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Shantel VanSanten
1. Be honest
2. Be real
3. Do the homework.
Rebecca Field
I would say a few tops for me are:
1. LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN and react! It’s never gonna be real if you aren’t listening to the other person and just waiting to deliver your line.
2. Research — do your research and fill in the world of the character you are playing so you know them and the lines so well, no one can do it better than you and you can just ‘be’ in the scene as opposed to ever ‘trying’ or ‘performing’.
3. Go for it, take risks, be brave!! A good tip for life and for acting…just go for it, that bold choice, that thing that scares you, whatever…..GO BIG, OR GO HOME!
Kyanna Simone Simpsson
1. Always have a mini-stapler in your audition-bag! I don’t know how many times I’ve had to run around from store to store asking to borrow a stapler for my headshot and resume — Not fun, haha!
2. Do not be discouraged from rejection! I’ve learned that this industry is filled with 99 “No’s” and 1 “yes”. Sometimes a “No” could mean that there is a more fitting role in the script for you. That is how I got the role of Tasha O’Neal on HBO’S SHOW ME A HERO!
3. Please, follow your heart. Whether it be in character development or making business choices. If it doesn’t feel right, then it’s better to not do it.
Benjamin Papac
1. Don’t Quit. Tenacity, patience, and diligence are the main keys to success in this career. People expect everything to come from a magical “Big Break.” And those happen. But they usually happen after ten years of hard work, heartbreak, and a lot of near misses. When actors don’t book a role, we usually don’t even get the word, “no.” We just get silence. You have to fight your way through thousands of silences until you hit that one day that the world shouts “YES. We want YOU.”
2. Keep learning. You are never done growing as an artist. Find actors and coaches that challenge you. If you’re the best actor in the room, you’re in the wrong place. And if you think you don’t have anything left to learn, you’re wrong. There’s nothing better than watching a scene in a class, and thinking, “I can’t do that yet, but I’m going to do it.”
3. Love. Love yourself. Love other artists. Love the work. There are going to be a lot of days when you feel inadequate, less-than, and completely ignored by the entire industry (including your reps). It’s really important to remind yourself that your value is not found in how your last audition went, or how many auditions you get. It’s in how you treat your loved ones, strangers, and yourself.
Broderick Hunter
1.) Get out of your head.
That was the first piece of advice my coach gave me when I started studying. Which was vital for me because I would over think everything.
2.) Dont be afraid to look stupid.
I had to learn to embrace my inner fool all over again. I’d be so comfortable being my weird and funny self around people I was comfortable with but in the audition room or on set, but I’d turn that off and it’d dull me down. I had to learn to embrace myself all over again.
3.) Do the work.
Learn the lines. Do the character work. Stay in class. Invest the time. Do everything that is required.
Beth Hall
I think my most important acting tip would be to love what you do for the sake of performing, not for the glory. When you are acting for the love of it, it shows through. Second, be the person that people want to work with again. If you are a joy on set, the director, the producers and the other actors will all remember that. Don’t be the one who causes problems. Go with the flow. And, lastly, persistence pays off. I have achieved success after more than 20 years of working as an actor on whatever I could. Know that you have the talent and keep trying. It is not always easy to keep auditioning when nothing is happening, but it only takes one decision-maker to think you’re great to make a huge difference in your life. Someone is going to get that part. Why can’t it be you!
Isabella Amara
1) Being Prepared and Flexible is Crucial in being a Professional Actor. I have heard horror stories of actors coming into an audition unprepared or set on one way of doing the scene. Even though you may not feel you’re right for a role, or even like it, you should always strive to leave your best impression. You may audition for a role, and not fit their vision, but, if you leave a good impression, someone may have a role or project they recommend you for in the future. Being prepared allows you to be more flexible and in the moment.
2) Create Your Own Technique. The best acting technique is whatever you create that works for you. I am a huge believer in trying out all techniques, and seeing what works best. During my sophomore year at performing arts high school, I found myself taking a required introductory Meisner class which I had studied since elementary school in New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta. There was one exercise we did in class, and when I tried it myself it did NOT feel natural. I felt like I was pushing my acting and nothing connected. Since then, I have trusted myself to tailor various techniques that work best for me creating my own technique.
Tip 3) Push Your Comfort Zone. When you are in a class or get an audition for a role you normally don’t do, play around with it vocally, visually and physically too! Chances are, after you take time to be the character you will not only feel confident in those type roles in the future, but more confident with your other auditions too. Usually when one has hit a plateau in their acting, pushing their comfort zone will take their acting to that next level.
Devon Ryan
1. Acting is “Re-acting”: The worst thing an actor can do is to be in their head, not listening and reacting to the other actor. To get out of your head, focus your attention on the other actor and pick out details about them, i.e. their eye color, clothing and tone of voice
2. Be relaxed to be made uncomfortable: As an actor, your job is to build tension with the other actor. This tension is what the audience comes to watch. The best way you can do this is to make yourself vulnerable.
3. Auditioning is a different beast: The audition process is different than acting. You have to book the room, not just the role. Understand that there are so many variables that are out of your control, so the best thing you can do is to show them that you are insanely capable, likable and easy to work with. By doing this, the casting director will find a way to get you that part or find another part for you. Give them your best audition and forget about it when you leave the room.
Paul Cram
1. Know your lines. If there’s one thing that helps my acting performances become amazing instead of just so-so, it’s knowing the lines. Seems so obvious, yet many actors don’t do this and I find it hard to play with them in a scene, to find nuance, because they aren’t off book. Same goes for myself, I can tell that I am skimming by if I am not off book. And that’s not what I want to do, I want to tell the story and emotional journey- I can’t if I am trying so hard to recall lines.
2. Don’t apologize so fast when you just performed a scene you think went awful. All too often at auditions, and occasionally on set, actors shoot themselves in the foot doing this. Do yourself a favor and shut up. Instead, focus your attention on if there is any feedback and look to the director.
3. Enjoy the entire process. Acting is stressfilled, auditions are grueling things to go through often, so it’s wonderful to be in a state-of-mind where I just know to enjoy myself in the audition rooms and meeting all the people along the way. We are all here to tell stories and hopefully entertain people while we do it. It helps me so much to “chill out” and with this mindset in auditions and on set around “super stars.”
Joe Gulla
This is easy… use these and you are GOOD TO GO !!!! >>> TOP THREE ACTING TIPS: 1. Don’t act… react! 2. Keep breath spray in your back pocket. 3. … and most important… DON’T LOOK AT THE CAMERA!!!
Zondra Wilson
1. Belief in Yourself.
Belief in yourself comes with practice and built in confidence. Self help books on confidence are helpful and role modeling with family and other interested actors and actresses will also help in the critiquing process. Find out what you are lacking and need to work on to convince others you are the character you are portraying.
2. Understanding the Character.
Not only must the actor understand the role of the character, but he must also be able to understand the script itself. Talking to the director and gaining insight on what the script is really about will help place the person in the right frame of mind when acting out his part of the character.
3. Teamwork.
Everyone who takes part in a play or movie project have importance. Find a way to get along with others on set and find a way of letting others know that you appreciate their parts in the project.
Joshua Boyes
1. Put yourself in the shoes of your character. When on set, envision yourself as if you truly are the character you play.
2. Memorize your script. Study your role. Practice by yourself (in front of a mirror) and in front of others. Passionately rehearse your role.
3. Have fun! As an actor, performing is in your element. Make it an enjoyable and positive experience for yourself and everyone around you.
Sonja Ann Jones
Being an actress for 15 years, the top three tips I would have for any actor/actress is:
1. Never give up — If acting is your true passion and dream never give up! Remain persistent because most actors don’t make it for at least 10–15 years. It is a lot of hard work and lots of little steps that make someone successful it doesn’t happen overnight very often. So stick to your guns and keep working hard!
2. Be Flexible — It is essential with the times and changes in technology that you are also open as an actor/actress to embrace the changes of the industry. Things don’t seem the same too long so you have to be maleable with change. Embrace it and Identify the opportunities in the change and truly capitalize on opportunity when you can. The entertainment industry is a living moving industry.
3. Think Outside the Box — It is essential for actors/actresses to think outside the box both within their craft and in the business side of acting. To tap into your creativity to truly take advantage of opportunities, create opportunities and to network and create relationships with the right individuals. To be strategic in your career and remember be an actor/actress is being an entrepreneur/actorpreneur and knowing how to hustle for work and also toot your own horn to promote yours and your networks’ projects.
Janora McDuffie
1. Act — So many actors want to wait for someone to give them a job before they act. If this is truly your passion, find ways to be creative and keep your craft sharp on your own. If you can’t afford class, find a group of friends and run scenes. Do a play. Be an actor regardless of any paid title or credit.
2. The audition is not about getting the job — The audition is about making a fan out of the people in the room. You have no control over what happens after your audition. Maybe you were too tall, maybe they cut that role, maybe they gave the role to the director’s cousin. Whatever the case, all you have control over is your performance in the room. Commit to your choices and show up. Let the rest go.
3. Get a life — You will drive yourself crazy if you only eat, sleep and breathe this business. Being happy only when you are booking is a dangerous ride. Life is happening all around you. Make friends, get a hobby, read a book that’s not about acting. The more we can be well rounded as people, the less desperate we are the audition room because we are already living a full life.
Sandra Joseph
1. Drop the mask. I once asked a casting director friend, “What is the number one mistake people make in auditions?” She said, “They either walk in apologizing or they go over the top.” Her answer made me squirm because I knew I’d been guilty of both. So many actors suffer from impostor syndrome, secretly fearing that we’re inadequate; there’s a tendency to try to mask our insecurity by either cowering or inflating ourselves. First and foremost, recognize that you are enough. The best actors are the most authentic actors. Your vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. Casting directors and audiences want to see your most open, honest, unmasked heart.
2. Stand in your “Field of Power.” When self-critical thoughts arise, it’s difficult to stay in that flow state we need to inhabit as performers. Be careful not to start looking back at yourself — judging and questioning: “How am I doing? Are they buying this?” In Tibetan, there is a wonderful word — “wangthang” that means “authentic presence.” It literally translates to “field of power.” The Tibetan teacher Chogyum Trungpa Rinpoche wrote, “The cause or the virtue that brings about authentic presence is emptying out and letting go. You have to be without clinging.” Stay with the thread of the scene rather than striving to prove yourself to anyone — including yourself!
3. Shift Your Perspective. After playing Christine in Phantom for almost a decade, I was having trouble keeping my energy up night after night. A dear friend made me what he called a “Perspective Box” — a small container filled with clippings from people who were somehow touched by the show. The stories blew my heart wide open and shifted my view. Remember the opportunity you have every time you play a character: you get to tell a story that has the potential to profoundly impact someone’s life.
