How To Bring Out The Best Of YOU In Your Next Audition
Webinar hosted by: Wesam Keesh
Actor, ABC's 'For The People'
Wesam Keesh is an actor best known for his role as Jay Simmons on ABC's hit show For the People. He is also the creator and host of the popular Actors Anonymous Podcast, a weekly podcast for actors to improve and evolve not only their acting careers but also their personal lives. Wesam has had a great career so far, working on hit shows such as Awkward, NCIS, The Mentalist, NCIS:LA, Touch and many more. He’s trained from many teachers and acting styles such as: Hagen, Stanislavsky, Meisner, Rodenburg, Cohen, Barton , Audition technique classes from Margie Haber, and many more. His favorite advice about acting is, “There is no handbook on how to succeed in this business. You have to find out what works for you and when.” He has compiled from hundreds of talks, discussions and personal experiences the best mindset, advice and techniques for bringing out the best of YOU in an audition and is thrilled to be teaching with Stage 32! Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
Learn directly from Wesam Keesh, Professional Actor best known for his role as “Jay Simmons” on ABC's hit show For the People as well as roles on Awkward, NCIS, The Mentalist, NCIS:LA, Touch and host and creator of the popular Actors Anonymous Podcast!
Whether they are experienced or new to the business, many actors find the audition process to be a great burden. From the moment you get that breakdown, you find yourself in an influx of emotions. You become stiff, un-balanced, frustrated, and by the time you’re driving home from the audition, you feel disheartened and demoralized. What is the secret to bringing your best performance to the table every time you audition? What can you do pre, during, and post audition to make the process seamless, enjoyable and help you book the role? How can you avoid the ‘post-mortem’ feeling after leaving an audition?
It’s time to find the balance needed to execute a superb performance, bringing out the best of YOU in the room.
In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, host Wesam will teach you how to bring out the best version of yourself in your audition, helping you nail your performance and confidently tackle any audition that comes your way. In this webinar, Wesam will break down the audition process into 3 phases: Pre-Audition, Audition and Post-Audition. You will go through the mindset of the actor as they get the breakdown, read the script and scenes, driving to the audition and waiting in the room to go in so you can learn how to focus during your audition and let yourself shine through. Wesam will address the feelings you have after every audition and will teach you how to “let go” – one of the hardest thing to embrace for most actors.
PRAISE FOR WESAM'S TEACHINGS:
“I sincerely appreciate his honest and concise feedback. He never beats around the bush, but instead is able to swiftly locate what needs to be worked on. He has a great eye for that. I have never felt "wrong", exploited, or insecure, but rather inspired and excited to try some new things. And I believe this healthy response is what makes his work so effective and enjoyable. Thanks to Wesam I received a full ride to NYU for acting, as well as many big bookings including one of my most recent, a recurring guest star role as "Victor" on NBC's new show The Player." – Isiah Adams
What You'll Learn
- Detailed advice accumulated from personal experience and those of many working actors, agents, directors, producers and other industry professionals to help you learn how to find what will work best for you.
- The Pre-Audition Phase:
- The email you get for your audition.
- Who is directing? Who is producing? Do your research!
- How to get a feel for the project.
- How to read the script and character breakdown with confidence.
- Remember, they called you because they like your look or work!
- Do your acting work!
- How to research the role.
- Who to rehearse with.
- How to make strong choices and commit to those choices.
- On the way to your audition:
- Why they are excited to see you in the room (even if they don’t show it).
- How to stay focused on the facts and not let your mind wander into negative space.
- Entering the waiting area:
- How not to get intimidated by other people in the room.
- How to stay confident and focused.
- How to use breathing to calm nerves.
- How to enter the space of your character before you enter the room.
- The email you get for your audition.
- The Audition Phase
- The Casting Director wants to see you succeed – they are hoping you are the one for the role.
- How to be present in the moment when you are performing.
- How to take any problems you face and turn them into a strength.
- How to handle redirection from the Casting Director.
- When to say thank you and leave.
- How to be confident in the performance you just gave.
- The Post-Audition Phase
- How to navigate the “post-mortem” dissection every actor does on themselves after an audition.
- How to honestly self-evaluate your performance.
- Whether you did well or flubbed, how and why you need to let it go.
- How to leave the audition feeling balanced.
- Steps to letting go of your performance.
- How to learn from your mistakes.
- How to evolve and adapt with the changing industry.
- How to use a bad audition to push yourself to a better performance.
- Wesam’s Critical Piece Of Advice:
- How to use the three phases to bring the best out of you in the room!
- Recorded, in-depth Q&A with Wesam!
Drawing from his own experience, as well as the experiences of many actors he’s worked with and interviewed on his podcast, Wesam will talk about tips and stories from his own career and share the best advice and secrets of the trade for prep. He will teach you key things to remember during the entire process, what directors/casting directors/producers look for when you come in and his most crucial piece of advice for any artist. You will leave this webinar knowing how to make every audition your best audition!
About Your Instructor
Wesam Keesh
FAQs
Q: How do I watch my webinar live?
A: If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Go to Webinar, you will receive an email from Go to Webinar with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. You can also access your webinar link in your purchase history located under settings in the top right-hand corner of your Stage 32 profile.
If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Zoom, you will receive a separate email from Zoom with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. Your login link will not be in your Stage 32 profile. If you did not receive your link via Zoom please email support@stage32.com.
Q: How do I watch my webinar on demand?
A: You will be able to watch your webinar on demand as many times as you’d like inside your Stage 32 profile. The recording is processed and posted between 24-48 hours after the webinar concludes. You can follow the instructions below.
YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO – STAGE 32 IS FREE TO JOIN
If You Already Have a Stage 32 Profile:
- Log into your Stage 32 profile
- Click "Settings" in the top right-hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
- Go to www.stage32.com
- Create a profile using the SAME email address you used to sign up for this webinar. The email addresses must match in order to watch the webinar.
- Once you have your profile set up, you can view the webinar by clicking "Settings" in the top right hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
Q: What is the format of a webinar?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Webinars are typically 90-minute educational broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32. Your webinar will be taught by a working industry professional with in-depth teaching on a topic. If you are able to attend live you will be able to ask your Stage 32 Educator questions during Q&A.
Q: What are the system requirements to watch my webinar live?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.9 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live webinar. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer.
Q: What if I cannot attend the live webinar?
A: If you cannot attend a live webinar or purchase an on demand webinar, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.
Q: Will I have access to the webinar afterward to re-watch?
A: Yes! Like all Stage 32 education, after the purchase of a live or on demand webinar, you will have on-demand access to the recording.
Q: How do I get a copy of the handouts provided?
A: If the webinar you take included handouts you can find them as downloads underneath your on demand video. You must be logged into your Stage 32 profile to view the video and get the handouts by clicking settings in the top right hand corner, then clicking purchase history.
Q: What if I need accessibility and accommodations?
A: Email support@stage32.com to request accommodations.
Thanks for your loyalty to Stage 32 Education. We value having you in the Stage 32 community.
If you have any further questions, we are always happy to help. Please contact Stage 32 support at support@stage32.com.
Testimonials
“I sincerely appreciate his honest and concise feedback. He never beats around the bush, but instead is able to swiftly locate what needs to be worked on. He has a great eye for that. I have never felt "wrong", exploited, or insecure, but rather inspired and excited to try some new things. And I believe this healthy response is what makes his work so effective and enjoyable. Thanks to Wesam I received a full ride to NYU for acting, as well as many big bookings including one of my most recent, a recurring guest star role as "Victor" on NBC's new show The Player." – Isiah Adams
Relevant Tags
Share with friends:
Questions?
Other education that may be of interest to you:
How to Turn Your Film or TV Idea into a Podcast to Get the Industry's Attention
This webinar includes a downloadable resource sheet that goes over a podcast checklist, equipment needs, platforms and voice over resources! Podcasts are hotter than ever with hits like HOMECOMING, 2 DOPE QUEENS, and DIRTY JOHN and are a great way to get your film or TV idea noticed. Podcasts are much less expensive than shooting your pilot or making your film on spec so they help you test the waters with storylines and characters, while figuring out the tone of the show and even building a loyal fan base for an eventual film or TV series. If you’ve got a great film or TV idea and are stuck trying to figure out how to get the right eyes, then you need to consider turning your idea into a podcast! This is such a new frontier, so it’s difficult for many to know where to even start. How do you tell the story you’ve imagined visually, through audio? Where do you even pitch a podcast? Not to mention, many creatives underestimate the power of audio, and making use of intimacy and soundscape to inform a story. Have you thought about getting into the podcast space? Or are you stuck with a film or TV idea that you can’t seem to get off the ground or have anyone pay attention to? With the guidance of someone who has found great success turning film and TV ideas into highly-coveted podcasts, you’ll be able to give your ideas a life you have yet to imagine! Podcast producer Caroline Slaughter's recent iHeartRadio podcast ASTRAY was ranked Top 15 nationally and is now being developed into a TV series. She is currently working on podcast TOM SLICK with Andy Samberg. She is also executive producing the podcast TOM SLICK: MYSTERY HUNTER with ANDY SAMBERG and screenwriter JEB STUART (Die Hard, Vikings: Valhalla) attached, which will launch in Spring 2022. Her next non-fiction podcast in BODY TRADE in collaboration with Trailblazer Studios and Reuters News. There is no one better than Caroline who knows what it takes to teach you how to create a successful podcast! Praise for Caroline's Stage 32 Teaching: "What a great teacher. Really. I learned so much from Caroline and did not even realize the potential for success from podcasts." -- Thomas W. "Informative. Effective. To the point. And friendly. Caroline is a great teacher who has loads of knowledge to give to her students." -- Christian M.
Zero to Hero: How to Build an Online Audience with Little or No Overhead
4 part class taught by Producer Michael Wormser, whose online distribution projects have reached over 30 million viewers! AVAILABLE ON DEMAND! Have you ever wondered how so many people have films, trailers, shorts and webisodes online that have achieved massive fan bases and are making millions of dollars? Well the truth is they aren’t any different than you, and in today’s world you have the same resources available that they do. There are many outlets to reach an audience, but how many of these are effective? In this course, you'll find out the best ways to not only reach an audience, but to engage and successfully grow an audience online. Stage 32 Next Level Classes is excited to bring you the previously-recorded 4 part class: Zero to Hero: How to Build an Online Audience taught by Michael Wormser, who brought the viewership content of Maker Studios from 40M to 250M monthly! Learn how you can see success in this competitive directly from an executive who's mastered it. Purchasing gives you access to the previously-recorded live class.Although Michael is no longer reviewing the assignments, we still encourage all listeners to participate!
Hollywood Resume & Cover Letter Workshop - How To Get Your Foot In The Door
Getting a job in Hollywood can seem hard...but it doesn’t have to be. If you feel like every job application you send in is a shot in the dark, you may want to rethink your process. Luckily, there are many tangible strategies that can make the job search more efficient. Ultimately, the key is to find a way to stand out in the pack. And we’re here to help you do just that. During this 90 minute session, you’ll learn how to build a robust network, job search tactics that will get your resume into the right hands, how to craft effective resumes and cover letters, and tips to help you ace any job interview. Whether you’re just starting out or are hoping to transition into a new position that will move you closer to your goals, this course is for you. We are professional resume writers, dedicated to helping Hollywood hopefuls find their dream jobs. But unlike most professional resume writers, we are not recruiters or HR executives. Instead, we have actually worked in and hired for entry-level positions across Hollywood. After conducting hundreds of interviews and weeding through even more resumes over the years, we've learned that many qualified candidates simply don't know how to pitch themselves for the Hollywood jobs they want. And, in an industry where most jobs are filled through internal referrals, it’s crucial to impress not only the recruiters, but those in the actual departments that are hiring -- and we know what they’re looking for because we’ve worked in those departments ourselves. We’re excited teach you the proven networking strategies, resume and cover letter writing techniques, and and interview skills that we have used to succeed in our own careers and watched countless others use to succeed in theirs.
Voicing Commercials - Part 2
Your host David H. Lawrence XVII received an overwhelming 100% satisfaction rate from Voicing Commercials - Part 1 and we are thrilled to have him back exclusively for Stage 32 to continue your education with Voicing Commercials - Part 2! Learn directly from David H. Lawrence XVII, VO and screen actor with over 50 film and TV credits, including Heroes, Lost, CSI, How I Met Your Mother, Men In Black III, Iron Man and more! "He certainly knows the business very well, I likes the way he breaks things down , it makes it easy to remember and therefore to apply to our work". - Nicolette M. "This was such an awesome webinar, especially for the price point - I learned a lot that I can take directly to my next auditions." - Stephanie M."Excellent info! Very clearly presented!" - Brad V. "This is information I am in need of and believe it or not, it's not taught by all coaches I have met. Please do more!" - Steve L. In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, you will continue your education on the most common category of voice over auditions and performance: radio and TV (and now web!) commercial copy. Using what you learned in Voicing Commercials - Part 1 about auditions, equipment and slating, you will dive into the structure of copy, looking at lists, setups, payoffs, dialogue reads, and endings. This webinar will round out your education on how to connect with a listening and viewing audience on a visceral level, taking your execution of commercial VO to a deeper and more satisfying level! You Will Leave This Webinar Knowing: How to keep your sentences tightly woven. How to perform excellent dialogue and couple reads. What are voicing lists and how to use them? Setups and payoffs in commercial VO. When to start acting and when to stop. Endings - conclusions, questions and wistfulness Plus much, much more! After a 30 year career in radio, your host David H. Lawrence XVII moved to television, and has been seen (and heard) on ABC's epic series Lost, CBS' legendary CSI, How I Met Your Mother, The Mentalist and military thriller The Unit, NBC's spy comedy Chuck, Good Luck Charlie and ANT Farm on Disney, Bella and the Bulldogs on Nickelodeon, Touch and The Finder on FOX, and is best known as the creepy evil puppet master Eric Doyle on NBC's smash hit Heroes. His film career includes on-camera and VO work on Men in Black III, Pizza Man, The Changeling, The Hulk, Iron Man, Percy Jackson, Unstoppable, Too Big to Fail, A Special Relationship and countless others. Lawrence has also voiced over 100 audiobooks. He is one of the top VO actors and instructors in the business, and we are thrilled to have him back to teach with Stage 32! PRAISE FOR DAVID'S TEACHINGS: "He certainly knows the business very well, I likes the way he breaks things down , it makes it easy to remember and therefore to apply to our work". - Nicolette M. "This was such an awesome webinar, especially for the price point (very affordable) - I learned a lot that I can take directly to my next auditions." - Stephanie M."Excellent info! Very clearly presented!" - Brad V. "This is information I am in need of and believe it or not, it's not taught by all coaches I have met. Please do more!" - Steve L. "Nice job. Easy to follow. Great anecdotal explanations. Arthur Godfrey, indeed!" - Ryan C.
How to Make the Transition from Cinematographer to Director
Getting ahead is hard in Hollywood, and taking the next step in your career can be difficult when it feels like the expectation is for you to stay in your own lane. Being a cinematographer is such an exciting, rewarding, and important role on any project, but that doesn’t mean it’s where your journey has to stop. If you have aspirations to move into directing and make your own film, that path is more possible than you might think. In fact, your background as a cinematographer might even catapult you to this position, since, in an effort to save film funds, it’s becoming more common for producers to hire cinematographers who can also direct. Many people believe that the roles of the director and cinematographer are separate, but actually they are partners in the storytelling process. This means that making the leap from cinematographer to director is not as hard as you might think. However, whether you want to exclusively direct or be a DP / director combo, you have to adhere to a certain mode of operation, master the art of collaboration, and hone your ability to speak clearly to your cast and crew in order to maximize your time on set. So how do you get that first directing job? Can you effectively direct and shoot at the same time, and if so, how do you divide your precious time between your cast and crew? With careful planning and a solid understanding of how to manage your responsibilities on set you can become the perfect “double threat” that producers love, while putting extra cash in your pocket and achieving more of your creative goals. Ryan Little is a director, producer, and cinematographer with over 20 years of experience in the industry. His first feature SAINTS AND SOLDIERS, for which he took on the dual roles of DP and director, won 16 “Best Picture” awards and two nominations at the Independent Spirit Awards including Best First Feature and Best Cinematography. Since then, Ryan has served as cinematographer and director on a slew of projects and has directed actors like Danny Glover, Vinnie Jones, Sean Astin, Neal McDonagh, Gary Cole, Dolph Lundgren, and Mickey Rourke. Most recently Ryan has worked with Producer Dean Devlin on the TNT pilot BLANK SLATE and has directed TV episodes of shows like GRANITE FLATS and EXTINCT. Ryan has built a storied background and deep well of knowledge in both cinematography and directing, and is ready to share what he knows with the Stage 32 community. Using his own experience as well as his deep understanding of the industry today, Ryan will teach you how you can make the transition from cinematographer to director and use your photography background to your advantage. He will begin by broadly discussing the prospect of switching from cinematographer to director and explaining why it’s possible. He will go over how he made the transition himself as well how other notable directors made a similar shift. He will demonstrate why your background as a DP will actually make you a better director yourself. Ryan will then delve more deeply into how best to land your first job as a director, including “planting seeds” for future opportunities, playing to your strengths as a practiced cinematographer, using the connections you’ve already built, and how to create sample work to help show your value. He will also discuss the possibility of serving as a Director/DP combo on set as a way to break in, what that looks like, and how to do both roles effectively at the same time. Next, Ryan will give you the rundown of how to best tackle your first directing gig. He’ll go over the aspects of directing you can expect to come naturally and the aspects that might be more of a challenge because of your background, as well as how to let the DP role go when directing. Ryan will teach you how to best prep for your first directing gig before going on set. He’ll talk about how to create your “style guide” for the project, finding your story moments ahead of time, making a useful shot list, and how best to use storyboards. He will then talk about how to spend your time on set as a director, including how to manage your time and break up your day and how to tell the story in your coverage. He will reveal three mistakes commonly made by directors during rehearsal and will discuss when the right and wrong times to operate the camera yourself are. He will also go over finding the balance between assertive and collaborative on set and how to set the right tone. Finally Ryan will focus on working with actors from the mindset of a cinematographer, including how to speak the actor’s language, how to hold the essential one-on-one actor preproduction meeting, and what you can do to become an “Actor’s Director”. Through all of this, Ryan will give you the tools and confidence to make the switch you might have been contemplating for a while and take the next important steps on your journey to become a bona fide film director. "I attribute a lot of my success to my background as a cinematographer. It's given me so many great opportunities and the skills to advance in my career in exciting ways. I want other cinematographers to better understand their value and potential as filmmakers, and am so excited to share what I know to empower the current DPs and future directors that are part of the Stage 32 community." -Ryan Little
Writers’ Room 100th Webcast Celebration: Member Spotlight
The Stage 32 Writers’ Room has just surpassed a milestone achievement - 100 webcasts! For the last year and a half it has been the honor of Director of Script Services Jason Mirch to act as the humble host, guiding webcasts that include script and screenwriting breakdowns, virtual pitch sessions to industry professionals, one-on-one conversations with some of the biggest names in the business, and writing exercises that challenge our imaginations and sharpen our skills. The goal of the Writers’ Room has always been to give writers all over the world the support, access, and education to thrive in their craft and career. Our recent Writers' Room guests have included Oscar-nominated Pixar writer Meg LeFauve, Billion Dollar Producer Amy Baer, AKEELAH AND THE BEE Filmmaker Doug Atchison, Universal Pictures Executive Ken Korba, A QUIET PLACE development executive Linsday Schwartz, GREEN HORNET producer Bradley Gallo, and many more - all of whom spoke and interacted directly with our members. Several of our members have connected with each other and have swapped scripts, collaborated on projects, produced projects they have written, and writers have even been optioned by producers largely because of the Writers’ Room! The Writers' Room is strong because of the incredible members who are serious about their craft and advancing their careers. So we are turning the spotlight over to some of our talented Writers' Room members who will tell us how they broke out in a highly competitive industry and achieved success during this Stage 32 Writers' Room Member Success Spotlight webcast! During this webcast, Writer, Producer, Actor & Stage 32 CEO Rich "RB" Botto and Writer, Producer, and Director of Script Services Jason Mirch shine some light on members who have utilized the power of Stage 32 and the Writers' Room to achieve tremendous success in the industry and learn the secrets they have discovered for breaking out! During this webcast the panel includes: Screenwriter, Martin Reese, who received a $5,000 option agreement from Glass House Distribution and Trick Candle Productions for a script he developed with the help of the Writers' Room! Screenwriter, Chris Torres, who landed representation with Manager Brooklyn Weaver of Energy Entertainment after being a part of the Writers' Room and being connected for a meeting by Stage 32! Author and Screenwriter, Christi Corbett, who developed one of her novels into a screenplay which was then optioned by producer Brad Wilson of Higher Purpose Entertainment!Screenwriter and Filmmaker, Chaun Lee, who used the power of Stage 32 and the Writers' Room to develop a short film which she then produced using local crew and cast in Atlanta just prior to lockdown!
Register / Log In
