Don't Tell Others! The Secret Tip for Bollywood Auditions

The auditions in India are different than those from abroad.
In India, initially the auditions are usually taken by so called casting directors or assistant director and rarely by a director who is a decision maker. In most cases, after the auditions, a tape is sent to the final authority, a director or producer who may shortlist the candidates and these actors may be called for a 2nd audition which is termed as a “Call-Back”. In other countries, the casting director who is taking your initial audition is the final deciding authority without much  interference by a director or a producer. Therefore, in India you must be prepared for repeated auditions and must be able to impress all auditioners at different levels to grab the role you are aspiring. Now, how to impress in repeated auditions by different people?

The Secret of Success in Auditions

Apart from other requirements in auditions, confidence is the most critical factor.
It’s your body language, your voice, how you carry yourself, the image you project, before even open your mouth. It’s those first 15 seconds of your audition as you are walking into the room. Your body language should say, “Trust me. You got in me what you are looking for!” and make the casting director, producers, directors, and show runners believe you, and feel like they can put you on the set or on stage the very next day. You are in top form for your performance, you have unshakeable confidence, and there isn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind. It’s the most attractive quality for an actor to have in an audition.

Which Type of Actors Fail in Auditions?

When an actor who is unsure of what they are doing and lacks confidence walks into the room. Their shoulders are low, they avoid eye contact, they are tentative in their choices, their voice is soft, and the paper having lines is shaking in their hands. It makes you look “dull,” and makes the casting director disinterested. Before you even open your mouth, your body language says,
“I’m sorry for the audition, maybe I’m not suitable and you are about to see it” 
This is no good. If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will.

Training

True confidence comes from training—from the practice being in front of the camera and on stage. It’s about being prepared, being confident in your work, and then entering into an audition room as a free bird, listening and letting your natural self-take over instantly.

Fake it!

If you don’t have that confidence yet, you have to learn to fake it. You are an actor, right? Act like a “confident person.” What does that mean? It means walk in with your head high (even if you are nervous and shitting in your pants inside), look at the people in the room in the eye (not staring), breathe, and be fully prepared and with your audition.

Stop Your Hands Shaking

If you are the type of actor whose hands shake a lot when they are holding the paper, put something with a little weight to it underneath (your portfolio album or a diary). It will stop the shaking and make you surer of yourself. Let casting directors say to themselves, “Wow, this guy isn’t nervous at all!”) That alone speaks volumes about you.

Listen Carefully

Desperation can be spotted a mile away. Never let them see you sweat, make awkward movements, breathe heavily or fumble The more you listen in the scene, the less self-aware you are, the more your body relaxes, the more connected you are physically and emotionally, and the better your audition is.

How to Remove Your Mental Block

For a moment forget audition. In your life, there are days when you feel miserable, and if you force yourself to smile, slowly you feel happier. Same goes with body language. Sit or stand confidently, ground yourself in the audition, put your shoulders back, avoid shifting the weight on your legs, breathe, look the auditioner or your actor partner right in the eye, and think to yourself “I’m going to give a “Dubung” performance!”. “I got this role.” Remember, these kinds of auto-suggestions are great mood- changers and  will actually make you feel more confident. It should feel like you are having this great party, and you don’t really care if anyone shows up, because you are so sure it’s going to be amazing.
Same goes for auditions. Don’t be the guy that’s begging people to come to your party. If they don’t like your choices, too bad. They are missing out a great party guy.
Good Luck!

Partly based on source