Cold Reading Tips

Hi,

So, what is "cold reading"? Well, it's certainly not when they forgot to turn up the heat in the audition room. Cold reading is a common situation that occurs when you are required to audition for a TV commercial, film, and sometimes television role without having had a chance to view the script (sides) in advance of the audition. Figuratively speaking, you are going into the audition “cold”.

The most important lesson to learn about cold reading is that you should NEVER TRY TO MEMORIZE ALL OF THE LINES. The casting director is fully aware of the fact that you have just received the script and nobody in their right mind would expect you to have the script (sides) completely memorized after only a short preparation time; unless… it’s only one or two brief lines or a key line. Instead, your first goal is to have a basic understanding of what is happening in the scene. If you know what it is your character is meant to achieve in the scene, then the words become secondary. It is more important to understand the “gist” of the scenario and allow the casting director and “the powers to be” an opportunity to see what choices you make, your delivery, your reactions, how you portray the character and if can you be directed.

My book on achieving audition success covers the "cold read' situation in much more detail, but here are 3 tips (of total 12) that will definitely help you when you are required to cold read.

1. READ IN SENTENCES – It will pay for you to attempt to read an entire sentence as opposed to reading word by word. This does definitely take some practice and don’t expect to get it straight away. However, the more you attempt to read the entire sentence, the easier and faster it will be to recall and deliver your lines.


2. KEEP YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE SCRIPT – This will seem difficult initially. Your tendency will be to want to keep looking down at your script and to even deliver your lines while reading the script. Your head will be down and those viewing the tape will not be able to see your face or your expressions - therefore you have just wasted your audition. Whatever you do, do not let yourself fall into this trap. It is extremely important that you deliver your lines with your head up and with the correct eye line. Practicing at home will help you to overcome this bad habit.


3. HOLD THE SCRIPT IN YOUR “OFF” HAND – If you are right handed, it’s probably best to hold the script in your left hand and visa versa if you are left handed. This allows you the freedom to utilize your dominant hand for possible gesturing (if required), while also minimizing potential motion of the script.


One of the most important things to remember is that, you are going to make mistakes! Don’t worry about it and don’t apologize or request to start over if you do make a mistake or two. Carry on as normal and often times it won’t even be picked up. The moment you draw attention to a mistake the entire focus of your performance is lost and you will find it difficult not to worry about the mistake from that point onwards. It will come through in the rest of your performance.

I hope that prepares you a little bit better for cold reading. I will definitely include more posts on this subject in the future, however if you would like to learn more about cold reading and a whole lot of other acting tips then feel free to check out Audition Success Tips.

Action = Success!