How I became a party princess and how you can too - but maybe avoid the sketchy bits.
Everyone has their own story of how they became a party princess. Most of the time, it's through starting their own company or through a friend. Or they may have seen an audition and decided to try out. My story is a little weird and, in hindsight, really sketchy. But I didn't die so, that's something.
My E-er-Audition?
I was introduced to the idea of party princesses when a girl from my church told me she had just been hired at this company in Calgary. Being that I'd been obsessed with Disney for-literally-ever, I immediately looked into how to get a job as a ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* princess *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
Well after a few months of looking went by, I happened upon a flyer for a local party princess company. Now, I thought that they were advertising positions for the company when in reality they were advertising the service of birthday princess - big oof on my part - but I gave them a call and the guy I spoke to had me send in a headshot and resume anywho.
This is where it gets a little sketch. I sent my resume and headshot to who I was told was the "casting director" and she set up the interview time and location. Now, should I have had some red flags pop up when the address she sent me was a residence (in a nice area, but still). And should I have been a little worried when a guy answered the door and asked me to come to the basement to try on dresses - OBVIOUSLY. Like, don't go into a stranger's basement, duh.
Call me what you want (dumb, naïve, a cancer) it did work out.
And now that you know how ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* not *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ to become a party princess, let me run you through the audition process, what to expect, and how to do well.
Navigating An Audition
Party princess auditions are some of the most fun and least stressful auditions, at least in my experience. So let's break down what to expect and what casting directors are looking for to land you that job!
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Be Early *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
This should go without saying, but being early to a casting call is super important! Now, when I say early I don't mean show up expecting to go inside and register an hour, hour and a half before the call time - you've got to be considerate of the casting director's schedule. But I always leave an extra 20-30 min before the call time to find parking, get a coffee, and locate the specific room or area where the audition is taking place. While walking around, you may even bump into other people going to the audition and this can be a really good way of getting to know them, making friends, and creating a more relaxed environment.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Socialize *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
Taking initiative to talk to people and make connections speaks volumes in a casting call setting. It shows that you're willing to put yourself out there and you have a natural engaging nature - which is literally the job...
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Stars Shine, Divas Shadow *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
Work with your fellow auditionees to create a positive and supportive environment. No one likes the person who brags about how good they are or points out how "badly" someone else did - especially the casting directors. Why would we want to work with someone who brings their fellows down? Not cute.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Come As Yourself *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
There are a couple criteria that fit into this guy.
One; be naturally, beautifully you - don't come as a character. If you wear makeup, do a neutral look. And don't DisneyBound, especially if you're auditioning a face character. The casting directors want to see a blank canvas to cast characters that they see, not who you see yourself as. I totally get that this can be hard if you identify most with one specific character. But ultimately, you're hurting your chances of playing any amount of other characters that they might see you as. Don't limit yourself!
Two; show off that personality! This ties in with socializing, but whether you're learning a dance, doing a cold read, or acting an animation work your personality into the work. I can tell you from experience, when you're tired or nervous or just not thinking as a character your personality comes out - so being cast as a character that acts similar to you is a huge benefit, especially when you're just starting out.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Have Fun, You Dummy *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
The whole point is to have fun! As casting directors, we're looking for people who are comfy socializing, willing to be silly, and can take direction well. You can be nervous and still have fun. You can totally mess up and still have fun. At the end of the day, even if you don't get the job, having a blast and learning for next time is worth it.
Opmerkingen