I recently participated in an audition process over Zoom, and the actor mentioned multiple times being uncomfortable with the setting and equipment. So I thought it would be interesting to explore that because I know a lot of actors don’t like auditioning on Zoom.
But that’s the way to think about it. See how much cheaper you can be as an actor in front of a casting director or director using this technology. In the old days, it was a bus ticket, a train ticket, an air ticket that probably cost you a fortune, about 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and then back. Now you have the chance to stand in front of them with ease.
Looking at it another way, directors and casting directors don’t need to find a venue, book a room, travel thousands of miles there and pay all the expenses to hold an initial audition. Of course, they’ll want to do that later, but for the first stage, being able to audition over Zoom means they can see more people faster. This increases your chances and chances of being seen.
So I guess my message is to really embrace the technology and if you’re not comfortable with it, use it more. practice. Get special equipment. You can use a teleprompter so that when you’re auditioning on Zoom and talking to the casting director, you’re actually looking into their eyes because you’re talking to the camera.
Embrace Zoom, Teams, whatever your auditions and castings look like. It’s not going anywhere, so perfect your technique and get used to it.
Nick J. Field
Studio manager
