The Showcases Are Up!

October 3, 2016

     The September Virtual Showcases have been posted! This includes both the adult showcase and the teen showcase (Second City edition).

"What is a Virtual Showcase?"

     The Virtual Showcase was created by Matt Miller to provide actors a cost-effective way to be seen by industry professionals. Actors record a scene or monologue along with commercial copy and a brief interview, and the footage is posted online with their headshot and resume. The showcase is then emailed to more than 200 industry contacts in Chicago.

"So only Chicago industry professionals will see it?"

     Not necessarily! Since the showcase is online and accessed via a link, that link can be sent to contacts outside of the Chicago area. Trying to land an agent in New York? You can send them the link to your footage. All they have to do is click on the link in their email. It's that simple.

"This sounds awesome. How do I sign up?"

     See the box below that reads MATT MILLER'S VIRTUAL SHOWCASE? Click that.

That's a Wrap on the Teen Showcase

September 26, 2016

     Editing is complete on the September Teen Virtual Showcase: Second City Edition! After I record the adult session tomorrow, we'll have the files uploaded and ready to view in just a few days. 

     There are only four days left to receive the September discount for a coaching or self-taped audition. If you have a scene or monologue you've been wanting to work on, or would like me to provide copy for you to practice your on-camera technique, now is the time to do it! 

Electric Heart Media

September 15, 2016

What a thought-provoking taping today in the studio. Thanks, Electric Heart Media! I'm still thinking about it...

In other news, registration for my Kids and Teens class at The Second City ends this Friday - TOMORROW! Parents: don't miss out! Sign your kids up today.

Happy Labor Day!

September 5, 2016

     No major news to report, other than to wish everyone a happy holiday. I am unavailable for tapings and coachings through Wednesday, September 7. I will start taking appointments again beginning Thursday, September 8. Some weekend appointments are available this week as well.

     As a reminder, you can follow Chicago Self-Taped Auditions on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on any current deals or schedule changes.  

And the Nominees Are...

August 30, 2016

JUST ANNOUNCED: 2015-2016 Equity Joseph Jefferson Awards Nominations!

Congrats to all the nominees!

An Audition Taping, and Upcoming Events

August 29, 2016

Had a great audition taping today with the one and only Kirsten Fitzgerald! More tapings and coachings to come this week, and here's a look ahead at September:

There will be no tapings or coachings September 6-7, but business will resume as usual September 8. If you need a taping on the 6th or 7th, feel free to contact me and I will try to refer you to someone who is available.

ALSO: My next workshop has been scheduled at The Second City! Mark your calendars for September 24-25. Looking forward to it!

To Prop or Not to Prop

August 24, 2016

     When preparing for an audition taping or showcase recording, I've had actors ask me whether or not they should use props. My first question to them is this: "Is the prop crucial to the scene?" 

     Generally speaking, if the prop is necessary for the scene and small enough to fit in your pocket, then it is probably fine to use. However, let's say you're auditioning a fight scene, and the stage direction reads: pulls out knife; do NOT assume you should bring a knife in to your audition. The moment a weapon comes into play, everyone in the room is immediately nervous, including the casting director and your fellow actors. Typically, the action in those types of scenes will be mimed in an audition situation. This applies to both on-camera and theatre auditions.

     Let's look at another example: your character is sitting at a restaurant with friends, so you'd like to sip on a glass of water during your audition. Ask yourself this: Does drinking the glass of water add to the scene, or detract from it? Would the scene be just as effective, if not more so, if you did not drink the glass of water? If it is imperative that your character be drinking, then use a bottled water. Bottles of water are easy to transport in your bag, and you won't have to worry about a glass breaking.

     Don't hesitate to ask the person running the audition about prop usage.  There are situations in which props are necessary, like in commercials where you are selling a product. Clients need to see how you handle their product, and in these cases the prop is likely supplied for you. 

     When in doubt, just ask. You'll be doing yourself, and the others in the audition room, a favor.   

Gearing Up for the Weekend

August 18, 2016

     It's storming out now, but hopefully that clears up by this weekend. Not only is it the Air and Water Show here in Chicago, but it's also the Teen Coaching and Virtual Showcase at The Second City Training Center! Speaking of the Air and Water Show, parking could get a little nutty for all you parents out there trying to drop off your kids. Please plan accordingly.

The camera set-up in Donny's Skybox for the July Coaching & Virtual Showcase.

     Headshots and resumes, along with lots of questions, are starting to pour in from parents and students. So just a couple of things: if you are unsure which headshot to use, send me what you have and I'll choose. You will not be able to use set pieces in your scene. If you are using a prop, it should be small enough to fit in your pocket, like a set of keys or a cell phone. Your info sheet MUST be signed by a parent before I record you. No exceptions. You will have a 45-minute lunch break on Day 1, so feel free to bring a lunch. Otherwise, be sure you have money to buy food from one of the  nearby restaurants.

     That's it for now. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you this weekend! 

"I need an agent, but agents want to see footage, but I don't have any footage, so I need an agent..."

August 11, 2016

     It can leave you feeling helpless: you're taking acting classes, you audition for plays whenever possible, yet you can't seem to get your foot in the door with any of the film/television casting offices. I need an agent, you think. But most agents want to see some of your work - ideally your on-camera experience - before they decide to take you on as a client. That can be difficult, since the way to get on-camera auditions is typically, well, through an agent.

     In your ideal world, you have multiple clips in varying genres that you can compile into a reel. In reality, you have a blurry iPhone video of you dancing at Lollapalooza that doesn't exactly scream "Oscar."

"So how do I get footage if I don't have a reel?"

     Back in the olden days (aka 2006), submitting a reel required you to download your footage to a disc, which you then mailed out to a list of agents in the hopes that a) the disc didn't break in the mail and b) the agent actually opened it. Times have changed. Now a reel can be emailed in seconds via a link, and agents can view it with a simple click of the mouse.

     Guess what? Audition footage is viewed the exact same way. Preparing a few quick scenes to tape as you would a self-taped audition gives you footage. And that's all the agents really need to see - footage. So why not try taping a few scenes and commercials to compile into an "audition reel," so that if an agent asks, "Do you have anything on tape?" you can answer, "Yes."

     I'm not talking about audition footage you shoot at home on your phone (reread the Lollapalooza comment above). I'm talking about professionally-shot footage you tape at a studio, with a reader and proper lighting.     

     Another incentive to having professionally-shot audition footage is that agents get an idea of what to expect from you when they send you to the casting office. They can see and hear you slate, notice how you dress and present yourself, and assess your on-camera technique through your read.

     So why not try it? If you're interested, click here for more information - I'm happy to help!       

The Value of Casting Internships

July 28, 2016

     Ever walk out of the audition room and think, "What is the casting director saying about me?" Or maybe you wish you could watch the other actors' auditions, just to see what they do differently. One of the best training tools an actor can have is a casting internship. Think about it: you're in the casting office on a regular basis, you get to watch a variety of auditions (and are often even called upon as a reader) and the casting director begins to get to know you. You get to hear the notes casting directors have for other actors, and being the intelligent actor you are, you figure out how to apply these notes to your own work.  You'll even come across other industry professionals such as directors, producers and writers.

"But I'm not a recent college graduate."

     That's okay! Although it's common to select a college student or a recent graduate for an internship, many casting directors do not hold such requirements. And even if they do, it never hurts to apply. You'd be surprised how many offices need more interns. And it's not just the film and television casting directors that are looking for help - theatre companies need interns, too. When you think about all the theatres in Chicago...well, that's a lot of casting directors in need of interns.

"So what's the downside?"

     Um, let's see...there isn't one. Maybe you'll have to do boring things like file headshots and make coffee, but guess what? When the casting director you've interned for needs to fill a role that is JUST YOUR TYPE, there's a good chance he/she will remember you and call you in.

What are you waiting for? Start applying!

CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF CASTING OFFICES AND THEATRE COMPANIES IN CHICAGO