Auditions (theater, top schools, shops)

[tinkerbell1994]

I am hoping someone here has some tips as to where one might go to find auditions for DECENT tv shows, movies, ect. as well as the best places to try your luck with music. I am 18 and have always had a passion for acting as well as music. I desprately want to break out into the world that way, but I have no clue as to how. ANY advice would be appreciated.
thanks you in advance

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Youtube.

[LAHopeful]

YouTube is a great platform, but if you're looking for tangible auditions try the following:

Exploretalent.com
mandy.com

They regularly post auditions for student films and other stuff as well. Since you're just starting off, you should definitely try acting for student films to get a feel for everything. Also, have you been taking any classes yet?

[Arus]

you can also check craiglist as well as facebook (many auditions are posted to facebook now)

Like Central Casting:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/centralcasting

[BRinSM]

if you're serious about breaking into the biz you will want to find a good agent and join the unions ($$$$$)

[SnowFlower]

Can you make some suggestions ?

[Vary]

First, a lot of questions: What kind of training do you have? What classes have you taken? What constitutes a "decent" show? Quality? Clean content?

If you have no clue about where to start, then you need to get some info before leaping in. I suggest you start by searching "acting" on these boards and read the advice shared by several of us in the entertainment industry to those who are interested in "the biz." If you walk into auditions not knowing anything about the business you're hoping to break into, you're not going to get very far. Studios aren't in the business of "discovering" untrained talent, they're looking for folks who are going to get the job done.

LEARN. LEARN. and LEARN SOME MORE. Take acting classes, take on-camera classes, study with Groundlings or Second City. Do some community/regional theater. Sit down and make specific goals of what you would like to do, and study that area (watch shows and take note of who's the casting director/which actors are busiest in that genre/ study the technique of those who do it well). Take some classes on "the business of the business." 'Cause it is a business, and you're the commodity that you're selling. Learn what are the right--and what are the heinously wrong--things to do as an up-and-coming actor. Then you can look at doing workshops with agents or casting directors that allow them to see you work. And the connections you make and the things that you learn will lead to auditioning the right way--as a prepared, professional actor.

[lapommedeterre]

join lacasting.com
there's also actorsaccess.com those are the two big online casting sites, but of course you want to try and get an agent to have access to more and better auditions.
also you can join central casting/ get an extras calling service and do some background work. It wont help your acting resume but it's an easy job and you get to be on set, and you'll meet a lot of people doing that job that could give you more advice on acting.

[jackie100]

You'll find better info at Backstage Message board. Google it.

You won't find decent parts at all unless you have a theatrical agent. You'll need training in Improv (Second city, UCB, Groundlings), cold reading (Brian Reise, Annie Grindlay, Amy Lyndon) and Scene study. Study at the top schools, the "name schools" that folks recognize like Second City, Doug Warhit etc. Then you'll have to work for free at first (student films etc) in order to make a reel to show to prospective agents, network and probably go to showcases etc. It takes some people years and years in order to even land a agent. You won't get cast in any bigger role on a prime time tv show beyond an extra without an agent. Easier to land a commercial agent at first; all you need for that is an improv class at one of the big 4 schools, commercial classes and killer headshots.

[LAHopeful]

Originally Posted by Vary

take on-camera classes, study with Groundlings or Second City. Do some community/regional theater.

You're a big advocate of Second City aren't you Vary lol?!