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By the end of this chapter, students will be able to:
- Understand what a casting brief is.
- Identify the key details casting directors look for.
- Summarise a character in a clear, simple way.

What is a Casting Brief?

Decoding a Casting Brief Exercice

Understanding the Casting Brief 

By the end of this chapter, students will be able to:
- Expand a short brief into a fuller character background.
- Use guided questions to unlock the character’s world.
- Create a simple but specific backstory that can shape acting choices.
- Speak and write in the character’s voice to deepen embodiment.

The 5 Essential Questions

Diary in Character

Building a Playable Backstory Exercise

Building a Playable Backstory

By the end of this chapter, students will be able to:
- Explore different physical and vocal choices for a character.
- Understand how posture, gesture, and rhythm influence performance.
- Experiment with multiple embodiment pathways (surface vs. hidden).
- Connect physical work to the breakdown and backstory from earlier chapters.

Body, Voice and Energy

Embodiment Pathways Exercise

Embodiment Pathways

By the end of this chapter, students will be able to:
- Access different emotions truthfully, not mechanically.
- Play the same line with multiple emotional tones.
- Switch emotional states mid-scene to show versatility.
- Reflect on which pathways to emotion feel most natural.

Safe Emotional Work

Safe Work Emotion - Self-Reflection

Expanding Emotional Range

By the end of this chapter, students will be able to:
- Apply their skills (brief analysis, backstory, embodiment, emotional range) in both self-tape and in-person auditions.
- Understand the technical and performance requirements of each format.
- Present themselves with confidence, clarity, and professionalism.
- Reflect on their strengths and areas for growth.

Listening and Reacting

Listening and Reacting Exercise

Objectives and Obstacles

Objectives and Obstacles Exercises

Scene Practice

Connecting & Audition Practice (Self-Tape & In-Person)

By the end of this chapter, students will be able to:
- Know the essential tools every actor needs to present themselves professionally.
- Understand professional etiquette in auditions and on set.
- Learn how to stay resilient and continue growing their craft.
- Be introduced to opportunities to expand into action, stunt, or horse-related work through NZ Stunt School and NZ Action Talent Agency.

Building Your Actor Toolkit

Professional Behaviour in Auditions

Resilience and Growth

Next Steps in Your Acting Journey

Professional Readiness for Actors

in this course, you’ll learn how to decode casting briefs, identify the key information casting directors care about, and transform a short description into a fully realised character. Through guided exercises, you’ll discover how to create a believable backstory, expand your emotional range, and bring your character to life through body language, voice, and presence.Each module is built around hands-on practice with mock casting briefs so you can apply the techniques straight away. From writing a diary entry in character to exploring how posture changes performance, you’ll learn to approach roles with depth and flexibility. The course also includes self-tape practice, giving you the tools to record a polished audition at home using simple, accessible methods.

Are you an aspiring actor looking to prepare for your very first audition? This free online acting course for beginners will guide you step by step through the essentials of audition preparation, using practical self-exercises designed by professionals.

🟢 Audition Readiness for Beginner Actors

NZ Stunt School

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Course content

Course Description

This Course Includes