<p>BYW, sorry, I didn’t realize that you are the father of the would be actress. not the mother.</p>
<p>Glad to get a little heads up on the USC auditions. Would love to know which school you chose in the end. My son is a junior so we are a year behind all this lovely stuff.</p>
<p>devinsmom: There is no “heads up” on the USC auditons. (Why do I suspect that OP’s daughter got into UCLA?) All professional auditions are, by there very nature, grueling. When your son goes out on professional auditions there is no hand holding (unless it’s a childrens audition and then not so much) or billing and cooing. You don’t like to be kept waiting? Too bad. SAG rules say that if you are in an audition house longer than a certain time you must be paid. Why? Because auditions run long, and by the way, you’re not the star. Got a problem with people not falling on the a** about your kid? The process may be designed to find kids who are resilient, professional, talented, and strong enough to handle what an acting career has in store for them. ANd, just like in baseball, there is no whining or crying in the casting office.</p>
<p>I accompanied my son to the USC audition and I thought it was one of the best organized of the nine I observed, all of which were slightly different. USC, like Fordham, CMU, NCSA, Emerson and NYU, offered a preentation. The speaker (the USC Theatre School’s Director of Admissions, who was one of the interviewers) did explain the distinctions between the BA and BFA. Since students may be considered for the BA program if they are not selected for the BFA cohort, I thought that was very helpful. At Emerson, where one has to make a decision that’s either/or about the BFA/BA, the situation was more tense, I felt. There I thought the speaker really was trying to persuade students to check the BA box! But back to USC. The students had been grouped seemingly randomly into A, B and C groups before arriving. There were two interviewers, both from the School of the Theatre, which is a small department, so it seemed the interviews were an appropriate and thorough way to get to know the applicants in the room. The two auditors are USC faculty members who will spend a lot of time with the students. They did, in fact, ask for one monologue, and my son only performed one. I think they know what they are looking for. It is enough. The process took a whole morning. </p>
<p>All the auditions were quite different. That afternoon, my son had another audition for a program. He waited in the hall and was called in. He had a conversation and performed a monologue. It was a much shorter process. He was accepted to both programs. One audition wasn’t “better” than the other - the schools are different and approach their auditions differently. In some cases, the auditions felt quite civilized and other times, I wondered how anyone was able to coordinate the sheer numbers. I would like to echo Actingmom in that some of the auditions were quick and he didn’t think he’d be accepted but he was, while sometimes he was brought around and praised and thought he would be accepted but he wasn’t. You don’t know. And even then, like Actingmom’s daughter, sometimes you are fortunate and have many choices and have to decide what’s right for you. Sometimes, though, the experience isn’t what you hoped for, and you have to move on.</p>
<p>In the end, he was accepted at five schools, denied at three and waitlisted at one. He selected USC and it was the best choice he could have made.</p>
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<p>ellebud, one of my favorite movies! :)</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone should draw any conclusions about USC from this discussion, other than the fact that every year there are kids who have a bad audition experience at some schools. It’s clear that others have had good experiences at USC auditions. That’s the thing about this process, there are too many variables involved to draw generalized conclusions about ANY school from their audition process, or from an info session, or from a tourguide you may have, or from speaking to only one current student, or from sitting in on one class, or from having seen a couple of their alumni in a Broadway show, or from seeing one performance on campus, or from viewing one dorm, or from eating in one of the dining halls, etc. etc. Although one would hope that every student auditioning would be treated with respect and would have a good experience in all of their auditions, it’s never going to be the case for each and every student and each and every audition or school visit. What may be a negative experience for one student is likely to be a positive one for another. Venting is good, but it does no good to dwell, nor to try to convince others that it’s bad for everyone.</p>
<p>I totally agree with everyone that the theater world is a hard and cruel business to be in, BUT let us all remember that a private university, where we as parents pay upwards of $40,000 a year for the privilege of letting our children attend is hardly the same as an audition for a part in a commercial production. In fact, justifying the behaviour of university staff on the basis of “this is a cruel world, get used to it” is, IMHO, not justified. At the end of the day we pay their salaries. I have no problem with rejection, that is the process. I do have a problem with bad behaviour.
I do see, however, that others have had a great experience with USC. Maybe we hit a bad day, or maybe it is just my perception.</p>
<p>Babar, we were told at Emerson that a student could check BOTH the BFA acting AND the BA Theater/performance on their applications and audition to be considered for both.</p>
<p>We also felt that there was a DEFINITE attempt to build up the BA Theater option both at Emerson and at Boston University …and at both schools there was much insistence that there is NO DIFFERENCE WHATSOEVER in how the students are trained, viewed in the audition pool for shows, etc. DS asked later if that is so, why have two different programs?</p>
<p>As far as the theater being a “cruel” business, as a veteran of
roughly thirty years of auditioning I have rarely been treated
disrespectfully. The hardest part is knowing you will not be hired
for 95% of the jobs you are up for. Or, conversely, being cast
in a role you feel is completely wrong for you. More than you
might think the theater is like a family. Despite the vast explosion
in the number of actors in the last 20 or so years, the theater is
also still a very small business. People who are consistently unpleasant
develop a reputation that quickly becomes well known. But that
doesn’t mean you’re not going to end up working with one at
some point. You simply learn to deal with it in a graceful manner.</p>
<p>You ask a really good question, skipsmom. We are considering the BA program at USC, but despite all of the assurances, are still concerned that it is a “second class” program where the kids can’t get the kind of acting training they may be seeking. Understand, that I love the flexibility to explore other interests, etc. But with exclusive classes for BFAs, and what appears to be limited options for acting training for BA students it absolutely looks like there is a difference. As you say, if there wasn’t a difference, why have two programs?</p>
<p>Skipsmom, you mentioned a BA acting program at Boston University. There is none so far as I know. There is a BFA in Acting and a BFA in Theatre Arts, the latter with less emphasis on performing…but the students in Theatre Arts can choose to take any of the same performance classes as the Acting students (just not as many).</p>
<p>Forrest: I agree that you were probably never treated disrespectfully. And herein lies the perception that, for some people if you don’t get the warm fuzzies you haven’t been respected. That is not, obviously, true. </p>
<p>IanJoesph: You’re correct of course that USC’s tuition is upwards of $40,000 a year. And those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to afford the full ride do not deserve better or special treatment. Just because, for instance, you can afford the best headshot photographer doesn’t mean that a kid with inferior headshots won’t book the job instead. But, sorry this is a professional audition. ALL conservatories are looking for many things: different types of people, different strenghts, and the ability to slug it out. A lot of the kids who go to SC are already professionals. Many kids are auditioning for commercials and theatricals during school. These kids are adults, they are expected to act (in personal and professional life) as adults. And, as a parent, as hard as it is to do, separate yourself from your daughter’s success and challenges.</p>
<p>I auditioned for 11 schools this year and was rejected from 5, waitlisted at 1 (which I ended up getting in to - UArts for MT), and accepted at 5 BA programs. I chose USC BA and couldn’t be happier that I will be starting in the fall.</p>
<p>I auditioned for USC at the LA Unifieds in Feb. 2009. I found the actual audition process extremely cold and unwelcoming, a quality that initially turned me off completely to the school. The three auditors strutted into the holding tank after the 30-minute presentation about USC’s theatre school and how the BA is a more well-rounded program, etc. They made their little speech about the audition room and about how you will probably only do one of your pieces, then they strutted back out without making eye contact with anyone. I thought, “how dare you have such a holier-than-thou attitude for students who want to come to your school and who you probably want at your school”. </p>
<p>(However, the interviewers from the School of Theatre could not have been nicer. The woman who interviewed me actually called me after I got my acceptance and wanted to meet with me about my career at USC.)</p>
<p>I walked into the audition room to find three acting professors sitting with their arms crossed and bored expressions. They asked me a few general questions then I did my first piece. No response. I did my second piece and only got a “thank you very much” as I walked out of the room. As I thought about what had happened in there and how uncomfortable I was with my results, I realized that it was the best audition I had. </p>
<p>Not only did these people not treat me like a child, they gave me no support or encouragement whatsoever. Other auditions that I went to, I was coached by the auditor on my monologue for 30 minutes and had a great discussion with him only to get a rejection a month later. At USC’s audition, they know what they’re looking for and they can see it in an instant if it’s there. Having no encouragement made me realize that I had to show them why they should accept me rather than them showing me why they’re so great. “Oh look! This guy is coaching me on my monologue! This must be a really great school!” No. USC’s audition showed me that I won’t be coddled for 4 years just so I can go out and try to book a job without knowing how to fight for anything. I know that going in to USC, I will be taught how to fight for what I want and by the time I go out on professional auditions, I will know how to give the auditor what they’re looking for.</p>
<p>There’s a reason that Trojans “fight on!”.</p>
<p>My D did not audition for USC. This was simply because she currently goes to school in the neighborhood that sends more students to USC than any other area in the entire country, so she made a conscious decision that she wanted to go to school with different people than she went to high school with. That being said, I echo what musicalstaudent said…</p>
<p>My D has looked back at her experience. She applied to 10 schools, 8 of which were audition schools. She was accepted to 6, 4 of which were audition schools. She had a similar experience to what people are saying happened to them at USC when she auditioned with UCLA, NCSA and Juilliard. She actually appreciated the cool, noncommital auditions.</p>
<p>She did not appreciate being told by NYU “we will definitely be in touch” which she incorrectly took to mean she was getting in. This made her rejection much harder to take. She had similar positive, happy go lucky auditions at CMU, Cal Arts and CCM. At Cal Arts and CCM, she got in. She did not at CMU.</p>
<p>She appreciated much moreso the professional, cool manner in which UCLA, NCSA and Juilliard conducted themselves. They pulled no punches. This was it. Do your thing and get out. Have no expectations. As a result, she had no expectations. UCLA pleasantly came through, and she is going to UCLA. Juilliard did not. NCSA asked her to audition again next year, which made her feel good.</p>
<p>Isn’t this the way it will be in the “real world?” I think so.</p>
<p>This is why BRUINS RULE… 
tee hee…</p>
<p>do you really want to have the Trojan/Bruin fight?!</p>
<p>Other than that, I completely agree. I had a similar experience at my UCLA audition. No bias, no bull. Do your stuff and get out. That’s how I felt at both USC and UCLA. I’m glad I’m going to one of them.</p>
<p>ha ha… personally, I’m a Golden Bear, so I am going to growl against both UCLA and USC… but we Cal Bears don’t do drama… so… </p>
<p>Still, yes, I really wish all schools were nonchalant in the process and have been telling all the junior kids and parents I know to read NOTHING into comments made at auditions.</p>
<p>Hi IanJoseph,
I find it curious that you don’t let us know what schools accepted your daughter. I’m sorry you (she?) had such a bad experience but could it be sour grapes at this point because they rejected her? USC is highly selective and had she qualified for the BA program they would have admitted her even if she didn’t qualify for the BFA. Perhaps your view of her talent is a bit biased? As StageMom1233 states your daughter (and you) will have to develop a thicker skin and prepare for rejection. My daughter’s experience with everything at USC has been amazing. </p>
<p>“So my daughter ended up giving her one 2 minute monologue and being interviewed by an admissions officer.”</p>
<p>Frankly that’s enough to show them her ability. I’m sorry your daughter didn’t make the cut and I hope she does well wherever she chooses to go. Perhaps she could try again for graduate school at USC. The connections she would make there would be invaluable. Good luck.</p>
<p>In full disclosure I am both a Bruin and a Trojan…attended both and I’m not saying where my degree(s) are from. I will say that I have a daughter who attends SC and one who graduated from SC’s film school. I also have another child who went somewhere else and is an executive in the film business. (Yes, he is very young to accomplish so much.) We have other family members in the business whom, I suspect, all of you would know.</p>
<p>This thread is a cautionary one for parents and their kids alike. The business is tough, very tough. There are truths to be faced early: Among them, no matter how much one has dedicated themselves to their craft you just may not be talented ENOUGH. Or, you may have the right stuff but not the look. You may be all look and no talent but still book jobs. </p>
<p>In general if one’s yield (8 auditions and 1 placement for example) one has to be realistic. (NO IanJoesph I am not saying that your daughter should reevaluate her life) The yield is telling the actor something…be it talent, choice of material, look, demeanor, but most likely talent. This lack of acting placement does not mean that the student should give up their dream of being in the business. Of course there is training that can suceed and other aspects of the person that can be altered (personal style). The student can explore other areas in the field (tech, casting are but two examples). </p>
<p>But the bottom line, which I stated earlier as have others, this is not a business for the faint of heart or the overprotective parent. Not being cast or getting into a program is not grounds for lashing out, saying that someone wasn’t nice to my child, or that it is someone else’s fault. There will always be someone else to blame: the casting director, the agent, the headshot photographer, down to the incidious “who did you know (or worse) to be cast?” </p>
<p>Please note that no matter where you (or your student) goes you will be disappointed… a lot. The actor is generally at the bottom of the food chain. And a huge part of growing up and in this business is the ability to take it. If this process becomes personal it is time to reevaluate.</p>
<p>And, lest you think that I am being dramatic when I say that, with the exception of a few major stars, actors are at the bottom of the food chain? The common name, by directors, producers, directors of photography etc. for actors: Talking Meat. As in, the set is ready, sound ready, photography ready…bring in the talking meat.</p>
<p>That is the reality check for the day.</p>
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<p>I’m sorry, but this isn’t very fair at all.</p>
<p>Everyone has to start somewhere.</p>
<p>I am firmly of the belief that most actors are trained, not born. It is unfair to perfectly capable, people with tons of potential, people who have never had formal training, to make a statement about their potential based on where they got in via audition. Especially when we’re talking about acting.</p>
<p>I won’t disagree with other things you’ve said. And ya know, yes, maybe if someone auditions for ten schools and only makes it into their 1 safety, maybe it does say something.</p>
<p>But maybe it doesn’t. To say that it does is to ignore countless generations of actors who have proven to be some of the most talented people to ever grace the business, who were constantly rejected from training schools, or who were kicked out for some reason pertaining to not being enough.</p>
<p>Contrary to what you implied, a lot of these auditions ARE crapshoots. They have to be, with the ratio of auditioned to accepted. </p>
<p>And when it’s a crapshoot, sometimes, it IS possible for the coin to land heads-down multiple shots in a row, for reasons that should not have anything to do with anything, except that in the nature of such auditions not everyone can be accepted.</p>
<p>It’s not that there is no wisdom in pointing out that success rate in audition acceptances could mean something, it’s the absence of clarifying that it may not. </p>
<p>People in Broadway shows, etc., you read where they went to school, they all have as varied backgrounds as you can imagine. Are you more likely to see someone who went to NYU, or Carnegie Mellon, or Juilliard working and succeeding? Sure. Yet there are no shortage of Broadway performers who had BAs in Theater, BFAs from random state Us, etcs.</p>
<p>Absolutely someone has to start somewhere. As I said that training can be successful. And I agree that there are some students who come into an audition totally without training that have talent. But the professors are there to see if there is talent or a spark. Agents and casting directors “see” something in an actor and they are hired. Yes, there are people from varied backgrounds. But in the end you either got “it” or you don’t, and no amount of training can make you employable as an actor if there is something missing. And the yield can be an indicator of future success. </p>
<p>I think that many of us grew up on the Broadway/Hollywood myth of Schwab’s or that first Broadway audition that rocketed someone to fame. It did happen…once and the legend was born. What I said, and it comes from growing up in the business and with kids in the business and other family members: Acting (and all the arts) are a TOUGH business. When a parent lashes out at a school because his or her child didn’t get made nice to/didn’t get in/or had a bad time…Get used to it.</p>
<p>This town is filled with actress/models/whatever. Many have talent, most have serious ongoing training (if you think that your BA or BFA is the last of your training…forget being in the business), but they are employed in other fields. Check SAG’s average yearly earnings for actors, I believe that it is around $12,000 per year…and that is for those already in the union! Again, our responsibility as parents is to support our kids dreams and help them prepare for their future. And part of that responsibility is to grow up, evaluate the situation and not blame other people for the challenges that are faced in the arts.</p>