I have an audition tomorrow and don't know how many headshots/resumes i should bring. Is there a minimum or maximum?

you probably won't need more than one of each (stapled together) but it's always good to have a couple extra with you just in case. Break a leg!

One is pretty standard... I once brought more then one to each of the auditions, but in retrospect, I think this was quite unnecessary.

But it's good to have extras on hand. Always be prepared.

Do you know who all you will be performing for? Also, if they already have your resume/headshot?

I would say always bring one extra (I always do), because you never know who that extra person that comes in to watch you could be. I'd much rather be safe than sorry. The reason I asked the second question is, at least I have been told, even if you know someone has your resume/headshot, you should still bring it (only give if they ask for it though)!

Break a leg, man!

Thanks everybody,

They do have my resume/headshot from the submission i sent them through backstage but i didn't want to come empty handed. I did an audition a few weeks ago and they specifically said NOT to bring one if they had it in email so i didn't and i went and they still asked for it.

I'll post back tomorrow after the audition.
thanks again everybody.

I always have a few with me. I have found myself giving them out in unexpected situations, and it always pays to be prepared. If you are lucky enough to audition for both a Casting Director and the Director, offer them both a set. I've auditioned for reps and summer seasons where several directors are present, and its nice to have one for each, so they will remember you; otherwise Bob has your headshot and Mary may not remember you.

That said, don't hold up two different pics and ask them "Whch one do you like better?"

I blew it!!! I'm so mad at myself. My analysis of the character was dead on. I did everything right at least to my power. I wore the exact same outfit as in my headshot, I looked and acted the most professional out of the other auditioners (they were in raddy t-shirts and making unnecessary jokes) and had my lines memorized cold. But i made a futile mistake. I read the lines in a certain tone that led it to be a little more comical than it was supposed to be. The character is a manipulative pervert who was caught being a peeping tom. I read the lines as someone who was caught but is clever enough to get away with it, but the director wanted it as someone who didn't care, who was on the brink of orgazm, who is a dark manipulative murderer. We read it several times. I asked for a moment when i was getting stuck to try again, but I just couldn't get my body to react the way that the director wanted. They were all nice and the reader was incredible. I left there feeling like i had just been raped by a band of prison thugs who were nice enough to let me go tell my cellmate that i wasn't aloud in the gang.

If you've read this far any comments?

The truth is, you can have the most amazing audition, and STILL not get the part for such a huge variet of reasons. That said, it also go the other way. You can feel like you didn't get it right- and by golly, they may call you back in anyway! That said, my feeling about audition is this- in the words of Robert De Niro-"You're the eighth ball going in there" so the odds are stacked against you anyway. I personally have an obsessive personality and I knew when I started this business that would drive me crazy. So- from day one with auditioning I decided to walk in, do my thing and the moment I walked out- FORGET ABOUT IT. Could have, should have, would have- it's all UNNECESSARY. Beating yourself up is pointless. Cruise in, do your thing- cruise out. It has to be this way. At the end of the day, it really is not that important- really. Enjoy the ride and never let it matter so much it gets you down. This business is about doing what we love otherwise we would suffer in a cubicle 9-5 like all the other saps in life. That said- ENJOY each audition. This is your chance to shine and your chance to get out there and PERFORM!!! Enjoy it-that is what it's all about. Afterwards, stride out like you are all that. Never let them see you think you've failed. Own the room so that should you return to those people again some day, you have left a confident, lasting impression, instead of a defeated one. Remember-everything happens for a reason, and if you keep your spirits high and your confidence up- they will be plenty of opportunites and eventually your day in the sun will come my friend. Good luck....

i agree totally with MissStone (as i usually do!)

you need to let it go. there will be soooo many rejections for so many reasons, most of which have nothing to do with you. you cannot take it personally. if you do, you will not last.


also, i would not recommend wearing the same outfit you wore in your headshots at all. in many cases, it might not even be appropriate. you should dress as your character might, if you have that info. Don't go overboard, (like..don't wear a costume or anything resembling a costume) but wear something that subtly shows the character, while still looking good and natural on you. ie, if the character is a slacker couch potato, don't stroll in wearing a suit.

also, many places do not want you to memorize the sides you receive. the reason for this is that sometimes when you memorize the lines, you memorize the tone and intentions behind them as well. which makes it very hard to direct you.

often times a CD will ask you to do something differently, even if you did it exactly as they wanted, if only to see how well you take direction. therefore you do not want to go into an audition with an unchangeable idea of what the character should be.

and i TOTALLY agree with MS again on the "enjoy each audition" point. someone once said that to me (marci phillips maybe?) and i've never forgotten it, and it has helped me tremendously. each audition is an opportunity to perform, and should be treated as such. that way, regardless of the outcome, you should be proud of yourself.
and if it's bad? so what! move on. it's a lesson learned...

and regarding the headshots and resumes thing, i always have my card with me which is HUGELY helpful. you seriously never know who you'll meet randomly. i have a tendency to do that.

i also kept headshots and resumes behind the bar i used to tend.. and got three jobs off of it!

i usually bring at least one extra headshot and resume with me to any audition, although obviously it's not necessary. however last friday i went to an audition, did my thing, and when i was done, another director approached me and asked for my info, and i ended up doing his project. so carrying the extra stuff can pay off!

Allways carry plenty of photos and resumes. On one of the first audition trips into the city for my son, my wife walked into the wrong audition by mistake. Several people wanted resumes and photos at an open casting call. By the time we realized that the right audition was across the hall I must have handed out 4 or five sets. Luckly I had enought to go around. I usually have about a dozen with me.
Right now I am putting together a card for my son since everyone asks for one anyway. Networking....

When I was performing(now in casting and education), I always had 10 resumes and photos on hand, along with business cards with my photo on it to give to other actors I meet at the auditions and other folks on the production. Now this is not to be unsolicited or obnoxious and you have to take the time to listen to what others are talking about in the room before turning into some sort of "club promoter" with your cards. Be aware of your surroundings and never disrupt the actors waiting to go into audition. However, after the audition when everyone is on their post audition smoke or if the room is a big open call and it is more casual, find out who and what your actor neighbors are doing or working on. Nothing is more annoying than a self-absorbed actor who doesn't take the time to listen and share before throwing cards in peoples faces. The art of networking is just as important as having the goods to back it up. Be helpful first to others and in turn the help will be returned. Share knowledge always. Sometimes actors are so competitive they destroy relationships that could be useful. If you see those types milling about, avoid them and look to those who seem to be relaxed, professional and confident. And besides, networking is fun and releases the tension of the audition! Think of every audition as an opportunity for learning and expanding your reach. Essentially, you are the owner of your own business and building contacts or relationships, is essential to your success. I have booked jobs because an actor I met at an audition and became friends with told me about future auditions that I wouldn't have previously known about.

As I mentioned above, I also work in the arts education business and now on the other side of the camera doing casting. A teacher I had hired to teach an on-camera workshop for teens was working on an amazing script. I hired him to teach because he had already written, stared and produced two indy films, one of which had gotten some distribution in Wal-Mart and thought he would be the best person to education other interested in the industry. He gave me the script of the new film, of which I loved and asked if I could work on it and because of my relationships with casting people in LA and various agents and managers, he put me in contact with the production company and now I'm associate casting on the project. And more opportunities present themselves to me everyday with this line of thinking.

Anyways, good luck with your future auditions and don't take it too hard. There is always another audition on another day. The more you get past the rejection and focus on the fact you have the opportunity and to make the most of that, it will put you in a better frame of mind and thus more successful in the end.

Thanks for the advice everybody. After reflecting on the audition and to respond to jen's reply. I did the wrong thing by memorizing my lines cold and that in return i think is what went wrong because the CD asked me to perform it in various ways and my tones and muscles could not change the shape in the way i chose to portray the character. I've definitely moved on and am going to keep trucking and studying.

We always have at least 4 or 5 H/R with us. In theater auditions, they typically want more than one. Occasionally in film/tv auditions but less so. And business cards are great to hand out if you don't have any more H/R (ones with your photo on it).