BEFORE WE BEGIN Welcome back to the Influencer’s Addict Series! Today’s post is for all aspiring actors and actresses. I am very happy to have Sebastien Skubala, 16 year old Australian actor, singer, and songwriter, guest post on this blog. Sebastien was among the Top 100 of the Australian season of The Voice Kids and in 2018 he released his first original song Hide Yourself, with more songs to follow. He has also starred in many short films some of which are Old Saint Nick (2016) and Today? (2016), which premiered at the 2017 Little Big Shots International Film Festival for Kids. Most recently he has appeared in A Fish Out Of Water (2017) and We Need to Talk (2017) which picked up a stack of awards around the world. Sebastien co-wrote and co-starred in the short film Deadline Demon (2017) which was a Trop Jr finalist. Needless to say he has experience beyond his years. A word from SebastienHey there! The following post was written by Sebastien. In it he provides aspiring young teens with... Tips on auditions1. Pick A Role This sounds really basic but the first step is to make a clear decision about what role you are going to go for. Read the character descriptions and have a go at singing each character’s main songs at home. Is there a character that’s feeling easier and more fun for you? Go for that one. It’s usually not a good idea to prepare for more than one role as you won’t be able to give your all to the character. When picking a role, know your "type." Do you think you could believably play the character? Can you sing the songs, or is it too high / too low for your voice? If you are unsure, get some advice from a trusted source, like a parent or a singing / drama teacher. Most well known musicals have all the character info available online, so you can start planning even before your school releases the audition information. Another thing to think about when picking a role is find out who else is auditioning at your school. It’s usually not hard to do some detective work, but check the sign up sheet if you are unsure. Schools usually cast their shows in such a way that older kids are more likely to get main roles. But don’t assume that just because you’re a senior, you’ll get a lead role; you still have to give a great audition. Casting is like a jigsaw puzzle, so you have to know who else is trying out for what roles and you need to hedge your bets when picking the role that you are auditioning for. Go for the role you are most likely to get cast in. But try not to make too many assumptions about the casting of others. Shows are never “pre-cast” per se. It’s just helpful to know what you are up against and think about how you might fit into the puzzle. When picking a role, don’t just go for the main role because it’s the main role. Firstly, are you prepared to take on the pressure? A good show relies on having strong leads. Are you ready for a lead role? Do you have experience with lead roles? Have you done much solo or supporting character work before? Are you confident that you can do a great job as the lead and not let nerves get in your way? Will you be able to juggle a lead role with school work and other commitments? If so, great. But take a look at all the characters in the show before you decide. Schools like to pick productions that have a range of characters so there are heaps of opportunities for everyone to have a good part. Often the supporting characters get song numbers which are more fun and the right actor can steal the show in these smaller character roles. 2. PreparationMy agent Mark Eaton says "proper preparation prevents p*ss poor performance." Way too many people skip the preparation step, but if you want the edge, you have to do the work and that includes background research. YouTube is your friend - there's a good chance there's a full length version of the show you are auditioning for somewhere online, so go find it and watch it, no matter how bad the filming and sound quality is. If there's a movie adaptation - watch that as well. If there is an original book - borrow it from the library and read it! Get hold of as many versions of the production as you can so you have a great understanding of the show and where the character you are going for fits into it. When you get your audition information, learn all your lines and lyrics off by heart. On audition day you are going to be nervous, so you want the song to be second nature so you can focus on giving the best performance you can. I was lucky enough to be on the other side in the audition room recently and I saw first hand how auditions can be killed when an actor hasn't learned their lines. So even though it can seem like a chore, practice with the material every day. A bit each day is much better than one big last minute cram session. If you are going for a main role I also recommend coaching with a singing or drama teacher. They will be able to give you advice and help improve your performance. 3. Don’t Come In Costume My advice here is "dress to suggest." Wear something that is in the spirit of your character, but don't dress up. The same goes for props, don't be tempted to use them. They will just distract from your performance and you don't need them for the audition. But, don't be afraid to take a risk with your audition. I suggest taking a risk with your interpretation of the character, not with prop or costume gimmicks. If your character is supposed to have an accent, definitely use one, but only if you can nail it. Get on YouTube and start learning the accent if you want to take your audition to the next level. 4. Keep Your Cool Auditions are stressful. There's a lot riding on this moment, one mistake and it could cost you the role. Most audition panels cast from what they see on the day, so if you’re having a bad day or a give a bad audition, it could have a high price. That's a lot of pressure. But I promise you, if you know the material inside and out, you are going to be so much more confident going in. So go back to Step 2 and keep preparing until you are singing in your sleep! Here's another thing you might not have realised: the audition panel want you to be good. They want it to be a great show and will be excited about finding great actors for the roles. If you can give them a fully prepared version of the character, it will make their casting decisions easier. You might just be exactly what they are looking for. So for that 15 minutes (or however long your audition is), you ARE that character. It may only be your role for one show only (ie: the audition), and for a very small audience (the panel), but it's your time to play that role, so enjoy it! 5. Importance Of Warming Up On audition day, don’t forget to warm up your voice before you go in (Warm Me Up is a great vocal app). Whatever you do, don’t go into your audition cold, have a vocal warm up and one run through of your song in a quiet practice area first. Stay focused once you get into the waiting area, and try not to lose your energy, but be prepared to wait - they are usually running late. 6. Don’t Get Too Attached To The Role Expect the unexpected. You may go into the audition all ready to play one character, and the panel then gives you some material for another character and tells you to go out, learn it, and come back in! They’ll do this if they see you as a different character to what you’ve chosen for your audition. So be flexible, do your best with any curveballs that come your way on the day, and be prepared for anything. This is also why it’s good to be familiar with the whole show, just in case they throw something new at you on the day. It’s also important not to get too attached to the character you are going for to prevent feeling really let down if things don’t work out when casting is announced. 7. Block Out The Noise There's always going to be people who like to talk and who have opinions about everything. Competition can sometimes bring out people’s dark sides. The best thing to do while your play is auditioning and immediately after casting is announced is to focus on the work and block out the noise. Listening to gossip is only going to distract you from the work, so keep your head down, focus and don't worry about what others are saying about who they think is going to get what role, and who isn’t. Chances are they are wrong anyway. It's also worth noting that negative talk can sometimes get back to the production team, which is not a good look if it’s coming from you, and it might even cost you the role. 8. Callbacks Did you get a callback? That’s awesome! It’s time for the second round of auditions, so refer back and repeat steps 2-7. No callback? Don’t panic. Not all roles / actors require a callback. You may have shown them everything they needed to see at your first audition. It's not always bad news not to get a callback. 9. Once Casting Is Announced The wait was probably a killer, but casting has finally been announced. Did you get the role you hoped for? Congrats!! It's time now to give your everything to the show. Don't take this opportunity for granted as you never know where it may lead. It's also a good idea to be low key with your excitement at first as there are other kids who may have missed out and are probably devastated. Or, did things not go to plan and you’ve been given a much smaller role / different role to what you’d hoped? My best advice here is - that sucks, but you need to wear the decision. Unless you’ve got a really good reason, don’t drop out of the show. As English actor Michael Caine says, “use the difficulty.” Try to look at the positives of the role you’ve been given. What’s cool about the role, no matter how small it may seem? What’s the importance of it within the show? How is this part going to challenge you? Try to make the opportunity work for you. 10. The Importance Of The Ensemble Don't underestimate the importance of ensemble casting. Often there are small, featured parts that are given to ensemble members once rehearsals start - so show up, work hard and you might just get lucky. I was in the ensemble for two years whilst in Middle School. In my first year, I was given one solo singing line. And guess what? A reviewer mentioned me as a standout singer in the show! (Yeah, we get outside reviewers at our school shows.) It's also good to be in the ensemble when you are starting out, it's a lot less pressure and you will learn a lot. 11. Block Out The Noise - Again There may be a bit of drama once casting is announced because there’s usually going to be someone who is disappointed with what they've got. Try not to compare your casting with others and keep any unkind thoughts to yourself. There might be some casting choices that seem unfair to you, but you don’t really know the thinking behind all of the choices. The casting process is hard, especially in a school where the faculty are trying to spread opportunities around for everyone. Here’s the important thing: part of what makes a school show experience great is the friendships you make and the good times you’ll have throughout the season, and those will occur no matter what role you were given. But things didn’t work out how you’d hoped - so now what? I’ve had some crushing knock backs in my life in the performing arts world, and every one of them has caused me to step back, regroup and try again. My Mum has this great expression: “Sometimes we win, and sometimes we learn.” A knock back or setback is actually an opportunity in disguise: it's a chance to grow. Is performing your passion? Maybe it's time to get serious about it. Stuffed up the singing part? Maybe it’s time to start some singing lessons. Couldn’t keep up in the dance call? Think about taking some dance classes. How about an acting class? Did you blow it because you were nervous? Don’t beat yourself up about it. Auditioning is a skill, just like performing. Ask yourself what's next, and go out and make some changes. (Also worth noting: sometimes, the casting decision has nothing to do with your skills, maybe you just weren’t right for the part.) Is all of this effort and stress worth it though? I think it is. I love the feeling of performing on stage or on camera, but it takes work. I’ve been working at it for years and sometimes it sucks when the rehearsals run long, but when it all comes together on opening night, it’s the best. My Final Thoughts No one is 100% successful all of the time in their lives. It’s the setbacks that give us the chance to step back, reflect, and try a new approach. They also make us appreciate our successes. There’s always a lesson in every "so called bad” thing that happens to us, you just have to look a little further. So don't give up! 80% of success is showing up. Keep going. Try again next time. And just keep moving forward. I hope this blog post has been helpful. I would love to hear about your school audition experience, so hit me up in a DM on Instagram @sebastien.skubala Please feel free to check out my music at: www.sebastienskubala.com and www.youtube.com/c/sebastienskubala CHECK OUT SEBASTIEN’S SPOTIFY Hope you guys enjoyed Sebastien’s Post. He gave some really great advice which I hope was helpful for the future generation of actors and actresses. It’s actually play season once I go back to school on Monday, so this post was very fitting. Did you enjoy it? Have any feedback? Feel free to do so in the comment section below! And like Sebastien said don’t be afraid to reach out to him! And the same goes for me.
Happy-Blated Thanksgiving! Another post tomorrow! Stay tuned. Until then, I’ll be...... Always smiling and beyoutiful,
10 Comments
Willow
11/30/2019 09:10:35 pm
Look who finally posted!!!
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Tarah
12/16/2019 10:50:20 pm
Yes, Willow. I finally posted!!!
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Andreah
12/13/2019 01:49:33 pm
this was cool to read! nice to see some new faces on the blog tarah!
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Tarah
12/16/2019 10:48:35 pm
Thanks fo the positive feedback girlie!!! I appreciate it.
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Ariana
12/15/2019 08:18:35 pm
Good read! Can’t believe he’s from Australia? And here I am in lil old Michigan. lol
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Tarah
12/16/2019 10:46:15 pm
Its a small world after all!! Lmao.
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Jenna
1/24/2020 01:54:01 pm
Absolutely loved this interview! way to go Tarah!
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Tarah
1/31/2020 06:09:55 pm
Thank you!
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Keia
1/24/2020 01:56:20 pm
this interview is golden! congrats sebastien on your success and cheers to the future!
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Tarah
1/31/2020 06:10:49 pm
Thank you!
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Especially sushi! She loves to write. And she loves to smile! And she’d love it if you could stick around and read the blog! Learn more about Tarah in the ABOUT PAGE. She’ll be busy writing (I mean napping) in the meantime. Check out my old posts
October 2020
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