Perth Film School

So you have just finished your audition. You may be feeling great. You delivered strong and clear choices, you incorporated feedback, and you also got a great response from the casting directors and the whole team. Or maybe it was the absolute worst audition you’ve ever done. Either way, what do you do now?

The following are some tips to think about in the moments after a theatre, film, television, or other audition.

1.) Keep an audition diary

The acting world is always about connections. If you are talking to a casting director, a producer or anyone else, and they ask you if you have auditioned for a certain casting director that they know and your answer is “I don’t know. Maybe. It’s possible”, it makes you look really unprofessional and it looks like you lack simple listening skills for your auditions.

Buy a notebook that you can carry to auditions, it’s important to get into the habit of doing this. Try to create a one-page entry for every audition. The top half of the page should be devoted to details such as: the name of the project, the casting director, the type of part, and every other important specifics you can think of. Save the bottom half for all of your feelings about the audition and the casting director’s response.

2.) Don’t worry about mistakes-identify what to work on next time

As soon as you have finished the audition, write down what happened in your audition diary, analyse it, learn from it and then move on. If you sit around and wonder what was on the casting director or the director’s mind, or if you got the part, it’s just wasted energy. Just think about how to better prepare yourself so that you can figure out what you can do to make your next audition even better. Even try to congratulate yourself no matter the outcome.

Also try to remember that it’s not always about getting the job. You should always use the audition to learn something for future auditions. For example: I asked a question about whether I could move during the scene and that was well received and helped my audition.

3.) Send casting directors a thank you note

If you want to send an email, a card or a nice message of gratitude, it’s always nice to receive. If you feel like you’ve got a good read on what a casting director would like, use that to decide if they would appreciate a kind message. However, make sure that you do not send your thank you with an ‘ask’ (unless absolutely necessary). The downside to the email thank you notes is that you tend to ask for something more and more often.

Also, don’t be ashamed to be bold and send a link for your showreel, a most recent short film, commercial clips etc, but try to avoid asking for feedback, a quote for your website, a recommendation for representation, etc. Make sure to thank them for their time and consideration, an ask can come at a later time.

The easiest way to think of it is this: Think of auditions as both an opportunity to perform and as a job interview. You won’t make demands after wither. Following up simply and professionally builds relationships.

4.) Relax, focus on other aspects of life, and move on

Talk and connect with the people who believe in you. As tough as this industry is, everyone has friends, family or co-workers that believe in them. Sometimes the best way to release some tension and nerves is to meet up for drinks or dinner with your friends who support you and your goals. Remember not to talk about the audition, or anything industry-related. It may be hard in the beginning, but if you force yourself out of these habits and you push each other to connect over the other aspects of your lives- yoga, partners, movies, books or any kind of general interest- you’ll find yourself getting back in touch with your old self. Away from the world of show business.

This will feel really refreshing, as at the end of the day, you are still a human being first and an actor second. And you’ll more then likely find that it helps to neutralise the sting of the post-auditon waiting game.