The Successful Talent: Tips for the Actor & Model

TAPPING INTO THE 90%

So you’re not a runway model after all.  Tough, but after you dry up those tears, let’s visit that dream and reshape it into an arena where you will find success!  Remember all the other categories of modeling we discussed?  Chances are, you fit into at least one of them!

 

You’re attractive (and we know that you’re humble about it because you have so many supportive friends telling you)!  So how else can you pursue your dreams, you ask? 

 

Promotional work.  The most important criteria for a promotional model is to have uber-personality!  It’s not enough to be pretty!   Promotional models are most often female and hired to engage a live crowd.  (I like to consider this type of work the crossroad of acting and modeling.)  Companies like GM, Budweiser, Sony, and Verizon utilize the services of a promotional models.  The goal is to get potential clients engaged by an attractive face, stunning smile, and fun chit chat while educating or selling the company’s products.

 

Print work.  Print models come in all shapes and sizes.  I recently booked a 62 year old man on a print job as a plumber, for instance.  Print model ages can range from infants to retirees, and includes every age in between.  Generally, we think of the catalog models with great bodies, interesting and symmetrical features, and [again] a fun personality.

 

We already touched on runway, of course.  The key here is that these two types of modeling can be just as fulfilling and much less damaging to the model’s self-image.  The pay off and exposure can be great, too.  So if this is where you fit, consult your agent, manager, or leave me a comment to find out more on how to make it happen!

WHERE’S THE RUNWAY?

 

If young men and women weren’t already obsessed with supermodels, reality television inspired by the runway has done it!  During our initial interview process, I regularly ask aspiring models why they want to pursue such a demanding career.  The answer I hear more often than not is, “Because people [in most cases, it’s Aunt Lula] tell me I’m tall and I should model.”  It’s an answer, but it’s not the most clearly defined assessment.

 

Runway models are by trade a breed set apart.  Being set apart doesn’t make them better or worse than any other kind of model, but it does make them unique.  Good thing they are unique, since runway work is less than 10% of the modeling industry!   There are only a hand-full of jobs for only a hand-full of models – it makes sense.

 

So Aunt Bertha told you that you were tall or handsome “like a model”.  If your Aunt Bertha is Cindy Crawford or Alec Wek, you just might be in luck.  Listening to unqualified family and friends dictate a challenging career path for you, however, is unwise.  Height is important, yes, but it is not the singular physical characteristic of a successful runway model.

 

Runway models are typically 5’8” to 6’0”.  They have symmetrical features (jaw line, nose, eyes, cheeks, lips, smile, brows, etc).  Their skin is flawless.  They naturally wear a size 2. [Starving ones self to get that skinny does bad things to your health that becomes evident in skin, teeth, eyes, and energy levels.]  They have great muscle tone from head to toe and the personality and professionalism to make a day on set with them exhilarating!

 

How many of those sentences can you check off after looking in the mirror?  If you checked all of them, let me know because we need to get you to a runway to take advantage of your opportunities before it’s too late!

 

If there were one or more that you couldn’t honestly say you possess, the good news is that there is still 90% of the modeling industry out there just for you!

THE LIFELINE

Want to be a Millionaire?   I bet you’ve seen the show and I’m sure you answered the question in some affirmative way.   In the show we saw each contestant sweating at some point when they didn’t know the answer.  One of their trusted partners had the ability to provide a “lifeline” to the answer when called on, though.

 

When auditioning, your lifeline is the client’s gatekeeper.  That gatekeeper may come in the form of a casting director or producer.  Despite the title, they are acting in similar capacities.  The casting director/producer has communicated directly with the client (e.g., the guy/gal who signs your check at the end of the day).  They also have a better understanding than the talent when it comes to exactly what that client desires.  This makes them your trusted friend in the audition process!

 

No, they aren’t vested in your career, but they expect you to invest in theirs!  The casting director’s job is to provide their client with the best options possible.  They want to see you succeed! 

 

It may sound strange, but consider it from their perspective.  A happy client with many good options will come back to them again and again.  They aren’t in the casting room to be your friend or trusted advisor, but they will likely give you some advice pertinent to that job or moment that could give you an edge up on the competition, so listen closely! 

 

Casting director for Tyler Perry Studios (Meet the Browns, House of Payne, and many movies), Alpha Tyler, has said many times that she is looking for talent who follow direction in the casting room.  These are the people who will be able to follow direction on set, and that in turn, will make her look great!

 

When entering the casting room, have your prep work done so that when advice is given, your focus becomes following the direction rather than keeping character, remembering lines, or sucking in your stomach.

 

What valuable direction have you been given during an audition?  Were you able to deliver on the direction?  (If not, brainstorm what you can do to be able to nail it next time!)

A COMPLEMENTARY PARTNERSHIP

You’ve been working with a coach you like.  You’ve maybe made the decision to keep your eyes open for a manager, but to wait on committing to anything just yet.  The next point of trust should be the agent. 

 

Your agent is a business partner who stands to gain directly from your success and is equally motivated to make your dreams come true.  The agent makes a living based on commissions, which will range from 10% to 40% depending on the type of work.  (Regulations vary by job, state law, and governing contracts.)

 

Other than perhaps your mother, your agent is the only person on the face of the earth who actually wants to see you succeed as badly as you want it yourself.  That means that your agent’s advice is the only advice truly based on your sole best interest.  Every other person in your network circle may or may not be giving you solid information and is going to be motivated by their own goals and purposes.

 

There are jokes, movies, and comic strips about the heartless agent, but most of us have feelings, dreams, hopes, and loved ones, just like you.  And although we are another example of a breed set apart in how we function, the agent fills a gap for the talent that is crucial to success.  The talent may take home the larger portion of the paycheck, but the agent’s work in achieving the paycheck was just as important as the talent’s creative abilities.  A partnership is not meant to be mutually exclusive, so the most successful talent are the actor/model who have the most complementary relationships with their agent.

 

Again, like a marriage, there are going to be those rocky moments.  Each side is going to bring the baggage from prior situations that the pair will have to choose to work through together.  It involves compromise, an open perspective, listening, communicating, and a bit of trial and error.  You won’t always get along with your agent, but that isn’t cause to jump ship, make rash decisions or use harsh words.  In good times and in less than desirable situations, the best way to approach an agent is with understanding and mutual respect.  Agents aren’t always right, but we are always trying to advance our talent’s careers.  Keep that in mind and support the team effort – set yourself up for a lasting partnership and career!

 

WALKING THE TIGHT ROPE OF TRUST

Like a parent, coaches are there to equip you with the knowledge and skills in which they individually excel.  You will likely have many acting coaches in the lifetime of a talent career.  Treat those relationships with respect and continue to invest in the value they shared – you will likely want to keep them handy to revisit from time to time.

 

Unlike your acting coach, there are other people around you who have a vested interest in your success but may not be short-term relationships - one such entity is the talent manager.  Managers are amazing assets for the talent on the rise.  They are the business mind that keeps the momentum moving while the talent is able to focus solely on the creative craft.  Managers should not be taken for granted or chosen lightly.

 

Joining forces with a manager is like a marriage.  They complement what you already have going as a talent.  They organize, network, follow up, keep books, make calls, trouble-shoot issues, set goals, and handle day to day administrative needs.  A manager can pick up the slack where anyone else is lacking.  Some managers even make pitches if the talent does not yet have an agent or handle press releases before the talent has a PR division.  Managers are multi-faceted, multi-tasking, and everywhere at once.  They work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – and it’s worth going as far as to say that they work hard!

 

In a large market, a talent does not need a manager until they have substantial success.  Frequently, talent are not able to pay the manager prior to filling up a busy calendar of bookings.  (The manager makes a living based on whatever agreement the two of you set forth, which can include commissions or regular payments.)  Once you are on set enough to not have time to keep smooth lines of communication between all of your agents, keep accurate records expected of any business, network within the community and dig for new work, and are receiving hateful messages about having stood friends or dates up (you forgot – how can you be everywhere at once!) . . . it’s time to find a manager.  The key here, though, is that you are this busy because you are making money.  Needing someone to keep you organized is worth the pay out at that point.

 

In small markets, the agent may choose to take on some of the tasks associated with management.  PR becomes a joint effort between yourself and your agent.  Bookkeeping is your responsibility.  Setting goals and aiding with direction are functions that the agent will find mutually beneficial, though.  In this case, your agent becomes the multi-faceted, multi-tasking, and everywhere-(s)he-physically-can-be at once person.  The agent may not make you their sole focus, but if you are working successfully in a small market, you don’t need to spend the extra investment of having a manager just yet!

BE A TEAM PLAYER, BUT KNOW WHO IS ON YOUR TEAM!

The high you are feeling after having the epiphany that this industry can be simple – and that should be your sole focus – is great.  Keep those warm fuzzies flowing!  Now we’re going to take action on the simplicity we defined.

There are lots of places to find a trusted source, but based on what I’ve seen talent find when venturing out on their own, I should point you towards a few obvious options. 

An Acting Coach.  The coach is someone who expects to be compensated for their time, but who also takes an earnest interest in who his/her students may be.  If you haven’t had any experience, sign up for a beginner’s class to get some basic knowledge of character development, script review, and on-camera lingo.  (Models need this, too, so don’t tune out because you see the word acting!).

After you know the basics, however, your coach should be challenging you.  A good coach will make you sift through the emotional life you’ve buried deep; s/he will frustrate you; s/he will encourage you; s/he will applaud you; s/he will crush you.  A good coach will be your best friend and worst enemy all at the same time and somehow keep you coming back.  It’s the part of the talent that craves feedback usually not received in casting and even rarely on sets.  It’s the excitement of the willies in your stomach when you realize it’s not Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance – it’s all up to YOU!

How do you find a good coach?  Great question!  Credentials are nice, but they only go so far.  A great actor doesn’t always make a good coach.  The ideal coach has a plan set out.  You may or may not care for the plan, but the important factor is that there is a level of preparation and rhythm to their coaching style.  Another sign is the coach’s willingness to learn about you as an individual.  Each talent has strengths and weaknesses.  Your coach can’t immediately know these, so give them time to work out a complementary relationship before you make judgments.  A good coach should feel like a parent/child relationship, but without the dysfunction of a typical family.  It’s your job to learn from him/her; not to control the relationship.  Great coaches will be willing to chat with you briefly to hear what you want to work on and what your background has been. 

What should you be cautious of?  Pricing is always worth considering.  Services are charged based on time and quality; you will have to be the judge.  You might be able to sit in on a class for a nominal fee – ask!  The worst they can do is say no.  Be wary of schools that sell packages.  The coaches may be fine, but the overall investment may not make sense.  Ask other talent you meet and the professional team around you (agents, casting directors, crew members, etc.) for leads and then do the research yourself.  A perfect fit for one talent may not be the best fit for another, so find someone you know can bring out your best and your worst . . . and get working!

THE SECRET

A book called The Secret hit the best seller list recently – you probably remember hearing about it!  People were buying books off the shelves faster than stores could stock them, in hopes of finding the one piece of information they had missed all their life . . . the key that would magically catapult them into their utopian world. 

 

After reading the book, most people’s lives did not change.  Why?  The secret contained within its self-titled book cover was something that we had already been exposed to in some form.  It’s human nature only to act on new information, and thus lost its appeal after the reader set it down.

 

The secret to being a model and/or actor is similar.  It’s not brain surgery or rocket science.  It’s a simple idea that boils down to nothing more than the ability to follow directions.  What, you sneer at your computer screen, does she think that I’m a child?  Not at all.  If you are taking the time to educate and empower yourself, I know you have the tools to be a success!

 

So when you find yourself overwhelmed by the idea of not knowing what to do next, who to trust or talk to, or how to make your dreams a reality, revisit the secret to being a successful talent.  Find someone trusted to give you direction (this should be someone who has a vested interest in your success) and then follow through on the direction.  Simplicity is beautiful and will keep you ahead of 97% of the talent vying for your booking!

I CAN DO THAT!

 

Most talent had that moment sitting in front of the television or big screen where they looked at their friend and said, “Man, I could do that!”  And so, the road to a new career was launched!  It even happened with a friend of mine who was being toted to shows and screenings featuring The Avenue’s own talent.  He said those very words and found himself signing up for a serious film class a few weeks later.  He has since done several short films and continues to find subtle ways to ask me more about becoming an actor.  But once you’ve had that epiphany, what should you do next?

 

Sure, you can sign up for a film acting class in your area if your goal is to be an actor, but even that is putting the cart before the horse.  There’s no college degree in modeling or acting, so how can you set yourself up for success?  Here are some simple steps to consider before you take a step away from the computer or jump into a new venture.

 

Diversify your skill set – Did you identify yourself as a possible model and a possible actor?  You don’t have to choose just one – why not do both!?!  The more diversified your abilities, the faster you will gain knowledge, advance in training, and build your network of contacts.  Supermodels like Andie Macdowell have more to offer than just a pretty face.  (This has proven itself in the fact that she still models, but has also had opportunities in TV and film.)  Successful models know that they are selling a character along with the brand they are endorsing.  Developing and portraying a character for the still camera requires skills as an actor as much as the measurements to be the model.  Learn to do more than what you just do naturally or what is comfortable!

 

Develop complimentary skills – Do you already know how to bow hunt?  Learn to hunt with a rifle, too!  Can you do a cartwheel?  Learn an aerial, one handed cartwheel, or more tumbling exercises!  Do you live near water (e.g., Miami)?  Become an accomplished swimmer; learn to drive water crafts and boats; take sailing lessons!  Dig deeper into the areas where you already excel and into the obvious needs within your market.

 

One day when your agent calls to ask, can you blow smoke rings, you’ll confidently say yes and then nail the casting (and even maybe book the gig)!

Even the Desperado Needs a Plan

If the big fish in a small pond idea isn’t resonating with you . . . if those bags are itching to be zipped . . . and your car has a full tank of gas (don’t forget those regular oil changes), my suggestion to approach your business of being a talent locally before globally has fallen on deaf ears.  You are the talent determined to wait tables until you get that big break.  Swimming upstream doesn’t make you bear brunch, it just makes you a different kind of fish!

 

For our brave desperate fish friends, I have a few suggestions that might help you plan and navigate your move.  [If you were a planner, you probably wouldn’t be moving to begin with, so I realize these suggestions might be hard to heed.  Your efforts will be rewarded within the next few weeks and months if you can hang in there and accomplish these things prior to jumping on the Greyhound.]

 

(1)  Assess your mode of travel.

What is the state of your automobile?  If you aren’t a mechanic, ask the mechanic who sees your car regularly if your vehicle has the ability to make it to the desired destination.   If he/she advises some work be done, do it first.  Don’t get to a new city where you don’t know your way around and have to find someone to fix a growing problem.  Trust the relationship you have had for a while.

 

If you’re not driving, figure out before landing in your destination how you will get from point A to point B.  Is a bike sufficient and will you still appear presentable after the trek?  Do you understand the public transit options and how to navigate them?  

 

(2)  Assess the time frame.

How long is going to take you to get to the desired city from where you currently live?  Plan food, gas, music, lodging, etc, before putting your foot on the pedal.  Running out of money before you get there is a bad way to start a new venture!  Know where you’ll need to be to get set up and identify necessities near where you’ll be staying.

 

(3)  Assess financial resources.

Have you budgeted money for individual meals, gas, a safety fund for unexpected costs, and a cushion to rely on while looking for employment, paying deposits for rental, etc?  You should have a savings account that can keep you afloat for at least 6 months.  Don’t touch it to get there, but not being stressed about paying next month’s rent will allow you to fully focus on your intended goal and allow you to get involved as heavily as possible as soon as you cross the border!

 

(4)  Assess your lifestyle.

Realize that your lifestyle is likely going to change drastically when you put yourself on a fixed budget.  Look at the cost of living comparatively between the city you currently live in and the destination city.  (Take that into account when creating your 6 month cushion bank account!)  Mentally prep to make the sacrifices that are needed – keeping a positive mental outlook is key to developing a great network and that is your first item of business upon arrival.

 

(5)  Assess your product.

Refigure who you are and where you fit in this new market.  Who is your direct competition demographically?  What strengths or competitive edge can you offer?  What physical changes might be necessary?  Product success is all about demand – you are the product as the talent, so make sure the market needs what you have to offer.  And more importantly, be sure you have set your product up for success by having a competitive resume, headshot, comp card, portfolio, skill set, reel, and attitude!

Before You Pack Your Bags . . . .

We hear actors and models telling us about moving all the time.  Most of them have their sights set on Los Angeles or New York.  When I ask them why they are going, the most common answer I hear is “to be an actor” or “to model.”  STOP!  Before you pack your bags, let’s make an honest assessment of what market you need to plunge into before you become another talent taking orders at BurgerWorld.

 

Being a big fish in a small pond is often times not considered advantageous.  The reality of the situation is that being the best is the fastest way to make money, create a name, get exposure, and have big markets salivating to get you there!  Most agents agree that a talent should not relocate to the major market until they are being beckoned – in other words, until a director or agent is asking you to move. 

 

That being said, will you fail if you move without being asked to do so?  Not necessarily.  Entertainment is all about networking and the luck of the draw.  (Sure, talented people have better chances, but they aren’t guaranteed any more than the less talented individuals.)  Should you choose to move, just know that your competition will have a ridiculous advantage in the casting room – their networks, resumes, and basic knowledge of their market are just going to be better.  If you choose this option, I wish you the best of luck!  But should you find yourself coming home with your tail between your legs, don’t give up on your dream after visiting the school of hard knocks – just follow the directions below and start back at square one.

 

Square One.  You’re here - and now you know where that is physically and geographically, right?  If there is ANY possible way to stay in the market you are already living in, I would encourage you to test it out before hitch-hiking across country.  Get an agent.  Get quality headshots.  Build your resume by saying YES to everything (that isn’t going to physically, emotionally, or mentally scar you). 

 

Embrace your market and glean the knowledge you will need to make this a full time career or profitable hobby!  It’s best to make your mistakes where they won’t haunt you long term.  Be a BIG fish in a small pond!  Learn those lessons you can’t get in school in a safe environment to ensure a lasting career and your long-term success!