Improvisation In Chicago

Many clients come to Chicago to cast because we are the improvisation capital of the world and they are looking for great improvisers.  Some of the most talented and successful comedians have come through Chicago’s improv circuit, including John Belushi, Chris Farley, Mike Meyers, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Eric Stonestreet and hundreds of other actors, writers and producers. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard actors say “Well I’m a dramatic actor and don’t need comedy skills” or something similar. Think Meryl Streep ever said that? Gone are the days when an actor doesn’t have to be multi-dimensional. Think about the film “The Artist”. When talkies arrived, he didn’t have a place in the acting world. Do you want to be a dinosaur? All forms of acting require the tools you learn from the art of Improvisation – listening, affirming, being present/in the moment, and supporting your fellow actors are just a few things. No one can teach you how to be funny, but you can learn how to react in situations that require quick thinking, wit and how to trust yourself and rely on others. Ever been asked to do a cold dramatic reading? With an improv background, you’d have confidence and the ability to go with the flow and if you make a mistake you’ll know how to cover it. And it makes you much more fun to be around on set. Make a director laugh and they’ll want to book you and hang out with you all day or for weeks, etc.  So get out there and take some improv classes with an understanding of how it relates to on-camera projects.  BIG NOTE:  Understand that subtle goes a long way in auditioning.  Just because we say improvisation or ad lib, doesn’t mean to go all Fozzie Bear with it.  

Communication With Your Agent

This one baffles me how bad communication can get sometimes between talent and their agent.  Everything from auditions, questions on things such as bookings that pop up suddenly, and confirming of all things (auditions, firsts, bookings, etc).  I can’t tell you how frustrating it is when we call out schedules and people don’t get back to their agent within a timely period… or at all.  Why would an agent continue working with and for someone who doesn’t get back to them in a timely manner?  It’s just unprofessional conduct. This is a business and if you want to be a part of it, just check in when they call, email, etc.  The only reason you should not return their call or email is if there is an emergency (yes, that happens to us all) or you are booked and on a set shooting.   Otherwise you should just check out with your agent so they won’t expect to reach you. It is common practice that you have one hour or less to confirm an audition or booking… that is the timeline. People have lost more bookings because of not getting back quickly to their agents – I can count at least 1000 (yes ONE THOUSAND) bookings that have been lost because of this over my 20 years.  Keep the relationship healthy and work at communication with them.  It will pay off… I promise.  Amen.

What To Wear For An Audition

First, know what you are auditioning for.  Don’t overdo it, but understand how you should look.  If they are asking for business casual, don’t come in t-shirt and shorts.  If you want to look like a homeless person for a Walmart ad that is fine, but more than likely you won’t get the role.  So don’t waste your time, be prepared… have extra clothes in your car for actor emergencies.  Seems simple enough, but people shoot themselves in the foot all the time with bad choices.  And when 80% of this is first impressions, and creative people sometimes don’t think beyond their initial vision, dressing for the role makes a difference for the ad folks and writers, directors, producers.  Don’t overdo your hair and make-up as well.  And always wear clean – hole free underwear.  

Casting Networks & Breakdown Services

THIS IS SO IMPORTANT IT LOSES PEOPLE AUDITIONS EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Unless you are so well known that everyone knows your resume, you need to have proper information on digital submission websites.  We constantly see people with no resumes, old or missing photos, missing or inaccurate size information, etc., filled out so we have no way of knowing if they are right for the project.  The assumption is that they are not caring enough, or have no experience to have a resume.  We know this is not the case, but it is pure unprofessionalism at it’s finest.  It’s not up to your agent to do this for you unless they take it on themselves.  It is up to you to keep things current, properly working and up to date with proper information.  Yes, your weight, measurements are HUGELY important.  We constantly get projects that we look to these things so we don’t waste peoples time coming in.  DON’T LIE.  DON’T MAKE UP INFORMATION… just be honest, it’s who you are.  Do not mark that you can juggle and ride snowmobiles if you CANNOT.  And yes, if you can, mark the fields that are appropriate.  We NEVER know what is coming around on projects and it is the best way for us and your agent to know what you can and can’t do… and how you look currently.  I personally know people that have been on these systems for over a year and they STILL don’t have information listed or resumes listed…. And thus potentially losing auditions or bookings for things.  KEEP THEM UP TO DATE – this is your career and your responsibility.

Do Your Homework - The Internet

Because the Internet is filled with commercials and a history for actors to use for research on clients/products it is there for you to learn more about how to tackle the audition.  See the style the client has currently, where they are moving with style, look, and feel of their commercials.  This will help tremendously as it will impact everything from how you dress, do your make-up and style of acting you bring to it.  This also works for television series auditions quite well.  Not really going to work for film, but you can always see who the director, producers, writer(s) are and learn their work.  If you were going in for a job interview you would learn about the company and what they are all about.  The worst thing is to not have an understanding of the client… actually there is no excuse anymore.  Do your homework… use the Internet to do research.