When an actor first comes to Los Angeles, in search of an acting career, an agent, a manager, a good acting class…there are so many options, and it’s hard to know where to begin.
After you get your headshot, and perhaps an agent, a new actor will face meeting casting directors for the first time in the form of a general audition. This is a meeting that is usually arranged by an agent or manager, or is a result of being seen in a play or at a workshop. It is not for any specific role, but to let the casting director get to know the new performer and sort of get a feel for whether he or she will be someone the casting person will choose to champion for future roles.
Your job is to be able to show up on time, be professional and confident and answer some basic questions about yourself and your acting background. It is important to have a “speech” prepared about yourself, your personal interests, any special skills you may have as a performer (let’s say you are also an athlete, and you can high dive or snow ski…that should be listed on your resume and you should have a clever story prepared to work into your general meeting). All these things will let a casting person know more about you and hopefully will give them reasons to use you in the future for actual auditions for roles in movies, television or commercials they may be casting.