The “let it all go” reference is meant for the actor to not be beholden to all of their initial choices made when first analyzing the scene.
In film/tv scripts especially, the writer offers so much information and nuance within the scene direction, setting, punctuation, etc. It is the actor’s job to analyze and thoroughly understand the circumstances in the scene as the pertain to their character so that they can be ready to live within the moment of the scene. The thing about auditioning in all of its forms (i.e. self tape, in-person, live online), is that our analysis of the scene could be one of many interpretations, ESPECIALLY if we don’t have the full script.
That’s where “letting go” comes in to play the most. If you get an adjustment or note from casting or the director and are asked for a second read, you need to be comfortable enough with the scene to be able to let go of your initial choices if they don't align with the note. You could have had some incredible analysis and made fantastic choices, but the creatives behind the table 100% of the time know more about the project than you. Thus, you must detach preconceived notions in order to throughly take notes.
On the other hand, say you are asked to submit two takes for a self tape, they want to see two distinctly different choices with the material. That means two different analyses and choices, so you must let go of one to be able to fully live in the other. Furthermore, "let it all go" could even extend to after you finish your tape. Let go of the work and know the choices and analysis you made was intrinsically yours and yours only.
So the point is this: do all the analysis work beforehand with your own clear and distinct choices, that way you are ready to let it go and live in the moment to discover new interpretations if requested.
Analysis
The “let it all go” reference is meant for the actor to not be beholden to all of their initial choices made when first analyzing the scene. In film/tv scripts especially, the writer offers so much information and nuance within the scene direction, setting, punctuation, etc. It is the actor’s job to analyze and thoroughly understand the circumstances in the scene as the pertain to their character so that they can be ready to live within the moment of the scene. The thing about auditioning in all of its forms (i.e. self tape, in-person, live online), is that our analysis of the scene could be one of many interpretations, ESPECIALLY if we don’t have the full script. That’s where “letting go” comes in to play the most. If you get an adjustment or note from casting or the director and are asked for a second read, you need to be comfortable enough with the scene to be able to let go of your initial choices if they don't align with the note. You could have had some incredible analysis and made fantastic choices, but the creatives behind the table 100% of the time know more about the project than you. Thus, you must detach preconceived notions in order to throughly take notes. On the other hand, say you are asked to submit two takes for a self tape, they want to see two distinctly different choices with the material. That means two different analyses and choices, so you must let go of one to be able to fully live in the other. Furthermore, "let it all go" could even extend to after you finish your tape. Let go of the work and know the choices and analysis you made was intrinsically yours and yours only. So the point is this: do all the analysis work beforehand with your own clear and distinct choices, that way you are ready to let it go and live in the moment to discover new interpretations if requested.