Top 10 Famous Auditions
To become an actor, ask them about their job. What are they doing in this scene that makes it successful? Why is this actor the best fit? What can I learn from them to help me develop as a composer?
There have been millions of amazing auditions in the past, and I want to clarify that this isn’t an exhaustive list! There are several more, and there are many things that we will never see, but I went looking on the internet to pick some of the most impressive auditions for your amusement and creative development! Listen to and learn from the experts in their fields!
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The finest auditions are genuine, vulnerable, and connected performances in which the actor exposes who they genuinely are under unlikely circumstances. This article contains some of those auditions, so you may study what these actors do so well and incorporate it into your performance!
#10 Michael Cera – “Superbad”
Michael Cera is an underappreciated actor. He gets criticized for “playing himself,” but I believe it’s a strength rather than a flaw. It is because he is not afraid to expose the camera to who he is and how he feels the world around him that Cera has been able to work consistently across film, theatre, and television.
Cera’s audition for “Superbad” is a hilarious and self-deprecating performance in which he pokes fun at his image while also playing to his strengths. He makes the character his own by bringing innocence and naïveté to the essential role of the film.
He is unpredictable at this moment because he is unguarded and honest. He’s most importantly vulnerable and genuine, as well as unpredictable. The way he switches on his buddy and uses sarcasm to insult is all-natural and rooted in impulse rather than a pre-planned response that he looks to carry out. He’s wonderfully in the moment. He does everything on his terms, without regard for what other people want him to do.
So frequently, actors are accused of attempting to perform something they believe the audience would enjoy rather than what they would do if placed in that scenario. Cera’s performance is fantastic in this film, contributing to its popularity.
#9 Brie Larson – “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World”
Okay, look: I enjoy Scott Pilgrim vs. the World; it’s one of my favorite films, and Brie Larson’s tiny clip here is worth noting. The reason it’s on the list because she makes a firm decision in this scene. She has built up this strong, cold, emotionless persona with a deep velvety voice. Can you fathom how awful it could have gotten? So terrible. She nails it here, which would have been a horrible catastrophe if she hadn’t. This is a fantastic video to view when remembering to believe in yourself and support your decisions. You’ll be rewarded for your risk if you take a practical option and believe in it, and more importantly, it is supported by the text! Do the required work, have confidence in yourself, and go for something more ambitious than less for your audition!
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Larson’s Scott Pilgrim vs. the World audition is an excellent example of how making a specific and well-supported choice can pay off. Her deep, velvety voice brings an unexpected layer of emotional depth to the scene, elevating it from simply being fun to genuinely moving.
#8 Tom Hanks & Robin Wright – “Forrest Gump”
For the price of one, you get two. Hey, this is nice. These two actors are very talented, and these are more screen tests than first auditions, but there are a few things to consider. The first and most apparent is the tone: these two actors clearly understand the film’s tone. Their acting is genuine, spontaneous, entertaining, and impulsive, but they are also conscious that they are not in a sitcom or anything stylized like Brie Larson above. They understand the script’s sensibility and seek to embody that in their performances. They are not just delivering the dialogue; they become the characters and invest in the material.
The second thing is Hanks and Wright make choices that serve the story. Hanks’ stutter, for example, is something he decided to add to his performance to make Forrest more endearing and sympathetic. Wright’s choice to play Jenny as tough and independent is also an essential part of the film’s success.
Both actors can find the heart of the characters and bring out their humanity, which is essential in a film like Forrest Gump. They can balance humor and emotion perfectly, creating memorable and moving performances.
They’re in sync with one another. You know what they’re talking about. The mix allows them to have fun in the moment, where we get so many great moments. That’s fantastic work.
#7 Shay Mitchell – “Pretty Little Liars”
Shay Mitchell has had massive success on Pretty Little Liars; she shares her audition tape on Youtube here. This is interesting because you get to see her live reaction to her video, which is a fantastic example of actors self-judging severely. Actors give themselves the most difficult time possible when I think of every creative job in the world.
Shay finds this tape to be rather tough to view back, but it’s understandable why she was hired! Her image work is outstanding; she has an excellent understanding of her environment and maintains her eyeliners while filming. She has a solid presence on-screen and sells the dialogue convincingly.
Her movement is solid and purposeful, and she executes the physical choices in the scene well. This includes her intention to pull out a knife, which is a risky move that could quickly go wrong. Shay makes it work by keeping her energy level high and her focus razor-sharp.
#6 Adam Driver – “Girls”
It’s difficult to recall when Adam Driver was not a household name, but he used to be just like you & me. He was the first individual they considered for the part of Adam in Girls, and Lena Dunham, the show’s creator and star, gushed about him.
While he does make a significant physical decision in the impro (which is extremely dangerous and we would not recommend doing-especially without consent from the other actor!) I want to emphasize how they discuss texting while sitting together in the scene. Watch Driver’s eye movements and impressions! Check out his attention!
The guy is so alive and present and authentic in his performance. Importantly though, he makes sure we don’t lose him for a second of this. We watch him listening to her, he hardly looks at her through the scene, and when he does, it is significant. We feel his aloofness, his intelligence, and her anxiety and playfulness. It’s an excellent example of underplaying and stillness in the face of overbearing energy.
#5 Ruby Barker – “Bridgerton”
We’re almost to the top of the list now, where we’re seeing actors leveraging the positive qualities of prior tapes and bringing it all together. Barker has a fantastic grasp on these two characters’ connections and the setting where the scene takes place. She uses images and eyeliners effectively, and she understands the show’s tone and delivers the dialogue believably.
Barker also nails the comedic beats in the scene, and her chemistry with the other actor is palpable. She has a strong presence on-screen, and she sells the emotional moments convincingly.
Barker’s performance is polished and professional, and it’s easy to see why she was cast in this role. However, more remarkable is that she appears compassionate in a scene where she uses strong words to her co-star. This occurs because she is so genuine that she isn’t pretending anything during this scene!
The way she pushes back against the reader here with every fiber of her being, striving for the position in the conversation and refusing to take anything less than she deserves, is inspiring.
#4 Dean Norris – “Breaking Bad”
I enjoy this audition. If you haven’t seen Breaking Bad (and if you haven’t, what are you doing reading this article? Close this tab. Find a link to Breaking Bad. Watch it now.) If you’ve seen the series, you’ll recall that Norris’s performance is identical in size, form, and genre to Walter White’s six-season. Norris doesn’t simply recite the lines; he inhabits the character and becomes him. You can see this in his eyes, movements, and vocal choices.
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He makes small decisions in the scene that have a massive impact on the outcome-such as giving up information about his partner-and he does it all while maintaining the character’s inner turmoil. Norris can make the scene feel naturalistic and authentic. His chemistry with the other actor is electric’s an obnoxious, certifiable alpha male who wouldn’t know what to do with himself if he didn’t make snarky comments.
He believes he’s a real hotshot, but somehow, he is pretty charming despite his apparent flaws. Norris is extraordinarily genuine and convincing in this scene. We believe we’re at a BBQ at his house and that his character is the party’s life.
Norris is a master of his craft, and this audition is a prime example. The second thing I appreciate about this tape is that he makes a mistake! He refers to another character by his own character’s name! And it doesn’t phase him in the least; he drives on, completely calm.
How often have you made a mistake when reading a script and ruined the moment, laughed at yourself, or restarted the scene? Norris doesn’t do any of that. He acknowledges the mistake, moves on, and continues with the performance. This is an excellent lesson for actors looking to make a strong impression.
#3 Dacre Montgomery – “Stranger Things”
Did you think we’d include Dacre’s audition for Stranger Things in the list? Please. Who do you think we are? This is a terrific tape for various reasons, not least because he dances shirtless throughout and plays some fantastic songs, but also because of his quiet intensity and incredible eye work. Please take a note of when he blinks in that first sequence. He blinks four times in a two-minute scene, according to my count. We don’t lose sight of his eyes the whole time. The eyes are the window to the soul; if we don’t see your eyes, it’s as though nothing happened, regardless of what your face or body is doing.
But it’s not just the quantity of his blinking; and it’s also the quality. His blink rate is slow and methodical, which gives him a menacing quality. It feels as though he’s constantly assessing the situation and weighing his options. And then, in the final scene, he goes from 0 to 100 in the space of a few seconds. It’s a complete reversal, and it’s so well-played.
The other thing is his use of silence. In the first scene, he says very little, and what he does say is mainly in response to questions. He lets his eyes do the talking, which is incredibly effective. And in the final scene, he’s nearly silent for the first minute. It would have been so easy to go overboard with the screaming and the yelling, but he keeps it contained and only explodes when necessary. It’s a great use of dynamics and makes the scene pop.
Montgomery is a revelation in this audition, and I can’t wait to see what he does next. There are many great auditions to choose from, but these three stand out to me. They’re all incredibly well-performed and show off the actor’s skills in various ways.
#2 Gabourey Sidibe – “Precious”
This one got to me. In this video, Gabourey Sidibe is unrivaled in terms of excellence, and what she provides us here is something I haven’t discussed as much: emotional connection and stakes. The stakes are so high in this scene that Sidibe has personalized the environment and information to such an extent that it genuinely affects her performance.
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When she starts to cry, it feels as though she’s calling for herself, her character, and the audience. We feel her pain, her anguish, and her desperation. It’s a truly stunning piece of acting, and it’s one that I return to time and again when I need inspiration. Sidibe is a force to be reckoned with in this audition, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
She’s raw, vulnerable and susceptible to the text’s emotional stakes. Throughout this video, we never get the impression that she is acting, pretending, or being false. It comes from her entirely; it genuinely matters to her more than anything else. Lastly, please pay attention to the reader and see how much she offers. She’s a great actor who works under challenging circumstances. This tape affected me; my stomach clenched up, I teared up a bit, and it was just the audition! Incredible.
#1 Henry Thomas – “ET.”
The OG of auditions. This is amazing. For you, let me paint the picture. You’re Henry Thomas, and you’ve auditioned for the central part in E.T., Spielberg’s new film. You go through rounds of auditions before it’s all over. It’s at this point that everything comes down to it for you. Spielberg provides you with an improvisation, telling the reader that he will be an FBI agent who comes to take ET away, and you can’t let him go. Off you go—oh,m,n and this whole time, you’re six years old. I have no idea what I would do in that scenario; however, Henry Thomas was able to pull it off and make it look easy.
From the very beginning, he shows us his range. He’s emotional, earnest, and wholly invested in the scene. And then, when it comes time for him to fight back, he does so with gusto. Thomas is fearless in this audition, and he gives it his all. It’s a compelling performance that I’ve sure helped him land the role.
This is an excellent example of what an audition should be. Thomas is entirely in the moment, and he makes strong choices that serve the scene. He can also play both sides of the coin, essential in an audition. We see the emotional vulnerability of Elliott and then the strength and determination he exhibits when fighting back. It’s a truly masterful piece of acting, and it’s no wonder Spielberg chose him for the role.
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