Finding Auditions Tips

It's Movie Monday!

The question I am asked most often is 'where do you find auditions'?  Honestly, the best response is to say where NOT to find auditions:  It starts with "C" and ends with "L".  Unless you want to work in a certain industry ...

Audition announcements/Casting Calls/Cattle Calls are EVERYWHERE!  The biggest challenge we all face is sifting through the calls to find the legit ones.  So here is my go-to list of where I look when I am looking for auditions:

BUT FIRST:  PLEASE USE CAUTION BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR MATERIALS ONLINE TO ANY "AUDITION".  Check everything out first and, if something does not feel right, do not give out your personal information.  With the following list, I am not endorsing any particular audition nor am I endorsing every audition/opportunity listed on these sites.  This is solely my list of go-tos for auditions.  Enjoy!

www.backstage.com/casting  This trade has proven itself TOTALLY WORTH THE MONEY if you are in a major hub - NYC, Lala Land, the ATL.

Brian Dragonuk.  https://dragonukconnects.com/  I have been following Brian for over 10 years and have landed many roles through his posts!

Facebook.  You can actually search for auditions.  There are many ways to do it.  This is how I do it:
          1 - I type the word 'audition' into the search bar at the top and hit 'enter'.
          2 - On the left, I choose where I want to search (location) and the current year.
               If you keep the other settings the same ("posted by anyone" and "posted in any                         group"), you'll get many more hits.
          3 - I then try other locations around me.

Also on Social Media, search for groups in your area and join them.  The groups are great not just for sharing auditions and upcoming productions, but for getting to know the people who are working in the area!  You'll receive great tips specific to your area and you'll make friends/good acquaintances that share your interests!

Make a list of your local production companies (theatre, film, church, etc.) and local casting directors and agents.  Then:
          1 - Google them.  Many times, they have a email list you can join and information                           (including auditions) comes straight to your inbox!
          2 - Find their social media pages and follow them or join any on-line groups they run!                   They'll post audition information AND you can get to know them and their                                 productions/teams better!

Stage32.com This is a fun social media site specific to people in the industry.  On this site, you can meet Casting Directors, Agents, Directors, Producers, other Actors, and people in so many more positions!  This is a great site for the chat rooms where you can freely ask questions and get responses from people working in the industry with first-hand knowledge about the information you are seeking.  The site is overwhelmingly positive and the feedback is strong.  (The Stage 32 team also has great opportunities for Writers!)

The newspaper.  Yes, there are still ads and classifieds that run auditions!  Just make sure to check everything out before submitting.  Protect yourself!

Mandy.Com This is hit-and-miss.  When I was in NYC, I snagged a bunch of day shoots on films and student films through these posts.

Your agent/manager.  Yes, I know ... "but how do I get an agent or manager if I don't have any experience??"  That's a question to be answered another day.  Today, what I will say is SUBMIT SUBMIT SUBMIT!  Go to your local SAG/AFTRA website and look at their list of accredited agents.  This is a great starting point for tried-and-true professionals.  Many times, the list will say whether or not they're accepting new people.  Sometimes not.  Go to the agent's websites and social media pages.  See what they are posting.  Are they looking for someone of your type?  If so, great!  SUBMIT!  Are they posting they are not currently accepting new clients?  If so, don't waste your money and respect their time by NOT submitting.  Keep checking, though.  Things are very fluid in this industry and will change and you WILL get your chance!  I'll talk more about agents/managers later.

http://www.playbill.com/job/listing A fun site that lists some auditions but also lists great Day Job/short gig opportunities perfect for Actors!

ActorsAccess.com  This site is run by "Breakdown Services" which is the company that puts out the major castings for TV/Film to Agents/Casting Directors/Managers.  From my experience, it is a completely legit and reputable company.  First, let me acknowledge that yes, there is sometimes a fee involved with this site.  You can totally join and pay the fee to self-submit to some of the many great projects OR you can do it the Wendy-way.  Put in your stats, run the search on the site, and see what pops up.  MANY TIMES, you can then google the project and directly submit to the company/casting personnel.

Final Thoughts

1 - There are so many sites to find auditions.  Check them all out and see which works for you.  Don't restrict yourself to just one way.

2 - I do want to caution when you go to submit for projects or if you do it the Wendy-Way with pay-sites:  do your homework!  Don't just google it, celebrate finding the information, and slapshot your stuff in.  The people doing the casting may have a specific way they will accept submissions.  Follow their directions completely.  Do not get creative.  Do not try to be sly.  Respect their time and the process and understand the reason they have it set up the way they do:  For every ONE part they are casting for, several hundred (and sometimes several thousand) people will submit.  Play nice and you may get read or put in a file for later.  Do not follow directions and ... do you remember in high school when your teacher yelled at you for not following directions and that your work would 'never get accepted like this in the real world'?  Well this is it.  The 'real world'' they were referring to.  If the casting director says write your name in the top right corner of the page and no staples are accepted ... they mean it!  Not doing what they ask says you may not do what the director asks if you were to be cast.

3 - We'll chat about auditioning and getting agents/managers later.  If you have any questions you want answered, let me know in the comments below or email me.  If I don't have the answer, I will find someone who does and invite them to join us!

Until tomorrow ...

Best Wishes,
Wendy

Later this week:
Tot Topic Tuesday - How to talk on the phone uninterrupted by your cute ankle biters ...
Working for the Weekend Wednesday - An update (first-date) of what I'm currently working on and my picks for local events this weekend!
Throwback Thursday - An embarrassing picture of a younger me
#FriendFriday - Started by my friend, Joe DeRouen, a day when we roast/celebrate a friend.  Check in to see who!
Schedule Saturday - See next week's blog topics and local events.
Spiritual Sunday - On the 7th day, I'll rest and sometimes share my heart/thoughts

My IMDb page
Link with me on Linked-In
Connect with me on Facebook
Check out my crazy life on Instagram
Follow me on Twitter