Sometimes booking a job is about more than diving deep into character development and memorizing sides. There are plenty of auditions as a talent in which the material is brand new. Developing a solid character off of a few pages or less of dialogue and a storyline can be intimidating enough, but we are seeing a consistent trend in best selling books hitting the big screen. Are you arming yourself with all the information you'll need to be competitive?
Huge blockbuster hits like Twilight, The Hunger Games, Shutter Island, Alice in Wonderland, Eat Love Pray (starring Julia Roberts), and Harry Potter all started in your local library. The idea of going back to school or crossing the threshhold to your local library may not sound immediately appealing, but as with the Mad Hatter, things are not always what they seem!!
Your card catalog and librarian are only there to help you utilize the resources at your hands! Why is this important? In the case of a book being readapted to film, there is more information than just the sides and a storyline. Other actors are going to have that information at their fingertips. The only way to book those blockbuster hits is to beat your competition to the punch. In order to do that, it requires some planning ahead and commitment on your part.
Typically, you have less than 24 hours to develop a character for your initial audition. Very few talent are able to read an entire book (let alone a full series like Harry Potter) within this time frame while still developing a character and memorizing sides well enough to give a star performance. Even those who are speed readers are likely not taking the time to dive into the character's deepest emotional life while under the constraints of time. This is where planning comes in.
Remember the blog about Getting Off To A Good Start (Part 2)? You guessed it! The point is that reading is not only a great way to start your day, but it's also imperative to the future of your business! Don't know where to start? First, get a library card. You'll be surprised how happy they are to see you show up! Second, check out the New York Times Best Seller List each time you finish a book. Last, follow the trends. Right now, fairy tales, magic, and supernatural topics are a hot topic! And give yourself time. This isn't a contest; enjoy the ride, the creatures, the people, the relationships!
The best part? It doesn't cost you a penny to have all the information at your fingertips. Like a casting, all you have to do is show up!
The English teacher in me LOVES this advice!
Posted by: G'anne Harmon | 11/12/2011 at 08:19 AM