As a top headshot photography studio, our clients often ask us for advice before a big audition. They wonder what shot they should use and what they should wear. But our advice goes beyond that. Here are “Our Top 5 Dos Before Your Big Audition!”

Take care of the details the night before! Prep your clothes, your headshot, your highlighted sides, even your directions the night before your big audition. Give your artist within the wiggle room he needs to stretch, play, or even meander right before the casting by doing as much as you can the night prior. You’d be surprised at how many actors self sabotage themselves by showing up late and frazzled to big auditions. Don’t let that happen to you. You may not always be able to control what happens in the audition room, but you can usually control how you spend the night before. So set yourself up for success by planning ahead. Life will throw you plenty of curveballs without you having to create them yourself!

Do your research! Knowing specifically what and who you are auditioning for will put you head and shoulders above the competition! If you use resources like IMDbPro, you can look up previous projects the director has worked on and get a feel for the tone of work they usually do. And if you sign up for membership to the site, you can even see if you both have worked with any of the same people in the past. This knowledge is a great tool for networking purposes, and it puts you in the right frame of mind before your audition. Because remembering that it’s a small world, and that those casting are just people too, levels the playing field.

Practice reciting your favorite mantra! Getting your head in a positive space before you walk into the room will make or break your audition. And words are very powerful. You say something enough, your mind starts to believe it. So on the drive to casting, try some positive affirmations. Some of our favorites include: “I’m about to go on a powerful imaginary journey, regardless of if the others want to come on board.” And, “I’m a beautiful and prolific artist – No one can offer what I am about to share!”

Remind yourself to have fun! This is one of the few careers that never really requires growing up, so reminding yourself to enjoy the process will serve you well in the audition room. You know your best auditions always happen when you allow yourself to be in the moment and have a good time. If you take yourself too seriously, you won’t be flexible or open to the directors notes. But if you open up and allow the joy of make believe in, you will shine. This advice is equally true for your comedic and dramatic auditions. Being game to play and go on a roller coaster of emotions is what makes magic in the audition room!
Make plans to do something fabulous afterwards! Your life is so much bigger than this audition, no matter who or what it is for. So make sure you have somewhere to be afterwards. The energy you leave the room with is just as important as what you bring in with you. So never let them see desperation as you linger in the doorway on the way out. If you have some place to be, you’ll exit with a pep in your step. It could be a shopping date with a friend, a facetime date with your nephew back home, or even an iced coffee date with yourself. Confidence is key, so leave them wandering, what does she have going on tonight?

Break legs! Megan