X-Factor Audition Secrets

I auditioned for the X-Factor yesterday at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. I saw articles about the crowds on the internet today. 18,000 is an exaggeration. The Sports Arena can seat 16,000 if every seat is filled. Three quarters of the concourse seating was virtually empty, and that is the largest seating area in the arena. Fox encouraged people auditioning to bring family and friends, and every minor who auditioned had to be accompanied by an adult. My guess is about 3,000 people actually auditioned.

I found the entire process exhausting. I had been up since 4 am and arrived at 5:30 am to spent hours in the cold and wet before they let us into the building. Fox had to get their crowd shots. We were told to arrive between 6 and 6:30 am and that auditions would start at 8 am. That was not true. It was not until 11 am that they started letting people indoors.

Everyone had assigned seats inside the arena. The conditions were very crowded inside.

There was plenty of food available. I'm glad I brought money. Most people paid $10 each day to park. Many of the concession stands were open and the prices are high. Turns out it was okay to bring your own food and water, but that is not what it said at the X-Factor website. I bought a pair of chicken tacos for $8. A bottle of water cost $5.

I have to give them credit. Everyone there got to audition. It was a very long day for everyone. But not for Simon. He was not there.

They set up 24 small curtained booths on the floor of the arena. Each seemed to be about 10' by 10' They were placed in two rows and spaced about 3 feet apart. Each had curtains on only 3 sides. Inside each booth was a director’s chair for the person who would judge the audition. On the other side was a pink x in tape to mark the spot where a singer would stand. Everyone was expected to sing and keep focused in the midst of the noise of the entire arena plus the auditions in the adjacent spaces.

I auditioned at 9 pm. I was pleased with how well I did, especially under those conditions, but I was concerned that the judge could not really hear the quality or any subtlety in my vocal tone. She said "I'm sorry, but not this year." I could tell she liked me, but I think there was something else they were looking for. Perhaps the X-Factor. She seemed genuinely sorry.

I felt a little annoyed to go thru all that and not move on. Still, one has to handle a lot of rejection as a performer. I'm glad I had the opportunity however, reality TV may not be for me. Time to move on to the next audition. This was not my first cattle call, and it may not be my last.

I auditioned for America’s Got Talent a few years ago. This experience was actually better. The staff were more respectful and professional. I liked that it was more about the talent and not the “freak show.” There was no filming during this part of the process aside from the crowd footage.

Here is my advice if you want to audition for the X-Factor. Or what I would like to call X-Factor Audition Secrets.

Prepare for an ordeal. They are not concerned with your comfort and they are not going to be considerate of your time. These things are called "cattle calls" for a reason. Maintain your sense of humor and an attitude of positive submission. Moo.

Read the contract and release at their website. Print out the PDF and before you put in a lot of time decide if you want to agree to their terms. This is a legally binding contract. You cannot have an agent, manager or a current recording contract if you want to audition. The contract was written by excellent lawyers and the terms are draconian. I enjoyed the section about how the show is to be held harmless no matter how much pain and humiliation you may suffer. And if you get on the show, they own you. Some might see this as a bargain with the devil.

If you are a member of SAG or AFTRA, you may participate, but do not let them put words in your mouth. As long as you are being you, it is cool with the unions. If anyone tries to coach you to say certain things, that is overstepping. I saw a lot of this at the cattle call for America's Got Talent, but that is another story. I did not see any of this at the X-Factor. Call the union and talk to a rep. if you have any questions.

The X-Factor set up the auditions in Los Angeles over 2 days. The first day all they did was hand out tickets and wristbands for the second day. I wish I had known that I would have had a much better time of it if I had gotten there as early as possible the first day. The people who got the first tickets had to wait the least amount of time on audition day. It seemed as if more people were put thru during the early part of audition day than later.

On audition day, the order was solely determined by the tickets given the first day. Bring stuff to keep yourself amused. Boredom is tedious, and it drains your energy. Also bring items that will help you be comfortable. Bring food, water and money.

Dress with style but also be practical. Remember you are going to be standing outside a long time. And then you may be waiting inside even longer. You do not need to dress up for the day when you go to get the tickets.

When considering your song choice, chose something you can sing well in the middle of a sea of distractions. It may help if it is something loud. Not only will you not have a microphone, but the noise level during your audition will be daunting. Make sure it is a song you know very well and can stay on pitch even though you will be hearing other singers all around you.

Remember, even if you do everything well, you may not get chosen. The producers have something specific in mind. They call it the X-Factor. Reality TV is a contrived reality. You may sing beautifully and do everything right, but if you do not fit their agenda, you will not be asked to continue. Don't let that discourage you. Instead, let it motivate you to find other opportunities. Good luck.