A good audition increases an actor’s chance of booking a gig. And as a parent of an aspiring child actor, you should know that there are certain things you need to pay attention to when it comes to casting calls or auditions. Think of it this way: Auditions are like job interviews, so what the child actor wears, how he looks, and how he behaves are part of the criteria.
It is important for a parent to know that your behavior in the audition room will also be noted. A well-mannered guardian will always stand out from the rest. If you’re looking for tips on what to do the next time you attend an audition with your child, then you’ve come to the right place. Here is a comprehensive guide to maintaining proper behavior at casting calls.
They’ve been portrayed countless times in TV shows and movies, so you probably have an idea what a stage parent is like. And oftentimes, you tell yourself, “I’ll never do that to my child!” But more often than not, you could already be displaying the same traits but are just unaware of it.
Before anything else, you need to distinguish the difference between “encouragement” and “putting too much pressure.” There’s a fine line between the two, and parents need to know where they stand in that.
Encouraging your kid to work hard and challenge themselves is great. But pushing them to the brink and ignoring their needs is not healthy and could destroy your relationship with them.
When it comes to proper behavior at casting calls also covers, clothing is another thing to consider. This applies to both you and the child. While the actor doesn’t need to be in costume when appearing at auditions, they shouldn’t look like they just left a sporting event either. Directors want to see their faces, so make sure their hair is clipped back or combed in a neat manner. As for parents, clothing should not be too revealing. Wear something smart casual and see to it that you are comfortable, as auditions can run for long hours.
The notion that casting directors want to meet your child’s brothers or sisters is completely false; it might even sabotage the child actor’s chances of getting chosen! Besides, the last thing you’d want is to have another child to look out for while monitoring your kid’s audition. In the event that the casting directors ask for siblings, then feel free to share some information about them. Chances are, they’re only trying to strike a conversation to ease the tension in the room.
Auditions don’t always go as smoothly as you would hope. Your child could mess up their lines, or their nerves can leave them completely speechless in front of the casting directors. It is completely okay to ask casting directors if your child can start over since they also understand how nerve-wracking auditions can be. However, avoid making excuses while making this request. Casting directors prefer to keep things going instead of tediously having to listen to parents make excuses for their child.
Proper behavior at casting calls includes avoiding any situation that will raise a ruckus. That means scolding should be avoided altogether. After all, acting should be a positive experience for your child. Imagine being a casting director and having to watch a parent scolding their child, sounds uncomfortable, right? So if you want your child to get the acting job, quit scolding or instructing your child when in the audition room.
First and foremost, you should know that it is your child’s passion that fuels their dreams. Any good parent knows that forcing a child to do something they don’t have any interest in won’t do them any good. On top of that, casting directors are sure to pick up on an uninterested child right away. So always make it a point to put their best interest at heart.