Audition for a TV Show: Complete Guide & Career Advice

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Kickstart your acting career with this comprehensive guide
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Being on a successful TV show is a dream that many aspiring actors and actresses have. Having the talent and skill to rise above the competition, however, can seem like an overly daunting task at times. Auditioning for a role is the first step to acting on TV, and requires preparation and practice to accomplish. Luckily, if you have the passion and use the right approach, nailing an audition for a television show could be within your reach.

Things You Should Know

  • Search for open casting calls in your area. Avoid auditions that require you to pay, or casting directors that you can't find online, as these may be scams.
  • If you're given a script to prepare for the audition beforehand, memorize your lines and practice the material until you nail it.
  • If you're cold-reading a script on the spot, read through it carefully. Avoid looking down at your script while the casting agent reads lines.
  • Concentrate on your facial expressions and vocal delivery. Try to be as realistic and genuine as possible.
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Getting the Audition

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  1. A headshot is an initial impression you make on a casting agent and director and is required if you're going to audition for a TV show. [1] A good headshot for a television audition will embody who you are as an actor or actress. Avoid static facial expressions and think about the type of roles you are auditioning for. [2]
    • If it's a comedy, you'll want to smile.
    • If you are trying to audition for drama or romance, a more serious or sultry look may be what casting directors are looking for. [3]
    • Do not cover up imperfections on your face, like moles or freckles. Your headshot should look like you because casting directors want to have a good impression of what you truly look like. If you get a drastic haircut or get older, consider getting your headshot taken again.
    • Look for photographers online and request to see some photos that they have taken in the past.
    • Don't settle for a sub-par photographer. Your headshot is like your calling card. If it's low quality, it will leave a negative impression on casting directors.
  2. Various websites post open casting calls in some major cities across the US like New York, LA, Boston, and Chicago and in other major cities around the world. Choose the closest city for you and take the opportunities to audition. Sometimes even websites like Craigslist will post opportunities for roles in smaller, independent films.
    • Avoid auditions that require you to pay, or casting directors that you can't find online, as these are typically scams. [4]
    • Some useful websites to find casting opportunities include www.Playbill.com, www.Backstage.com, and www.Castingnetworks.com. [5]
    • If you can afford it, move to a major city so you can take advantage of casting opportunities.
    • Opportunities on smaller sets will give you the experience some casting directors are looking for.
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  3. Many casting directors are looking for actors that are a part of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. These roles are made available to members of the SAG-AFTRA Union. [6]
    • As a union member, you'll receive advanced notice for union auditions, and you'll have a greater capacity to network with other actors.
    • To be eligible to join the SAG-AFTRA Union, you must have completed three days of work under the SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreement.
    • Another way to be eligible is to join an affiliated performers union like AEA, AGMA, ACTRA, or AGVA for one year as an actor.
    • The SAG-AFTRA Union offers additional benefits like health insurance and retirement benefits. [7]
    • The SAG-AFTRA requires monthly dues as well as an initial registration fee.
    • If you are not part of the union, look for nonunion opportunities.
  4. Booking agencies and successful agents will usually have a network in the industry and can help you obtain auditions. [8] Search for local booking agencies in your area and find one that has a high rating from previous actors and actresses. Use any networking connections that you have in the industry and ask friends if they've worked with any suitable agents. [9]
    • Choose an agent or agency that you feel comfortable with.
    • If you find work yourself you may catch an agent's eye. Make sure to look for work on your own while searching for an agent.
  5. Actors can get their foot in the door by creating a strong digital presence. Make sure that you have a working website and that your IMDb profile is updated. If you are brand new to acting, you can try to make videos on YouTube or other popular video websites to get recognition. Register social media accounts on all the most popular platforms including Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and Tumblr. [10]
    • Keep your social media regularly updated so your fans keep coming back for more content and feel a greater connection to you.
    • Refrain from saying anything offensive, and abstain from arguing with people online.
    • Agents are looking for a previous track record that includes a body of work. If they can't find you online, they have nothing to judge but your audition tape.
  6. Get to know everyone. You never know when another actor or actress will get sick and the studio needs to find a replacement quickly. If you don't know anyone else in the industry, you can meet other actors at acting workshops held in your area. You can also go to theatrical performances and mingle with people after the show. If you do end up getting an audition, there will be other actors and actresses in the waiting room that you can talk to. [11]
    • If you know the right people you'll hear about auditions before they are made available to others vying for the same role.
    • Try to be polite and shake hands with everyone you meet. Remember the names of people who can help advance your career.
    • Other actors and actresses can give you advice or tips on your auditioning technique.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Preparing for the Audition

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  1. Depending on the show and the network, you may receive a script, or you may get lines to read right on the spot, sometimes known as a cold-read. [12] If you've received the script, make sure to study and memorize your lines carefully. If you have to select the material yourself, make sure to pick out a piece that will allow you to show a dynamic range.
    • Don't choose a script that only shows one emotion like anger or sadness.
    • Use personally relevant pieces and stay away from experimental scripts, or scripts that don't show off your true acting ability. [13]
  2. The more you practice cold-reading, the more you'll become accustomed to taking on a new role with only a couple of minutes to prepare. When you receive a script to cold-read, don't panic and try to memorize the entire script. Instead, relax, read the script carefully, then try to understand the circumstances of the story, your characters motivations, and how the scene affects the plot.
    • Do not look down at your script while the casting agent is reading lines. Casting directors want to be able to gauge your acting abilities, which includes reacting to events in the story or lines in the dialogue. [14]
  3. TV is a visual medium, and much of your acting will take place in your face. You can also see how your acting looks on film and alter it to become a better actor or actress. Take note of your facial expressions and any bad habits that you have so you can try to alter them. [15]
    • Bad habits include a noticeable twitch or facial gesture that you do habitually. Take notice of the way you pronounce words and make sure that you enunciate.
  4. A TV actor who has experience can provide you with valuable insider knowledge of how auditions and casting work in your area. Talk to friends in the industry or ask a teacher if you're taking an acting class. They can also help you with your audition. [16]
    • You can ask by saying, "Hey, I have an audition coming up, and I wanted to get some feedback on my performance. I need someone to be completely honest and objective so that I can land this role."
  5. You should choose an outfit that embodies the character that you are auditioning for, but also remember to wear something that's comfortable. Coming in with an unrequested costume will not win you over to casting directors, and could cost you the audition. [17]
    • Wearing something comfortable will put you at ease and give you the confidence to concentrate on acting.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Nailing the Audition

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  1. It will not help you land the role if you're rude to the casting director. Remember to shake their hands, say "hello," and ask how their day was before jumping into the role. [18] The casting director will be making the final decision on whether you get the role, so make sure that you leave a good impression.
    • Don't let the small talk ruin the audition. Try to gauge the casting directors attitude and whether they enjoy small talk.
  2. [19] Concentrate on physical facial expressions and your vocal delivery. Make it as realistic and genuine as possible. Try to convey the emotion of the character without overdoing it. [20]
    • If you come from a theater background, it's reasonable to assume that you are used to using grandiose physical gestures and using a lot of energy in your line delivery. This does not translate to TV most of the time.
  3. Casting directors don't want a typical type of character fulfilling a role. Make sure that your personality shines through whatever role you are assuming. Use your lines to develop a meaningful and unique personality for whatever role you are presented with.
    • For example, if you are playing a detective, don't try to replicate what is popular amongst detectives as the performance can often come off as forced and unrealistic. [21]
    Meryl Streep, Actor

    Focus on your talent rather than your appearance. I think the most liberating thing I did early on was to free myself from any concern with my looks as they pertained to my work."

  4. Extrapolate what your characters motivations are and what drives them. [22] Much like actual life, personalities are not based upon a person's actions. What's more significant is what drives and motivates them to commit those actions. Get into the brain of your character and think how they would think. [23] Consider your character's likes and dislikes, and what drives them to feel this way. Try to relate emotions to your personal life and draw parallels between these feelings. Do your homework on your character and the conditions they've lived in or how situations in their past affects their behavior now.
    • Even if you've never been in a similar situation, there's a good chance you've felt similar emotions.
    • If you aren't given any background information on your character, make one up. Create their motivation in your head to understand the role and act more like that character. For example, if tasked with portraying an angry son, create a backstory in your head of what drives the son's anger and motivations.
  5. Acting is not only about delivering lines well, it's also about embodying your character. Think of how your character would stand, talk, walk, sit, or gestures that they would use in conversation. [24]
    • You make a greater impact with an audience when they believe you are the character.
  6. Something that casting directors are looking for is your ability to own your character. Don't make excuses or apologize to the casting director. Go in with a vision of your role and a goal to land the part, and deliver your audition with confidence. [25]
    • If you have prepared beforehand, you'll feel more confident going into the audition.
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Expert Q&A

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Add New Question
  • Question
    How do you understand a character's motivations and thoughts as an actor?
    Lesly Kahn, MFA
    Acting Teacher & Coach
    Lesly Kahn is an acting teacher and coach based in Los Angeles, California. She is the founder and owner of Lesly Kahn & Company, Actor Training, which focuses on preparing actors for employment in film, television and theatre. With well over 30 years of experience, Ms. Kahn has coached hundreds of actors who have become household names. She also ran the BFA Program in Acting at Marymount Manhattan College, and worked in television as well as New York and regional theatre. Lesly holds a BFA from New York University and an MFA from The Yale School of Drama.
    Lesly Kahn, MFA
    Acting Teacher & Coach
    Expert Answer
    You just have to read the script and limit yourself to what the script says. So often, actors want to set themselves apart by doing something different. You truly set yourself apart by merging with the writer and doing what the writer has asked you to do. Often we think that the script is just a jumping off point, but it's really the main course of the meal.
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    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 12
  • Question
    I'm an 18-year-old girl. Am I applicable? If so, what can I do?
    Community Answer
    You certainly are applicable and relevant. And you're at a fantastic age to truly start a life for yourself. Get out there! Go online and find some auditions happening in your area, or the area you want to be! Go, audition... you can do it!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 12 Helpful 68
  • Question
    How can I get rid of my stage fear?
    Community Answer
    Relax, and take a deep breath. Try counting from one to ten, and just know that if you mess up a little, nobody's going to notice because they'll think it's part of the show.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/commercial-vs-theatrical-headshots-huge-differences-6995/
      2. ↑ Lesly Kahn, MFA. Acting Teacher & Coach. Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/commercial-vs-theatrical-headshots-huge-differences-6995/
      4. ↑ http://www.projectcasting.com/news/audition-scams-and-how-to-avoid-them
      5. ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/auditions-new-tv-series-different-others-53887/
      6. ↑ http://takelessons.com/blog/how-to-audition-for-a-TV-show
      7. ↑ https://www.sagaftra.org/membership-benefits/member-benefits
      8. ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/get-agent-1-15010/
      9. ↑ https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-get-an-agent-1283525
      1. ↑ Lesly Kahn, MFA. Acting Teacher & Coach. Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.
      2. ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/networking-new-york-52457/
      3. ↑ http://takelessons.com/blog/how-to-audition-for-a-TV-show
      4. ↑ http://www.theatrebayarea.org/news/185679
      5. ↑ http://actinginlondon.co.uk/how-to-be-amazing-at-cold-reading/
      6. ↑ http://takelessons.com/blog/how-to-audition-for-a-TV-show
      7. ↑ Lesly Kahn, MFA. Acting Teacher & Coach. Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.
      8. ↑ http://www.indiewire.com/2012/07/10-keys-to-nailing-an-audition-from-casting-associate-on-lords-of-dogtown-cheri-21-jump-street-242028/
      9. ↑ http://www.indiewire.com/2012/07/10-keys-to-nailing-an-audition-from-casting-associate-on-lords-of-dogtown-cheri-21-jump-street-242028/
      10. ↑ Lesly Kahn, MFA. Acting Teacher & Coach. Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.
      11. ↑ http://www.indiewire.com/2012/07/10-keys-to-nailing-an-audition-from-casting-associate-on-lords-of-dogtown-cheri-21-jump-street-242028/
      12. ↑ http://www.indiewire.com/2012/07/10-keys-to-nailing-an-audition-from-casting-associate-on-lords-of-dogtown-cheri-21-jump-street-242028/
      13. ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/tips-winning-audition-52162/
      14. ↑ Lesly Kahn, MFA. Acting Teacher & Coach. Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.
      15. ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/ways-get-character-7754/
      16. ↑ http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/21-things-make-casting-directors-happy-audition-room/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To audition for TV shows, start by having a professional headshot taken, so you’ll have something to help directors remember you by. Then, search websites like playbill.com or backstage.com for open casting calls in the city closest to where you live. Even if it’s a small part, go to the audition to get the experience and exposure that casting directors will want to see. Additionally, join an acting union to gain networking opportunities and be eligible for union auditions. If you need more help, consider hiring an agent to help you obtain auditions. For advice on how to use social media to develop a digital presence as an actor, read on!

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