Suzie Steen Studios » adviceSuzie Steen Studios

Agents & Auditions

Suzie Steen — Sat, 22 May 2010 08:10:45 +0000

Hi guys! Being an American and now from both Continents, I know how difficult it is to find a Good agent who will take you and is right for you, here are just a few tips!

1. Ask other successful actors who have had the training and experience that you have in common.
2. Get referred by one of them.
3. ALWAYS make sure your Biography and Headshots are in tip-top shape (NO EXCEPTIONS).
4. In Los Angeles, you can go to a company called GLOBAL P.R.E.P. They have an amazing knowledge of the industry and I can attest to the fact that they have integrity.
5. If you get the interview with an Agent, interview them too. You need to know that they are the agent that will work for you — as long as you have the ‘goods’ to sell.
6. Never under-sell yourself. “Oh I only did” etc. Better is: “I did a play….” and it was a real eye-opener and I feel so much more confident…..” etc.

I use the word “sell” rather loosely as I don’t like to think of us as merchandise — however, aren’t we? If
you are buying a shirt/skirt and they cost the same, won’t you pick the one that is displayed better?

Here is a page from my book “Audition Secrets”. This passage is really more about Auditioning for Casting Agents, but don’t Talent Agents want to know HOW to handle audition situation?

Accept/Adapt
Accept what is going on in the room, some like a chat, some like to say hi, do your bit, bye – so adapt to each situation as it arises. It’s their party. You may be the star, but they invited you.

 Take your cues from the room

 As above, accept that you may have 2 minutes (in and out), if the auditioners ask questions you don’t quite understand…..ask and adapt to it.

 Accept that you may not be reading with someone you like, but adapt to it.
 It’s you’re time to make an impression. Please make it a good one!

I once went into an audition and no one really spoke to me. They sat back and talked to each other, told me to talk to the camera and said bye. Hmmm – really all they wanted to see was if I was pleasant, professional and looked right for the character on camera — which they would look at later!

I also once auditioned for the Director (big one) myself. The Casting Agent did not even speak to me, so away I went and just talked to the Director about my life in Hollywood and Australia — dropping, of course, all the names I could think of. Well, I got the part! And it has just been released in Australia to rave reviews. I’m a lucky American in a ‘foreign land’. It’s all a foreign land isn’t it?

So chin up, be happy, HAVE FUN, and good things can happen. Go to www.imdb.com/name/nm0824800/ to find out more about me. I am your American in Australia. Love what you do!

AUSTRALIA or USA?? Actors

Suzie Steen — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 04:53:55 +0000

Yup, lot’s more work in the USA. Yup, lot’s more actors in USA. Yup, lots more

Australian Actors going to USA to “follow the dream”. Hmmmm – what’s wrong

with this picture?

There are people (all kinds of people “in the biz”) who would like to offer you an

Opportunity to get discovered (Yikes, let me at it!) Whoa, how much? Gotta get the money, gotta get the money, gotta get the money. STOP in the name of whoever you

Hold holy!!

Yes, Americans like Australians. Australians who are READY to WORK and WORK HARD.

Humble advice from me – Hell not so humble – I know the drill LOUD & CLEAR!

I just returned from yet another trip to Los Angeles. Hollywood Immersive set up by Lilly Dawson and Margie Haber. Yes! You actually get to study with someone who

is GOOD, BRILLIANT and (tish tish) CARES!

Yeah, the teens paid some money, ya gotta get there, stay there and eat. But no one made

promises of stardom, agents, ‘pack your bags’……etc. Everyone went over to STUDY

and get information on what it’s like to BE THERE. All these people came back with

MORE knowledge on how to MAKE IT in (ha, guess where??) AUSTRALIA…Perhaps with a view to return to the USA when they are READY with American Accents and legal documents to work!

So there. The weather was great, the food was great, I love teenagers and no false promises were made and everyone was totally happy, psyched and pumped.

Thank you Margie (you’re the best), thank you Lilly (you’ve got immense integrity),

and thank you Sheri from GLOBAL P.R.E.P. for making the special time to speak with

us. ……more about GLOBAL PREP in my next blog….

One of the perks of Los Angeles trip

A GREAT AUDITION that makes ‘them’ remember and want you!

Suzie Steen — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:37:23 +0000

Another book to read is “Audition Secrets”, by Suzie Steen (oh yeah, that’s me and it’s in it’s third printing!) This is a very good time of year to read as it is what is called Pilot Season in the USA.

Here is a positive quote from the book as written by Los Angeles Casting Agent, Cathy Henderson:

“We audition for the Directors, the Directors audition for the Producers,
The Producers audition for the Studios,
And even the Studios audition for the Corporate Chairman and their distribution departments.
Despite all this, we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. We are in awe of the artistic endeavors and we love talented people.”

See there, everyone is human and the people you audition with really do want you to do well because it makes their efforts look good to their clients and so on…

Acting in Film

Suzie Steen — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:09:09 +0000

I found another good book by Michael Caine. His autobiography — Acting in Film — was fun and interesting. He’s a candid and engaging writer. The first passage in his book took me as an actor and acting teacher by surprise and delight. I will quote:

“If you really want to become an actor, but only providing that acting doesn’t interfere with your golf game, your political ambitions, and your sex life, you don’t really want to become an actor. Not only is acting more than a part-time job, it’s more than a full-time job. It’s a full-time obsession.”

Caine goes on in his introduction, in my opinion, to say that there are no sure-fire ways to get “in”. It all really depends of what, as many have said, is “all the world’s a stage”. This is true in that you need to be present at all times in the world and be observant and be engaging. You never know who is watching, who you may be speaking with or who is doing something you’ve never really understood personally.

It’s all a stage and fun and interesting. Be real, be yourself, be aware and by all means be professional. “Your performance in all arenas is part of a screen test”, says Caine of Hollywood.

This book is an entertaining and enlightening read for anyone, especially anyone in the film industry.
The first thing I always look for when an actor comes to me to be their Manager is a whopping good personality and sense of fun.

Acting in Film can be purchased from Amazon. There’s also a version for the Kindle e-book reader.

Audition & GET the Part!

Suzie Steen — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 05:41:06 +0000

AUDITIONING & IMPROVISATION

(Includes “Cold Reading”)

How to NAIL the Audition & Standout from the others!

3-hour Workshop – Friday, 16^th October 2009

This workshop is for professional AND new actors who are with NSA Actors only. We will cover the most important basics for an actor and guide you on how to impress at your audition!

I am running this course for you to keep yourselves fresh in the industry and for you to demonstrate to us how you are polishing you skills and how you can nail that audition.Audition Techniques

Auditioning for Camera
Acting and Audition Tips
The Process (and pain)
Improvization (i.e. – don’t just stand there!)
Cold Reading (how to work with a pounding heart)
Nerves (how to fake it)
Conquer the fear
Taking Risks
Memorizing lines
Being Prepared
Getting your career on track or back on track

Time: 6.30pm-9.30pm

When: Friday

Start: 16^th October (soon)

Where: Artarmon Studios

517 Pacific Highway, Artarmon

Cost: $75. or

$50.00 NSA & MEAA Members

Payable before class, by cash or cheque

Your questions regarding the “industry” will be answered.

This is a fun, safe, unique place to express yourself.

Suzie – 9453 9727 (RSVP) or 0418 807 743 (if you get lost)

Professionalism in Auditions

Suzie Steen — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 02:08:55 +0000

Professionalism in Auditions

A word of encouragement, A casting Agent in LA says, “All I have to do in the morning is shower and show up. The actor showers, rehearses, chooses wardrobe, rehearses some more, throws up, memorises in the car. Faces a room full of people vying for the same part and get five minutes of my time. There has to be respect for that. They have certainly earned mine.”

Know your lines (Inside and out! Know your lines)
Know (or visualize) Who, What and Where (explanation below)
Know who you are auditioning with, what they are like, what they expect, what they have done. (do your homework)
Be on time! Organise yourself to (give time for traffic, public transport problems & getting lost, my personal favorite)
Re-read your CV so when the camera is on, you remember what you’ve done
Be ready with 10 things about yourself – 2 being funny
Five to 10 things about your acting abilities (studies, past projects or show, TVCs, perhaps an interesting thing about one or each of your experiences.

HAVE FUN!

This is an extract from “Audition Secrets” by Suzie Steen. Buy the book.