Lori Johnson's Lounge Discussions

The way you interpret the character and the director interprets the character may be very different and it is a good idea to be flexible enough to get into the character on the spot and be able to changer nuances if needed. Part of a good acting skill (from my PoV) is how fast you can get in and out of character.

As someone that has done casting, I suggest you come in as yourself. If you can show that you're able to go right into the character and then go right back to yourself, it does help.

Hi everyone, Thank you all so much for the suggestions. I have taken into consideration all of them when I'm at my auditions and I have to say that I feel much more confident when I'm there. I appreciate everyone's response to my question!!!

You must be yourself, how else do you show them you can act? Good directors want to know what you're all about before you go into character. In fact, good directors will give you direction in the audition just to see if you can take direction and adapt your character. They don't want be stuck with an actor who can't adapt.

Exactly Gary, that's what I was going for with my comment. I've set through rigorous auditions, watching and waiting. The biggest mistake that most make is "they come in as the character they've conceived." "When in fact most directors may have a completely different vision of the character." Come in as yourself and "take direction."

You are most welcome, I'm here to "pay it forward" whenever I can. Thank you and best of luck to you.

Be aware that Web Series do not make you eligible with the new rules per SAG-AFTRA since merge.

Wow thanks for the input everyone i really appreciate it alot. since i'm a newbee to this whole acting/entertainment biz

I understand what Brad is saying, however, are YOU looking at this from an actors point or are you interested in producing? The best thing for you to do is contact SAG-AFTRA at (323) 954-1600 and this is part of what they will tell you. They will be able to tell if you are currently eligible by your SS#. If you did a union sanctioned work prior to the merge in May 2012, they should have that on file, hence the SS# reference, you will be immediately eligible, if after, you need 3 days of any acting (even extra work counts) to become eligible. After that, you can join, there is a 1 time $3000 fee, $99 bi-annual payments due every May and Nov. and they will expect you to pay them 1.35% of your previous years union worked earnings once you have joined, they will explain this much better than I, I'm just trying to give you a broad picture (no pun intended) of what to expect. If you are unsure if a project you worked on was Union (SAG or AFTRA) just ask because they will tell you, please have that information handy, i.e. Production Company, correct name of project etc. When I mentioned at the beginning of this discussion about keeping your contracts and original pay stubs from a project, this can be huge in your favor because if the production paid you SAG/AFTRA wages and it wasn't reported correctly to SAG/AFTRA, which unfortunately does happen, you can now prove that you did! Producing is wonderful, however, do you have the money or backing to do your own project? Call SAG-AFTRA, they will confirm what I have listed in this post. Again, feel free to contact me directly, I deal with this subject on a frequent basis being a talent agent. Again, best of luck to you Miles!!

I'm a actor