In order to get roles in films or theatre, you need to audition for them. This audition is an interview where the employer finds the right people for the jobs. Of course besides being asked questions about yourself and your employment history, which they will do; they will also ask for a performance.

Be prepared

Once you get an audition, you will need to be prepared for it. Over the course of the days before the audition; if you are given a script to study, then do so. Study the character carefully, developing the personality you believe they would have. Make the character your own.

Memorize the lines completely. It's ok if you make a mistake, but don't write out the lines on a piece of paper and refer to it often; or write it on the back of your hand. This is not professional at all and the director will wonder if you are serious about working on this film.

The night before, read over the script again and run through it at least once to yourself. If you feel comfortable, try it out on your family or friends and get their honest feedback. It's a good idea to perform it in front of others, it will relax you a bit more than if you didn't.

Makes sure the outfit you wish to wear is planned out and ready to go, with all accessories with it. Make sure you have your headshot and resume. Don't assume your agent (if you have one) has sent one, even if they have, you should always carry one with you to hand to the director at the audition.

At the Audition

On audition day, make sure you are early. You never want to be late for an audition; you wouldn't think of being late for an interview for a job and this is the same thing. Being on time is great, but if you are there early, they will take notice of this that you are serious and prepared to work.

Try to relax and loosen up. Auditions are stressful and nerve-racking, but your character will come off better if you are relaxed and calm. You don't want to forget your lines and be stiff; you won't come across well at all.

Be friendly to everyone you meet there, including the person who is registering you. No one wants to work with someone whose unfriendly. Smile and be kind and patient. Patience is a definite virture in this industry. There is a lot of waiting around and time to kill, so bring a book or something to read while you wait.

Wear clothes that are comfortable and fit the character. You want your appearance to show the director you are this character, just as much as your actual reading does. Since films are visual, you must look the part.

When it's your time for your audition, read your lines just like you rehearsed them at home. Forget that there are people watching you; or if the character is speaking to someone, pretend the director and producer are those people. Sometimes you will read with another actor or director. Let yourself get into the character and forget they are there to see if they wish to hire you.

There will most likely be cold readings as they say. A cold reading is an audition where you read from a script you have not seen before. This can be very stressful; but it doesn't have to be. You can ask for a copy of the piece ahead of time to get familiar with it. Read it through a few times to get a feel for the character, give them a voice in your mind.

If you are very nervous about cold readings, you can always practice reading things from home. Like the newspaper or a book just to get some practice.

When you must use the piece to read from, make sure you hold it down off your face and try not to keep looking at it the whole time. You are acting the piece for them, not reading it to them. Keep your voice loud and calm; don't speak too quickly, you aren't trying to rush through this; remember it's supposed to be natural.

If you get a callback, wear the same outfit you wore on the first audition. This time you will have a script from the movie for sure and will play to a camera as well. Do what you did before, it will probably be a different scene; but make sure you have brought the same character as before.

Sometimes the Director will ask you to do an improvisation. If you are not good at this, get some practice, it's an important part of acting. The Director wants to see if you can think on your feet if you suddenly forget your lines or if you can add something to that character. Actually many movies are completely inprovised.

Make sure you let the Director know where they can find you. If you don't have an agent, you will need to give them your email address, home address and phone number. After all, you don't want to go through all this hard work and then the Casting Director have no way to get in touch with you.

Keep In Practice

Even if you don't get a role, don't give up; it's nothing personal and may not have anything to do with your talent. It's more likely just you aren't right for that role.

Keep going on auditions and practice at home even. Practice makes perfect and learning to act is an ongoing process. Always try to better yourself, finding new ways to recreate old characters. Some actors even find coaches and teachers to help them improve their audition abilities.

You will get used to auditioning and it will eventually become second nature to you. Just remember it's a job interview and practice before you go and you will be fine.