Casting Brief Q12: Any specific scene that the director wants to audition the characters?

For the entire list of questions go back to

Casting Brief

Question 12: Any specific scene that the director wants to test the characters?

This is as obvious as it gets. Does the director have any specific scene/s that he wants the person to act out in the audition? Something that he thinks would bring out the character, or a scene which is most important towards the film. 

There are times when more than one scene gets auditioned but that usually happens on callbacks. This of course is true only in the case of films. 

The reason for asking this question could also be at times most directors will not be willing to share a key scene with too many people as that could potentially jeopardise the project. To avoid this a dummy scene could be created or even a scene from an existing movie to test the actor's range of emotions.

In advertising, the actor is required to enact the entire part and sometimes in different tones.

A few examples of auditions:

Joaquin Phoenix Audition test footage 'Joker' Behind The Scenes

Sometimes the camera is kept running beyond the scene to test the chemistry of actors.

Outlander - Original Chemistry Test: Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) & Caitriona Balife (Claire)

It's not uncommon to do the auditions in mood settings, especially in callbacks. If there are more than one character in the scene then either one of the casting assistant or another actor is called to say the other lines. Most of the time the other dialogues are off-camera but sometimes they are used in the scene.

AUDITION TAPE: Robert Downey Jr. audition for Iron Man

TIP: As an actor look for audition videos of the characters that have done very well in films and you will see what was brought to the table right from the beginning or the improvement that came in the shoot.

You can also look for practice scripts to work on in your free time.

For answers to the previous question go back to
Casting Brief Q11: Reference of role

Read on for the next question
Question 13: Any specific props required for the audition?

For the entire list of casting questions go back to

Casting Brief

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Pro Tip#8 - Networking

Film schools never teach you marketing & networking and these are two of the most important things to learn in this industry. A lot of very good talent goes to waste as they lack these skills.

It does not matter if you're a director or a producer or an intern that's just starting out. Being a friendly person to work with will not only make your employers come back to you time and time again but those same people would also recommend you to others. Who wouldn't want to work with a person who is cheerful even at the most stressed-out times? 

Make friends with all, from the runner on your set to the client that is present. You never know when someone climbs the ladder or changes their path. An assistant from today could be your potential client tomorrow. Of course, you will come across people you don't like and never want to work with, even in such situations be polite and try and move out of the situation or job or project as quietly and quickly as possible. Never burn bridges with anyone. 

 

Besides the workplace how do you go about networking? start simple, by adding your peers on social media. See other people's work, say nice things about it if you like it. As and when possible make friends with others beyond your office network like when you are in studios and there are others around. Post-production studios are a great way to meet people from different organizations. Go for parties and events like award functions or film festivals, these are great places to build your network quickly if your good at it. Invite your potential clients, agencies out to drinks, or dinner. A post wrap party is always a nice time to bond.

But in your effort of networking, do not force your self on people by constantly messaging and chatting. Give people their space too. If it's meant to be you will become friends with that person. Don't keep asking people for work, see Tips When Applying For Work

Don't forget to leave your thoughts, tips, and comments below

Check out more professional filmmaking tips here

Don't forget to read,

Pro Tip #7 - Up Your Skills

Filmmakers Talk 19 - Voice Over Instructions

If you have heard any funny comments in the studio post it in the comments below and it might just make the Film-Makers Talk List.

Previous Talks:

Filmmakers Talk-18: Life of a freelancer

Filmmakers Talk-17: Sound PJ.

Pro Tip #7 - Up your skills

This post applies to all sitting at home during the corona-virus with no job.
The best thing you can do in your downtime, not just the virus time but every time you are without a project is to up your skillset.

You never know what you learn today will come handy tomorrow. It does not necessarily have to be related to your field. But if it is so, it might help you better when you apply for your next job.

A few film-related examples: 

For a graduate just out of college and wants to be an assistant in advertising or filmmaking, master the skills of PowerPoint and/or Pages. If you have done so move on the basics of Photoshop or Indesign these skills will come handy when you are preparing your PPM docket.

An actor who thinks that only acting is needed, think about learning to sing, dance, play an instrument or even something like martial arts. You never know when that skill is the reason you win a role over someone else. Why stop there, learn direction or scriptwriting these will give you insights into how and why people get cast.

Directors learn how to edit or compose music, you may end up with a disaster of a project but you might learn a few tricks which will come in handy later when dealing with the professionals on your project.



Some learning comes from watching behind the scenes, or a director's interview or anyone from your industry. You could learn just by listening to their experiences on the project.


Look to learn other soft skills, like a new language, patience, personality development, leadership, decision making, etc. All these will help you grow as a better human being, it does not matter which field you belong to.

Every day is a chance to learn something new.

Check out more professional filmmaking tips here

Don't forget to read,

Pro Tip #6 - Portfolio Sending

Pro Tip #6 - Portfolio sending

These tips are for all the actors, directors and anyone who attaches their body of work in emails.

When sending out your work, be it images, videos or files think of the person on the receiving end as well as what you are trying to showcase. Sending an email full of attachments may not even go through if the receiver has a limit to attachment size. Not to mention that they then have to download these in order to view them. Remember a lot of people read their emails on their mobiles and most will not have the patience to wait for your entire work to come through.

So how to get noticed and make sure your work gets looks at. Here are some tips you could follow.

1. Send one link with all your work. The link should lead the person to see all your work online, e.g. a website.

2. You don't have a website, you can still use what's free and available.
Like a link to a photo album on Gmail or G-drive, if you have videos, you can have a separate blog with your work or even an Instagram or Facebook page with only your work that needs to be seen.

3. If your an actor or photographer and still want to attach your work, send a comp card.
That way in one image the person gets a quick idea of your work. Don't forget to put the link to the rest of your work on the image.

4. For directors, cinematographers, music composers etc, you may have multiple files to share.
Do not paste multiple links in the body of the email.  Instead send either a short montage or a playlist with individual work.

5. Remember its important to customize your showreel especially if you are sending this for a pitch. You want the showreel to match the pitch, like beauty work to a beauty client or drama work for a storytelling script.

6. A playlist can be easily made on youtube for videos.
You can have different playlists for the variety of work you want to showcase.
Like different playlists for a director could be under the genres - comedy, action, vfx, beauty etc.

7. If you have to send different genres of work do not send more than 2 - 3 links.
If using your website make sure there are separate tabs that can quickly take people to the desired section on your webpage quickly.

7. Link to FTP's or sites like we-transfer where one has to download the files before viewing is a big NO-NO.

8. Use hyper-links ideally or at least make sure your link is clickable and the person does not have to copy & paste in the browser.

Keeping your email neat and short is always the way to get people to glance at your work. If they like it, then further conversation and detailed work can be shared at a later stage.


Check out more professional filmmaking tips here

Don't forget to read

Pro-tip #5 - File Naming

Pro Tip #7 - Up your skills

Pro Tip #5 - File Naming

When you have multiple versions of files in the same folder, the best way to name your file is to use the 
Year/Month/Date_Project Name_Description_Version No.
This always lines up all your files in the folder vs any other file name format, that could mix up the order of your files. 

TIPs when naming your files- 

• Always use the YYYYMMDD or the YYMMDD format to start your file name.
• Date followed by Project Name or Client name or Project Number
• Use short forms/anagrams for big names
• Overall keep the file name as short as possible.
• If possible have as much description of the contents in the name
• Files should be named consistently
• Avoid special characters (@ # $ *) in a file name.
• The use of underscore ( _ ) is recommended instead of spaces. 
• Use Version No to differentiate between files

Examples:

200306_BTS_offline_V1

200306_BTS_offline_V2
200306_BTS_offline_V1A1
200306_BTS_offline_V2A2
200306_BTS_grade_V1
200306_BTS_online_V1

*BTS - Behind the scenes (Project name)
** V1 - Version 1
***V1A1 - Version 1 video with Audio option 1


NOTE:

Ideally, organize different files in separate folders. 
Like a separate folder for all your offlines the same for online or audio etc.



Check out more professional filmmaking tips here

For more tips read

Pro Tip #4 - When sending your resume
Pro Tip #6 - Portfolio sending

Pro Tip #4 - When sending your resume

Yes sending your resume to many people is a very good thing but you should take the trouble to make each email personal.

Never and I mean NEVER CC people from different companies. The only time to use CC would be when its different people in the same company.


Check out more professional filmmaking tips here

For more tips and details read

Pro Tip #3 - When sending your resume

Tips when applying for work

Pro Tip #3 - When sending your resume

Adress the person with their name and if you don't know that or the gender use the sir/madam option.

Even if the person you are sending your cv to is your childhood friend keep the email formal since that email may be forwarded to others in their office.



Check out more professional filmmaking tips here

For more tips and details read

Pro Tip #4 - When sending your resume

Tips when applying for work

Pro Tip #2 - When applying for work

Just because you have someone's phone no does not give you the right to call or text someone beyond working hours unless it is stated "URGENT call anytime" by the person. 

When following up on emails be polite and check-in if the person has received your email and if they have arrived at any conclusion.



Check out more professional filmmaking tips here

For more tips and details read

Tips when applying for work

Pro Tip #1

Pro Tip #1 - When sending your resume

When sending your resume use full sentences to look professional.

Do not send emails with nothing or just "PFA" written in the body. Take the effort of writing a good and short cover letter.

Check out more professional filmmaking tips here
For more tips and details read
Pro Tip #2 - When applying for work

How to write a good cover letter

How to write a good Cover Letter with your resume

Most recently I had posted a job opening for a continuity supervisor as well as a costume assistant and I was shocked to see the way some of the applicants responded.

In response to my post, there were quite a few emails that came. A few stood out but this one below stood out the most for all the wrong reasons 

Very Bad Email

You definitely want to get noticed but if your effort is anything like the above applicant then the likelihood of you getting the job is as short as your email irrespective of your experience. Your employer's response looking this would be WTF??

Not only do you want to stand out but make a good impression as well. If you can't take the time to write a proper email then don't expect the employer to take the time to go through your resume.

Here are a few points which you should have in your cover letter when sending your resume to anyone.

1. Subject
2. Address the person
3. Reference of the job opening
4. Highlight your capability
5. Any other request
6. Closing
7. Formatting 
8. Final tips 

example of a good email

Subject

The subject of the email should always have the following points
a) The job position
b) Your name
c) Project name (if any)

like:- 
PROJECT NAME / POSITION - YOUR NAME
RESUME: NAME - POSITION
Resume for the post of XYZ - YOUR NAME

Remember the person who has posted for the job will have multiple applicants in their inbox. So if your subject line should stand out among the many emails including other work emails that the person receives.

TIP:- Keeping your name at the end sticks out more than at the start of the subject.

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Address the person

Hi, Yo, Wassup - these are a big NO-NO even if the person you are sending the email to is your close friend. Adress the person with their name and if you don't know that or the gender use the sir/madam option.

like:-
Dear XYZ,
Dear Sir/Madam,

Always keep it formal as you never know how many people your email could be forwarded to.

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Reference of the job opening

Your next line in the email should be a reference of who or where you saw the notification of the job vacancy. If there was no post then a line stating how and where you came across the company and why you are applying to them.

like:-
This is in reference to your post on XYZ
I got your reference from XYZ

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One line highlighting your capability

After you have referenced the job position in one line state why the person should consider you.  Keep the line short and highlight your strength towards the position, that generates interest to the employer even before the CV/Showreel is opened. 

like:-
"Having been part of the industry for the last 18 years... " or
"As a hardworking individual.." or
"I think I am suited for this job because.."
"My experience with editing from the last few years..."

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Any other request

Any other request from the employer to be mentioned next but only if it asked. These would be questions posted in the job opening. 

like:-
- When can you join?
- How much ctc/salary are you expecting?
- Your experience?
- Special skills
- Please send your showreel/work experience

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Closing

This is as important as the beginning. End your email with a short line which says your ready to meet or get on a call/skype anytime. Don't forget to say thanks and in addition to your name do leave your phone no as well so that the employer can easily find it without having to open your CV.

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Formatting 

Before you send your email, select all your content and fix the font and size especially if you have copy-pasted anything into the body of the email. This helps keep everything uniform. In fact, you should make this a habit for all the emails you send out as it helps make your email look very professional.

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Final tips 

1. You need to make the effort only once in drafting an email then later you can just adapt that same content and send it to others. So take your time and draft a good one and keep.
2. If your too lazy to retype the email and hit forward then remember to delete "Fwd" in the subject.
3. Also when forwarding, remember to fix the employer's name and the reference line.
4. Remember to update your resume and links if using old email content.
5. Very Important - Please keep your cover letter as short as possible as no one will look at long emails.
6. If you have separate links to your work then its better if you make a single playlist (like on youtube) and send only 1 link. No one likes many links listed in one email.
7. Avoid attaching your showreel videos or heavy files. People could be reading your email on their phones and these may not open. Also, no one has the time to wait for big downloads to see your work. 
8. There are also chances that your email might bounce if large attachments are made.
9. DO NOT chase the person for a response, one courtesy check-in after a few days is fine but do not chase your potential employer if you do not get a response.

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Check out some other tips when applying for work that you should keep in mind.
Tips when applying for work

All the best in finding your work.

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