If you are interested in acting, one of the first things you should do is seek auditions. You can do this by hiring an agent, searching local posts, and checking social media. They are determination enough, you could even land a great role!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Get an Agent or Representative
Step 1. Ask your acquaintances for recommendations
You can ask your friends, colleagues, or classmates who do have agents to recommend you.
- To do this, you can give them your photos of your face, your resume and your video demonstration so that they have something concrete to show.
- In case none of your acquaintances has an agent, you can try to get involved with a local community of actors so that through them you can get your demo video and photos of your face to the right people.
- You also won't be able to get an agent without a recommendation, so find someone who knows you well and also has a working relationship with an agent so they can recommend you.
Step 2. Participate in local plays, movies, and commercials
Get involved in projects of this type regardless of salary or if they are part of your school activities, as this is an easy way to get the attention of an agent.
- Take advantage of all the acting opportunities that come your way, be it in plays, student films, documentaries, commercials, etc., since the more ways you have to expose your work to the public, the better.
- If you really have talent and the type of qualities that are often sought in the industry, little by little word will spread about you as you get more opportunities to expose yourself.
- Keep in mind that if a play or video is recommended to an agent or representative, they will make sure to watch it. So even if you get involved in a small project, they could still find you out.
- Likewise, any opportunity that comes your way will allow you to refine your skills and provide you with useful experience.
Step 3. Network using social media
You can reach a greater number of people through your friends or networks of contacts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
- However, you should be very careful if you choose to contact an agent through social media.
- You should not come across as overzealous or desperate, as this is not what agents are looking for in their employment relationships.
- As a general rule of thumb, you should pay close attention to what you post on your social media accounts, as this is what potential agents will see. Consider whether it is something you would feel comfortable saying or showing in person, and if not, it is best not to post it.
- To communicate with an agent through Twitter or Facebook, it is best to start a conversation with him about the things you have in common and show him your original content.
- If the agent does not respond to you, you should not bombard him with your demo videos or your photos, since the agents have very close networks of contacts, so you would not only ruin your working relationship with him but also with other agents.
Step 4. Participate in agent workshops
They often organize these types of workshops as a way to meet new people.
- However, you should keep in mind that these workshops are usually very competitive.
- To stand out from the crowd, make sure you don't come across as too shy or too arrogant or weird.
- Make sure to make a professional and unique first impression, as these are key in the industry.
Step 5. Schedule a meeting with an agent
This is recommended after you have contacted one and got to know him a little better.
- Make sure to prepare your resume and demo video well, as you can't just rely on your looks and your unique looks.
- Be prepared to speak with the agent about your experience and interests.
- You must convince the agent that they will not waste their time meeting with you. To do this, your work has to speak for itself.
- Don't expect the agent to launch you to stardom just by looking at you if you don't have enough experience to justify it.
Step 6. Hire an agent or representative
These professionals are the ones who will help you find auditions.
- In the case of agents, you must pay them between 10 and 20% of your salary when you get a job, depending on whether you belong to a union or not.
- Also, you should not think that you will automatically get a job just by having an agent or representative.
- Always read contracts with agents and representatives before signing them. There are many scam agencies in the world of acting.
- Agents work by suggesting auditions for you based on your skills and recommending you to directors they know, but all of this does not guarantee that you will land every role you apply for.
Method 2 of 2: Get Auditions On Your Own
Step 1. Use your own contacts
You can ask your acting teachers, your colleagues or your friends to inform you about any local acting projects in which you can participate.
- These people can be an excellent first-hand resource.
- Also, in the case of your acting teachers, they will also know the types of roles that are most recommended for you and will be able to inform you about the best contacts you can make.
- If you have a network of contacts, they might refer you to local casting directors or agents themselves.
Step 2. Try to attend some auditions on your own
Check the local newspaper, related websites, advertisements on television or radio, etc.
- Television channels often advertise auditions for their television shows and other such projects on their websites.
- If you want to get auditions and castings for plays, you can check magazines related to the field or the local newspaper.
- If you live in a larger city, you can look for auditions in the major newspapers. It is always easier to find opportunities in large cities where the entertainment industry is more developed.
Step 3. Use social media
A great way to get auditions is through Facebook.
- For example, event pages are often created to advertise open auditions for both television and film and theater.
- You can also search the Facebook pages of the agents themselves or the projects you want to participate in, as information about the auditions could also be published there.
- Other places you can look for auditions are Twitter and Craigslist.
- These types of opportunities are generally easier to find near larger cities with more developed entertainment industries.
Step 4. Create an account on audition websites
This can be as easy as heading to the page in question, creating an account, and uploading your face photos.
- Search locally to find out the top such websites where you live.
- Make sure your profile is detailed and can stand out from the crowd. Also, don't forget to include several of your face photos.
- These websites work by sending you an email each time a project is going to hold auditions or castings for certain roles.
- However, you should not depend exclusively on these websites, as many of them will charge you for their services and these will not always pay off.
- Therefore, you can only use them to find out about local projects.
Step 5. Contact your local movie office or equivalent entity where you live
- Here you can easily find information about auditions and castings.
- This is because, when a movie production needs extras (for example), it usually announces it through the local cinema office.
- There you could also find a list of local projects that are currently in production and the permits required for them, as well as lists of contacts related to the field so that you can communicate yourself with the casting directors.
- You may also find information on acting classes or workshops so that you can continue to practice and refine your skills.
Warnings
- Some audition websites tend to charge exorbitant fees just to allow you to create a profile, and this will not guarantee you a job.
- If you come across an ad for a "custom" audition taking place in a secluded area, it's best not to show up.
- Be very careful with scams. For example, you shouldn't have to pay your agent or representative before you have landed a role.
- Never contact an agent or representative through their email or private phone number unless they give you specific permission.