Screen test

A screen test is a method of determining the suitability of an actor or actress for performing on film or in a particular role. The performer is generally given a scene, or selected lines and actions, and instructed to perform in front of a camera to see if they are suitable. The developed film is later evaluated by the relevant production personnel such as the casting director and the director. The actor may be asked to bring a prepared monologue or alternatively, the actor may be given a script to read at sight ("cold reading"). In some cases, the actor may be asked to read a scene, in which another performer reads the lines of another character.

Types

Screen tests can also be used to judge the suitability of costume, make-up and other details, but these are generally called costume or make-up tests. Different types of actors can have different tasks for each individual test. For example, a lead for a musical theater-type movie could be requested to sing a popular song or learn a dance routine. Screen tests are routinely used in films and commercials. They are also used for short films.

Screen test (disambiguation)

Screen test may refer to:

Screen Test

Screen Test is a United Kingdom children's quiz show about films, broadcast from 18 November 1970 to 20 December 1984 on BBC1. It was first hosted by Michael Rodd, who was succeeded by Brian Trueman and Mark Curry.

Background

When it was launched on 18 November 1970, Screen Test was one of the earliest children's TV quiz shows in the UK; it was originally intended to be transmitted during Blue Peter's annual break. In 2001, Michael Rodd commented on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows: "We made five programmes originally in black and white, which were going to go into the summer slot that Blue Peter left when they all went on holiday. Then, we made the next five in colour — so we knew we'd really arrived then!"

Viewing figures began to fall in the early 1980s, and the BBC decided that the series had run its course. In 1984 Screen Test was dropped.

Programme content

Contestants aged around 11 were shown a series of film clips, with each one being followed by a series of questions specifically about the content of the clip. Most episodes included a clip from a film made by the Children's Film Foundation as one of the rounds.