12 Guideposts of Auditions

1. 12 Guideposts of Auditions Michael Shurtleff

2. Side # 1 • A: Hey mom. What is going on? • B: Oh… I was just wondering why this garage was still a mess. • A. I meant to clean it before practice but I did not have time. • B: Well I guess you will have time when I pull you off of the team. • A. Really mom…over the garage you would ruin the whole season. • B. Over the garage I would ruin your whole life if I have to.

3. Guidepost 1 Relationship • Where is the love? • Who is the other person in the scene in relation to me.

4. Side # 1Read it again and ask yourself…where is the love? • A: Hey mom. What is going on? • B: Oh… I was just wondering why this garage was still a mess. • A. I meant to clean it before practice but I did not have time. • B: Well I guess you will have time when I pull you off of the team. • A. Really mom…over the garage you would ruin the whole season. • B. Over the garage I would ruin your whole life if I have to.

5. Side # 2 • A: Do you know what happened to me last night? • B: No idea • A. Really? • B. Really? • A. That is not what Jill said. • B. I have NO idea what you are talking about.

6. Guidepost #2Conflict • What am I fighting for ? • What is my dream and how can I make it come true in this scene?

7. Side # 2Read it again and considerwhat am I fighting for? • A: Do you know what happened to me last night? • B: No idea • A. Really? • B. Really? • A. That is not what Jill said. • B. I have NO idea what you are talking about.

8. Side # 3 • A: I cannot believe you just did that? • B: I am hungry…starving • A: I have been looking forward to that sandwich since 8 am when I got to work. • B: It is not like you can’t afford another one. • A: That is not the point. That is my sandwich that you just ate. • B: Sorry.

9. Guidepost #3The moment before • What just happened? • How do you feel about what just happened? • Try to physicalize it and start strong.

10. Side # 3Read it again and raise the stakes and physicalize the moment before. • A: I cannot believe you just did that? • B: I am hungry…starving • A: I have been looking forward to that sandwich since 8 am when I got to work. • B: It is not like you can’t afford another one. • A: That is not the point. That is my sandwich that you just ate. • B: Sorry.

11. Side #4 • A: I hate you…I have decided that I hate you. • B: You hate me. Hate is a strong word. • A: But on you…it is deserved. • B: Just because he is taking me to prom and not you is not a reason to hate me, is it. I mean we have been friend for years and now you hate me? Because of a prom date? • A: Yep, I think I do.

12. Guidepost 4Humor • Humor can exist in almost any situation • Find the humor that exists in the scene. • Try turning the scene on its ear by finding the humor. • Connect with the partner via humor. • Don’t try to be funny…just find the humor…there is a difference.

13. Side #4Now read it andfind the humor. • A: I hate you…I have decided that I hate you. • B: You hate me. Hate is a strong word. • A: But on you…it is deserved. • B: Just because he is taking me to prom and not you is not a reason to hate me. I mean we have been friend for years and now you hate me? Because of a prom date? • A: Yep, I think I do.

14. Side # 5 • A: Listen, Jill..I really think it is time we called this whole thing off. • B: Jack the wedding is tomorrow. My whole family is waiting to see us walk down that aisle. • A: I just think this is a HUGE mistake. • B: Think all you want but you are getting married to me tomorrow. Like it or not. • A: I can’t. I am losing my mind here. I cannot marry you. We are not right for each other. • B: Right or not, we are getting married tomorrow. I don’t care if we get divorced Monday morning, but you are NOT going to humiliate me in front of everyone I know.

15. Guidepost #5Opposites • Play the opposite of what you think should be happening. Play against the text. • What ever is happening in the scene, the opposite is happening as well.

16. Side # 5Now read it and play the opposite • A: Listen, Jill..I really think it is time we called this whole thing off. • B: Jack the wedding is tomorrow. My whole family is waiting to see us walk down that aisle. • A: I just think this is a HUGE mistake. • B: Think all you want but you are getting married to me tomorrow. Like it or not. • A: I can’t. I am losing my mind here. I cannot marry you. We are not right for each other. • B: Right or not, we are getting married tomorrow. I don’t care if we get divorced Monday morning, but you are NOT going to humiliate me in front of everyone I know.

17. Side 6 • A: What is your problem? • B: What are you talking about? • A: I think you know…why all the attitude? • B: I’m sorry…I am just…tired. • A: Tired? • B: Yes • A: That’s all? • B: Yes…no that’s…I don’t want to have this conversation right now.

18. Guidepost #6Discoveries • What is new? • Discover moment to moment actions • If you miss events, nothing will happen and your scene will die.

19. Side 6Read it again and find the discoveries • A: What is your problem? • B: What are you talking about? • A: I think you know…why all the attitude? • B: I’m sorry…I am just…tired. • A: Tired? • B: Yes • A: That’s all? • B: Yes…no that’s…I don’t want to have this conversation right now.

20. Side 7 • A. I have a confession. • B. Hmmm…that sounds intriguing. • A. I just wanted to tell you that I have really enjoyed hanging out with you lately • B. Ok…where is this going? • A. Nowhere…it’s just I really think I want to be more than friends. • B: Oh. Wow • A: Wow • B: I don’t know what to say. This is NOT what I am thinking about when I am with you. I thought we were just hanging out.

21. Guidepost 7Competition and Communication • Give and take • Give and receive • Discover your wins and losses in the communication.

22. Side 7Now look at the wins and losses in the competition • A. I have a confession. • B. Hmmm…that sounds intriguing. • A. I just wanted to tell you that I have really enjoyed hanging out with you lately • B. Ok…where is this going? • A. Nowhere…it’s just I really think I want to be more than friends. • B: Oh. Wow • A: Wow • B: I don’t know what to say. This is NOT what I am thinking about when I am with you. I thought we were just hanging out.

23. Side 8 • A. I want that cupcake • B. It is the last one. Mom did not even get one yet • A. I need that cupcake • B. I think you are being a bit dramatic. • A. Look I will make some more for mom later, but if I don’t get that cupcake…you don’t understand something really bad is going to happen. • B: I don’t want that. Take it. Just PROMISE me you will make more. • A: Ok…fine…fine. Just hand it ove.

24. Guidepost #8Raise the stakes • Why is it important • Make it more important. • It has to be important or the scene falls flat.

25. Side 8Raise the stakes. Make it Important. • A. I want that cupcake • B. It is the last one. Mom did not even get one yet • A. I need that cupcake • B. I think you are being a bit dramatic. • A. Look I will make some more for mom later, but if I don’t get that cupcake…you don’t understand something really bad is going to happen. • B: I don’t want that. Take it. Just PROMISE me you will make more. • A: Ok…fine…fine. Just hand it over.

26. Side 9 • A: Oh my god. Jimmy is here. • B: Where? • A: Over there in the food court, talking to Phoebe • B: Where I don’t see him • A: By the Chic-Fil-A • B: Oh there….what the hell is she wearing? • A: She does look skanky • B: Is he…oh my god…they are kissing! • A: Oh no. • B: I am going to kill that boy. Where is my phone? I need a photo of this.

27. Guidepost 9Find the events • Events equal changes, especially in the relationship • You have to create the events, otherwise, nothing will happen--the scene will be dead

28. Side 9Now find the events, the changes • A: Oh my god. Jimmy is here. • B: Where? • A: Over there in the food court, talking to Phoebe • B: Where I don’t see him • A: By the Chic-Fil-A • B: Oh there….what the hell is she wearing? • A: She does look skanky • B: Is he…oh my god…they are kissing! • A: Oh no. • B: I am going to kill that boy. Where is my phone? I need a photo of this.

29. Side 10 • A. I don’t know about this • B. C’mon this will be hilarious • A: You are always getting me into stupid stuff. I don’t know why I go for it. • B: Know one is going to know it was us. Would you just relax. • A: If we get caught I will be suspended and you will be expelled. • B: This is under control ok. Would you take off your diaper and grow up? • A: You grow up. This is lame. I am out.

30. Guidepost 19:Location • Where are you? • What tension or emotion does your location create?

31. Side 10Read the side again with an awareness of location. • A. I don’t know about this • B. C’mon this will be hilarious • A: You are always getting me into stupid stuff. I don’t know why I go for it. • B: Know one is going to know it was us. Would you just relax. • A: If we get caught I will be suspended and you will be expelled. • B: This is under control ok. Would you take off your diaper and grow up? • A: You grow up. This is lame. I am out.

32. Side 11 • A: I know what your thinking. • B: You do? • A: I do • B: Really. What am I thinking • A: That I am the most beautiful person you have ever seen and that you are lucky to have a girl (boy) friend like me. • B: Oh I assure you that is not what I am thinking. • A: Shut up. • B: I was thinking that we should go to BK for dinner. I really want a bacon double cheeseburger. • A: Oh that is romantic.

33. Guidepost 11Game Playing and Role Playing • It 's not insincere-it’s very true to life and real. • Game Playing and Role Playing is a way dealing with reality, not escaping it. • For example, a teacher’s role with students in college classroom setting is different than later if they meet later at a cocktail party.

34. Side 11Now read it again and embrace the game. • A: I know what your thinking. • B: You do? • A: I do • B: Really. What am I thinking • A: That I am the most beautiful person you have ever seen and that you are lucky to have a girl (boy) friend like me. • B: Oh I assure you that is not what I am thinking. • A: Shut up. • B: I was thinking that we should go to BK for dinner. I really want a bacon double cheeseburger. • A: Oh that is romantic.

35. Side # 12 (aka side 2) • A: Do you know what happened to me last night? • B: No idea • A. Really? • B. Really? • A. That is not what Jill said. • B. I have NO idea what you are talking about what happened? • A: I just had a really bad night. • B: Bad how? • A: I don’t really want to talk about it. • B: You brought it up. • A: Forget I said anything. Let’s just forget the whole thing.

36. Guidepost 12Mystery & Secret • Wonder about your partner and your situation • Have a secret - keep it a secret, but let it add drive and intensity to your scene.

37. Side # 12 (aka side 2)Do it again and embrace the secrets. • A: Do you know what happened to me last night? • B: No idea • A. Really? • B. Really? • A. That is not what Jill said. • B. I have NO idea what you are talking about what happened? • A: I just had a really bad night. • B: Bad how? • A: I don’t really want to talk about it. • B: You brought it up. • A: Forget I said anything. Let’s just forget the whole thing.

38. The 12 Guideposts • 1. Relationship • 2. Conflict • 3. The moment before • 4. Humor • 5. Opposites • 6. Discoveries • 7. Communication and Competition • 8. Importance • 9. Find the events • 10. Place • 11. Game playing and Role Playing • 12. Mystery and secret

39. WHY should I learn these? • So your cold reads are not BORING! • So you have tools to help you make a choice. • So that you grab the auditors attention