General Acting Advice

The following tips are taken from comments left in the now-defunct group "Do You Have Any Acting Tips?" and date from 2009-2010.


Rei 
I recommend joining up with a casting agency. They hook you up with auditions and only get paid whenever YOU are. No dues. No fees. Any casting agency that tries to make you pay in advance for their services is a rip off. You can google map the ones located closest to you. BUT CHECK THEIR WEBSITES and check their reviews. Some agencies require professional headshots which can be extremely expensive (good headshots range in price from around $300-$600). Look for ones that only require a snap shot and resume if you want to save money. Headshots are important, but if you're just starting out in the busness, you can make that investment a little later. 


Ritamc101
If you ever forget your monologue or lines, make it up as you go along. The director/coordinator respect it because they can see that you can flow under pressure.

**FOR LIVE PLAYS**

It also shows that even though you made a mistake, it seems to the audience that you never ever made one, which can at times save the show.

A Director pointed it out to me when I was auditioning for my school play. He said it was well done that I kept calm even thought I messed up, and just went with the flow. When he asked the other people at the auditions, they said they didn't even notice one mistake.


Josie
Even if your co-actor stinks at saying his/her lines and always screws them up, or misses a really important line, say it yourself (but still stay in character) and pretend like nothing happened. No one will know they messed up.


Phoebe
When you walk into an audition, walk up to whoever is there and say hello and ask how they are and shake their hand. If they film your audition and they ask if you want to do it again, always say yes unless you truly  believe that your first take was amazing. You do this because it gives you more time on the camera so when they play it back, you stand out more. And if you say yes, ask is there anything you'd want me to change. Also, always ask questions about the scene you're doing even if it's plain obvious, that shows that you're truly intrested in what you're acting. Also be in character when you walk in.


Ben
Arrive on time. Do NOT chew gum!


Kerstyn
Stages of an Audition


Phase 1. Booking- To book you need a headshot and a resume.If you have an agent/manager they will book auditions for you.
Phase 2. Audition- Most auditions are improv. They will tell you what to base it off of and do your best to fit that topic.

Phase 3 and 4 are only if they like you.

Phase 3. Callbacks- Callbacks are only if they like you. They select a few people for callbacks for that role. When I auditioned and went to the callback as was paired with someone who ws auditioning for the other role.
Phase 4. The news- This may be the best or worst. I fthey loved your call back and call you to say 
"Hey you are our new...." but they may say no. "Hello. I'm sorry but you did not get the role of...."


KC
Some Resources for Acting Tips:

• Actingbiz - Five and a Half Acting Tips Not Taught in Acting Class
• Acting Tips from Lifetips
• And of course, ActorTips.com.