So, I noticed on one of the recent threads someone mentioned they don't audition (I assume casting would be done from show reel and online portfolios) and I wanted to ask if it is reasonable to apply for an acting job/opportunity yet state you do not audition?
I ask because I still like to participate in unpaid opportunities if the script is good, a seemingly rare occurrence as of late, and if the company conduct themselves with a modicum of professionalism i.e. receiving a generic e-mail asking me to forward my contact details when I have already provided them in my application is never a good sign and usually means they can't be bothered!
Is it cheeky to apply for an opportunity, yet refuse to be auditioned? Am I being pretentious in thinking that my body of work so far should be enough to convince someone offering an unpaid opportunity that I am right for the job? Or should I hold my skills in a higher regard than to be running around London auditioning for unpaid work?
I don't want to dilute the thread by sparking off the debate of whether or not actors should participate in unpaid work, simply asking for peoples opinions regarding auditioning for unpaid work.
I can't blame filmmakers/CDs for not being willing to cast from showreels. I have heard so many horror stories about actors showing up looking nothing like they do in their headshots/showreel - someone could have a fantastic showreel but you can't necessarily tell how old the footage is. They might have dyed their hair, gone bald, or gained or lost 50lbs since then. You also can't tell what someone is like to work with from a showreel.
Video/Skype auditions are different though and I am glad they are becoming more widely used. They're a great compromise between the need to see someone 'live' versus the practicalities of holding in-person auditions.
It should be pretty clear from a showreel what the actor will be like on screen and whether they are creative in performance but headshots can be very deceiving I agree.
You also can't tell what someone is like to work with until you work with them?! A face to face won't be atrue indication of how an actor will be on set (much more likely to show what the director will be like mind) - actually on that last point it's definately worth hooking up with the director before you shoot and once you have already been cast from your showreel of course ;)
Santiago!! YOU GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK!!! I thought I was in trouble for a moment there, seriously!
Sally, I empathise, having your time wasted is not fun! In fact I can recall three occasions where I have had to turn down work or have had work taken away from me because the employers were trying to take advantage of me (financially or otherwise).
People think I'm stupid and gullible because I look cute and foetal. It's quite the burden.
Not if the showreel footage isn't recent, though - an actor's appearance can change dramatically in even a relatively short time and unfortunately a lot of actors do use ancient headshots and showreels without giving any indication of how old they are. I have a friend who cast a (paid) project from showreels and one actor turned up looking 20 years older (had gained a lot of weight and let his hair go grey) than he did in his showreel and they had to scrabble to recast asap. That kind of experience understandable sours CDs on showreel casting and we all pay the price.
As for personality that goes to whether you are a good judge of character or not but personally I wouldn't hire someone without meeting them first. Even a five-minute meeting can tell you a lot about a person. (Of course, I would never not pay an actor, so the point is moot.)
Sorry to play devil's advocate but I would never refuse to audition if I applied for a job.
The way I see it, I wouldn't expect people to hire me for a desk job without an interview, why would I expect them to do it for an acting job?
If a job is unpaid and going to leave me really out of pocket, I don't apply for it.
If it's unpaid and I think it's worth doing, then surely it ought to be treated like any other job. I have agreed my reimbursement, whether that's expenses, showreel footage, thin air or actual money.
I wouldn't expect anything less than a professional relationship from them, why should they expect any less from me?
If my payment is showreel footage, I expect to receive it within a timely manner or I would consider that a breach of contract.
If I have stated that I am willing to apply for and commit to a role, why shouldn't I audition so that they can see if they want to work with me?
I can see why it's a pain, particularly if you're more established and they should know your reputation, and I understand why if you've been approached for something you would consider it unnecessary, but if I were to submit myself for work, I would expect to be asked to audition and if I wasn't ok with that, I just wouldn't apply. After all, if I can't give up one day to get the part, why would they assume I'll show up for the shoot?
We're not talking about "paying" work Sarah. If you go for a desk job, of course you'd expect show up...its going to be a wage earner.
Same with a film...if they are going to be paying me an agreed rate....and I want them to see me....I'll obviously expect to attend an audition.
My posts, and many others posting, have aimed our views at those jobs where no contract was forthcoming....no form of expenses were going to be forthcoming.....no script was even ready to read...etc etc.
Also....these are gigs in which "they" approached me......and then expected me to travel miles away to attend an audition? Audition for what at the end of the day? Rubbish footage and not even knowing if I have 1 or 100 lines???
Also if you read all the posts: We have all said: If the project is going to be worthwhile for whatever reason, one should expect to attend an audition.
If you or your agent submit yourself for working on a project....again I agree, you must expect to go for an audition.
If actors have the time, and their own resources (Grrr...I do not inc drawing the Dole either!) to attend any audition on an unpaid gig .....well...good for them.....they are very lucky to be in that financial and or spare time position. I doubt many professional actors are though?
At the end of the day....no job is the same...each project has to be treated on its merit and many differing factors. Also each actor is different and has different circumstances and will be at different stages of his/her career.
The ever growing, banal and blind stupidity displayed by "some" actors and or "some" student directors never ceases to amaze me, and it is having a spreading and detrimental affect on our business even in mainstraeam projects at times. Even more amazing, is these people believe this is normal professional behaviour? When and if it does become the norm....I'll be the first to leave the business!
But Forbes, that's my point. If I'm entitled to complain when they don't treat it as a professional engagement and pay me (albeit in footage), so are they when I don't treat it as such and refuse to audition because it's not worthy of my time.
It's just my opinion, and I can see why you would disagree.
I just think if it's a situation like your first post where you're losing money by auditioning, I would either take the hit or not apply in the first place, depending on how much i liked the idea.
BTW....touching back to the original poster and Cat's question!
.....yes if YOU apply for a job yourself...I think you should expect to have to audition for it!
I have seen certain jobs though when I've thought....that seems interesting or good fun, but I don't want to travel miles and miles to audition. In those rare cases, I simply and politely state my interest, assure them my pics etc are all up to date, and due to no fee, I only wish to be considered from my reel and other clips on my website. If the interest builds on both sides....I'll judge the project on its merits and my current situation.
I think this debate has gone slightly off piste and is now highlighting the issues surrounding working on "anything" for the sake of saying "Look at me, I'm working!" In my experience, it is not always a good philosophy to follow.
Mark I think you need to re-read my post. I am also talking about unpaid work - i was comparing paid work to unpaid work in the context of a pay negotiation - and I also said that if you were approached it's a different situation.
My point was that personally I don't feel you shouldn't apply for something and then refuse to audition.
I work full time to support my acting and it costs me money every time I audition, so I only apply for unpaid work if I am willing to commit fully to the production, including auditions.
That's just my opinion, you're entitled to yours.
I think the most sensible approach is to gauge every job on its own merits (or lack of!) and make a judgement call, rather than generalizing or making spur of the moment decisions.
I have in the past said yes to things straight away without really thinking it through, and regretted it. Now I don't have many blanket rules, it's a case by case thing.
Off piste. (though it's the only way to go if you actually ski/snowboard )this is not a debate for everyone it appears.... Again. If you apply you audition ( unless stated otherwise) if you are asked you don't ( unpaid only for those that don't get it.) the rest... Sleep tight ;)
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