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4 Tech Skills Every Actor Needs

Kiev, Ukraine - October 17, 2012 - A logotype collection of well-known social media brand's printed on paper. Include Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Google Plus, Instagram, Vimeo, Flickr, Myspace, Tumblr, Livejournal, Foursquare and more other logos.

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By Marci Liroff

I’m shocked that many people still don’t know how to use some of the most basic online platforms. Here’s a handy guide to make sure you’re up to speed on some of the essential sites with which you need to be familiar.

Skype
Know how to use it before your coaching or audition session. I’ve had too many coaching sessions recently during which the client is using Skype for the very first time and has no idea how to use it and the clock starts ticking down on our session because we’re spending most of it simply trying to connect. Bad enough to do this in a private coaching session with me, but so much worse during a Skype appointment with a director! The other day, I had a client try to connect with my personal account on Facebook because she insisted that we needed to be connected there in order to use FaceTime. It took me several emails to explain that these are two completely different platforms.

Use your time wisely beforehand to figure out how Skype works. Test your sound. Test your Internet connection to make sure our video call will be smooth and not freeze every few seconds. Sometimes I find that FaceTime works better than Skype. It all depends on where I’m doing the session and my Internet speed.

PayPal
I use PayPal daily to get paid for my private coaching and classes. It’s a seamless, user-friendly website and app. I’m still surprised when people don’t know how to use it and I have to spend my time sending emails explaining how to sign up, connect your bank account and credit card, and send a payment. Did you know if you choose “friends and family” (in the U.S.) the vendor (me) won’t be charged a service fee? I explain this in detail in all my payment instructions and people still don’t get it.

Again, figure out how this website works in advance so that you won’t be stressing out about making a time-sensitive payment.

Self-taping
We’ve talked a lot about this subject, but you need to understand exactly how to make a great self-taped audition. These days, we’re casting from locations all over the globe and we want to include actors not in Hollywood. We depend on your self-taped auditions. A very simple and clear-taped audition is all we need. Lately I’ve been seeing several self-taped auditions that are more like short films (exterior locations, supporting actors, musical soundtrack), but those additional elements just distract from what we need to see—you interacting with an offscreen scene partner. For your self-taped audition, I don’t need to see what kind of filmmaker you are. Please reacquaint yourself with my blog “How to Self-Tape Your Audition Like a Rock Star” for specific details.

Video upload sites
Learn how to post and password-protect your videos on a site like Vimeo so that you aren’t sending giant files over email that I then have to spend time downloading. Since you don’t own the intellectual property (the material you’re using for your auditions), make sure you’re not posting to YouTube for all to see. I’ve had producers get very pissed off at me when they see our auditions on YouTube that leaked scenes of our script.

I’m sure by the time you read this there will be several more technologies, online platforms, and apps you’ll need to learn. In the meantime, there are plenty of online support videos that explain in detail how to sign up for these various sites and apps. Make sure you do the research now so you’re ready when the opportunity arises.

Make sure to check out my new online course “How To Audition For Film and Television: Audition Bootcamp”. You can view it on your laptop or your mobile device and your subscription gives you lifetime viewing privileges for this course. I’ll be adding lectures throughout the year.

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The Secret to Skype Auditions

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By Marci Liroff

I’ve long been a fan of technology, especially in my casting office. I’ve gone from having a bookcase overflowing with Betamax tapes to links to actors’ videos on my laptop. Years ago, if I wanted a demo reel on an actor, I would have to go to Blockbuster, rent tapes, and edit it myself. Or, if the agent was very savvy, I would ask for it and it would arrive via messenger into the studio mailroom, then finally delivered to me 48–72 hours later. Not a good way to do business!

Information needs to be attainable lightning fast.

Nowadays, when I’m on the phone with an agent, she can instantaneously send me a link to an actor and we can talk about it in real time. The same applies to auditioning. If I need to see your audition and you’re not in my city, I’ll request one from your agent or manager. And if you’re set up at home with the right equipment, I can get it within a few hours. On my latest film, I’ve been very impressed with the quality of the self-taped auditions that have been sent my way. They are usually well-lit, the sound is good, and the actor has taken the time to find a good reader—which really helps with the process. This is so easy to do yourself once you understand how to use your equipment to your benefit. My article “How to Self-Tape Your Audition Like a Rock Star” has helped thousands of people.

The new trend (although not so new to me) is auditioning via Skype with the director. Since the director is not usually in your hometown, if we like your self-taped audition we’ll set up a virtual “meeting” through Skype so that the director and actor can discuss the project and get to know each other. I’ve been using this method for several years with my tech-savvy director clients, with a little twist.

My director wants to work with you via Skype while you rerecord your audition. You’ll tape your audition on your video camera, like usual, but he’s essentially “in the room” with you via Skype with your laptop pointed toward you. He can watch you audition, give you notes, and redirect you throughout your takes. Then you send in the link to what your camera taped for our review. I’ve hired actors for leading roles a few times with this method without ever being in the same room with them. (In those cases, the actors were somewhat well-known and had a body of work to show in addition to our audition.)

I’ve also “beamed” my director into the audition room when he’s off on location, and I’ve set up auditions in my L.A. office. I prop my laptop up on a large box atop a chair, and it’s almost like he’s there giving you direction. I have a special camera that hooks into my computer and bypasses the laptop camera, so that when we Skype or FaceTime, he’s actually seeing what my camera sees instead of the laptop camera. Pretty cool, huh?

Through the years I’ve noticed that some actors are comfortable with this process and truly excel, and some are extremely befuddled by it. They don’t know where to look or which camera to act toward. They should be connecting with their reader, who is standing right next to the tripod of the camera shooting their audition, and then connecting with the director (on their laptop) to get direction on the scene and to talk.

At this point in the game, you’ve got to familiarize yourself with the latest technology so it’s like second nature when the opportunity knocks. Practice at home with your friends who live out of town. Have meetings on Skype, FaceTime, and Google Hangouts so that you’re familiar with the different platforms.

Most of all, have fun with it! The future is here!

Make sure to check out my new online course “How To Audition For Film and Television: Audition Bootcamp”. You can view it on your laptop or your mobile device and your subscription gives you lifetime viewing privileges for this course. I’ll be adding lectures throughout the year.

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THE ULTIMATE BLOG FOR FINDING SCRIPTS ONLINE

By Marci Liroff

I’ve been private coaching actors for the last several years in person and through Skype. (you can check out more info here). Most actors come to me to prepare for upcoming auditions or jobs they’re about to do and need some fine tuning and direction. It’s a great way for actors to get some feedback and guidance from a person (me!) who has the perspective of a casting director and producer who’s actually in the audition room and knows what’s expected of you in an audition.  I know what level you need to be in order to actually get the job or even be considered for the job.

Many actors come to me weekly to go over material that they want to work on to keep their minds and bodies sharp. I love this kind of work. Lately I’ve noticed that there is a huge chasm in finding great material worthy of spending your time. Traditionally they bring in old auditions, or scenes they were given at workshops which are, for the most part, horrible!

Used to be you’d drag yourself down to Samuel French Bookstore in Hollywood and buy old plays and screenplays. Now there are so many sources online to obtain scripts or monologues for FREE! I strongly suggest you learn a scene or a monologue once a week to keep yourself sharp and in tune as an actor. (Let me know if you have any more sources in the comments section).

Here are but a few of them:

2014 Oscar Contenders Screenplays

Simply Scripts  
http://www.simplyscripts.com/

Why Insanity (Movie monologues)
http://www.whysanity.net/

Daily Script
http://www.dailyscript.com/index.html

Screenplays Online
http://www.screenplays-online.de/

IMSDB
http://www.imsdb.com/

West Wing Transcripts
http://www.westwingtranscripts.com/index.php

Actors Pages (Audition sides)
http://www.talentpages.com/info/sides/

Script-o-Rama
http://www.script-o-rama.com/

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57359896-10391698/download-scripts-of-award-contenders/
(some scripts are still available on this site)

Script Source – movies
http://www.chiff.com/art/theater/scripts.htm

Script Source – television
http://www.thescriptsource.net/TVScripts.html

Theater
http://www.chiff.com/art/theater/scripts.htm
http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk/full_length_play_scripts.htm

2012 Oscar Nomination Contenders
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Glad you’re here!
Marci
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