Don't Cheat Casting Directors | Know Your Type And Apply Bang Right

Which role suits your type as an actor?

What is Typecasting? Why and How to Know Your Type as an Actor and Apply For Appropriate Auditions

How Casting  Directors Select Actors For Auditions?

Typecasting
Typecasting (acting) In television, film, and theatre, typecasting is the process by which a particular actor becomes identified with a specific character; one or more particular roles; or, characters having the same traits or coming from the same particular social or ethnic groups eg. South Indian, Hariyanavi, Nepali, Bhojpuri, young, old, short, tall, villager, urban executive and so on.
An actor who knows his/her type and apply to meeting a character description always stand a better chance of selection among hundreds who apply randomly without considering a character's description.

How to Know Your Type as an Actor

There are a lot of acting jobs out there in Bollywood and in TV serials, and as an actor trying to get roles as much as possible, you need to spend your time efficiently instead of wasting it on the parts you simply do not fit.

Actors are virtually running their own business in this chaotic Indian Bollywood and TV industry. One of the very first rules of your business is to find your customers. The success of the business will depend on your ability to find a circle of consumers interested in the product (Casting directors, producers who will understand you as an actor with a distinct "Type"- a brand).

For decades, actors have been fighting typecasting, and rightfully so: nobody wants to do the same role the rest of their lives. That’s one of the reasons many of you decide to become actors: it’s the variety of jobs and things you get to do on a regular basis.

An exception to typecasting

However, it’s one thing to go against typecasting when you’re an established name within the industry, and a whole different story when you’re trying to get your feet wet in this huge showbiz pool. When you’re just starting out as an actor, in fact, you DO want to get typecasted and be known for certain things in the film industry.

Finding out your type as an actor has always been overlooked by actors, but this knowledge is extremely helpful in the beginning of your acting career, and here’s why.

Benefits of Typecasting

When you know your actor type:

• You can market yourself more effectively because you know who’s going to be interested;
• You will know how to shoot and sell your headshots;
• You can present yourself more accurately during online submissions;
• You will know exactly what parts to go for and raise your chance of booking them;
• You will not waste your and others’ time by auditioning for something you aren’t fit for.

Benefits of figuring out what type of actor you are applying for any market: stage, film, TV, commercials, corporate and anything else.

Knowing your brand as an actor in the beginning of your acting career will not only get you cast more often, but it will also help you in fighting typecasting later in your career (something that almost every working actor has to go through).

Your looks

Understand how to look at your physical appearance objectively and learn everything about yourself; be aware of it. Can you honestly pull off a leading man’s or leading woman’s role, or would you suit better a part of his/her geeky friend?

Roles

Judging from the side, do you see yourself a lot in comedy skits or in serious drama? I know you can do both, but for now, you need to pick. Think about any minor detail and what makes you stand out, what makes you that type of a character.

Your age

This should probably go with figuring out your looks and exterior, but I just want to stress how important this part is. In this industry obsessed with looks and age, knowing what you appear like is vital.

First of all, remember that you are as old as you look. If you’re 30, but you can pull off a teenager – good for you! In the acting business, that is how old you are; it’s not about your legal age. So learn how old you look and go for parts that are asking for that particular playing age.

Your Traits

Your character, charisma, personality, emotions, individuality, temper and anything else that makes you, you. As we have previously talked in Tips for a Successful Audition, it is very important for actors to be themselves and bring their own personality.

Learn what kind of a person are you

• Are you funny and witty?
• Are you quirky and awkward?
• Are you very serious and straight?
• Are you shy, silent, neurotic, energetic?
• The list goes on and on. Write your own and start working at it.

Typecasting and Actor 1. Look. 2. Personality and just 3. Type- these three aspects mentioned above are major factors in determining your actor type. That’s what the industry cares most about. But figuring out the answers to those questions is a thousand dollar question.

It’s always easier to start figuring your actor type in the beginning of your career when you’re still fresh.

The Camera

The camera never lies, and therefore you must apply for the right role or you will be revealed as a wrong choice for the role in the camera auditions.

Who can help you to identify your type?

• Friends
• Relatives
• fellow actors
• Acting classmates 
• Your acting coach
• However, important is your own sincere assessment of self.  Your actor type could be the complete opposite of what you really are in person, or what you have initially expected it to be. Get enough answers to draw a more concrete conclusion, and embrace your type – whatever it is.