Well that time of year is already upon us once again... No,
not the holidays! AUDITIONS for this years' upcoming seasons of all your
favorite 'talent seeking' television shows. If you are one of this years' season
'hopefuls,' here is some helpful advice on how to get noticed and make it to the next round...
First and foremost, the people you are
auditioning for ultimately are casting a
television show and it is THEIR job to cast the show with a talented
ensemble of familiar but fresh characters. But you can make their job EASY early on by defining who you are as an artist and understanding that identity. Are you the 'sensitive,
indie musician,' the 'pop darling' the 'rebellious, rocker dude,' the 'country
cutie' or the 'r&b diva!?' Choose a
song that best captures the essence of WHO you are as an artist. Keep your selection
current and recognizable or better yet offer a fresh approach to an old
favorite. But dress the part! Act the
part! And most importantly, BE the part! Play up those strengths and
characteristics that make you, YOU! Impostors will be moved to the end of
the line!
Next, you must remember you only have a few seconds in what is a VERY
long day for the casting director to make a favorable impression! So MAKE your time count! Although cutting your song choice down to a typical
'verse and a chorus' length may feel like torture, it is a necessary evil. BUT
if you do it well, you can 'pack a powerful punch' in those 32 bars. Here are
just a few things to keep in mind...
1) Get to the
good stuff, and FAST! If it's the bridge then start there! If it means give 'em a little taste to savor, hinting at your brilliance, and then hitting 'em
with the big stuff then do that! But by all means show off your BEST vocal
assets and do it quickly!
2) Once started, Do NOT come up for air! Rush every entrance... pushing the beat forward!
After all, the music you are pausing for is only playing 'in your head' and any
pause gives the adjudicator a chance to politely cut you off! So keep the song
moving at a swift pace but NEVER sound as if you are in a race.
3) Give your song
an ending and a good one to boot! No unfinished business here, people! Add a
tag, slow it down, opt for a higher pitch. But DO something that lets the
listener know your time together is quickly coming to a close signaling that
you're a seasoned artist who is prepared
and cares enough to give the very best musical experience you can give in WHATEVER amount of allotted time you're given.
Lastly, hone in on on your delivery. Don't just dial in a
performance. EXPLOIT every emotion, tempo change, dynamic, inflection,
and riff! Push the envelope on everything! ie: If its quiet, be very quiet. If its lamenting, wail. If it
slows, slam on the brake. etc... DON'T just hint at it! MAKE IT OBVIOUS that what you're doing is intentional! 'Go big or go home' as they say! Leave it all on the 'audition floor' keeping them just where you want them - on the edge of their seats begging for more!
SO you got a call back!? Now what... Go 'unplugged', 'rev' it up a little, or show a more sophisticated side. Whatever it is... Stay true to the 'home
base' you established early on as an artist. (In other words, don't become
Kelly Clarkson when you introduced them to Kellie Pickler!) By introducing this NEW dimension of artistry and sensitivity with each additional song you
sing, you keep the adjudicator intrigued and coming back for more! They already like you!
So why not give them a reason to LOVE you!?
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