5 Confidence Boosters for Actors

5 Confidence Boosters and Exercises for Actors

4/5/2018

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED

I typically forget about my auditions once I submit them. They're out of my control at that point, so there's no use worrying about them. However, I still remember the one audition I feel like I truly bombed.

A major casting director requested me to audition for a feature film for a role that was opposite of two very well-known actors. I decided to get self-taping and coaching for this particular role, but I forgot to communicate that this wasn't a character--it was an actual person. The film was biographical.

Let's just say that instead of submitting a very grounded, realistic performance, I submitted a drunk trophy wife that was all over the place. I learned to always trust my gut and to communicate my research if paying for a self-taped session.

A haunting thought crept into my brain later: What if I had done something really embarrassing in a callback or on set in front of actors that I respected? I'm not saying it won't happen or that I can't learn from it, but we need to be prepared for how to deal with it.

Rejection sucks, but it's part of our lives as actors. Amid all of the confidence exercises for actors, there's one thing that helps me get over my nerves.

If you want to know how to be a confident actor, remember that everybody is human the next time you're nervous about an audition or if you ever get to read with a well-known actor!

I'm going to let you into my brain today to share all of the crazy things I think about to remind me of this truth that I hope will give you more confidence in auditions.

1. EVERYBODY POOPS

Yea, I said it. Toilets are the great equalizer of man. If you ever end up in the audition room with your celebrity crush, remember this--they get into that awkward butt wiping position, too. I hope...

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2. EVERYBODY HAS NOSE HAIRS

That's right, even the hottest celebrities have nose hairs, and with the continual updates in HD cameras, SURELY they get a trim...

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3. EVERYBODY FARTS

They might not talk about it, but they do.

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4. EVERYBODY GETS BAD BREATH

Errrbody gets stanky mouth at some point, especially on set. Even those few magical unicorns that don't get stanky breath eat garlic at some point.

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5. EVERYBODY PICKS THEIR BOOGERS

And rolls them into tiny tennis balls. What is it about driving a car that makes you want to pick your nose so badly?

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So there are my five tips on how to be confident in acting auditions. Hopefully these reminders will help you avoid your audition rejection depression. Now get out there and show those auditions who's boss!

SNEAKY ACTOR CONFIDENCE KILLER

Okay, you're equipped with five reminders that everyone is human to use as confidence boosters. What's killing your confidence in the first place, though? Seriously answer what pops into your mind first, then read the next sentence.

I challenge you to consider that your insecurity is rooted in something sneaky you haven't thought about yet--your money. Yes! Your money money moola!

Most actors make the mistake of thinking they can't be financially healthy until they hit it big. What if I told you that getting financially healthy now can increase your chances of acting success?

5 Ways Financial Health Makes You a Confident Actor:

You won't feel desperate to book in an audition.
You'll always have money for marketing materials like pro headshots.
You can travel to work as a local wherever you need without worry.
You can pay to produce your own shorts and get festival exposure.
You can go to more networking events to mingle.

I want you to start using zero-based budgeting if you're stressed about your finances.

5 CONFIDENCE EXERCISES FOR ACTORS

Now that I've got you feeling better with a Power Ranger fart GIF, let's chat over a few practical confidence exercises you can use an an actor.

WEAR THAT OUTFIT
You have an outfit or pair of shoes that make you feel killer. You know you look good or feel good when you wear them. I have an amazing pair of Ariat cowgirl boots that always gets compliments. I will cry when their day comes. If it makes sense for me to wear them to an audition, I do! Who cares if you wear the same thing to most of your auditions?

START SELF-COACHING
This is a HUGE part of your actor's life that I bet you're missing. Essentially, you coach yourself using your name. Sounds crazy, right? It totally works. I have more details about it in a blog post here.

STRIKE A POWER POSE
This can work for guys or girls. Women are typically told to stand in the Wonder Woman pose with their hands on their hips. Men should look at photos of male models and imitate their poses until they find one they like. You'll feel it when it's the right one. Now strike that pose before you leave the house and again in the bathroom when you arrive at an audition or shoot.

You may also consider using this pose during your read if it makes sense. For example, standing with your hands on your hips is a great stance for staying "open" to your scene partner. I see so many actors on tv cross their arms during a scene, and I always scream, "Uncross your arms!" You're physically blocking yourself from emotionally receiving from your scene parter. You're literally "closing yourself off" from them, which is why we stand that way in life, but you can't do that when you're acting. It will emotionally kill the scene.

LISTEN TO THAT SONG
If you're not already using music to get yourself in the right mindset for an audition, start making your playlists today. You can always listen to a song that makes you feel confident, then listen to a song that evokes the emotions you want to surface. Just remember that a casting director may ask you to take the scene somewhere totally different, and that's okay! At least show up fully engaged in the choices you prepared so you have something strong to give.

BREATHE CORRECTLY
Your lungs are the size they are for a reason. When you breathe like you normally do, you're probably not filling them to capacity. Those shallow breaths are only enough to keep your vital organs functioning properly, but when you fill your lungs to capacity, it sends that extra oxygen to your brain. That extra oxygen allows your brain to reason better. There's a great breakdown of this in the book Emotional Intelligence if you get the chance to read it.

So when you have racing, insecure thoughts, breathe to fill your lungs to capacity! Your brain will better rationalize your situation and thoughts. You'll also have better breath support for your scene.

TAKE ACTION

Did you know that I'm a certified goals success coach? It's time to start being the boss of your acting career instead of waiting on others to act on your behalf. Learn more about the 3 Ways Actor Boss Can Serve You.