Tone It Down

Bit parts (co-stars, under-fives, etc.) are great stepping stones to larger roles in TV and film. However, they can be harder to get than most actors think! And who wants to drive all the way across town, say one line and NOT book the job?! In order to book these roles, keep in mind that if you're going in for a character that only has one or two lines -- you are NOT the star or even that important in the grand scheme of the plot.

So, the key to getting the audition is to be as real as possible. As much as you want to "shine," you just don't have this type of latitude with co-star roles (usually). Just read the line as natural as possible and strip away all acting. If the line is "How can I help you?," just say it as you would in your everyday life. Don't try to add something special or some weird inflection in order to "Stand Out." This will only make you look weird. If you leave the audition feeling like you didn't do much, chances are you did it just perfect. :-)