Nowadays television is so popular that anyone can watch it. Are you stacking things up? You can go on TV. Want to live with strangers? You can go on TV. Want to meet up with an enthusiastic and happy crowd? You can go on TV. It's only when you hit a high enough goal that things get complicated. No matter what your background, with a little perseverance and fantastic hearing anything is possible.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Performing in a sitcom or a play
Step 1. Prepare your artistic CV and take some photos
To participate in an audition, regardless of its size, you need a CV and several photos. Thus, the casting team will have a concrete idea about the kind and number of experiences you have had before and your physical appearance. When reviewing several hundred resumes, photos allow them to put a name on a face.
- An artistic CV is similar to a professional CV. Take a look at some examples on the internet or read the article on wikiHow which explains how to make an acting CV.
- It is the same for the photos, they are easy to achieve. If you have a friend who is good at photography, great, you just need a good photo. Bring clothes and choose a pretty basic background. However, if you prefer, you can have your picture taken by a professional.
Step 2. Start looking for open auditions and castings in your area
If you live in a large metropolis, there probably must be open auditions and castings that are held on a fairly regular basis. Most regions have newsletters and websites dedicated to these programs, although large organizations like etoilecasting.com or casteunartiste.fr promote auditions across France and Belgium. The best way to access these auditions is to discuss them with others.
An “open hearing” means anyone can participate. This is a good thing because you don't have to register and the competition is lower, but there are far too many applicants, however. There are also calls for applications. Unlike an open audition, you must pre-register and get the audition the first time, practice well before D-Day
Step 3. Find an agent
Why go through auditions and open castings when you could spend your time honing your skills and making money? Get an agent who will take care of the paperwork. Thus, with more time to train, you increase your chances of winning the auditions and therefore a role.
A good agent is a "free" agent. Don't pay it until you get a job. An agent earns money when you earn it. If he asks you in advance, it is a scam
Step 4. Attend the auditions
With a good agent and a list of open auditions (or one you signed up for), the only thing you can do now is participate. If you're auditioning for a TV show appearance, bring a bottle of water and something to snack on, as there may be thousands of you having to wait all day. Once it's up to you, the only thing to do is to bluff the jury.
If you are auditioning for a larger role, the wait may be shorter, but more intense. You will be selected along with a few other people. Sometimes you will know the result immediately and otherwise the wait can be several weeks
Step 5. Refine your skills by taking drama, diction, etc. lessons
Now that you've stepped into the arena, you need to get involved. Sign up for acting classes at a community high school near you or at a theater school, take diction lessons, a voice coach, and improve any skills you feel are needed for the future. Language courses will also not be too much.
It may be wise to take tutorials, do internships or any other training that, although not entirely corresponding to your ideal career, comes close to it. So if you come across a project that requires these kinds of skills, you will have them. You can imply that you are an actor. You will meet people from different fields, which will allow you to expand your relational network, something that would not have been possible otherwise
Part 2 of 4: Participate in a Reality TV Show
Step 1. Choose a program you want to participate in
The number of reality shows seems to be multiplying at a lightning speed. Find a group of interesting people who you can spend a lot of time chatting with and understanding how to get on TV and achieve your goals. Which solution is the easiest? The most complicated? Which shows are the most accessible?
Make a list of the shows you want to attend and prioritize them. The ones you are most interested in should be the ones you spend the most time with. The more you remove from your list, the more time you save
Step 2. Look for open castings
If you live in a large city, the show may come to you. Indeed, some shows are touring the country in search of potential talent. Even if you don't live in these cities, try to get there. Plan yourself as you plan a trip.
Make a calendar of all the open castings you plan to attend. Thus, you will have all your options in front of you in order to know all the dates. This will help you know where to invest your time
Step 3. Register for auditions
If you find an open casting and want to be part of it, you will definitely need to register. These auditions have a limited number of slots and a limited time for each participant, so you must let them know that you are participating. You will thus have a guaranteed place.
Certain open castings open their registrations the same day and therefore to the first comers, ie around 5,000 people. No prior registration is necessary, everyone is free to come, but there is no guarantee that everyone will be able to audition. Don't be like them. You probably don't want to spend whole days preparing for an audition, waiting in a line and, in the end, not even having the chance to audition
Step 4. Otherwise, film yourself
A lot of TV shows also depend on the internet. If you don't want to wait for the show to come to you (or if the show isn't touring), film yourself as if it's an audition and send your recording. The hiring people are going to review your recorded audition and this could be the key to getting on the show.
Check their policy on the internet. Find the deadline for sending, the time required between receipt of the recording and the response and any other conditions you need to know. Is there a specific person to send your recording to?
Step 5. Make it interesting and unique
On your film or during the audition, the most important thing to do to land a spot is to make yourself interesting and unique. There is no place for people who are not very original or without personality.
- However, be sure to show a real side of who you are. Too many people try to sound eccentric and are, unfortunately, absolutely not believable. Try to be yourself, just accentuate your more extravagant aspects.
- In most cases, you should also appear minimally attractive. Reality TV tends to choose the nicest people to watch.
Part 3 of 4: Participate in a Game Show
Step 1. Visit the site of your favorite game shows
Game shows are constantly looking for participants. Do a quick online search to see which of your favorite games are looking for contestants. Do you have to send a movie? Participate in a raffle? Going to an audition in person? All the necessary information is available online.
Also take a look at the requirements for applicants. It may be necessary to be of a certain age, not to have any connection with the staff, to live in a certain region, etc. It is better to know all of these conditions now than to waste your time afterwards
Step 2. Watch when the show is playing in your area
Some game shows cross the country such as reality TV shows (the Nouvelle Star for example). These games visit a number of major cities looking for applicants and they might come to you near you.
For example, the Wheel of Fortune has a "Wheelmobile" in the United States. The show also accepts pre-recorded auditions, but mostly tours the country in a large yellow van with the show's name on it for attention. If, luckily, the show is playing near you, decide how you want to audition on the show
Step 3. Sign up for a time slot for an audition or film yourself
You have two choices: go to a real audition or make a recording and send it. If you want to show up in person, sign up for an available time slot to make sure you can audition. Do it as soon as possible to secure a spot.
It is the same for the recording, send it as soon as possible (it is better to send it too early than too late). Show off what you can do, prove you're photogenic, and emphasize your ease in front of the camera while highlighting an aspect of your personality that makes you memorable. Be able to know the conditions before making your film
Step 4. Prepare yourself
Not everyone wanting to participate in a game show is spending their free time on Facebook or playing Candy Crush before the audition. Potential candidates tend to do word search and general knowledge games. They improve their skills in the matter so as not to find themselves empty-handed on the big day. And that's what you must do too, whether it's during the audition or throughout the competition.
Also watch reruns of the show to get you in the mood. You need to get used to the structure and rules of the show, and hopefully you'll have to answer similar (or identical) questions. Immerse yourself in the show to be as comfortable as possible when the day comes
Step 5. Successfully pass the in-person audition
Once you're registered and there (or once they've called you after you've selected your recording), the only thing left for you to do is get noticed. Be sympathetic to the jury and other applicants, ask questions, and present yourself as curious, interesting and lively. Everything else depends on the questions asked and the activities you need to perform.
Most auditions consist of several rounds. In each round people are eliminated and you know exactly who is disqualified each time. The good thing about game shows is that there isn't much of a wait. If you are successful, you will know it
Step 6. Make sure you are called back to participate in the show
If you pass all of the audition tests, you will likely find yourself in a group with other potential competitors. It can take two weeks to be called and sometimes up to six months. They just have to regroup the selected candidates and fill in the weeks up to D-day. Be patient! We'll call you soon.
The casting team will probably give you advance notice, don't worry about your job or not being able to make the trip. If you can't be there that day, the jury members will be flexible enough to set you another date. They need reliable candidates, and you've proven to them that you are. Unless they are uncooperative, they will do whatever they can to accommodate you
Part 4 of 4: Getting into the media
Step 1. Associate your name with something
Whether it's a product or an article, make sure your name is attached to something. When this "something" is brought into conversations, your name will necessarily be associated with it. This is going to be your stepping stone to getting into the media. Who else could they interview if not you?
Think about a project you are already working on. It could be a business project, a hobby, an event you are organizing, or anything else. It just needs to be an area that you have good skills in that really looks like you
Step 2. Become an expert in your field
Too busy to write or invent something? All you need is enough knowledge. If you are an ace at it, it is natural to be consulted when your area of expertise is in the spotlight. If you can develop a reputation in your area, it may only be a matter of time before you become a consultant.
Just make sure people in your community “know” that you are the only expert in this area. Network and get involved. Be a trustworthy, reliable and efficient person. Meet as many people as possible. You might meet people who want to build on your story
Step 3. Broadcast your message
If you have a business plan, idea or event you want to organize, start spreading the word. If it's an article, post it on social media. If it's a business, start a marketing operation. If it's an event, distribute flyers everywhere and also on the internet. Build enthusiasm around you.
Say, for example, you are a producer of strawberries, which normally is not something exceptional. But, this year your strawberries are 5 times bigger than normal. What to do ? Start by posting photos on the internet, hang flyers, draw attention to your giant strawberries, offer free samples and create a phenomenon around your business. Even something simple can become interesting
Step 4. Contact the media in your area
If they don't come to you, it's up to you to come to them. Contact local newspapers, radio stations and television stations to broadcast your story. If they find it interesting, they will follow you. The media is always on the lookout for new stories to fill the time (or space) and if yours is interesting, there is no reason why it should be rejected.
Visit their websites for contact information. Try to find the right person in the right department to talk to. For example, if you sell giant strawberries, contact the person in charge of the “Home & Garden” or “Local Business” service. The simpler your procedure, the better
Step 5. Prepare what you have to say
Once you're in the spotlight, make sure you really have something to say. No one just wants to be on TV, people want to be on TV and “get” people interested. So prepare your story to make it thrilling. What's the best twist you can give it?
- If you are selling giant strawberries, get ready to explain why they are so huge. How did you go about making them grow so much, if you know their potential size, how different this year is from the last, if you know your competition and their products, etc. Do your research in your field of work. So you will be able to answer any question.
- Also be sure to sell yourself. Getting into the media can bring you a lot more contact. Prepare your business cards, phone numbers, emails and whatever else you need to be able to be contacted in the future.