04.22.07

Do Famous Actors Audition?

Posted in An Actors Life at 10:08 am by admin

Famous actors do not really need to audition for movie parts, everyone knows who they are and what they can do. What might happen instead is that the actor wll get a private call to meet with the producers and see if he is interested in working on a particular project - then often the script will be rewritten to suit the actor.

Mostly this is how it goes - the actor is contacted with an offer, and if the actor likes the role then negotiations can begin.

Negotiation usually refers to the payment offered, but can also work in any number of factors, most importantly would be time - ie for a lower budget the actor might only be free on certain dates between other commitments. Some famous actors ‘give’ their time to low budget productions they like if they like the script and to ‘give something back’ to the industry by helping out less experienced people. I have been told by a friend in the know that Jack Nicholson is one such generous actor.

Even when you make it to the point of being known in your industry - the point I am now at - you get calls direct too. Somebody who knows you or has seen your work before will call or recommend you for a specific part. Then you get the call go in.

Even though I have had direct call-ins I still have to go through an “audition” process, sometimes just against myself, sometimes there will be another 1 or 2 candidates trying their luck - but if you are good then it is really a one horse show with a couple of side acts  for later reference (ie if something goes wrong).

For an action movie you will have to go through the motions of taking bumps and hits, running through some imaginary fight sequences (a martial arts ‘kata’ but self designed helps a lot).

The other thing they will test for is to see how you play this particular character. So often a few short acting sequences just to make sure you are competant with this role.  Some actors are good at certain characters but hopeless at others.

Lastly and most important they want to make sure that they can work closely with you for hte next few months and that everyone will get along fine. An abrasive personality will get you kicked out of the industry faster than anything.

So in general, beginner actors get to go to the cattle call auditions, known actors get interviews and famous actors get offers.

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