The world is changing and the way we audition is changing with it!

With virtual auditions as the acting industry’s go-to due to the COVID-19 pandemic, self-tapes and video chat auditions have become the industry standard.

Until now, you've probably been using Zoom for most of those live auditions, but with Actors Access' new Eco Cast Live feature, you can expect many casting directors and their teams to be pivoting their audition strategy.

Not sure what Eco Cast Live is? It’s the new way for casting directors to host live virtual auditions on Actors Access. Instead of using a third-party video chat system (like Zoom), you now can do it all within the Actors Access website!

Essentially, with the addition of the LIVE feature on Actors Access, casting directors can now choose to send:

• A regular Eco Cast (for a self tape or invite to an in-person casting)

• An Eco Cast Live (a virtual live stream video audition)

New tech features and options can often add even MORE stress and confusion to the audition process...so I’m here to help you out!

If you want a guided walk through of the Eco Cast Live feature, you can hear me break it down in Episode 71 of the It's a Slate of Mind podcast.

10 steps to be successful on an Eco Cast Live audition

1. In your Eco Cast Live invitation, you will be offered a chance to test your equipment BEFORE the day of your audition. This is a very good idea, so you can catch issues before you audition.

2. On the day and time of your audition, you’ll hit the button to "enter the room"

3. You'll then be taken to an additional screen to test your equipment again. (That’s TWO chances, so there are no excuses not to).

4. Once you get all green check marks letting you know your technology is good to go, you can click enter.

5. You'll then be put into the "waiting room" and get a chance to see how you look on camera. It’s important to note that the framing in Eco Cast Live is different than on Zoom. So if you’re testing out your framing before logging in to your audition, you will likely need to make a few adjustments again once you’re in the waiting room.

6. Once you feel confident about how things look on camera and you're composed and ready to go, you'll click a button on the top left corner of your screen which notifies casting that you're ready to audition when they are.

7. When you're next in line to audition, you will get a red notification in the top left corner of your screen letting you know you're “on deck”.

8. When it's your time to shine, you'll see a 3 second countdown flash in the middle of your screen right before the casting director brings you in the room.

9. Once you're in the audition room, it will look very similar to Zoom. You might see multiple video boxes if there are several people watching your audition. You will NOT see yourself/your own video box though. (I'm unsure if casting has the ability to minimize certain boxes or not).

10. When your audition is over, YOU must exit the room by hitting the red X button bottom center of screen.

And that’s all there is to it! As always, take deep breaths and show up to your audition ready to shine your light! Going in to the audition confident and calm is the key to success, whether on Eco Cast Live, Zoom, or in person - maybe again one day!