The Successful Talent: Tips for the Actor & Model

HUGE SAG-AFTRA NEWS

Huge SAG-AFTRA news regarding commercial and music video residuals. "What residuals," you ask?  Keep reading to find out more . . .

“This agreement . . . delivers good terms for dancers and other performers who work in music videos  (and) sets the first industry-wide standard for wages and working conditions in music video production,” said negotiating committee member and dancer Sharon Ferguson, who has worked with music video artists including Prince and No Doubt.

“That’s huge!” she added.

On the commercials front, rather than begin negotiations in October as previously planned, SAG-AFTRA and the advertising industry will “pursue a ‘Clearinghouse Project’ designed to address some of the data challenges encountered during the (GRP) Pilot Project,” according to the union.

The GRP concept, which has been under study for over three years, could result in a large change to the way commercials residuals are calculated. It would have no effect on the calculation of the entertainment residuals that are more familiar to Hollywood.

Click here to read the full article published by The Hollywood Reporter.

Can it be possible that a music video might grant a talent SAG-AFTRA eligibility?

HOW TO DO AN IRISH ACCENT

The above clip is from the movie "The Luck of the Irish" that premiered on Disney Channel.  Pay attention to the dark haired man that barges in on the bus as well as the grandpa. Both are speaking with an irish accent. Now these two men don't necessarily seem like the typical irish characters that would be cast (they're missing the red hair, light skin and freckles) but hair and makeup has made them look the part. Looking the part is only half the battle, though, when auditioning.

Gareth Jameson, an actor and voice coach, has made several YouTube videos to teach you certain accents. Check out this video where he teaches the basics of an Irish accent:

  

Give yourself the "Luck of the Irish"!  Listen, imitate, and practice your Irish accent to nail your next big audition!  Have you been passed over because you didn't have Irish Accent listed on your resume?

JUST GOAL FOR IT!

It takes the right kind of attitude, persistance, hard work and maybe even a little luck to pursue your goals. Sometimes they can be hard to find; sometimes they're just handed to you. The one thing to remember is that if you're motivated enough, you can and will achieve them! Below are some tips on how to create, commit and stick to your goals. 

Creating Goals

• Goals are a dream – be free to imagine
• Goals create excitement about ourselves and the future we can create
• Goals are specific, realistic and achievable
• Goals should be set slightly beyond your grasp so you personally stretch and grow

 Commit To Your Goals!

• Write down your goals for the next six days, six weeks and six years
• Write down why you want to achieve these goals
• Prioritize your goals – put your daily efforts in order
• Write down the hurdles you will encounter while working toward these goals. How will you handle the hurdles?
• Discuss your goals with your family and friends. This is optional but it always helps to have a support group or person to cheer you toward your goals.

 Stick to your Commitment!

• Visualize daily the completion of your goals
• Allow for flexibility and re-evaluation of your goals
• Prepare how to respond to disappointments and setbacks. It’s not what happens to us but how we handle it!
• Review your progress and alter your plans but not your goals! 

What goals did you set early in the year that have been achieved?  What are some of your current goals for the coming weeks or months?

 

     

SURFACE EMOTIONS

It may be hard for an actor to control all of his or her emotions when going to auditions and castings since those emotions need to be readily available. But is it taking it to far when they say actors are struggling to resolve their emotional problems? In an article posted by The Guardian, a British website, they bring up this new research.

A new study shows that actors are more likely to struggle with dealing with past traumas, and that they might find it harder to resolve emotional difficulties.

The study, conducted by researchers at California State University, revealed that “there is a psychological cost for participants engaged in the creative arts.”  The researchers also noted that “more actors were unable to maintain narrative coherence when discussing memories of past trauma and loss.”

In an article by The Guardian, researchers Paula Thomson and S. Victoria Jaque said that actors are more likely to “display signs of confusion, prolonged silence or unsuccessful failures to deny a traumatic or loss event.”  They believe this indicates a greater vulnerability for psychological distress.

The good news?  Actors have “higher than usual imaginative facilities than members of the control group.”  Thomson and Jaque said, “Actors may have enhanced their imagination through the practice of acting or they may have entered a career that supports their heightened predisposition for fantasy.”

As a talent in the "creative arts" field, can you identify with these feelings?