Actors must prepare extensively before an audition, ensuring they have both the skills necessary to make an impression and the professionalism required to succeed in the field. Many individuals enter the entertainment industry because they desire fame and attention, not because they truly love performing. An actor passionate about his or her craft ultimately proves more captivating than one who primarily seeks popularity. Although acting entails a significant amount of talent, no one innately knows how to act. Learning proper technique requires dedication, resilience, and an excellent acting school. When looking for a good school, an individual should seek one that not only boasts inspiring instructors, but also emphasizes the elements outside of craft necessary for success. Each actor offers a certain product to casting professionals and must understand how to identify, develop, and sell it most effectively.

Before considering an audition, an actor must be in the proper emotional and physical space. An actor should embrace certain unalterable elements, such as height and ethnicity, while taking control of those traits one can change, such as weight and demeanor. Acting demands that an individual feel comfortable in his or her own skin. All actors must demonstrate emotional maturity during an audition. Casting professionals, agents, directors, and producers quickly recognize emotional immaturity, and instead highly value professionalism. Serious actors should liberate themselves from any potential problems, including discouraging friends, and choose instead to associate with those who inspire them. Budding actors must have a clear plan for earning money, and secure reliable living arrangements with positive housemates, as well as dependable transportation.

A number of these factors may seem extraneous at first glance, but no actor will succeed without recognizing the importance of a healthy environment and mindset.

About The Acting Corps

Based in Los Angeles, The Acting Corps teaches amateur and professional actors the technical skills and business expertise necessary for success in today’s competitive entertainment industry. Serving as Artistic Director, Eugene Buica implements elements of the Jerzy Grotowski, Sanford Meisner, and Michael Chekhov approaches to acting in the school’s curriculum. For more information about The Acting Corps and its course offerings, visit www.theactingcorps.com.
 
On The Acting Corps website, Artistic Director Eugene Buica shares a number of articles he wrote for Actors’ Ink Magazine. In “Why We Fail and How to Win,” Eugene Buica talks about the personal roadblocks faced by actors as they transition from training to the real world.

Buica begins the article with a discussion of great acting students who are unable to demonstrate their abilities in auditions. Many individuals possess a fear of failure or a strong case of nerves that may lead to poor audition performances. Often, the psychology behind these failures is a form of self-reassurance: if we don’t try our best, then we don’t really fail when the acting job is offered to somebody else. These aspiring actors pledge to do better the next time but then fall into the same patterns of failure time after time.

Next, Buica looks at what it takes to end this pattern of self-sabotage and actually succeed as an actor. He suggests that an entire lifestyle transformation is essential, beginning with intense self-reflection. Buica asks readers to look at their habits critically, focusing on those factors and little indulgences that may be holding them back. He suggests countering the self- defeating mentality with a stronger work ethic based on achieving one’s goals.

Admitting that this type of transformation can be difficult, Buica also suggests aspiring actors seek outside support in the form of community groups, friends, volunteer work, or some other grounding activity. Buica closes the discussion by reminding readers that the acting profession essentially revolves around merit, and that those individuals who work hard and strive toward their goals are those that achieve success. To read the full text of the article, visit The Acting Corps website, www.theactingcorps.com.
 
Praised by Rainn Wilson from TV’s The Office and renowned comedienne and actress Margaret Cho, as well as several other actors of stage, film, and television, The Acting Corps of Los Angeles offers a range of lessons targeted toward new and experienced actors and those in between. Founded by Eugene Buica, the school’s Artistic Director and resident writer and director, The Acting Corps retains a highly successful teaching faculty. The Acting Corps’ instructors, including those listed below, maintain years of experience on stage and in film and television.

Sydney Walsh
A graduate of Williams College’s theater program, Sydney Walsh joined the cast of The Guiding Light shortly after completing her degree. From there, she appeared in off-Broadway productions put on by the Ensemble Studio Theatre and the West Bank. In 1985, Walsh relocated to Los Angeles to pursue further opportunities in acting. Her TV credits include guest roles on such programs as The Practice, Nash Bridges, ER, Touched by an Angel, and NYPD Blue and recurring and regular roles on Melrose Place, True Believer, Dream On, and Hooperman. Walsh founded the theater company Plymouth, and in 1995, she launched her career as an acting instructor.

Nathanael Johnson
Prior to joining The Acting Corps, Nathanael Johnson completed his Master’s degree in Acting at the Yale School of Drama and performed on many hit television shows, including Veronica Mars, The O.C., and Medium. Away from acting, Johnson spends much of his time as an acting teacher, having coached actors and directed for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival and the Pacific Center of the Performing Arts. A talented director, he has helmed productions of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Tempest, Summertree, The Shape of Things, and other popular plays.
 
Founded by Artistic Director Eugene Buica in 1999, The Acting Corps has trained thousands of actors in both the art and the industry of dramatic performance. The school offers various programs designed specially for actors at distinct stages in their career, from beginners to professionals. Here, Eugene Buica relays are some basic tips to encourage and educate both potential students and other aspiring actors. For more, visit TheActingCorps.com/blog.

1. Relocate to Los Angeles. This will, of course, involve a plan that includes living arrangements, back-up money, and an idea of what acting school the hopeful actor or actress wishes to attend. Such a leap of faith is certainly frightening, but, as the slogan of The Acting Corps asks, “If not now, when?”

2. Change that which you can change, accept everything else. Actors and actresses can’t change their height, background, etc., but it is supremely important to focus on improving the qualities that can be changed.

3. Know your product. Acting professionals must understand that they are selling a product, and they must know how to pitch this product.

4. Understand your motives. An actor or actress who hopes to become successful because they think it will make them more unique is in for a rude awakening. Those who are in the acting business are there because they can’t be satisfied in any other way; acting is their life’s calling.

5. Study acting, of course. Some aspects like talent, drive, and raw emotion can be considered innate, but acting is an art and a science, both of which demand intensive study.

6. Relax. Acting can be a stressful vocation, but those who know how to enjoy their talent will be more successful than those with an uptight outlook on life.

7. Be able to make your auditions. A car is a good idea if the money is right, but it is absolutely critical that actors and actresses find a reliable form of transportation. If they can’t arrive punctually to an audition, there’s no chance of landing the role.