Grasping the audition process is crucial for securing acting roles. This short article serves as an introduction to the fundamental differences between booking a job and the actual work performed on set.

Amy Lyndon's Book - The 15 Guideline Map to Booking Technique

In "The 15 Guideline Map to Booking Technique," Amy Lyndon presents a clear and effective framework to help you study smarter, feel empowered in your auditions and and pave the way toward achieving your dream career.

This worksheet serves as a condensed summary of the book. Use it as a checklist to effectively analyze your scenes when you're short on time and can't go through each chapter. It's a useful reference to remind you of each guideline and assist you in breaking down your scene.

Additionally, this downloadable document is available for you to print and utilize during your auditions.

Introduction to The 15 Guideline Map to Booking Technique

Welcome to the transformative world of The 15 Guideline Map to Booking Technique. This approach was created not to emphasize the amount of training, but to revolutionize your mindset and elevate your performance. It's about adopting a champion's mentality and unleashing your potential. I am here to empower you to become champions in your field.

At its core, success hinges on storytelling. It's not about the choices you make; those have already been established by the writer. What truly matters is your ability to craft the most compelling narrative from those choices. Who will emerge as the best storyteller, weaving a captivating tale from what has already been laid out? The answer lies within you. Let's embark on this journey together and unlock your champion’s potential!

WHAT IS THE SCENE ABOUT?  WRITE IT ON TOP OF THE SIDES IN ONE SENTENCE. The story ALWAYS comes first. The script will tell you everything. Read the sides 10 times. Don’t make anything up.  What you are reading is the truth. Your “choices” are already made BY THE WRITER. THIS IS THE KEY TO GETTING INTO THE 1%.

BREAK DOWN THE SCENE into your character’s BEGINNING, MIDDLE AND END. Every story has ALL three parts. Your job as a “storyteller” is to take us on a journey.  If you don’t have a beginning, middle and end, then you will flat line.

WHAT IS THE CHARACTER'S EMOTIONAL STATE OF MIND AT THE TOP? You need to relate on a DEEP PERSONAL LEVEL! It is the jump off point and FOUNDATION for 90% of the scene. If your opening emotion is weak, then you will pick up the energy in the room and fall out.

MAP OUT YOUR EMOTIONS in the beginning middle and end of the story. If this is not clear, expect to lose your audience with your one note. Sit with each feeling until it becomes a deep connected one.  If you’re having trouble connecting, close your eyes and locate a similar feeling you can connect with and lay the line on top. Ask yourself, “What am I feeling? What am I REALLY feeling?” NEVER RUN LINES!  JUST FEELINGS! If you run lines, it will sound like lines run.

WHAT IS THE KEY LINE? This is the clue to your emotional spine and through line. It can be in your dialogue or your partner’s dialogue.

READ THE ACTION IN ITS ENTIRETY.  The Action Will Set The Tone.  You can incorporate the action if the character mentions it in the script.  If not, factor it into your dialogue.

EVERY LINE IS A SEPARATE THOUGHT. Go over every single line and write down what you are saying in your own words next to each line. SIT WITH each line until you understand it from the WRITER’S PERSPECTIVE. Ask yourself, “What am I saying?  What am I REALLY saying?”

WHAT ARE YOU DOING in the beginning, middle and end of each scene? If you don’t know what you’re doing, then no one else will. 

FIND THE TRANSITIONS aka “Mood Swings.” This is how we understand your character.

HOW DO YOU HEAR WHAT THE OTHER PERSON IS SAYING?  Write down next to each of your partner’s lines HOW YOU HEAR what they are saying from your character’s point of view. This will keep you focused on what you are doing and not pick up the energy around you.

WHO AM I RELATING TO?  What is our relationship?  What is our history? If you don’t have a “face” on each person you are talking to or about, then you are not really talking to or about anyone!

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THE OTHER PERSON UNDERSTAND? If this isn’t clear, then you will be acting all by yourself.

WHAT IS YOUR POINT OF VIEW? If it’s not strong, then there’s no conflict.

WHY ARE YOU IN THE SCRIPT? You might just be moving the story along.  

WHERE ARE YOU?  WHAT TIME OF DAY IS IT?  WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE?

This adds texture and creates environment – the place will keep you safe.

A Comprehensive Overview of the 15 Guideline Map to Booking Technique. Join Amy Lyndon as she expertly summarizes each guideline, reinforcing the key concepts you absorbed in the previous video lectures. Don’t miss this essential recap that will solidify your understanding and enhance your skills!

Jeremy's three distinct scenes reveal different facets of his character, each crafted to showcase a unique aspect of his personality. The style of this presentation is ABC Comedy, utilizing a single-camera format. This approach diverges from the traditional double-spaced comedy, as it emphasizes humor rooted in genuine relationships rather than relying on scripted jokes. The comedic moments arise organically from authentic interactions, making the humor feel relatable and true to life.

Belamy has a scene from The Sarah Silverman Program.  This comedy incorporates Sketch style comedy into the show.  The tone and style of the show will help you understand how to break down the scene.

Peter has a scene from the Feature Film Eragon which is a Family Friendly Action/Adventure Fantasy Film. 

Marisa has a scene from "Hope and Faith," the uproarious half-hour comedy sitcom that captivated audiences on ABC from 2003 to 2006. This particular scene features Sydney and Hayley Shanowski, the two daughters of Hope Fairfield-Shanowski. Sydney, the older daughter, is a quintessential popular girl—self-absorbed, boy-crazy, and with a penchant for drama, she often comes off as vain and somewhat ditzy. In contrast, Hayley, the younger sister, is the brainiac of the family who has accelerated her education by skipping ahead to high school. Her intelligence often leads her to look down on Sydney, creating a playful tension between the two.

Given the nature of this sitcom, the humor is intricately woven into the dialogue, making it essential to recognize where the punchlines land. Timing is everything—each transition must be sharp to ensure the jokes resonate and land with maximum impact.

Wali finds himself in the midst of a scene straight out of a soap opera, where every emotion is amplified and every moment is ripe with drama. In this genre, there are no limits to self-indulgence, allowing the characters to fully explore their passions and vulnerabilities. Soap operas thrive on intense feelings, weaving intricate tales of love, betrayal, and longing that captivate the heart and soul. Here, every glance is charged, every word drips with significance, and the stakes are nothing short of monumental.

Amy Lyndon intensifies her coaching with Wali as he works on his Soap Opera Style Scene. Recognizing that he hasn't completely captured Guideline #11 - "Who am I relating to?" - she provides focused guidance to ensure he fully embodies his character. With Amy's expert direction, Wali is set to master the scene and secure that coveted booking.

Vicki features a captivating scene from "Everwood," a compelling one-hour drama series that aired on The WB from 2002 to 2006. This series masterfully blends intense emotional storytelling with moments of humor, creating a rich tapestry of drama that resonates deeply with its audience.

Master the Technique. This assignment is a cornerstone of your acting journey, one that will accompany you throughout your entire career. As an actor, you must approach your craft with the same relentless dedication as an Olympic athlete. The more you hone your skills, the greater your opportunities for success.

Consider this: Olympic athletes don’t simply show up to competitions expecting victory; they train rigorously every single day. Their sport consumes their lives, and they immerse themselves fully in their pursuit of excellence. This same mindset must be adopted by the OLYMPIC ACTOR. You must not only act, but live and breathe your craft. Continuous practice is essential to ensure you are prepared to seize the moment when it arrives.

To kickstart your journey, we’ve provided a selection of downloadable scripts. Dive in and commit to your practice—your gold medal moment awaits!

As an actor, you are not just a performer; you are a dynamic vessel for the writer's vision, embodying a spectrum of emotions. The ability to seamlessly access and transition between different feelings is crucial to your craft. This emotional journal will be your training ground, honing your skills so that you can tap into your emotional range with precision and ease, delivering powerful performances that resonate deeply with your audience. Embrace this practice to elevate your artistry and become an even more compelling storyteller.

Are you struggling to grasp the essence of Double Spaced Comedy? Do you find it challenging to capture the right tone, pacing, or to identify your comedic "top"? This assignment is designed to deepen your understanding of Double Spaced Comedy. Dive in and discover what makes this unique style tick!

Ralph Waldo Emerson once declared, "Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world." Don’t allow fear to become an obstacle on your path to achieving your dreams and goals. This assignment is designed with a singular purpose: to silence the mental noise that holds you back and ignite your motivation. Embrace this opportunity to break free from fear and pursue your aspirations with unwavering determination!

Improve your eye/brain retention with this exercise to help you with retaining large chunks of dialogue.

An audition is your chance to shine. Going in unprepared, disconnected, unsure of yourself and your talent, or confused will only leave a negative response after you’ve left the room. It doesn’t matter if you are at a pre-read with an associate or reading for the head CD, your work needs to come across as well prepared and ready to head straight to set.

Follow these 10 Steps if you want to leave a lasting impression on Casting.

It's crucial to recognize that there are numerous factors influencing why an actor may not secure a role. More often than not, it has little to do with your talent and everything to do with your approach. Drawing from my extensive experience, I've identified key principles that, when practiced diligently, can significantly enhance your booking ratio. Embrace these insights, and you'll be better positioned to succeed in this competitive industry.