The Successful Talent: Tips for the Actor & Model

"HI! I'M WORKING!"

Does everyone in the industry know you on a first name basis?  Perhaps not since there are so many professionals around the world.  But Barbara offers the talent some advice on how to get results and use your efforts effectively!

Barbara Kerford who works for The Actor’s Key says “I always thought I was doing what I needed to be doing, taking the occasional workshop, getting new headshots, doing the occasional mailing, but until my marketing became consistent I didn't have any results. It wasn't until I started doing monthly postcards-- that I started to really see results. Now I audition weekly. For a while it was just to people I knew, but now I am also auditioning with people I've never met. Marketing is a key part of this industry. I was talking to another actor and she was asking how I was going out on so many auditions. She complained that she had just booked two guest star roles and did not see an increase in her audition activity. I asked how she was telling people about it and she told me she was leaving it up to her manager--that is one way of doing it, but it is up to the individual actor to be out there hustling for themselves.

A postcard, no matter what it says, tells the industry that you are working. Find something to brag about or to congratulate a CD about. Take any business course and they will tell you lack of marketing is why so many businesses fail.”

BIRTHDAY CARD TO BOOKING!

Everyone loves stories.  We like them even better when they are success stories!  What can be more motivating and encouraging than hearing someone else's success story?

According to Kara Ortiz who is an actor and owner of a company called Amp Subs, (a hard copy headshot submission service) “I keep a database of industry people on studio lots so when I go I can walk around and do drop-offs. I also keep a database of people's birthdays and send cards every month to those on it.

I consider both activities integral to my marketing efforts, as they are part of the personal effort I cultivate relationships as opposed to simply ‘Hi I'm in such and such come see me’ marketing.

I had wardrobe for something on a studio lot and happened to notice in my records that a casting director on that lot was having a birthday. So while I was on the lot, I had delivered a card to her.

I walked in and gave it to her assistant and left. As I was walking outside, the casting director tapped on the window and motioned for me to come back inside. She asked for my headshot, which of course I had on me.  We chatted for literally just a minute and I headed out the door.   About three months later I got a call from my commercial agent who quizzically said/asked ‘you have an audition for a movie’. It was cast by non other than the casting director I had delivered the birthday card to. This ended up being my first studio film role.  The best part? I got to take my daddy to New York for the red carpet premiere. :)”

 

Kara's experience may be something you've tried without the same results, but the more often you go the extra professional mile to put yourself in front of decision makers, including CDs, agents, directors, and producers . . . the more likely you'll have a success story of your own to share!

How you do motivate yourself to go the extra mile when you don't see an immediate pay off?

FEEL FORGOTTEN?

Casting Director, Terry Berland, reminds us in this blog how important networking, marketing, and keeping a positive perspective are to a talent's future successes.  Feel forgotten?  Read the testimonial from Terry below and breathe easy!

Just recently I was casting a film and an actor I have known for years and have not auditioned for a long time, popped into my head as being right for the lead role. The actor asked me “who suggested me for the part?” I told him I thought of him immediately. He was shocked because I have not had him in to audition for a long time. I went on to say “It’s a good lesson. Just because you have not been called in, it does not mean that you have been forgotten”.

Because we are human, we need reminders. I can attest that in my experience it takes multiple times of seeing the person’s name and face in front of me to start feeling familiar with them. It’s good to remind a casting director of your existence. Find out how casting directors like to be communicated with and let them know periodically what you’ve been doing. Stay active with theatre and showcases and let us know about it. It’s fortunate that there are professional ways set in place for networking opportunities such as CD’s seminars, showcases, online, Facebook and Twitter.

The longer I know someone, the more I’m going to remember them. Through the years I see them submitted, receive post card reminders, see their auditions or see them in the casting reception area at the studio I work out of.  I love being at a studio that has many casting sessions going on. Sometimes I stroll through the reception area just to see whom I’m going to see. Some actors recognize me and start up a little conversation. That’s smart of them. Little conversations throughout the years add up to you feeling very familiar. Remembering the right person at exactly the right time is tricky and sometimes inconsistent. You want to increase your chances through marketing or getting yourself “out there” in different ways. It is necessary and does not always show direct results. But trust the more you put yourself out there, the more chance you have of a result at some unexpected time.

I hope hearing the casting director viewpoint and what talent do who believe in marketing, will help you move your career forward.