After the two part Anatomy of a Breakdown, let’s take some time to get clear on the basics of your type.
What is your gender?
While there is gender-fluid casting, meaning a role that is written to be played by a man can be cast with a woman, producers usually have an idea about which gender they will be casting in a given role. However, there are times that producers are open to casting a male or a female. Pay attention to the breakdown and don’t assume.
How old do you look?
Some people trend older, some younger. Your height, the pitch of your voice, and your physical build all contribute to how people perceive your age. You probably have a sense of this already. Are you 17 years old, but the hosts at restaurants still offer you a kiddie menu? Or are you 14 years old, but people ask you where you go to college? Actors are reluctant to admit their ages because it is how old we are perceived as that is most important.
What is your ethnicity?
As with gender, some roles may have been written for a specific ethnicity, but that does not mean a producer is casting the role as written. In film, in particular, you will often see the phrase “ethnically ambiguous,” which just means people can’t quite put their finger on your ethnicity, other than it is not white. Knowing where you fall in perception on the ethnicity spectrum will help you submit more wisely and book more roles.
Notice how many of these things you have control over? Zero. Nada. Zilch. Zipperoo. These are the things you lead with when a producer looks at your photo, or when you first walk in the room. Also notice that it is the perception of these things that puts you in the conversation for a role. You – the person who lives and breathes, a real human being – are more than your type. Your type is just a part of how you interface with this industry.
Next week, we’ll look at the aspects of type over which you do have some control.
Got college auditions coming up?
Contact me to schedule your individual acting lessons (Skype lessons available for non-local students). If you live near the Louisville, Kentucky area, look into my upcoming Masterclass 4-week Series or monologue & audition workshops.