Auditions & Intimacy #2
It is very rare indeed that any professional first audition will contain any kind of intimacy no matter how much is planned for the final film. It can happen of course, but it’s not common.
In some countries there are very strict rules on the bigger (union) films regarding auditions. For example in Canada there are rules about how many people can be in an audition if there is nudity involved and who they are; there may also be a representative from the acting union there to make sure it all goes smoothly and everyone is comfortable with the process.
But unfortunately smaller films and other countries have different rules or none at all at the audition.
As an absolute minimum though, you should be told beforehand if there will be a requirement for nudity in the audition. If you haven’t been told and the casting director suddenly asks for you to take your clothes off, then this is a red flag and you should simply thank the casting director for the opportunity and leave.
Likewise a professional audition won’t expect you to kiss or fondle or do anything overtly sexual there and then. The script may say, “she kisses him passionately” but a professional audition will accept the motion of kissing, a hug, or a light peck on the cheek or something like this – which should be agreed on beforehand.
Again, if the director insists on more or asks you to do something you are not comfortable with then simply thank them politely and leave.
Even if the audition scene requires some level of intimacy which you’ve agreed to, don’t be surprised if it’s skipped over, especially in a first audition. If the role requires intimacy then this will usually be auditioned at a call-back, not a first audition so although the script may say “they kiss passionately” for a first audition the casting director will often be happy with the movement of a kiss or you simply saying “we kiss” and then moving on with the dialogue.
Remember as well that for auditions you’ll usually be reading with someone on the other side of the table, not another actor!
But…
But suppose the director insists on seeing a kiss from you or asks you to undress out of the blue at the audition?
- If it’s the director you are supposed to kiss then leave immediately!
- Think of your boundaries. If you’re happy kissing another actor at an audition then go for it otherwise politely decline and explain why.
- If it doesn’t feel right, then leave.
And that’s it!
But don’t get carried away and worry about your next audition! As we said earlier, by far the majority of auditions are perfectly above board and professional so be prepared to go in there and enjoy yourself!
For more on this subject including nudity with self-tapes, please see here.
