Ever feel like your self-tapes are good… but not booking? You’re not alone. Most actors are trained to hit lines, show range, and “be real.” But that’s not enough.

The actors who book consistently? They think like directors.

They track shifts. Raise stakes. And take bold, grounded risks.

🎯 Want that edge? Keep reading. Then book your coaching session and let’s level you up.

🎭 1. Emotional Shifts & Objectives

Ask yourself:

👉 “When you get a script, how do you figure out what your character wants?”

👉 “Do you know when it shifts mid-scene?”

Why this matters:

Good actors hit lines. Great actors ride emotional momentum—those micro turns that make a character feel alive. Auditions are won in the transitions.

Drill it next time:

🎬 Break your scene into beats.

✍️ Write what your character wants before and after each line or moment.

📍 Track your emotional GPS like a director would.

🎬 2. Scene Context & Stakes

Ask yourself:

👉 “Do you think about what just happened before the scene starts?”

👉 “What’s at stake if your character fails here?”

Why this matters:

Most actors memorize the scene. Few build the world around it. And that’s the difference between a nice tape and a memorable one. Stakes create urgency. Urgency books work.

Drill it next time:

📖 Write a 1-sentence backstory + 1-sentence future consequence.

(e.g., “He just lost his job” / “If she messes this up, she’s alone again.”)

🔁 Read it before every run-through. Watch your intensity change.

🔥 3. Bold Choices & Risk

Ask yourself:

👉 “What’s the boldest thing you’ve ever tried in an audition?”

👉 “How did it feel?”

Why this matters:

Auditions that pop usually have one bold moment—something unique, instinctual, and deeply human. Not loud. Not “crazy.” Just… you, unleashed.

Drill it next time:

🎯 Pick one moment in the scene and prep two versions:

a) Safe and solid

b) Bold but truthful

📹 Tape both. Feel the difference. Watch the energy shift. Decide which you want casting to see first.

🧠 Wrap It Up:

“You’re not just learning how to act—you’re learning how to direct your own audition. That’s the edge.”

If you’re done playing small and want guidance from someone who directs actors for a living… I’m here for you.

🎥 Explore 1-on-1 Actor Coaching with Me

🧠 Self-tape feedback, mindset shifts, scene strategy—this is the coaching I wish I had starting out.

🔥 Whether it’s one session or the full journey, I’ll help you own the frame and book the room.

Tony Suriano

Director | Creative Coach | Actor | Public Speaker

💻 Actor Coaching With Tony – Let’s Get to Work