Common Mistakes Actors Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Insights from Howard Fine, as featured by Casting Networks
At Howard Fine Acting Studio Australia, we’re committed to helping actors become truthful, present, and fully alive in their work. That’s why we’re thrilled to highlight this must-watch conversation between Howard Fine and Casting Networks®, the world’s leading casting platform.
Originally live-streamed by the amazing team at Casting Networks, this interview dives deep into the most common acting pitfalls, and how to move past them with skill, clarity, and heart.
Whether you’re a trained actor navigating auditions or an emerging artist trying to break through, Howard’s advice offers a powerful reminder: great acting is about understanding human behaviour, starting with your own.
Why Actors Need to Watch This
Actors rarely get meaningful feedback from auditions. You might walk out of the room feeling confident… only to never hear a word. In the absence of notes, how do you grow?
Howard Fine breaks it down. Drawing from over 30 years of experience coaching everyone from Oscar winners to new talent, he outlines how actors can self-evaluate and strengthen their craft, without overthinking or self-sabotage.
Key Lessons from the Interview
Start with “why”, not “how”
Strong choices come from authentic need, not intellectual guesswork. When you understand why your character is speaking, the “how” takes care of itself.
Don’t judge the character, justify them
Actors must find themselves in every role. As Howard says, “If you say, ‘That’s not me,’ there’s a part of yourself you don’t see.”
Avoid playing the idea
Planning the performance in your head kills spontaneity. Good acting is responsive and moment-to-moment—not imposed.Stillness is powerful
In acting, as in life, stillness is not the absence of energy; it’s the focus of it. Especially on camera, your stillness can speak volumes when it’s grounded, intentional, and alive.Don’t rush, breathe
Rushing through a scene often comes from nerves or a desire to “get it right.” But speed can blur truth. Instead, centre yourself in the moment. Focus on what you want, who you’re speaking to.
Final Thoughts
Howard’s message is clear: acting isn’t about tricks, it’s about truth. Whether you’re on stage or in a close-up, the audience connects to what’s real. The more you understand your own behaviour, the deeper and more honest your work becomes.
Watch the full conversation via Casting Networks, reflect on what resonates, and bring it into your next class, rehearsal, or audition.
Because when craft meets clarity, actors don’t just perform, they transform.