We recently came across a blog written by Marci Liroff, a well known casting director, with over 50 movies to her credit. She wrote a blog called “The Totally Uncensored List of Casting Director Pet Peeves”. We have taken excerpts from this particular blog and highly recommend that all actors seriously take to heart what she has to say!

• DON’T WEAR PERFUME OR COLONGE – Many individuals, including casting directors, are highly sensitive and allergic to perfume and get migraines and nausea.
• NO WEAPONS, NOT EVEN FAKE ONES – Pulling fake guns and knives is traumatic. If a scene asks you to pull a knife out of your jacket, don’t do it in an audition. Especially if you don’t tell the CD beforehand. This could lead to furniture being toppled and a big producer putting you in a choke hold!
• THIS IS SIMPLE – WEAR UNDERPANTS AND TAKE A SHOWER!!!!
• MAKE SURE YOUR RESUME AND PICTURE ARE STAPLED TOGETHER – Don’t ask to borrow the CD’s stapler! Make sure your contact information and agent is written on the photos and your resume in case they get separated. When the CD asks for your picture, don’t hand him/her three of your photos and tell them to pick. Make your choice beforehand.
• EXCUSES – Leave them at home!
• DON’T HAVE A BAD ATTITUDE – Never underestimate the effect being pleasant has on everyone.
• IF IT’S A DRIVING SCENE – You don’t have to pretend you are actually “driving” a car.
• DON’T SLAP YOUR SIDES OR YOUR THIGHS – it’s an unnecessary distraction.
• CASTING DIRECTORS ARE NOT ACTING COACHES IN YOUR AUDITION – Be prepared and don’t ask if you can “try it a few different ways”.
• HOW YOU ACT IN THE AUDITION ROOM TELLS A CASTING DIRECTOR HOW YOU WILL ACT ON THE SET!
• DON’T EAT DURING THE SCENE!
• REVIEW EVERY PIECE OF INFORMATION ON THE SCENE BREAKDOWN – Marci reminds actors that if they treat their audition prep like a regular job interview, and go through all the information that’s provided to them, it’s going to free the actor up to simply act.

We will share more of Marci’s amazing knowledge and expertise in future blogs!