NIDA and WAAPA Auditions.
Sun, 16 Nov 2003, 11:59 pmWalter Plinge5 posts in thread
NIDA and WAAPA Auditions.
Sun, 16 Nov 2003, 11:59 pmHey All,
I just wondered if anyone could help me... Just this past week I attended a NIDA audition and a WAAPA audition both of which were, well needless to say, both monumental disappointments. I am a 20 yr old actor based in Perth and I am just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to get over the disappointment. (Which I will.) And any other advice on what kind of things can be done to improve my chances next year. Thanks.
I just wondered if anyone could help me... Just this past week I attended a NIDA audition and a WAAPA audition both of which were, well needless to say, both monumental disappointments. I am a 20 yr old actor based in Perth and I am just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to get over the disappointment. (Which I will.) And any other advice on what kind of things can be done to improve my chances next year. Thanks.
Walter PlingeSun, 16 Nov 2003, 11:59 pm
Hey All,
I just wondered if anyone could help me... Just this past week I attended a NIDA audition and a WAAPA audition both of which were, well needless to say, both monumental disappointments. I am a 20 yr old actor based in Perth and I am just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to get over the disappointment. (Which I will.) And any other advice on what kind of things can be done to improve my chances next year. Thanks.
I just wondered if anyone could help me... Just this past week I attended a NIDA audition and a WAAPA audition both of which were, well needless to say, both monumental disappointments. I am a 20 yr old actor based in Perth and I am just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to get over the disappointment. (Which I will.) And any other advice on what kind of things can be done to improve my chances next year. Thanks.
CrispianMon, 17 Nov 2003, 02:10 am
Re: NIDA and WAAPA Auditions.
NIDA and WAAPA audtions......
Its fair enough to feel a bit despondent if you didn't get in but lets look at this in perspective.
What we have is a process where two tutors fly-in from interstate who probably have not seen your body of work pver however long you've been acting, and then form a opinion about you on the spot after doing one (or if you're lucky to get into the afternoon, two) monologues.
No one should feel like their craft has to be validated by these two people.
Everyone has an opinon. Just think about a theatre performance. I don't think I have heard of any production where EVERYONE who saw it enjoyed it. There will always be people who didn't like the performance and there will always be people who loved it. You can't please everyone.
I think the same applies to NIDA/WAAPA/VCA auditions. Some people get down on not getting into schools and fall into the false belief that they are 'no' good. Bullshit.
Our drama school auditioners aren't there to enjoy a lovely piece of theatre. They are there to watch you and pick you apart. If you fit their 'criteria' for that year, then you are selected.
A friend of mine did her NIDA in sydney last week and Tony Knight told everyone in the group before it started that they were 'looking for guys this year'. Of course it ridiculous for them to have an 'all-boy' class next year and no doubt there will be girls, but it proves that the schools have criterias that they set each year when selecting the next batch.
How can you fight that?
I'm not dissing NIDA/VCA/WAAPA at the same time though. They are an important teaching institution and quality of their actors are generally high. But you have to realise that the tutors aren't just looking at our perofrmances - its EVERYTHING. Your gender, whether you look marketable and how your strengths and weaknesses work with the other potential candidates. They need to form a class that can work well together as a unit for the next three years. They need to get the composition right.
The auditionees may just be concentrating on their OWN PERFORMANCE but the school tutors are concentrating on the WHOLE UNIT in which performance only plays a partial role.
Also keep in mind, there are so many successful actors who are getting work without needing to go to those schools. Mike Frencham, Gibson Nolte, Renee-Newman Storen and Igor Sas are a few example of successful Perth actors who are getting work...
Keep at it but you'll find more experience doing shows and workshops in the meantime.
Also, read David Mamet's "True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor", who gives an 'alternate' view of schools and auditions....I don't necessarily agree with all of it but he makes some valid points.
Just my thoughts...
Good luck!
Crispy.
Its fair enough to feel a bit despondent if you didn't get in but lets look at this in perspective.
What we have is a process where two tutors fly-in from interstate who probably have not seen your body of work pver however long you've been acting, and then form a opinion about you on the spot after doing one (or if you're lucky to get into the afternoon, two) monologues.
No one should feel like their craft has to be validated by these two people.
Everyone has an opinon. Just think about a theatre performance. I don't think I have heard of any production where EVERYONE who saw it enjoyed it. There will always be people who didn't like the performance and there will always be people who loved it. You can't please everyone.
I think the same applies to NIDA/WAAPA/VCA auditions. Some people get down on not getting into schools and fall into the false belief that they are 'no' good. Bullshit.
Our drama school auditioners aren't there to enjoy a lovely piece of theatre. They are there to watch you and pick you apart. If you fit their 'criteria' for that year, then you are selected.
A friend of mine did her NIDA in sydney last week and Tony Knight told everyone in the group before it started that they were 'looking for guys this year'. Of course it ridiculous for them to have an 'all-boy' class next year and no doubt there will be girls, but it proves that the schools have criterias that they set each year when selecting the next batch.
How can you fight that?
I'm not dissing NIDA/VCA/WAAPA at the same time though. They are an important teaching institution and quality of their actors are generally high. But you have to realise that the tutors aren't just looking at our perofrmances - its EVERYTHING. Your gender, whether you look marketable and how your strengths and weaknesses work with the other potential candidates. They need to form a class that can work well together as a unit for the next three years. They need to get the composition right.
The auditionees may just be concentrating on their OWN PERFORMANCE but the school tutors are concentrating on the WHOLE UNIT in which performance only plays a partial role.
Also keep in mind, there are so many successful actors who are getting work without needing to go to those schools. Mike Frencham, Gibson Nolte, Renee-Newman Storen and Igor Sas are a few example of successful Perth actors who are getting work...
Keep at it but you'll find more experience doing shows and workshops in the meantime.
Also, read David Mamet's "True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor", who gives an 'alternate' view of schools and auditions....I don't necessarily agree with all of it but he makes some valid points.
Just my thoughts...
Good luck!
Crispy.
Walter PlingeTue, 18 Nov 2003, 10:56 am
Re: NIDA and WAAPA Auditions.
Hey,
I too auditioned for NIDA, and was unsuccessful. I believe that if was meant to be, it will be! You can always take the positive approach and do some independent work in theatre or film and get more experience. NIDA and WAAPA both have great reputations, but who says you can't make it without doing their course!? They sort of do, but no-one else does!There are sooo many other ways, all you need is determination! I have come along way since I started acting, and am proud of what I have achieved! I won't let anyone take that away, not even them! I suggest your next goal is to make them wish they had have taken you when they had the chance!! Keep going! Be strong and take another path!
Walter PlingeTue, 18 Nov 2003, 10:07 pm
Re: NIDA and WAAPA Auditions.
hey,
To everyone who didn't make the cut for NIDA/WAAPA/VCA, please don't take it to heart. It was very brave of you to take the audition challenge and the fact that you didn't get in doesn't mean anything! Talent is mostly opinion based, and you don't need to be chosen as one of the select 17(or whatnot) people to feel validated as an actor, you still have as much to offer the industry as you did a week ago so don't let it get you down. And you've got INTERGRITY.
Cheers,
Alice.
To everyone who didn't make the cut for NIDA/WAAPA/VCA, please don't take it to heart. It was very brave of you to take the audition challenge and the fact that you didn't get in doesn't mean anything! Talent is mostly opinion based, and you don't need to be chosen as one of the select 17(or whatnot) people to feel validated as an actor, you still have as much to offer the industry as you did a week ago so don't let it get you down. And you've got INTERGRITY.
Cheers,
Alice.
Walter PlingeThu, 26 Aug 2004, 09:25 pm
Re: NIDA and WAAPA Auditions.
Hey Crispy, Have you any good monologues you would like to share. Something different. What do you like ?I can send you a few . Regards