3 Top Qualities to Look for in an Actor
No matter what kind of video you’re making—commercials, short films, and more—your cast plays a huge role. You want to hire the best people possible to bring your creation to life. However, with so many actors coming through the audition room doors, it’s easy to get lost in a rush of names, questions, and performances. Make sure you stay focused throughout the audition process. Keep in mind everything you expect, need, and want from this actor and this role so you can make the best decision for your project. To help you along the way, here are three of the top qualities to look for in an actor.
Relevant Experience
While experience isn’t everything, it can sure make your project run a lot more smoothly. If your actor has worked on similar projects in the past, they’ll be more comfortable in this role. Always take your potential actor’s résumé and any relevant references into account. Demos and self-tapes are also a good indicator your actor’s experience levels. A great voice over demo will sound confident and have a great production value, letting you know that the actor knows what they’re doing.
Passion for the Project
Talent and credentials are great, but they won’t help you much if your actor isn’t invested in the project. From the moment your potential actor walks into an audition to the moment they leave, pay attention to their attitude and enthusiasm. Do they ask questions? Are they truly engaged with the script? Read their excitement levels throughout the audition. If they aren’t eager about this first step, they probably won’t get better throughout the rest of the project. Find someone who holds the same level of passion and commitment as you do.
Easy to Work With
In addition to skill and enthusiasm, one of the top qualities to look for in an actor is simply their personality. Make sure you choose someone who will work well with you and the rest of the production team. Ask yourself this: If this actor wasn’t a perfect fit for the role, would you still want to work with them on a different project? If the answer is yes, you’re probably going to have a great working relationship with that individual.
