WHERE IS THE LENS?

This is a quick entry, to be filed under obvious BUT important. Always be aware of the camera and your position/eye-line in relationship to lens. If you are doing an audition solo, and they don't give you a specific eye-line, then pick a point as close to the lens possible without actually looking into it. If you are off to one side of the camera, even slightly, then aim your eye-line across the lens. In other words, if the camera is slightly to your left, then send your eye-line to the far left of the lens.

In a scene with another person, always angle yourself as much as you can towards camera, send your performance into the lens. Basically think about how much more powerful a close-up front shot is to a medium-shot profile. Obviously you have no control over how the shot is framed, but the energy of your performance is always more powerful the tighter the shot, the closer the eye-line. Keep that in mind especially on your first calls where eye-line direction from the camera operator or casting director is often not mentioned.

Also in a call back, directors will notice if you seem oblivious to the camera... facing away, or looking way off lens. This is not all that uncommon, especially when doing a scene with another person... however, it does scream "Newbee". All common sense, but easy to forget.

- Scott Young

Commercial Success/ Shoot a Scene. Edit Your Reel