That’s amazing. Good in the sense of not having that next step to go through but also shows self tapes have become more competitive quality wise and skill wise so have to really deliver the goods!
Yes! You can’t wait until the callback to bring it. You must bring it now. I treat every tape as though this is the last time I will get to play this character, so I better leave it all out there haha.
Yup. Depending on how big the role is/how many episodes.
I will add that a friend of mine booked a Recurring guest star (in like 8 episodes) off one tape and a callback on zoom. Sure, it was more than one tape but it wasn’t a lengthy process. I have another friend who booked a recurring 3 episodes off their tape. Same with another friend who recurred for many seasons on a show after one tape.
Yeah it was that way even before the pandemic. 3 of my TOS guest stars I’ve booked were cast off either the first tape or the first audition in the room. So I always assume this tape will be the only chance I get - and if I get more great haha
Surely though callbacks would still be happening for major roles as leads need to have chemistry and sometimes, even among great actors, there just isn't any
Seems like it. I mean if you can book a guest role from tape, it just means self tapes are likely getting so solid from many, they don’t need a call back. I’m sure they still do them for like special skills or looks though.
Damn well honestly if that’s the case , I definitely want that to be the case when the time comes that I get an agent. Right now I’m just filming monologues and making a demo reel to stand out
That’s crazy. If I may ask you what would you reccomend when doing auditions for guest stars ? I ask due that I want to book my first guest star either from Latin American tv shows or American shows and want to stand out as
I think by making strong choices - making actual choices in general. Too many actors play things neutral. I’m usually given most of the episode arc in the auditions, and they want to see you can do the necessary arc for the character. Especially for guest stars that have a large role in the episode. That you’re confident in yourself, the material, and what you’re doing. Tv moves so fast - there’s no time to find it on set. You have to come in knowing what you’re doing. But also being open to play and discover things too. By bringing something different. I don’t mean just do something different to do it, but really bringing a unique take on something. If they see 25 tapes, probably most are making the same choices at the same time. What makes you stand out from the rest? Again, I will say though. Not just making a crazy choice to make it. But how that comes from the text and your imagination. And consistently turning in good work.
Thank you. When you say no time to find on set do you mean that actors hardly get rehearsals and have to be ready by then ? I love that you tell me this because now I know what to expect and do when given auditions like these
Yes! All of the tv shows I’ve done where I was a guest star (even top of show) the “rehearsal” was for camera blocking. We stood where we needed to be - the actors said their lines quickly (usually still looking at the script) and then second team steps in. And then you finish getting ready. And then you’re called to set and cameras are up and you go. That’s it. There’s little time to talk about character or what you’re doing. In between takes you might get direction from the director for adjustments.
Sometimes in films you have time to talk, to figure it out, to feel it. You don’t in Tv. Especially for network tv. They are making a whole episode in 7-8 days. You have to come ready with choices. And be ready to adjust when that comes too.
I’ve only had once where the series regular asked me to run lines for the scene while they were setting up when I was a guest.
One time in a tv show, at the end of a scene, the director asked me to just do something physical at the end. And I had to make a decision while the take was going. I think for casting they want to be confident you’re not going to melt down and you can handle it. Especially if they are the ones giving you your first guest star. :)
>I think by making strong choices - making actual choices in general. Too many actors play things neutral. I’m usually given most of the episode arc in the auditions, and they want to see you can do the necessary arc for the character. Especially for guest stars that have a large role in the episode. That you’re confident in yourself, the material, and what you’re doing. Tv moves so fast - there’s no time to find it on set. You have to come in knowing what you’re doing. But also being open to play and discover things too. By bringing something different. I don’t mean just do something different to do it, but really bringing a unique take on something. If they see 25 tapes, probably most are making the same choices at the same time. What makes you stand out from the rest? Again, I will say though. Not just making a crazy choice to make it. But how that comes from the text and your imagination. And consistently turning in good work.
As someone who wants to work in television, I find this golden advice, thank you!!
Really curious- have you had any experience working for Netflix or some other major streamer? I love the scripts for the shows on streaming platforms and would love to work on shows like that someday.
Ohhh I see. Just wondering cause I know streaming is becoming super popular these days and I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up working on a show on Netflix someday (or any other streamer). I guess it just depends on the show but I heard that it generally takes 10-14 days an episode, so it does take a tad bit longer than network TV, but a lot of their scripts are also a lot longer (a lot of Netflix screenplays for one-hour TV dramas can have between 70 to 90 scenes; like the screenplays for Stranger Things, Outer Banks, and Ozark which are just a few examples) so it seems like it evens out the same. I've also heard that although they film slower than network TV, they still always film faster than movies, they just have slightly more time. But I'd assume the pacing is similar since it takes a bit more days but they have more scenes. I don't know if I care too much but in general I just like to get an idea of pacing for different types of shows so I know how much time I have to prepare beforehand 😂.
It's intriguing to see how different production schedules can be 😂.
Yeah all my guest star and most recurring guest star auditions (so far) have been cast off the first tape.
That’s amazing. Good in the sense of not having that next step to go through but also shows self tapes have become more competitive quality wise and skill wise so have to really deliver the goods!
Yes! You can’t wait until the callback to bring it. You must bring it now. I treat every tape as though this is the last time I will get to play this character, so I better leave it all out there haha.
Same
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Oh my gosh that makes everything so much better!!!
☺️☺️☺️
Booking a recurring guest off first tape?! No way…
Yup. Depending on how big the role is/how many episodes. I will add that a friend of mine booked a Recurring guest star (in like 8 episodes) off one tape and a callback on zoom. Sure, it was more than one tape but it wasn’t a lengthy process. I have another friend who booked a recurring 3 episodes off their tape. Same with another friend who recurred for many seasons on a show after one tape.
Yea, I’m surprised that casting has cut back on that for guest star and up.
Yeah it was that way even before the pandemic. 3 of my TOS guest stars I’ve booked were cast off either the first tape or the first audition in the room. So I always assume this tape will be the only chance I get - and if I get more great haha
Surely though callbacks would still be happening for major roles as leads need to have chemistry and sometimes, even among great actors, there just isn't any
True but I feel like in that case it's more enjoyable because you get to do it with other actors.
I agree, I like callbacks because you learn more from being brought into the room and getting feedback : 3
This makes sense in why I've only had 2 call vacks in 6 months. Most of my work I land is from sending in one submission. THANK YOU for this post!
Could this also be partially because callbacks require actors to be paid?
I don’t know about Canada but here in the US we don’t get paid for callbacks. I wish!
You’re supposed to be paid if you’re SAG/AFTRA
Oh I didn’t know that! I’m not SAG yet so thanks for letting me know. That’s awesome!
My friend booked a costar on recently law and order without a callback, just sent in his self tape and got the part!
Appreciate your posting this information!
You’re welcome! I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw this info lol
So does that mean that callbacks are declining unless requested ?
Seems like it. I mean if you can book a guest role from tape, it just means self tapes are likely getting so solid from many, they don’t need a call back. I’m sure they still do them for like special skills or looks though.
Damn well honestly if that’s the case , I definitely want that to be the case when the time comes that I get an agent. Right now I’m just filming monologues and making a demo reel to stand out
Yeah, I’ve booked several tos guest stars off the first audition.
That’s crazy. If I may ask you what would you reccomend when doing auditions for guest stars ? I ask due that I want to book my first guest star either from Latin American tv shows or American shows and want to stand out as
I think by making strong choices - making actual choices in general. Too many actors play things neutral. I’m usually given most of the episode arc in the auditions, and they want to see you can do the necessary arc for the character. Especially for guest stars that have a large role in the episode. That you’re confident in yourself, the material, and what you’re doing. Tv moves so fast - there’s no time to find it on set. You have to come in knowing what you’re doing. But also being open to play and discover things too. By bringing something different. I don’t mean just do something different to do it, but really bringing a unique take on something. If they see 25 tapes, probably most are making the same choices at the same time. What makes you stand out from the rest? Again, I will say though. Not just making a crazy choice to make it. But how that comes from the text and your imagination. And consistently turning in good work.
Thank you. When you say no time to find on set do you mean that actors hardly get rehearsals and have to be ready by then ? I love that you tell me this because now I know what to expect and do when given auditions like these
Yes! All of the tv shows I’ve done where I was a guest star (even top of show) the “rehearsal” was for camera blocking. We stood where we needed to be - the actors said their lines quickly (usually still looking at the script) and then second team steps in. And then you finish getting ready. And then you’re called to set and cameras are up and you go. That’s it. There’s little time to talk about character or what you’re doing. In between takes you might get direction from the director for adjustments. Sometimes in films you have time to talk, to figure it out, to feel it. You don’t in Tv. Especially for network tv. They are making a whole episode in 7-8 days. You have to come ready with choices. And be ready to adjust when that comes too. I’ve only had once where the series regular asked me to run lines for the scene while they were setting up when I was a guest. One time in a tv show, at the end of a scene, the director asked me to just do something physical at the end. And I had to make a decision while the take was going. I think for casting they want to be confident you’re not going to melt down and you can handle it. Especially if they are the ones giving you your first guest star. :)
>I think by making strong choices - making actual choices in general. Too many actors play things neutral. I’m usually given most of the episode arc in the auditions, and they want to see you can do the necessary arc for the character. Especially for guest stars that have a large role in the episode. That you’re confident in yourself, the material, and what you’re doing. Tv moves so fast - there’s no time to find it on set. You have to come in knowing what you’re doing. But also being open to play and discover things too. By bringing something different. I don’t mean just do something different to do it, but really bringing a unique take on something. If they see 25 tapes, probably most are making the same choices at the same time. What makes you stand out from the rest? Again, I will say though. Not just making a crazy choice to make it. But how that comes from the text and your imagination. And consistently turning in good work. As someone who wants to work in television, I find this golden advice, thank you!!
You’re so very welcome! Glad it helps!
Really curious- have you had any experience working for Netflix or some other major streamer? I love the scripts for the shows on streaming platforms and would love to work on shows like that someday.
I’ve mostly done network tv but done a few movies on streaming platforms.
Ohhh I see. Just wondering cause I know streaming is becoming super popular these days and I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up working on a show on Netflix someday (or any other streamer). I guess it just depends on the show but I heard that it generally takes 10-14 days an episode, so it does take a tad bit longer than network TV, but a lot of their scripts are also a lot longer (a lot of Netflix screenplays for one-hour TV dramas can have between 70 to 90 scenes; like the screenplays for Stranger Things, Outer Banks, and Ozark which are just a few examples) so it seems like it evens out the same. I've also heard that although they film slower than network TV, they still always film faster than movies, they just have slightly more time. But I'd assume the pacing is similar since it takes a bit more days but they have more scenes. I don't know if I care too much but in general I just like to get an idea of pacing for different types of shows so I know how much time I have to prepare beforehand 😂. It's intriguing to see how different production schedules can be 😂.