What Is A Side In Acting? PLUS How To Stand Out In The Audition

What is a 'Side' in Acting? (updated 2024)

2/6/2024

So, what is a 'side' in acting?

• AEA: Actors Equity Association. This is the union most aspiring stage actors join for higher pay and better working conditions.
• Blocking: This is the term that describes movement on set. If you have to walk across the stage and then turn to the left, that movement is your "blocking."
• Booking: This refers to a job. You "booked" it or got a "booking" for an acting gig!
• Call time: This is the time you're supposed to arrive on set. An 8:00am call time means you should arrive at 7:30am if you want to impress the director and be remembered.
• Casting: The "casting" is the process of finding actors for a production. A casting director watches auditions and makes decisions on which actors to hire.
• Cheat: To "cheat" means to move in a certain way for the camera or audience to see you better. "Cheat over to the left" means to move over to the left a bit so you're more visible.
• Cold read: When you go to an audition, if you're handed the script upon arrival (meaning you never saw it before), it's called a cold read. Most casting directors give you the script in advance so you have plenty of time to prepare for the audition, but some don't!
• Greenroom: This is the lounge area where actors wait in between scenes.
• Industrial: A type of production that will be used internally for a company. An example of an "industrial" would be an employee workplace training video.
• MOS: "Mit out sound." This means "without sound." For film and television, some shots are done "MOS" if there is no need to capture sound (example: a closeup of someone lighting a cigarette, because the sound effect will be added later).
• Off/On Book: If you're "off book," it means you've memorized the script and don't need to look at the "book" during the rehearsal or audition. You should always aim to be off book during auditions if possible, otherwise you won't stand out. Here's a great guide on how to memorize lines.
• On Hold: Being on hold means a casting director has asked you to reserve certain dates because they probably want to book you for the job. However, it does not mean you're guaranteed the job yet. You''re not supposed to take any other jobs that would conflict with the dates you're on hold for.
• Pilot: The first episode of a brand new show. There are tons of "pilot" episodes every year, but most shows don't get picked up by major networks and only shoot their initial pilot episode.
• Project: To "project" means to speak more loudly (without sounding like you're shouting). "Please project a bit more so the audience can hear you."
• Props: Important items needed for the scene that are neither costumes nor furniture/set decorations. Examples of props could be guns, cups, laptops, etc.
• Read through (or "table read"): This is a rehearsal (usually the first) where the actors sit at a table and read the script together, each performing his or her own lines.
• SAG-AFTRA: The Screen Actor's Guild + American Federation of Television & Radio Artists. This is the union most aspiring screen & audio actors join for higher pay and better working conditions.
• Sides: The portion of the script that will be used for the audition. Usually a segment of a scene.
• Slate: The practice of stating your name and sometimes height and name of the agent who set you up for the audition. You'll slate mostly for on-camera auditions so they remember who you are when re-watching the recordings later on.
• Speed through: Reading through the lines quickly with all actors, without worrying about blocking. This is to help with memorization.
• Stage Directions: Instructions on how to stand, where to go, and what to do in a scene. Related: Stage Directions: The Ultimate Guide
• Strike: To take down or remove. If a director asks someone to "strike" a light, she's asking for it to be removed from the scene. At the end of the final performance, all equipment, furniture, and props are taken down, which is called "striking the set."
• Taft-Hartley Waiver: A special exemption allowing non-union actors to work in union films.
• Understudy: An actor hired as a backup in case any of the main actors becomes sick or unable to perform in the play anymore. Being an understudy is very difficult because you need to memorize lines and blocking for most of the actors in the show. Most actors break into Broadway as understudies first.

What are sides for an acting audition?

​How to Stand Out in the Audition Room

1. Try to memorize your lines. Not having the script memorized almost always results in a worse performance, and even though most casting directors don't ask you to memorize the script, doing so shows them you care about their production and are the type of actor who will put in extra effort. Memorizing your lines is a surefire way to stand out from the 90% of other actors who don't memorize their lines, and it also makes it WAY easier to perform better. If you have difficulty with memorization, here's my Ultimate Guide to Memorizing Lines.
2. Bring your sides to the audition. Even if you have the scene completely memorized, it's still important to bring your sides because not having them in your hand will actually make casting directors worry about you. The simple fact that you don't have the sides in your hand will instantly cause the casting director to think, "Uh oh, I hope he doesn't forget his lines," which causes them to feel nervous an antsy for you during your performance (not a good thing). It's much better to keep the sides in your hand an only glance at them if absolutely necessary.
3. Make clear choices. ​Read through the sides and ask yourself "Why, why why?" Why would the character say that? Why would I perform it that particular way? If you go through the scene and something is unclear, make up an answer, as long as it's based in reason and logic. The logic MUST make sense and if it doesn't, you'll need to come up with a different answer.
   1. Note that there is one caveat to this, which applies when you're auditioning for a role of a well-known play. You should ALWAYS familiarize yourself with the play by reading the entire script so you know what it's about. Unlike in films or television shows where you can't access anything beyond the sides you were handed, a play is publicly available, meaning you should not be making up answers to each "Why" by yourself.

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3 Mistakes to Avoid in the Audition Room:

1. Do NOT try to give casting directors what you think they want. You'll inevitably get it wrong unless the audition is for a well-known play. Most casting directors don't care about whether you're making the right choices – they just care that you're making clear choices. You should focus on playing the scene as yourself (or in other words, as your own Type/Brand). If you think the casting director wants a gruff, mafia-type character and you're not at all like that in real life, you shouldn't try to be that way for the scene. Trying to make your voice deep and gruff like an Italian mobster will just come off fake. They're unlikely to book you because there will always be someone who is more naturally that way. Just play yourself and let them determine whether you're naturally a good fit for the role.
2. Do NOT try to show range or give an extremely unique/memorable performance. Keep it simple. The more you try to stand out by making weird, outlandish choices, the less likely a casting director will choose you for the role. This is because your job as an actor is to support the story – not be the story. The story is not about YOU. Don't try to draw unnecessary attention to yourself in the audition or you'll just look weird and the casting director might avoid bringing you back (yes, they remember actors).
3. Do NOT overthink things and spend hours analyzing the script. It’s not worth the tons of extra effort to try to pick apart your sides by figuring out all kinds of complex answers such as where in the story this scene takes place, what point of the character arc you're the scene takes place in, etc. Even though you'll find advice like that in many articles and from many coaches, I like to think differently or as I call it, "outside the industry." At the end of the day, auditions are not designed for casting directors to see which actor came up with the right backstory – they're simply a way for casting directors to judge whether or not you're natural and seem like a good fit for the character!

​Examples of Sides

​How Long are Sides for Auditions?

​Why are They Called 'Sides' in Acting?

Enjoyed this article?​ Book more work by thinking "Outside the Industry."

• How to network easily and authentically with casting directors – even if you hate self-promotion.
• How to find your Type and Brand in just 18 minutes (it doesn't require awkwardly asking lots of random people for feedback)
• How to find a hardworking and reliable agent – even if you don't have a strong resume or reel
• And much more...

​Martin Bentsen (author of this guide) is an actor marketing coach who uses “outside the industry” thinking to help actors book more work. He’s helped over 6,000 actors with their careers and actor headshots since 2009 and his photography studio City Headshots is ranked #1 on Yelp. He’s spoken at NYU, The New England Theater Conference, The Actor’s Green Room, and other venues. ​ Want to book more acting work by thinking different? Start with his free Actor’s Toolkit to create new opportunities right away, or visit his website at www.martinbentsen.com.

​​Further Reading:

• ​How to Memorize Lines: The Ultimate Guide
• How to Become an Actor: The Ultimate Guide
• Create a Compelling Actor Resume, Even if You Have No Credits