If you are auditioning for television, movies or commercials you know that you are going to be required to read from a script during your audition that you most likely have never seen before. This is typical and expected, unlike in theater where in many cases you prepare a monologue, which you’ve had plenty of time to memorize. If you don’t already feel comfortable with cold reaching, then it will be essential for you to get comfortable as this can and will be very important for your career. It will be in your best interest to master this art.
Cold Reading definition
Cold Reading is defined as receiving a script which you have never seen or read before and auditioning with that script for a scene or role. As you may get lucky and receive a script in advance, where you may have a short time or over 24 hours to prepare for the audition, this isn’t of the norm today, and you’ll find yourself receiving a script while arriving at your audition. Cold Reading is so critical that if you’re looking to be a successful Hollywood Actor, you’ll need to work on this.
If you’ve never done cold reading before, it’s not difficult to learn. All you’ll need to do is get random scripts which you’ve never seen before, read and memorize the first line, and say it without peaking at the script. That, right there, is your first cold reading. If while reading this you’ve never done this before, be prepared to do an internet search to find scripts or get your hands on scripts to try this out. When you first attempt to cold read, you’ll most likely only be able to memorize a couple words right away, though over time you’ll start to master the art and have the ability to memorize multiple lines at once. Compare yourself to an athlete. When an athlete is working on a new play or workout it’s always usually a challenge, though over time and after a great deal of repetition, they are able to do what they’ve worked on with much more ease. As you work on this type of acting training, over time you’ll get better and better. Don’t get lazy and make it a point to practice cold reading! If you live with someone else, have them practice with you which will make this much more fun.
“It’s just as important to hear what the other actor is saying…”
It may seem like a good idea to try and look at your next line at an audition while the other actor is going thru their lines. This wouldn’t necessarily be wise. It’s just as important to hear what the other actor is saying as it is for you to perform your lines. When it’s your time to say your lines, then look and respond to it.
Again, as you work on this craft more and more you’ll be able to memorize more lines. When it’s your turn, memorize however much you can in a couple seconds, and make the proper eye contact with the other actor/actors and share your lines with them.
Repeat this process over and over if there’s plenty to memorize, which is going to take more time then a quick glance. Try and keep your eyes off the script after looking at the lines. You don’t want to read the lines looking at the script as this will most likely lead to you not getting the part and blowing the audition. And also, you’ll want to be in character at all times while performing your lines during this audition, unless you are told to do something different.
Once you receive the script try and read the whole script right away on lines you’d be performing and try to memorize it. If it’s too long to memorize, at least try and memorize the first few lines, but by reading thru the script you’ll have a clearer idea about the different characters, how you’ll need to talk in character and you’ll also have a greater grasp on the scene. The stronger you are at the beginning and end will most likely make the person who’s auditioning you remember you!
Make sure not to bury yourself in the script, and if you’re a righty, hold the script in your left hand – chest level. Act as if it’s a part of your body and don’t wave it around. Less is better on drawing attention to the script. You want the person who is auditioning you to be paying attention to you and not what you’re holding.
If it feels very awkward where cold reading is slower, don’t stress about it. Casting directors know that you didn’t have the script before and in many cases they’re seeing your ability to be in character based on the personality you take on from what is in the script. Slow isn’t bad, so don’t panic… It’s pretty normal.
What do successful Hollywood Actors do daily?
Training regularly in cold reading is a must if you want to succeed as an actor. If you don’t work on it, you’ll struggle to get thru auditions. You may be an amazing actor, but if you don’t have cold reading down, you may really have a tough time getting your next part. In Hollywood there are so many successful top actors and actresses auditioning daily which you are competing with. Make it a point to cold read regularly as part of your training and you’ll find that you stand a greater chance in landing more roles as an outcome.
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