X-Factor

[donna123]

Has anybody else been for an X-factor audition?
The paperwork says that doors open at 8am: what time do people start queuing from? Is there any point in getting there mid-morning or is that when queues are at their worst? If you play it really cool and don?t turn up until late afternoon is that a dangerous strategy because they have already picked their ?quota? by then? What time do they finish?

you need to get there as early as possible because you will audition for the producers before being put forward to potentially audition for the judges. There are no guarantees that you will even see the judges, and even if you're rubbish, or average you might be put forward if your rubbish singing will make good entertainment for a tv audience.

sorry if that sounds harsh but that's really how it works.

Also, if you're good there's still no guarantee you'll audition if your face doesn't fit.

It's all pretty fixed really.

The pre-audition is on Sunday. For those that get through, the proper auditions are the next day.

DD wants to experience the whole thing so being in the queue is part of the fun. I understand this but don't want to be there for a ridiculous length of time. We might go after lunch, especially since she is working until late tonight.

We are going armed with camp chairs, umbrellas, thermos, emergency rations and revision books.

well good luck to her xx

get there really early as there will be a lot of people. The first audition will be to see if you will go through to the audition. Cardiff one, the real audition ie with the judges was the next day.

This sorts out those who are pretty good, very good and those who are awful but would make great telly. ( this is why you see people arguing when they are told there awful. As they have already done one audition!)

Good luck!!

the paperwork you receive states that you are only guaranteed an audition if you are there by 8 AM. so if you don't turn up until lunchtime then tbh it's unlikely you will even be seen.

We got there just after 2 o'clock: they almost didn?t let us in but relented in the end. I wasn?t impressed with the organisation, there were no signs nor anyone to explain what was going on. Everything happened inside the football stadium so we had seating provided in the Stands (which was something, I suppose) fairly close to the auditions, down by pitch-side. There was nothing to do. The crowd did start communal singing at one stage and were then told off as it was disturbing the auditions. So we had to sit there for 5 hours with nothing to do. They always show you pictures on the TV of cheery crowds, rehearsing their act, but this was nothing like that. It was sooo boring. And it was really cold, which is not good preparation for singers.
I?d like to say that it was fun, an experience, a ?tick it off your try this before you die list? moment but ... they have re-seeded the pitch so I spent the day watching grass grow.

how did your dd get on?

Sorry wannaBe, only just seen your question.
DD has a lovely voice and has won competitions in the past but she isn?t really the sort that X-factor are looking for. They like people who can belt out power songs.
She didn?t get through but neither did many at that late stage: I think that the producers were tired and jaded after a long day and you had to be something pretty spectacular to get through.
I never thought she would get through tbh, she is not self-confident enough. She can sell a song but she can?t sell herself.

Hi again, wannaBe. Just seen your other thread and realised that you are auditioning too!
As well as preparing your song, are you set to talk about yourself too? The producer will chat to you a bit to find out if you have character as well as voice.
They were very variable: some let their attention wander and looked bored to death. I half expected them to check their watch part-way through the audition. DD?s producer was nice but very intense: he eyeballed her from a distance of only a few feet away. Very off-putting (presumably intentional).
If you are going to O2 then will it be similar to our set-up? i.e. hanging around all day in the seating area with auditions (about 15 concurrent) in front of the whole crowd so no privacy.

yes am auditioning tomorrow (off to london in about an hour) and staying with friend of dh overnight).

Totally prepared to talk about myself although not sure if I have what they want but if I don't try I'll never know right? .

sorry to hear your dd didn't get through. From what I've read online you actually have to get through three auditions before you come anywhere near the judges, so pretty much have to jump through hoops of fire to get anywhere. Either that or you have to be sooooo bad that you make for good telly .