Since starting these blog entries on the art and science of the monologue last November, I’ve focused exclusively on auditioning for the theatre. However, here in Chicago, it's not at all uncommon for an agent who's considering sending you out on auditions to shoot your monologue. They want to see how you respond to the on camera environment. The reason is simple. Most of the auditions they will be sending you out on are on camera castings for commercials, features and network shows that happen to be shooting scenes in Chicago.
How an actor responds to the on camera environment is an important factor to the agents and casting directors. All too often they've seen actors, whose work on stage seems very solid, suddenly disintegrate when the camera begins to record.
Obviously, there are technical differences between performing in a “live” situation and performing for camera. Yes, there is a short list of technical adjustments that must be made to accommodate the camera. However, accomplishing these adjustments does not guarantee a good on camera audition. If the actor is unfamiliar with the difference in “feel” between the on camera and onstage environment, they can unwittingly repress the performance skills that work so well for them in front of a live audience. To avoid this kind of crash an burn it helps to understand how the on camera environment affects you. Before I get into this, it helps to establish a baseline for comparison.
Next… On camera, onstage; good acting is good acting.
Labels: On Camera