I get really, really nervous about audtions, so much so I get a stress rash! This obviously means I am not performing to my full potential and losing out on some of my parts, has anyone got any tips for how to overcome the fear?
I always find Audition nerves help me, as splat says.
but sometimes i find that when i am expected to say something quickly in response to a side-question- i tend to blart out something i shouldn't.
At a recent audition, the casting director complemented a comedy short film of mine he had seen. I was so taken aback that he had A) seen it and B) liked it enough to talk about it, that I just gaffawed and said
"thanks, i didn't use any of my own material, I ain't funny." don't ask me why I said this, I have no idea, no idea!
god, I wish i had prepared for that one better! haha.
Graham....that was the sort of post and advice I like to read....ie; packed with common sense (never enough of it on these forums)....coz that's mostly all it is isn't it!
I don't like all these medical or alternative treatments and therapy to deal with a perfectly normal state of mind. As it's normal...deal with it, and learn to control it in a normal way.
I do appreciate there are those who may have "extraordinary" states of nerves or states of mind beyond their control... and that they do benefit from extra treatment to help them regain control.....but to suggest the way to deal with nerves is to rush off to expensive therapy classes seems daft to me! Sorry Zack, no offence... ...but....I cannot agree with you advising therapy of any sort as a first option...and then saying its not a simple thing etc...!
The internet is packed with simple relaxation exercises one can do for a min or two at the casting....sneak off to the loo to do them if you need too. However what is it that makes actors nervous....for me its nothing other than remembering the lines....but that's daft isn't it...so just learn them....but learn them properly....not pretend learn! If you have only had the lines for a minute or two, then use your site reading technique (confidence taught in Drama schools I thought...potty Potter recent thread?!!)
If a line starts to go, hold the look, maintain the character and improvise with a similar line...the director won't mind as long as you are solid and portraying the character...it's an audition not a memory test!!
Embrace the chance to impress the director and or client, they need to like you as well as be impressed. You have been offered a casting, so you have stated you are confident enough to be an actor already, if you are not at least that...I question your choice of career! If you can at least do that...everything else "after" the audition is beyond your control anyway, so no point being worried if they like you or not PRIOR to the casting.
ENJOY the casting, tell yourself the obvious...its not life or death its just a casting, and an opportunity to show what you are supposed to do best!
'Sorry Zack, no offence... ...but....I cannot agree with you advising therapy of any sort as a first option...'
I didn't say it was for a first option. I work with actors who have been struggling for years- to say they're not in the right career, just because they get nervous- seems a little simplistic to me, Mark.
'Embrace the chance to impress the director and or client, they need to like you as well as be impressed.'
Agreed, to an extent.
'so you have stated you are confident enough to be an actor already, if you are not at least that...I question your choice of career!'
VERY common misconception. I work on Harley Street with all manner of actors; Daily I see actors who are just starting out and working in fringe, to actors who are regularly on our screens or the West End Stage. Obviously I won't even begin to name names or even hint- but I know many a seasoned pro who gets nervous. I'm not saying that therapy or NLP is the *only* way but I am saying; It's a simple, elegant and painfree way of focussing nerves to harness a better audition/performance.
To say it's expensive and uneccessary for all actorsm, can only be considered in the same bracket as voice coaching, audition prep classes etc as not a necessity but something that can help from time to time.
Sorry Zack, you might not have stated it as the "first" step in dealing with nerves...but I feel you certainly push the NLP and your clinic's therapy over what could be and usually is perfectly simple and or a normal state of mind.
I guess it's down to the individual and how bad their nerves really are, and as I said in my post… if one has an "extraordinary" case of bad nerves "beyond ones control" ….then I am sure NLP or some similar therapy is good. However, I am loath to jump to any therapy without having tried a practical approach first.
To jump straight to a paid solution, or to suggest it's not simple, when in reality, aren't nerves are perfectly ordinary and in small doses, good as well (concentrates the mind) especially if you can keep them under control.
Actors who can't control their nerves for auditions under any circumstances - well I still question their choice of career……we are supposed to be confident aren't we?! However I do accept a lack of confidence is different to really bad cases of stage fright, or sudden attacks of audition nerves.
I do Clay pigeon shooting to a high standard in competitions. I have a pal who is probably better than me, but suffered with his nerves as he approached the winning post in finals. I taught him to evaluate what makes him start to get nervous…..and as usual…it was being afraid of losing at the last moment or being afraid of doing badly etc. If you evaluate this, there is nothing to be frightened of though, other than simply coming 2nd! I also gave him some simple breathing exercises before starting his final round which does help to concentrate the mind when under pressure….and he has now conquered his fears. The point being, I just think its best to do that first rather than say he should consider therapy, or to suggest it is not as simple as that.
Of course it's easier said than done, but with practice and breathing, one "can" help oneself.
As an ex engineer Zack….I always look for the simple and logical solutions first, there usually is one if you take time to evaluate a problem. You can complicate anything if you allow yourself to do so......sorry I am with Graham on this one!
I am with you Mark - I have a friend who is a champion darts player and his nerves got the better of him in the finals - making his hand tremble. I found his nerves were making him hunch up his shoulders, rounding them at the same time and only breathing up in his chest - not expanding his diagraphm. I showed him some breathing exercises which relaxed him, and focused him, and he was on a winner from then on.
I did a day course of NLP for actors (it wasn't therapy as such - just ways of looking at nerves and how to handle them and didn't cost an arm and a leg) and I must say it's really helped me. I'm still nervous before going on stage but I can control that and turn it into something positive.
I am not a seasoned pro like most of you Guys and Girls, but i seem to have got into a little habit of popping a quote or a question for you to ponder on this thread. Something that my just make you drift off inside a little deeper then you would normally go. Not advice but just a softener to challenge you to explore the unique and amazing 'YOU'......I hope you dont mind.
One day a human went to heaven in the way that humans often do. On arrival the human was greeted by a host of angels and given a tour of all of heavens wonders. Over the course of the tour the human noticed that there was one room that the angles quickly glided past each time they approached
"Whats in that room" the human asked.
The angles looked at each other as if they had been dreading the question. Then one stepped forward and said kindly, "we are not allowed to keep you out,but please believe us you don't wont to go in there."
The humans mind raced wondering what could be so horrible in that room that the angels wanted to hide it away.
The human knew he should take the angels at their word but the temptation was to hard to resist. After all the human thought, I'm only human.
Slowly he walk Thur the door dreading the horrors that might be revealed. But in fact the room was filled with the most wonderful things imaginable, a beautiful home, great wisdom, great work, peace, happiness and riches beyond measure.
Eyes wide the human asked, "why did you want to keep me from this room it is filled with the most amazing things.
The angles looked at each other sadly then back at the human.
"These are all the things, you was meant to have while you was on earth, but you never believed you could have them."
Nice one Graham. Takes us back to Neurolinguistic Programming. I did a Life Coaching course on goal setting and reaching dreams. We were told if we didn't believe it, it wasn't going to happen. We had to live our dream and she made us write a scenario about it. Funnily enough, later on, my Scenario did come true. I wrote about being on a proper film set, in the countryside.
This is how it was when I did a British Army Commercial.
Another good excercise which I like :'If you could'nt fail, what would you do?'
All I can recommend and this takes some time Stacie although I do stil get nervous and stressed is to say F*** IT! Enjoy it. It's a time to play, try and forget that it leads to a job but merely that you get to do what you enjoy in front of people. As David Mamet says casting directors and auditoners are there to get between us and our audience. ENJOY IT!
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