Try studying with an actor who's actually successful at it. 72 Films, 200 TVs, 100 Plays, 16 Broadway/off Broadway. Make Contact. Experience your world. Enjoy??
It is extremely important to make contact with whatever you, as the character, should be in contact with. Sometimes its the other character. Sometimes it's a passing butterfly or an inner thought-just like life. Last of all...ENJOY!! In an industry that auditions dozens to hundreds for each role, if your only criteria for a successful feeling about an audition is "getting that particular job", you
're going to be unhappy nine out of ten times. The audition, itself, must become the reward. Getting the job done is just a by-product. The audition is a workout, keeping you in shape, preparing you for the next one. Take some risks. The failures don't hurt that much, and the successes are more likely to be uniquely your own. You'll be able to look into the gunbarrel at the audition and see it...just plain old fun. At this juncture, you'll be functioning as a PRO instead of JUST ANOTHER FRANKENSTEIN VICTIM. ENJOY!!!! No Line Readings? What do I do instead? Look at the script first - for simple understanding of what's being said. Don't try to memorize word-for-word. Memorize what it means, and make what's being talked about physical. That includes all people, places, and events. We don't think in words, we think in physical, sensory experiences which cause emotional responses. Be very clear about all the physical factors of the script. If your character has a twelve-foot spear sticking out of his body, make it real for yourself. Make some simple choices - like, what do I want? What am I willing to do to get it? And how do I feel about the other people? Then make a semi-technical decision - just how much must I physically do to make my character's state believable. Probably less is more. For the beginner, simple contact is best-looking and listening may be the sure bet. The "Old Pro" often forgets this old basic. DO NOT read off the script while saying your lines, and DO NOT read off the script while the other person is saying his or her lines.
