TV Producer Shares Some Casting Tips

Hello! My name is Megan and I work as Television Producer. A Television Producer is someone who works behind the scenes, as part of a bigger team, to make the programmes you love to watch.

One programme I have worked on recently is Junior Bake Off. As part of the Casting team, I met and auditioned hundreds of children over the phone and by Zoom, to find the best young bakers in the country.

Below is my advice for anyone auditioning for a TV programme, as well as some practical tips.

1. Be Yourself
Being you is your power. There is no one else in the world who is like you and that is very cool! Lots of children (and adults!) think that we are looking for a certain type of person, but this is not true – we just want to see and hear people being themselves. There are no right or wrong answers, so don’t worry about saying the wrong thing because if you are being yourself, you can’t go wrong.

Practical tip: Before your audition, write down 3 things that you find interesting and 3 things you find boring. Ask the person interviewing you, if you can tell them.

2. It’s OK to be nervous!
Feeling nervous before and during an audition is natural. Just remember that the people who are auditioning you are on your side and want you to feel comfortable. After the first few minutes, I can promise you that you will feel a lot more relaxed.

Practical tip: Imagine you are having a conversation with family or friends! What would you say to them and how would you say it? Do the same with the person interviewing you – just don’t ask them to wash your school uniform!

3. Enjoy the experience
Have fun! Having a phone or video audition for one of your favourite shows is a unique experience and the audition is usually designed to be a lot of fun. It’s not something you get to do every day, so make sure you make the most of it.

Practical tip: Try not to think of the phone/video call as an audition and more as a chat. Think of the fun story you will be able to tell your family, friends, teachers or those closest to you.

4. Don’t be disheartened if it’s a no
With lots of children applying and only a certain number of places, there are always going to be children who audition but don’t make it onto the show. This doesn’t mean that you did a bad job – it just means that it wasn’t the right time for you. Just by showing up to your audition, you are learning about the casting process, growing in confidence and will be more prepared for the next time you audition – even if it might not feel like it at the time.

Practical Tip: Write down 1 thing you are proud of yourself for and 1 thing you think you could do better next time. If you are applying for a programme that requires a certain skill – practice, practice, practice and apply again!

Make Believe+ will help you become a better all-round performer, improve your techniques and grow your confidence. Fill in the comments below and I will be able to write back to you soon.

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