THEATRE 434 Audition Techniques
Fall 2013
Monday and Wednesday 2:00 to 3:50
Office Hours –Tues/Thurs 2 to 3 or Wed by appointment
Email- pcirino@mail.sdsu.edu phone 619-729-5549 Office DA207
Course Objectives
The Audition Techniques will prepare students for job
interviews/auditions in the professional world. Students will
discuss advanced business concepts, the related fields as
is concerned with living as professionals, as well as the
continuation of applying acting techniques to the audition
process. Students will refine their interview skills and their
understanding of how to develop a business model.
Students will create a five-year business plan. The plan
will also allow for enhancement and revision as students
develop through their professional careers. Develop a
showcase for faculty, peers and industry professionals a
set of skills will be developed to guide their careers. A reel
will be developed throughout the semester.
Actors must approach acting as both an art and a
business. The audition is their job interview. A degree for
an actor should include practical auditioning skills with the
business realities of the industry. We want our students to
be equipped to face the professional world and potentially
teach others to enter the acting profession as well.
The course combines inner reflection as to the mission of
each student, practical experience auditioning, evaluation
of the work performed in class and the construction of a
five year business plan. This course also provides the
opportunity for students to apply the tools they’ve received
in all of their classes toward becoming more competitive in
the professional world.
Assignments
Market research /resume/headshot
Five year plan
Reel/final presentation
Critiques.
20%
25%
40%
15%
Class Schedule
Week1. Introduction to course and overview of work.
8/26-29
Assign market research.
Assignment begin the search for audition pieces.
Week2. The work required to transition from student actor
9/2-6
to professional. No class Sept. 2
Read http://showbusinessweekly.com/
article-1481-auditioning-mistakes-to-avoid.html
Watch http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/video/.
full-uncensored-comedy-actor-emmy-567756
Week3. Making a five year Plan and defining a clear
9/9-13 professional and aesthetic path for the future.
Read http://www.backstage.com/
Watch
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/video/full-uncensoreddrama-actor-emmy-566527
Week4. Logistics of being your own business.
9/16-20 Table read and physical
work(recognizing the camera eye as the focal
point of creation).
Week5. Assignment on market research presentations.
9/23-27 Read http://www.ace-your-audition.com/actingtechniques.html
Watch http://www.hollywoodactorprep.com/
blog/actors-auditions/
Week6. Continuation of Logistic of being your own
9/30-10/4 business and the creation of a reel. Continue
physical work. Begin work on interview process.
Read http://www.jackplotnick.com/resources/
31Preparing+For+An+Audition.htm
Watch http://filmcourage.com/content/actorstool-kit
Week7. Work on five year plan. Do rough runs of
10/14-18 Work to be filmed.
Read http://www.theguardian.com/culture/
2013/apr/15/the-secret-actor-auditions
Watch http://www.youtube.com/playlist?
list=PLFCBDC26C7CCA1070
Week8.
10/21-25
Presentations of initial five year plans with
notes.
Read http://www.actingsoup.com/
Watch(any of the Your Actor MBA)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcAnoNIsbk
Week9.
Continue work on reel and final presentation.
10/28-11/1 Work on interview process.
Week10.
11/4-8
Filming of reel. Looking at resumes and head
shots.
Week11.
11/12-15
Filming of reel. Work on five year plan and
rehearse final presentation.
Week12.
11/25-27
Filming of reel and rehearsal of final
presentation.
Week13.
12/2-6
Discussion of ethics and rehearsal of
final presentation. Presentations of
final five year plans.
Week14. Work on five year plan and rehearse final
12/9-11
presentation. Final presentation of audition for
faculty, local theatre professionals and agents. Turn in
final five year plan.
You must purchase the Fall season theatre and film pass, plus one
outside production and write a brief critique on the acting.
1. Fool for Love/Action
SDSU Experimental Theatre
(due Sept. 30 by 10 pm)
2. A My Name is Alice
3.Little by Little.
SDSU ExperimentalTheatre
SDSU Experimental Theatre
(due Oct 28 by 10 pm)
(due Nov 14 by 10 pm)
4. Laramie Project
SDSU Don Powell Theatre
(due Nov 25 by 10 pm)
5. Film Festival
6. Ching Chong Chinaman
SDSU Don Powell Theatre
Asian American Rep. Theatre
(due Dec15 by 10 pm)
(due Dec 2 by 10 pm)
Here are a few sources for sides:
Daily Script
Simply Scripts
IMSDB
Why Insanity (Movie monologues)
Actors Pages (Audition sides)
Awesome Film
Script-o-Rama
Screenplays Online
West Wing Transcripts
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Academic integrity is one of The fundamental principles of a university community. San Diego
State University expects the highest standards of academic honesty from all students. Violations
of academic integrity include the following: (1) unauthorized assistance on an examination, (2)
falsification or invention of data, (3) unauthorized collaboration on an academic exercise, (4)
plagiarism, (5) misappropriation of research materials, (6) unauthorized access of an instructor’s
files or computer account, and (7) any other serious violation of academic integrity as established
by the instructor. If your academic integrity is not maintained on a test or assignment, you will
automatically receive a grade of zero for That test or assignment and you will be reported to the
Dean’s Office, in accordance with SDSU academic integrity policy. Penalties can be severe.
More specific information is available in The SDSU Bulletin, both in print and on-line.
STUDENT WITH DISABILITIES
Students who need accommodation of Their disabilities should contact me privately to discuss
specific accommodations for which They have received authorization. If you have a disability,
but have not contacted Student Disability Services at 619 594-6431 (Calpulli Center, Suite
3101), please do so before making an appointment to see me. The web site for Student Disability
Services is: http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/sds/index.html
I reserve the right to adjust the schedule and/or syllabus during the semester