How to Make a Slate Great

HOW TO MAKE A SLATE GREAT!
“Hello, I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach?”…”What’s up, this is Jeff Dreisbach”…”Hi, I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach and I am reading for Hamlet…I am 6’2….on a good day!”. Your slate is the proverbial handshake and first impression we get from you. I have seen actors “loose out” because of a bad slate. No kidding! Let’s end the great slate debate and give you the right way to make your slate great on this episode of Casting Actors Cast, the podcast for actors from a casting director…that’s me….Jeffrey Dreisbach!

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Slates are used in every audition situation you can imagine; Voice over, self tape auditions, live meetings on Zoom, and, in-person soon!
* History of the slate
* What are they used for today?
* Why are the important?
Voice over slates:
* Not in “Character”
* Warm/meeting someone for the first time
* Breath, beat, moment before the read
Film/TV Slates:
* Looking into the camera lens
* Warm/friendly/ genuine moment
* Breath, beat, pause before read
Live, in person slates:
* Eye contact
* Genuine interest in the other
* Not a formal presentational moment (too stiff)
Be careful not to dismiss the value of a good slate. It is a first impression about how you look, sound and an opportunity to show US you. Getting a sense of your personality, energy and sincerity can leave a lasting impression long after the actual audition is over. While the importance of a good slate has been discussed, over thinking it can also cause you to feel presentational or over rehearsed. Use the moment to connect then invest in the most important thing…your audition.