Casting Director Renee Godbout lets you in on a major secret: The five words that casting directors love to hear from you
By Renee Godbout
Congratulations! You just got called in for an audition. Or maybe you’ve just performed your monologue at a convention, and afterwards the casting director sits you down for a few moments to talk.
It doesn’t matter whether the casting director is speaking with all the actors or you’re being singled out. Either way, you want to make sure you stand out. Just like in any job interview, there are always certain words that every casting director wants to hear. So what are they?
1. “I’m flexible.” Casting directors want to know that your schedule is flexible because production schedules change constantly. The last thing they want to do is cast someone who can’t make the new shoot day, if the days get switched. You need to be available or able to make yourself available at anytime.
2. “I’m dedicated.” You can’t be the type of person that will “phone in” a performance. Be dedicated to making the character your own and doing whatever is necessary to fully understand who the character is. Make sure the casting director knows that this role will become your priority as long as you are involved in the production.
3. “I’m always punctual.” There's truth in the old saying: Time is money. You never want to get a reputation for not caring about the crew or how tardiness affects the budget. Models are notorious for being late, so if you’re a model, prove them wrong!
4. “I can relate to my character.” If you’re auditioning for a criminal don’t say you have past experience as one, but auditioning for the part of a nurse, when you are one, can give you a nice edge over the competition.
5. “I’ve researched my role.” If you’re working on a film based on a novel, then read (or at least skim) the novel before your audition. If the character is a serial killer, then read up a bit on famous serial killers. Go into that audition as prepared and knowledgeable as you can possibly be.
Renee Godbout - Freelance Casting Director. Renee Godbout recently worked on the first season of The CW's popular teen show Gossip Girl at Grant Wilfey Casting. Some past projects include 2 seasons of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, the pilot for Dirty Sexy Money, and the Jonathan Demme-directed Rachel Getting Married.
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