Can you share some inside tips from Casting Directors on what they look for during an audition?

You may be surprised to learn that some of them say they know if there is talent within the first few lines an actor utters during the audition.  They love to see confident actors. If it is an audition for on camera work, they prefer that actors  hold a stance within the camera frame in order to avoid going off camera. This might seem obvious but it appears to be a common occurrence. One Casting Director advised that actors should list the Casting Directors’ names along with credits on a resume. The reason being is that CD’s are competitive and usually know each other and seeing the information on the resume can give an actor an additional seal of approval. They strongly advise actors to have a two minute monologue memorized (even if you draft yourself) at the ready for any audition situation that might request one. Finally, it is strongly advised to have a demo reel available even if it is one minute in length. What Casting Directors really want to see is how you come across on camera.