This is probably a whole comedy sketch in itself! I kind of like this process as it’s given me so much to write about over the years. Someone needs to write a comedy series about it, in fact, as the characters I have met are unique.

If you have been lucky enough to get an audition, and I say that as it’s meant, then it’s all down to the actor getting in that room and securing that job! 

I used to drive to all auditions as I thought it would be easier all round. However, I only ever travel by train to Manchester now, and if you know anything about the M62 generally, you’ll know what I mean. But I take the car to London as the cost on the train is unsustainable. It’s actually cheaper to drive down, pay the congestion charge and park in the closest car park to the audition. 

However you travel to an audition, give yourself plenty of time and have clear directions at the other end how you get to your audition. A stressed actor is more than guaranteed to under perform and it’s a long way to go to fall at the last hurdle. 

Don’t get there too early but definitely not too late, unless there is some major traffic event that has been publicised as the casting director won’t be impressed.

Once you arrive, register your attendance with the assistant and if you can find a seat, sit down. You may have been given some forms to fill in which ask for height, date of birth and agent’s details etc. It may also ask you for measurements so TAKE a tape measure with you. Your child may also be asked to have a Polaroid taken so they can staple it to your form. Let them do this.

I always carry a couple of spare passport photos with me in case they ask but it’s not common so it’s up to you. Make sure you have your agent’s details with you, grab one of their business cards and have it with you at all times so have your information to hand. Make sure your child knows what the agency is called too. They may be asked to do a piece to camera and if they don’t know, it’s a bit embarrassing.

Sit quietly and don’t get embroiled in parent chit chat unless you know another parent well. And even then, keep your voice down as the audition room might be attached to the waiting area. I have seen some really funny scenarios where the casting director has shouted at the parent for being too loud. It’s not a social gathering, it’s a job interview!

Make sure your child has a neat tidy copy of the script with them so they look organized. They may not have been given a script, it may be a workshop audition but if they do, they don’t want to go in with a crumpled copy of their words. 

Your child should know their lines off by heart!!! Not familiar with their lines, know them! Sometimes it’s only a page long so if they can’t get that together then we have problems. If they have been asked to do several scenes they need their script with them only to guide them to which numbered scene they are doing.

Dress appropriately for the part, jeans and a smart top are fine. Chinos, dresses (not ballgowns) and skirts are all fine as long as they are fitting for the child’s age and are at the correct length.

I wouldn’t recommend that they go through their lines with any other children at the audition as it could change the way they present their character in a split second and scupper their chances, OR it might give another child a lead into how they should do it, and if they have the right look your child will have just given that role away before they even get through the door. I know this sounds cruel but you haven’t just spent potentially £80 of your own money getting to a job just to casually hand it over, have you? It’s a competition, so treat it as such. Be polite but be focused!

Sydney and I hardly ever spoke at auditions. We just sat and waited calmly for her name to be called. 

Once in the room there are several scenarios that could take place. If they go in alone, the casting director or director may want a brief chat with your child about their likes, dislikes, hobbies and school so it’s worth practising these types of conversations before you leave home. They may even ask them about the script and what they thought, so again, form a good response to this. There is pretty much always a camera in the room, which they will use to record your child’s performance so hair should always be half tied back and off their face so that they don’t hide themselves in bundles of hair. 

Your child should have the confidence to ask whether they would like the script to be directed to the director or the camera as this will stand them in good stead for using their audition effectively. Then it’s simply up to their performance. 

When leaving an audition, it is always courteous to say thank you and goodbye to the assistant outside and check that they no longer need your child. Don’t be asking them when you will find out if the job has been booked or not as they probably don’t know themselves. 

My biggest bugbear is when I see children getting the third degree when they come out as to what happened in the room and what was said etc. If you could see yourself from another’s perspective you would probably find yourself quite ridiculous. 

A lot of auditions now are conducted by a self-tape audition which is a double-edged sword as it saves you a lot of money and affords you the time to perfect your audition but doesn’t necessarily get you to show yourself off in terms of your personality and variety. Self tapes are very time consuming too, with not only shooting the work but making sure the edit is just as professional. Mobile phones are fine to use, if the camera is of good quality and you can hear the sound effectively but if you have better equipment, use it! Shoot on a plain background and a mid body/ head and shoulders frame. Decide on your eye-lines if talking to different characters and make sure the whoever is reading in for you is quite neutral so the focus can be on the artist. Don’t wear any branded clothing at all, keep it simple. There are varying opinions whether the actor should be sat down or stood up... interpret the brief the best way you feel. 

Read the brief and make sure they have not asked for any further slates (inserts) ie, full body shots with different profiles or an introductory piece about yourself. Make sure you label your self tape with your name, role, and project title. When casting directors are looking through hundreds of tapes with different actors being seen for different roles, they need to be able to find you quickly. 

Always include your agents details on the end of the edit screen, so if they like you, they can ring your agent immediately. 

Remember, the audition is not something to rush, its a fine line between booking a job and losing it.