Is the Role Right for You? 6 Ways to Know

How do you choose the auditions you submit for?  Which acting role is right for you?  Explore 6 ways to know in today’s Vox Daily!

Stepping into Legendary Roles

Taking on a role with a strong cult following can be a pivotal moment in an actor’s career. Think of all the Hollywood heavy hitters that have taken on acting roles with an established fan base in place. There are only two ways that dance can go; they nail it and are praised for one of the greatest performances of their career, or the alternative, they’re eaten alive by the fan base for ruining their favorite character and tainting the franchise. No pressure, right?

Now, the most obvious example would be franchises like, say, a certain bat-like character, who was recently taken on by an actor that was not exactly embraced by the fan base. The mental toughness it would take to go into work every day knowing a fairly large percentage of fans are enraged by the director’s choice to cast you is beyond me.

It would essentially be equivalent to having a project rejected before you’ve even submitted it for review, but having to finish it regardless. This is what actors sign up for when they enter the biz. You have to have tough skin, incredible talent and the ability to get in the mental zone that you can prove any doubters wrong. Essentially, make the haters your motivators, as the kids would say.

Forget About Your Worries and Your Strife

An example of a great success for an actor would be (drum roll because the man is a legend and deserves it) Bill Murray’s performance as Baloo in Jon Favreau’s adaptation of The Jungle Book. It’s not exactly the same kind of pressure that actors face when taking on the superhero characters with die-hard fan bases, but it is a character that many people already had a set vision for in mind.

Bill Murray read The Jungle Book written by Rudyard Kipling when he was in his 20s and thought it was an extraordinary piece. He was quoted saying that after reading the story he had an immediate hope that he would be able to attach himself to the story at some point in his career. That’s why when Jon Favreau approached him with the script and character of Baloo, it was a no-brainer. Baloo is a tough character. He is sleazy and manipulative in his neverending quest for honey. He disregards Mowgli’s safety entirely to secure that sweet liquid gold.

But throughout the story we learn he has a huge heart and a quirky demeanor that makes us smile while watching without even realizing it. Thanks to a mixture of amazing writing, CGI and voice-acting, Baloo became a most beloved character in the movie.

The Jungle Book fans had high hopes when taking their seats in the theater. Some were about to relive a childhood favorite, others bringing their kids to share in a new adaptation of a story they love. I’d say the votes are in (95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes) and The Jungle Book was another successful movie for Bill Murray, like we needed a reason to love him more.

Taking on any role is a commitment for the performer. Whether it be shrugging off the negative reviews, handling the pressure of meeting the expectations of an established fan base or mastering the persona of a character with many layers, there’s no going back.

So how do you know you’re ready to take the plunge? How do you overcome that kind of pressure? Everyone has doubts, that’s only human, but how do you decide if the role is right for you, or more importantly, if you are right for it?

Some Points to Consider Before Taking on a Role:

1) Do you believe in the message?

If you’re having doubts about a role, it’s important to determine whether it’s nerves or your conscience. You will never be able to truly commit yourself to a character if you don’t believe in the story.

2) Will the film be well executed?

Having a great actor, whether on screen or voice-over, means nothing if the production value isn’t there. Before committing to a role, it’s important to find out if the creative direction of the film is in line with something you want your name attached to.

3) Will you regret it if you pass up the opportunity?

Some of the biggest regrets actors face are not the films they’ve done, it’s the ones they didn’t. Will passing on this opportunity haunt you down the road?

4) How will this role affect your career moving forward?

Could this be a role that allows you to break away from a niche character to show off your diversity as an actor?

5) Is the money worth it?

Sometimes you have to bite the bullet, we all know this. Not all work, even if you identify with the content, is fun to record. On the other hand, if you need the money, and you’re still having doubts about taking the role…you need to pull a Gump and RUN away from that role. No amount of money is worth giving up your integrity.

6) What does your gut tell you?

If there’s one thing that’s universally accepted in the decision making process, it’s that gut feeling. It’s the internal compass and will typically point you in the direction you want to go. With that being said, one time my gut told me to get bangs and that was a huge mistake so….take that how you will.

Roles that Fit

Every time an actor takes on a role, they’re making a commitment. This can mean a commitment of time, emotional investment or even commitment to a physical body type to meet the requirements of the character. Like any commitment, it’s important to make sure it’s the right fit for you both now and in the long term. Of course, there are always those occasions where you need to take a leap of faith, or as a certain bear would say, forget about your worries and your strife.

How About You?

How do you determine if you audition for an acting role? Looking forward to hearing from you!

Amber