Ryan Murphy Doesn’t Want You To Try and Impress Him

Start thinking of yourself as a problem solver.  

“I’m looking for the actor or actress that’s not trying to please, but who’s bringing their point of view to the character, their own personality, their own reading into what the character means to them.”

- Ryan Murphy 

You aren’t there to impress them, you’re there to solve the casting director’s problem. 

A casting director will call you in because there’s something about you they like, something about you they want. 

You don’t have to find the uniqueness, trust in your own uniqueness. 

“As an out-of-work actor, it’s very hard not to represent need and desperation. People don’t have any respect for it; they don’t have any interest in it. What they’re looking for is somebody who has a mind of their own.”

- Harrison Ford

You have to come in with your choices, and live and die by them.

You have to have total confidence in yourself, and in the necessity of what you’re doing.

They can give you adjustments, but be clear about how you want to play this role.
Hold on to your truth.

You’re not there to be special to them. You’re not entertaining them.
You’re doing your work and allowing them to watch you.
You’re showing them what you would do with the character.

Stop worrying about being right.
If you’re in character, you can do no wrong.