Hi there, Just been invited to a casting call for a short film. It all sounds perfectly normal and professional except for one glaring part, the audition is in the director's house. Am I within my rights to ask him if we meet somewhere a bit more public or shall I just take extra care with people knowing where I am etc?
I've even auditioned at a Casting Directors house for a major feature film. Although I have heard of case recently here it all went horrible wrong for a young and naive actress. It's an ongoing police case so I can't say anymore!
Ideally auditions take place at neutral venues but if you do go to their house to audition, my advise would be to take someone with you as a chaperone...preferable a big beefy boyfriend/flatmate/husband type just in case!
I think you should take whatever precautions may make you feel more comfortable, although a number of auditions *do* take place in people's houses, so you shouldn't necessarily see it as suspicious if you have found that everything else about the setup sounds legit.
The bigger problem may be that those who tend to audition in their own homes tend to be sending out the tacit message that they have no wish to budget for an actual audition space, which should sometimes send warning bells itself, as it suggests that they are already strapped for cash, and cutting corners to get things done, rather than wishing to present an air of competent professionalism from the word go.
Seeing a casting director in their own house (as Forbes alluded to) or an agent working in their home/office space is different: that tends to be an informal meeting with a business professional within the atmosphere in which they feel most at ease to interview you, and used to be the norm back in the days when casting directors and agents had time to invite actors to their homes or personal offices. Less and less do so now, although there are a few of the old school still out there (and I have attended home interviews of this sort myself).
Students, particularly student filmmakers, but really students of any sort never have any money and will often invite you to audition in a house (generally their shared accomodation). This is rarely risky, not least because the house is communal and 99% of the time several other people are present making, say, food in the kitchen whilst you're trying to concentrate on a convincing reading. You may be more put off by the stale socks draping the radiators as you come in then anything else. Some students audition directly at the school/university they attend in a designated studio space...which tends to be better for everyone involved in my opinion!!
I've auditioned at peoples' houses on several occasions. Generally, though, because I've not been avaialble during thier normal sessions and they've still wanted to see me :o)
It's no big deal. BUT - I agree - What Lee said - be careful. There are legitimate/understandable reasons. so they are not dodgy per se ...
DON'T go on your own, take someone else, ideally a bloke, with you. It's no good letting people know where you are going because if the person's dodgy by the time you're in the house it won't matter who knows you're there, it'll be too late. And you can't necssarily believe what people say (there'll be others there, it's a group audition, blah blah) if they're not kosher. I'd be VERY wary about auditions at a house, I've never had an audition like that and probably wouldn't go to one I don't think it's worth the risk. But it's your choice. I think Lee's comment about budget is also pertinent. :) x
I agree to take someone with you but I would also be totally honest from the word go, explain that although you are more than happy to audition that the set up of someones house is unfamiliar to you and makes you feel a little uneasy then wait for their response if they are legit they may even offer to do it somewhere else or suggest you bring someone with you which should put your mind at ease, even ask them why they are hosting the audition there, as Lee has pointed out maybe it is a no budget thing then you can assess whether or not the risk outways the project good luck and keep us informed.
I agree to take someone with you but I would also be totally honest from the word go, explain that although you are more than happy to audition that the set up of someones house is unfamiliar to you and makes you feel a little uneasy then wait for their response if they are legit they may even offer to do it somewhere else or suggest you bring someone with you which should put your mind at ease, even ask them why they are hosting the audition there, as Lee has pointed out maybe it is a no budget thing then you can assess whether or not the risk outways the project good luck and keep us informed.
Ive been to many an audition and to casting sessions held in someones house.
Especially for modelling assignments, studios tend to be in the persons house.
However if you ever feel something isnt quite right,just leave.
Trust your instincts.
Madelaine, better safe than sorry take someone with you. I've had an audition as well in someone's house, fortunately I was a bit naive & didn't realise the problem. Thakfully it wasn't too much of a problem & I;m still in contact with the director & an actor from the experience to this day. However, with the passage of time I realise what a danger it can be. If they take offence to having someone with you then it's not worth it.
Yasmine's point also reminds me that some film makers who don't have designated studios (i.e. they will either rent studio spaces when they are working, or shoot entirely on location) can invite you to their house or apartment because it is primarily where they store all their basic equipment, and they are concerned to cart their cameras, tripods, laptops etc. around with them when they are not on shoot. So, they will invite you to the house for the express purpose of auditiong you in the most conducive conditions to catch you on screen.
Still, most well budgeted setups will at the very least operate out of an office, high end directors will tend to audition you on actual studio lots and the very highest ranking film work tends to be cast via casting directors in formal surroundings without you ever coming into initial contact with the director!
Still and all, the point remains: just because the audition is low key doesn't mean it isn't a real audition. But, as has been repeatedly stressed, you should make sure you feel comfortable with every aspect of the audition before and during attendance. As ever, I suspect, male actors tend to be less concerned with this problem than female actors, and it's too easily dismissed as an issue.
Madeline as a Producer/ Director myself, I feel this is unprofessional and lazy on a lot of levels.
If he can't be bothered to hire a space for his production (to audition) it doesn't say a lot for his view of his project, or his professionalism. Even with little money you can get spaces!!
If it helps in any way, I auditioned for¨"Where the Heart is" and "All about Me" at the casting directors house.
She is well known (Susie Pariss) but used her house as her offices with the waiting rooms either in the kitchen or in the upstairs bedroom !!
I think everyone is trying to cut down on overheads (I.E renting rooms) but as a few people have said, if an alarm bell starts ringing ..... check it out properly!!
Good luck by the way with the casting/meeting/interview/audition.
I auditioned for Jill Freud productions (married to Clement Freud) at her house in London. Everything was very respectable. So it's not unusual. and more recently up in Lancaster so not unheard of.
14 years ago
14
You must login as a candidate to participate in the forum.
Please note:Messages written in the forum do not represent the views of The Mandy Network, nor have they been vetted by The Mandy Network staff.
If you read something which you believe to be offensive or defamatory, please contact us and we will take the appropriate action.
