, according to the "American Idol" website you're not allowed to wear any
clothing that reveals tattoos, has designer names, sports teams, or any other
logos or brand names, or bears the name or likeness of a celebrity, living or
dead.
Now, a note about song choice: The song you sing is almost as important as how
you sing it. Pick the wrong song for your vocal range and it will spell
disaster.
Also keep in mind the producers will be hearing some popular songs hundreds, if
not thousands, of times. So try to pick a song that is unique and well-suited
for you. It's unlikely you'll be able to find a song that no one else will sing,
but if you come up with "Fallen'" by
Alicia Keys as your best bet, go back to the drawing board. That song is
performed about 8,472 times at the typical "American Idol" audition.
Have a main song and two or three
backup songs ready in case the producers ask you to sing something else.
Also keep dance moves to a minimum. Better yet, eliminate them altogether.
Choreography is not going to get you to round two. In fact it's probably a sure
way not to get there. Feel the song, yes. Move your body as you see fit. Don't
stand there like a paralyzed robot.
But do not become the sixth member of NSYNC while you sing a ballad by Celine
Dion. The judges want to hear your vocals first and foremost. Everything else
should support and add to that.
Now if you do make it through this long wait, get the audition and make in onto
the next round, congratulations. Here's what to expect next.
Round Two
Round two of the "American Idol" auditions will be held in a slightly more
intimate location, in or near the city you originally auditioned in. Again, you
will still be auditioning in front of the producers, so there will be no Big
Three sightings that day. Slightly different rules apply to this round as far as
when to arrive and how to check in, which will be given to you if and when you
pass the first round.
Now on the unlikely chance you actually do make it past this round, you're in
for...
Round Three: The Big-Time
Now round three isn't really the big-time, yet. But you will be auditioning in
front of Randy, Simon and Paula, so if nothing else you'll have that feather in
your cap. This round includes about 100 to 200 contestants from each city. The
auditions take place in or near the original audition city.
In Boston last year they were held at a rather upscale venue and there was
definitely a buzz in the air. TV cameras were everywhere and Ryan Seacrest was
busy interviewing contestants. Some people came out of the audition rooms
looking dejected and forlorn. Others came out screaming maniacally, obviously
going on to Hollywood.
This is the round where you need to step up your game. Whatever you were wearing
before, get a better outfit. Get a hairstylist, or someone really good at doing
hair. Get someone who knows about makeup and put them to work. At this level
everyone is pretty talented. You're going to have to be the total "American
Idol" package - voice, looks and personality.
Now obviously the judges are looking first and foremost for talent. But they're
also looking for someone to appeal to a mainstream audience. And that doesn't
mean you have to be boring or typical, or perfect. Just look at Clay Aiken. A
lot of times the Big Three are looking for something slightly spunky and
atypical that might spark interest in the crowd.
Now if you "bring it" at this audition and they like what you've brought, you're
onto the Hollywood Round, sort of like a boot camp where 100+ contestants are
whittled down to the Top 24, or whatever number "American Idol" decides on to
compete in the performance section of the show.
Keep in mind that to make it to Hollywood you only need two out of three votes
from the judges. So if Simon says no, which he probably will, it's no big deal,
as long as Randy and Paula like you.
And even if you don't move on, hey, at least you made it that far, and you might
make it onto the infamous "American Idol" audition footage.
The Hollywood Round
This is the final step before actually making it onto the performance episodes
of "American Idol." All of the contestants that got the green light from the Big
Three in each of the seven audition cities will be here. The competition will be
stiff. You'll stay, not surprisingly, in Hollywood, and (if past years are any
indication) in a posh hotel, and you won't have much communication with your
friends or family.
You will be extremely busy, as you will be rehearsing, competing, sight-seeing,
making friends, and possibly getting eliminated in this round.
At this point I don't really have much advice for you besides keep doing what
you've been doing. If you've made it this far they obviously like what you have
to offer, and it's just a matter of consistently doing your best.
What the judges (and producers, during the initial audition rounds) are looking
for on "American Idol" is someone who brings something unique and captivating to
the table. Obviously they're looking for someone who can appeal to a large
audience, as this isn't "Southeastern Florida Cribbage Association Idol." So
before even embarking on your audition you'd be wise to objectively assess your
own talent.
Don't be one of those contestants who sounds like a dying weasel but postulates
about conspiracy theories when they get rejected by the judges. Ask yourself
honestly if you really are good enough to be on a national singing/performing
competition. Record yourself, if you haven't already, and then listen back and
see what you think. Compare it to what you've heard on "American Idol," the
radio, and MTV. Is there any common thread?
As a word of caution, don't necessarily trust the opinions of your friends and
family. After all, they're your friends and family. You be the judge of your own
talent. Then decide if you're good enough to let someone else be, as well.
Good luck!!