Making it in the acting business isn't easy, that's why One Source Talent wants you to be prepared to put your best foot forward when going on an audition.

• Reading Aloud: Read the text by yourself very slowly.....allowing images to emerge. Stay very relaxed and remind yourself you are under no pressure to "come up" with anything. Now go through the TEXT again reading aloud, this time alternately emphasizing and exaggerating the sounds of the vowels, then the sounds of the consonants. You are working just to get the feel of the words in your mouth (to taste them) and the alternating sense of saying someone else's words. Again, you are not trying for any kind of result. Does your thought process differ with vowels stress verses consonants stress?
• Slow Motion: Go through the TEXT...again as physically relaxed as possible and say the words in slow motion. Allow the flow of the TEXT to emerge and find the connection to the words as you speak. (Think slow motion, see in slow motion.) It is very important to take a lot time with the text at the very beginning. It is easy to rush through TEXT, in a desire to put it up and get it "right". Once a scene is up it can be very useful to go through it in slow motion, making sure you are taking in everything.
• Talking and Listening: It is essential that you take a lot of time when first encountering a TEXT. Early on allow yourself to be available to the words and the material. (What do you know about this event or situation?) Sit in a chair facing your partner. (Do not cross you legs or arms. Stay open to your impulses and those of your partner.) Look down at your script, take in a few lines of text off the page, then look up and say the lines to your partner as honestly as you can. Don't impose, interpret or try to manufacture any feelings. Don't go beyond your own sense of truth. It is important that your partner's head is out of his/her script - available to receive your line. This availability will give him the impulse to say his line. Bring yourself to the material. You know more than you know. It is easy to cheat.
• Don't try and "feel". Don't force; however, if a feeling comes up - a response- it is important that you don't "check" the impulse. Find the impulse to speak to you partner. As you work this way, you will soon find the impulse to move. Take it. Talking and listening is the basis of all good acting.
• Back to Back:
  Sit on the floor, read through the scene, resting your full weight against the back of your partner. Take your time and "talk and listen" your scene back to back. Not being able to see your partner often forces you to listen more specifically. Now repeat the scene, but this time, snap your fingers on your partner's line the moment you have the impulse to say your line. Repeat the scene back to back, this time speaking quietly any thoughts that come up as your partner speaks. (You are continuing to look for your impulse to say your line.)

Work on these basics and Once Source Talent will be back with more Tips to help you along your way. We also encourage you to share your favorite tips in the comments.