Lights, Camera, Holiday Magic: Preparing for Auditions in the New Year
The holiday season is a time for festive celebrations, cherished traditions, and reconnecting with loved ones. For actors, December also offers a unique opportunity to prepare for the exciting opportunities that await in the new year. Family, friends and fun (safely) is important, but so is your career! Afterall, the film & tv industry is a huge part of the holiday season, isn’t it! As well, the film and tv industry’s gears shift into overdrive with the arrival of pilot season and fresh casting calls in January, making this an ideal time to fine-tune your craft and set yourself up for success.
Here’s how you can balance the magic of the holidays with career-focused preparation to ensure you’re ready to shine when the new year begins.
Holiday Downtime for Skill-Building
The industry may slow down in December, but that doesn’t mean your progress should. With auditions temporarily on pause and productions taking a holiday hiatus, December is the perfect time to refine your acting toolkit.
Practice Self-Tapes
Self-taping has become an essential skill in modern acting. Use this downtime to experiment with different setups, different backgrounds (maybe charcoal grey is better than the standard blue for your skin tone and eye colour), lighting, and line delivery techniques. Record yourself performing a variety of scenes—from comedic monologues to dramatic dialogues—to expand your range. Indeed, holiday seasons get the calendar booked up. But no excuses! If you don’t have time for complete scenes, just focus on one page! One page at a time is better than no time! Analyze your work, seek feedback, and implement improvements. When the new year rolls around, you’ll be confident and camera-ready.
Enroll in Workshops
Many acting studios and online platforms offer holiday workshops, often tailored for specific skills like voice work, improvisation, General American Accent or online audition techniques. These intensive sessions can help you hone areas of weakness or discover new talents that set you apart from the competition. Take a look at what we have going on in our course section.
Study the Greats
Take advantage of the cozy nights to immerse yourself in films, television shows, and theater performances featuring actors you admire. Make a “to watch” list categorized by your favourite heroes! Go even further and study your type cast! If you do not know your type cast, then book a session with me! Understanding your type-cast is CRITICAL to your career! Ask your agent as well what your type-cast is, while understanding this is only one POV. While watching your hereos and those actors that fit into your type-cast, analyze their techniques, character choices, and emotional depth. Learning from accomplished performers can inspire your own approach and fuel your creativity.
Expand Your Network
December is also a time for gatherings and industry mixers. So long as you do it SAFELY!! Whether virtual or in-person, holiday-themed events can provide opportunities to meet like-minded actors, casting directors, and agents. A casual conversation during a holiday party could lead to your next big break.
Preparing for Pilot Season
For television actors, pilot season is the most crucial time of the year. Running from January to April, it’s a whirlwind of casting calls as networks greenlight new projects. Preparation is key to standing out during this competitive season.
Refresh Your Headshots and Resume
Casting directors rely heavily on first impressions. Make sure your headshots reflect your current look and energy. For your talent resume, take action and add to your regimen a “Spring Cleaning” twice a year! During Christmas Holidays & well, of course, during “Spring” time! This ensures a polished resume pre-pilot season, and post-pilot season (with the summer heat wave of production just around the corner). Include recent roles, training, and achievements. Remove projects that are now irrelevant. An eye-catching and polished submission package can be the ticket to landing that coveted audition!
Research Upcoming Projects
Stay informed about the pilots in development. Platforms like Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter often provide insights into what’s being cast. Knowing the tone, genre, and potential roles of upcoming shows allows you to tailor your approach for specific opportunities. It also can lead up to healthy conversations and sure, maybe even a few nudges if you must, with your talent agent.
Revisit Cold Reading Skills
Pilot auditions often include cold reads, where you’ll have minimal time to prepare lines. Strengthening your ability to deliver compelling performances on the spot will set you apart from less-prepared actors.
Practice Consistency
During pilot season, you might face back-to-back auditions, each requiring different characters and genres. Establish a routine that includes daily warm-ups, script analysis, and practice. Staying consistent will help you handle the pressure with grace. For SAA Students, even going back to basic exercises & drills, such as “One Liner Roulette”, or Eye-line Drills is worth the time.
Tips for Setting Goals
The new year is synonymous with fresh starts and resolutions. For actors, setting actionable goals is essential for building a thriving career. Rather than vague aspirations, focus on measurable and achievable milestones.
Start with Reflection
Take stock of your achievements and setbacks in 2024. What roles did you book? Where did you struggle? Reflecting on your journey allows you to identify patterns and opportunities for growth.
Set SMART Goals
SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—provide a clear roadmap for success. For example, instead of saying, “I want to book more roles,” set a goal like, “I will secure three auditions per month by networking with five casting directors by March 2025.” And don’t overwhelm yourself, by putting all your goals in a blender and mushing them up all at once. It’s a proven fact that the “one goal at a time” or “single tasking” approach has a much higher success rate! Google it!
Break Down Big Goals
Large goals can feel overwhelming, but breaking them into smaller steps makes them manageable. For instance, if your goal is to land a lead role in a short film, your smaller steps might include updating your reel, reaching out to indie directors, and attending open casting calls.
Use Visualization
Visualizing success can be a powerful motivator. Imagine yourself delivering a show-stopping performance or seeing your name in the credits. Combine this with actionable steps to transform your vision into reality.
Celebrate Small Wins
Every callback, workshop, and networking event brings you closer to your goals. Celebrate these milestones to stay motivated and maintain a positive outlook on your journey.
Staying Motivated During the Holidays
Balancing career preparation with holiday celebrations can be challenging. The key is to create a flexible routine that allows for both productivity and joy.
Set a Holiday Schedule: Designate specific blocks of time for career-related activities, like practicing monologues or researching upcoming projects. Balance these with time for family, friends, and relaxation. A structured schedule ensures you stay on track without missing out on holiday cheer.
Find Inspiration in the Season: The holidays are filled with stories of love, redemption, and adventure—perfect fuel for an actor’s creativity. Draw from the emotions and themes of the season to inspire your performances and character work.
Stay Physically and Mentally Fit: Auditioning and performing require stamina. Incorporate light exercise, meditation, or yoga into your routine to maintain physical health and mental clarity. Keeping your body and mind in peak condition ensures you’re ready to give your best when auditions begin.
Avoid the Comparison Trap: Scrolling through social media during the holidays can lead to self-doubt, especially if others appear to be booking roles or attending glamorous events. Remember, everyone’s journey is unique. Focus on your progress and the steps you’re taking to achieve your goals.
Create a Vision Board: Channel your holiday creativity into crafting a vision board for your acting career. Include images, quotes, and milestones that represent your aspirations. Displaying this visual reminder can keep you motivated throughout the year.
Making the Most of December
December is a magical time, but it’s also a powerful launchpad for your acting career. By using this holiday season strategically, you can refine your skills, prepare for pilot season, set actionable goals, and stay motivated while enjoying the festive spirit.
As you toast to the new year, know that your efforts now will pay off when the cameras roll and the casting calls flood in. With preparation, passion, and perseverance, 2025 could be your breakout year.
Lights, camera, action—your holiday magic is the start of something spectacular!
Season’s Greetings from your Screen Acting Academy Team
