Ace Your Audition with ‘The Second Earlier than’ Approach

What are you doing the second earlier than your audition scene begins? Are you adjusting your ring mild? Are you overly involved with primping your self? Are you in a battle along with your pop-up background? Maybe you’re saying your traces to your self on a loop.

It’s powerful to not get misplaced in a technical riptide on this age of self tape auditions. Nonetheless, we mustn’t neglect what’s most essential: the performing. 

An efficient treatment that may be a buoy within the rocky self tape sea is the “The Second Earlier than” method. It’s the most effective form of easy, creating a serious wake. This tangible software permits actors to completely immerse themselves of their character and the stakes of the scene earlier than it even begins. Let’s break it down!

What’s “The Second Earlier than” method?

“The Second Earlier than” method (TMB) is precisely what it feels like, what occurred earlier than the scene’s begin or the director calling motion. It may be 30 seconds earlier than, it may be 60 seconds earlier than, or in the event you’re auditioning for a musical it could even be what’s occurring in the course of the introductory plunk of the piano (Dun, dun, dun).

“The Second Earlier than” is about understanding after which embodying what your character was experiencing proper earlier than the scene you’re about to carry out. This method anchors actors within the actuality of their character’s journey, making certain that they enter a scene within the correct mindset. It helps actors to provide a extra genuine efficiency, bringing the wanted power to the highest of every scene. 

Do you ever really feel prefer it takes you just a few traces to get into an audition minimize? Utilizing “The Second Earlier than” can instantly pull you, and, thus, your viewers in. Casting doesn’t have time to look at you heat up, it’s important to seize consideration from the beginning. Cue: The Second Earlier than.

How Do I Apply “The Second Earlier than” to Auditions?

One of the best half about this system? It’s as simple as making use of sunblock – I’m speaking in regards to the spray-on variety! 

Assuming you’ve carried out your regular scene evaluation and character work, all it’s important to do is sleuth out the second. With some audition cuts, the second may be discovered by studying your complete script. On many different events, you’ve the artistic freedom to invent a second for your self.

Consider TMB as a mini model of the “Beforehand On” montage forward of your favourite TV present. Use your creativeness to improvise a vivid and detailed state of affairs in your character. The extra particular you’re, the richer your efficiency can be and the better will probably be to slide into the scene. Generally it really works so properly that you just don’t even keep in mind the place the scene begins or ends. 

A Transient Instance of “The Second Earlier than” Approach

Let’s say the primary line you’re given is “Hey,” a easy phrase that’s washed by way of our mouths numerous occasions. After all, the supply varies relying on the place we’re, who we’re speaking to, and – you guessed it – what’s occurred prior. 

In case your character walks into class hungover from an evening of partying, they’re going to say “Hey” very in another way than in the event that they’re waltzing into the room bright-eyed and bushy-tailed from a peaceable night time’s sleep. Had been they chugging espresso attempting to get up earlier than they walked in? Had been they doing cartwheels within the hallway as a result of they’d a lot power? What occurred earlier than that “Hey?”

Whereas we’re on train, think about in case your character completed a jog moments earlier than greeting a buddy. Would they be barely out of breath? On a very totally different observe, possibly they’re at a funeral for a cherished one and run into an outdated flame. Does this sudden encounter occur moments after they are saying their remaining goodbye to an open casket? 

The choices of what particular power one can deliver to the highest of a scene are actually infinite.

Watch “The Second Earlier than” Approach in Apply

One well-known instance of “The Second Earlier than” is Jack Nicholson and the late Shelly Duval’s character work within the iconic secluded horror flick The Shining. Archival footage supplies us fortunate pupils with Nicholson’s intense warmup in distinction with Duval’s extra sensible method. It’s a cool examine, showcasing how variations of TMB work for particular abilities. Whereas Nicholson is within the throes of madness earlier than director Stanley Kubrick ever calls “Motion,” Duvall maintains a quieter focus and goes over her blocking.

By residing in “The Second Earlier than,” actors can ship extra genuine, centered and emotionally resonant character portrayals. Embracing this system not solely enhances particular person scenes however contributes to the general continuity and actuality of the story. Go on – strive it for your self, buddies!

This text initially appeared on Casting Networks.

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Written by Robert Peterpaul