The Successful Talent: Tips for the Actor & Model

RECIPE FOR DEEP DOWN SUCCESS!

Photographer Van Rossen shares on his website modelingadvice.com, just what it takes to be a model, and it's surprisingly deeper than the surface!

Besides needing the physical requirements to be a model you also need a personality for it. Professional modeling is a tough business. Only certain people can stand up to the hard work schedule and stress that modeling demands. So what are some good traits for a model?

1) Love the Show - When you hear, 'It's show time' or 'Time for magic' do you come alive? If you love performing and being in front of an audience, whether it's a room full of people or the eye of the camera, you will enjoy modeling. If it is something you enjoy you are more apt to work hard at it, take greater risk, and work through the hardships that come along. If you love the work, you will love your life. If you hate the work, you'll be miserable.

2) Hard Working - Modeling takes a lot of hard work and stamina. A photo shoot can run as long as 16 hours and at all times of the day & night. Just getting a job can have you running all over town. And at the end of the day you still have to do all the stuff needed to keep you in shape and looking beautiful.

3) Projection - You need to be able to project your personality, your charisma, your charm, and your sex appeal. You need to be able to sell yourself to be able to sell the product.

4) Intelligent - There is a lot to learn about modeling, being an independent business person, about yourself and about surviving in a big world of sharks. If you can't learn it fast you could get eaten alive.

5) Extrovert - You will be constantly meeting new people and walking into new situations. You will be performing before strangers every day. You need to like new experiences, challenges, and meeting new people. If you are shy and reserved you will forever be uncomfortable modeling.

6) Good Self Esteem - Ok, so it doesn't hurt to be a little bit of an egomaniac. This industry is a real ego bruiser. Good self-esteem can help pick you up and get you through those tough times.

7) Ambition - For most, careers in modeling won't come easy. You will have to go through trials and tribulations before you achieve success. The ambition and desire to succeed and achieve your goals in modeling will help you over the temporary set backs that come along.

8) Self-Starter - As a model you are an independent businessperson in charge of your own career. You must be able to take charge of you. This includes your training, your physical upkeep, your professional practices, your finances, and your life.

9) In Control - You need to be able to control your health (size and fitness), your body for posing, your emotions for acting them out, and your life so you show up on time.

10) Organized - You have to keep track of your schedule, your finances, your modeling materials, and your body's up keep.

What is your best personality trait and how does it work to your advantage with modeling?

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UNDERSTANDING RESUMES AND HEADSHOTS

Commercial Print Instructor, Scott Powers provides us with an understanding of the resume and headshot controversy.

There has been this lingering great controversy/debate simmering under the surface that needs to be addressed once and for all.  Closure.  End of discussion. 

Namely, how to attach your résumé to your headshot.
 
Assuming you have a dynamite glow-in-the-dark headshot that looks just like you on your best day AND is 8"x10", in color, matte finish (not glossy), with borders and name on front; you would like to keep the elegance of your promotional material.  Interestingly enough, a bad job of attaching your trimmed 8"x10" résumé can gum up the works, pun intended.  And cheapen the product - you.  What are the options, plusses and minuses?
 
1.       Glue stick.  No.  Glue sticking a   résumé can dry out and a résumé separates and floats to the bottom of a file drawer, joining the other orphan résumés bearing traces of glue stick.
 
2.       Rubber cement.  Will create more wrinkles and lumps than you ever thought.  Old before its time.  How you will look when you're 85.
 
3.       Staples.  Long considered the industry approach.  Often because they are not aware of a better, simpler, more elegant alternative. [Coming up on that.]  Think about this: you have a beautiful headshot and it gets punched through by clunky staples.  AND, if you update your résumé and remove the old staples, then add more staples and more holes.  Starts to look a bit chewed up.  Also, a hard copy headshot/résumé could get filed in a file drawer usually overstuffed with other headshots/ résumés.  Forced in, ripped out.  And every other one in front and behind yours gets the same treatment.
 
What, oh, what to do in these perilous times to solve this crisis?
 
4.       Permanent double-sided Scotch tape.  1" on each corner is all it takes.  No lumps, no bumps.  If you have to replace your résumé, just peel off the old one, put the new one on.  AND, it preserves the elegance of your costly headshot.   Beware: there is now a removable double sided Scotch tape version now on the market.  Be careful not to buy this by mistake.  It will not hold your resume and make for résumé rage.  Make sure what you buy is permanent double sided Scotch tape.  Staples has it; Duane Reade has the one you don't want.
 
As they say, the devil is in the details.  People are either consistently superior on all fronts, or consistently mediocre on all fronts, or consistently substandard on all fronts.  Being consistently superior on all fronts presents a professional actor, one that shows that they are competitive and hirable.  This is just one little contributing factor that cumulatively adds to your luster.
 
Of course, this advice is only helpful generally speaking.  There are always cases where a particular casting director will rather you use staples or some other method, so always follow the advice of your agent prior to an audition. 

Does your presentation meet the standard that makes us happy to pass your headshot along to the decision maker?

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HEY, GREAT HEADSHOT!!

Nancy Berwid, the founder and acting teacher of First Take; provides teaching and coaching for aspiring actors so that they can advance in their careers while in Los Angeles. Nancy, who is known best for her insight about the industry, has provided insight into what makes a great headshot.

So what is a good headshot?

A good headshot captures your essence, your uniqueness, your personality, and your specific type.  It makes it easy for a Casting Director or agent to see what roles you would be right for.   A good headshot looks like you.  It should not be overly glamorized, and you should [always] look like your headshot when you walk into the casting office.  If your headshot has been airbrushed to make you look ten years younger and you can’t produce the same look in the audition, the Casting Director will not be amused.  In their mind you just wasted their time and took a time slot another actor could have filled.

A good headshot shows your face but your entire face doesn’t fill 100% of the frame either.   A good headshot has good lighting, is in focus, does not distract with odd clothing, costumes, patterns, accessories, or any other potential oddity that could take the attention off of you.  The headshot should be pleasing to look at and convey information about the actor, such as a specific type that could be easily cast right now.  The goal should be to move the Casting Director to say something like, “I could see her playing______”.

Taking the time to ensure you have a good headshot is crucial to your success.  Your headshot is the first impression you make and can open or close doors to casting quickly; but it is also the LAST impression you leave when decision makers are ready to book.  If they feel confident that you are professional and the perfect fit, they may pass on another talent with a less professional or reassuring headshot -- even if that other talent may have given a better read in the casting room.  By this point, nuances in delivery have been long forgotten!   Nancy gave great suggestions to consider while working towards getting headshots taken or retaken.

Do your headshots set you apart?

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OUTSIDE OF ACTING

You mean to tell me there are other jobs in entertainment besides being an actor or model?  Yes, Virginia, this industry is not run by Santa Claus!  You may realize there are people working with and for your benefit as the talent, but are you aware of what their daily grind is like?  Most likely, you have misconceptions without knowing it.

What does that CD who always seems so stressed out (or nonchalant) deal with every day?  Find out from our fellow industry professional Scott Powers!

It is vital that performers know not only how to act and market themselves, but how the business works from all sides.
 
One of the approaches that we have recommended with great results to abolish this situation is - ready? - go for an internship or be a reader.  Internships are basically unpaid or low-paid or transportation/meal stipend paid positions.  They can be a few hours a week, on a daily basis or for a specified period of time.  Interns open the morning mail and email, field phone calls, file headshots, watch the actors/models coming in and out of the office, interface with the industry, discover what problems the business has to grapple with day in and day out, maybe even sit in on the decision making process.  You will have a great first-hand to generally/specifically observe how the industry - the "other side" - REALLY works.  What a great opportunity you created for yourself!  And if you know THAT, your pursuits and career will absolutely benefit.
 
Being a reader for auditions at a casting company gives an actor first-hand experience on how the casting process works.  What works and what doesn't.  Talk about an eye-opening experience!
 
Are interns all really young?  No.  If you're, say, over 30++, don't worry about it.  You bring to the position certain life experiences and approaches that someone younger hasn't had yet.
 
Be pro-active.  You contact them.  Most offices have a continuous need for interns.  You can approach a company in general or target a specific person.  Want to get in good with an agent?  Offer to intern for them.  Want to get in good with a casting director?  Offer to intern; be a reader for them.  Send them your headshot via email or snail mail and on the outside, mark "INTERN APPLICATION" or "READER APPLICATION" (or on the Subject line if email) and inside have a BRIEF cover note. Tell them what qualities you can bring [to the potential partnership].  Tell them what times/days of the week you are available and how long you can be available.
 
[An experience like this can] change your outlook forever.  Not only will you have a much better understanding of the business, but you will have a much better appreciation of it as well (and there would be a lot less moaning and groaning out there!)
 
Of course, if we could only get the agents and casting directors out on a few auditions and go-sees to see what the actor/model goes through, we might have a nearly perfect world....

And that reminds me of a bet I lost once with an actor.  My pay up was to take Caroline Locorriere's scene study workshop for a month.  It was mostly fun, but also great insight into what our actors grapple with every day.  Learning can go both ways, but you can only choose to learn for yourself!  Internships aren't limited, so think outside the box and find something that interests you as well.  It may be photographry, television, publicity, management, etc.  Your options are only as limited as your imagination!

Where could you intern and how could having done so help you in the casting room or on set?

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LETS GET PERSONAL

All too often I hear actors and models make comments about things they wished they had said or done in the casting room after the fact.  Actors get caught up in trivial things, like missing a line in a script or interchanging words.  The truth is that no one cares if you miss a line or forget to say thank you when you leave.  What you should REALLY be focused on is whether or not you are presenting the character we are interested in watching -- both on the screen and the runway!

So how can you make your character more personal and relatable?

Brian Timoney says that personalization is a technique used by method actors to help them give ‘real’ performances without the need for imitation or inspiration. By simply fueling your performance with real feelings and real emotions, you are able to give performances that can be more convincing than if you had months to invent these feelings and emotions.

Let’s imagine a common scenario. You are in an audition and you are required to play a character who’s in a complicated relationship with a member of the opposite sex. You are required to play a scene in which the relationship is coming to an abrupt end. Now, this would be very difficult to prepare for in just a few minutes, especially if the actor opposite you was someone you’d never met before. However, by using personalization you would project the personality of someone from your own past onto your fellow actor. By carefully and accurately projecting the image of someone you’ve been in a doomed relationship with and recalling your own feelings at the moment it all came to an end, you will be able to give a thoroughly authentic performance at almost a moment’s notice.

This is a great technique for any acting scenario but it’s particularly useful for auditions. One of the best things about this technique is that it can be completely internalized. This means that those that see your performance won’t know that you are using personalization to fuel your performance. They won’t know whose image you are projecting onto your fellow actor and they won’t know about the raw, evocative emotions that you felt as you gave your performance.

All they will see is an actor giving a great performance with only a few moments to prepare!

How can you maintain your focus on the emotional life of your endeavor rather than the trivial things?

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WHO IS THAT GUY?

It is The Avenue's own Isaiah Stratton in AT&T's latest commercial campaign.  Click below to see!

Isaiah is currently working as a principal character in a new movie shooting in North Carolina, so keep a sharp eye out for more on.

 

 

THE BIG WINNERS!

Each year, The Avenue Agency gives away valuable prizes to the talent who have set themselves apart from their peers in some way.  There are those who are brave enough to be competitive at the holiday party games, as mentioned in earlier blogs.  But more importantly, there are the hand full of talent who go the extra mile to give 100% to their career.  These talent are known to submit requested materials without having to be asked.  They frequently track details on their opportunities and approach their craft as an organized business professional.  They have the initiative to seek out advice and support their skill set with great marketing materials.  They do not offer excuses when things don't go their way.  These talent not only bring value to our partnership, but they also bring peace of mind to me as an agent when pitching them.

Some have worked for years and finally seen their preparation met with opportunity as they reap the rewards of success.  Others came on board ready to go from the start and were quick out of the gate.  The annual MVPs may change from year to year as we cannot honor ALL of the special partnerships at one time, but their work ethic and determination are consistent across each year.   I'm so thankful to announce the winners and MVPs on The Avenue's roster in 2012:

Emily Landham will receive a free one hour personal training session with Jennifer McCoy, BS ACSM, of One Body. One Life. Health Fitness Specialists & Personal Trainers (to contact Jennifer, email jennifer@body1life.com)!  Emily's earlier year was wrought with challenges when she broke her foot while giving back to her community on set for a non profit, but she still finished strong ending the year with multiple feature films, industrials, and a principal role in BET's The Game!

Joel Diggs will receive a complimentary three look modeling photoshoot with photographer Michael Gomez.  Joel came onto The Avenue's roster with a strong presence and has shown commitment and follow-through that put him among the top money earners in his demographic.

Steve Caviness will receive a complimentary space in acting coach Caroline Locorriere's The Actor's Studio in Nashville, TN.  Steve started 2012 traveling for an ad campaign that padded pockets and kept him busy in the new year.  He showed that he knows how to build relationships, as clients continue to come back to him and ask for him by name.

Rusty Whitener will receive a complimentary two look actor's headshot session from Michael Gomez.  Rusty took a hiatus in the first half of the year as his Christy Award winning novel was made into a movie.  In the latter part of 2012, he showed his strength and presence by booking principal roles in the hit series "Nashville", and leading roles in several movies to be released in 2013-2014.

Stephanie Gamonet will receive a complimentary 30 minute private coaching via skype with Casting Director and coach Holly Allen (a $60 value).  Stephanie's dedication and persistence are proof that hard work does pay off!  The past year saw her book the lead female role in a feature film as well as a national commercial spot!

Diana Moseley was 2012's child MVP and will receive a complimentary "Acting in Commercials" workshop with acting coach and working actor, Alan Dysert, of The Actor's School (a $125 value).  Diana was quickly welcomed into the market when she started, but this year faced her most challenging role -- playing a tomboy.  She'd rather be in pink dresses, but says "it wasn't so bad."

Alice Raver will receive a complimentary 60 minute massage from massage therapist to the country stars, Deanna Porterfield, of Balance Massage.  Alice's incredible flexibility and focus has brought her business of acting to a new level in 2012 by booking commercials, print work, and feature film roles.

Jared Carter will receive a free one hour personal training session with Jennifer McCoy, BS ACSM, of One Body. One Life. Health Fitness Specialists & Personal Trainers (to contact Jennifer, email jennifer@body1life.com)!  Jared has maintained an established career for years alongside The Avenue.  His most exciting role in 2012 was playing David Byrne in the movie CBGB (set to be released in 2013), alongside legendary actor Alan Rickman.  Getting his picture and an interview in the Rolling Stone wasn't so bad, either!

Congratulations to our recipients in 2012.  The Avenue is excited about helping invest in your career to continue your success into 2013!  Contact Melinda via email for details on how to go about collecting your prize.  Were you not one of the celebrated MVPs?  Stay focused in 2013 and be sure to schedule your End-of-Year Review so Melinda can give you personalized attention and help you set goals for the new year!

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26 REASONS WHY YOU DIDN'T GET THE PART

The Avenue's own Susan Miller and David Ditmore shared this article from Backstage Experts writer Amy Jo Berman.  Read below for more on a seasoned professional's insight into what you are lacking.

 

Yes, I’m writing about why you DIDN’T get the part. Yes, even though your audition was amazing and you were totally on your game and you lit up the room with creative acting genius, you still might not get the part. I know, I know…you’re probably thinking, but Amy, you are always so positive. Why are you talking about something negative?

First, it’s not negative to understand why you didn’t get a job because it will free your mind of all that monkey-mind chatter that happens when you find out you didn’t get it. Second, and this is the important part so pay attention, it doesn't matter. By the end of this article, I hope you understand that.

Since this is one of the most frequently asked questions I receive and the one that hangs you up the most and twists you into knots as an actor and a creative being, let’s get into it.

Based on my years and years of experience as a casting director in film and television, these are some of the reasons you didn’t get the part.

 

 

 

1. You’re too tall.

2. You’re too short.

3. You’re too pretty.

4. You’re not pretty enough.

5. You’re too fat.

6. You’re too thin.

7. You’re too blonde.

8. You’re not blonde enough.

9. You’re too old.

10. You’re too young.

11. You’re too serious.

12. You’re too funny.

13. You look too much like the lead.

14. You don’t look enough like the lead.

15. You’re taller than the lead.

16. You’re shorter than the lead.

17. You remind the producer of his sister, and he hates his sister.

18. You are too ethnic.

19. You are not ethnic enough.

20. You were the first one to read that day.

21. You were the last one to read that day.

22. You’re more like the best friend than the lead.

23. You’re more of a lead than the best friend.

24. You’re too character-y.

25. You’re not character-y enough.

26. You look like the director’s wife and he had a fight with his wife right before he left the house this morning.

Okay, this is a small sample of the some of the reasons you didn’t get the part. Have you heard any of these after one of your non-bookings? Can you tell what the one common thread is among this small sampling of reasons?

None of these are within your control. NONE.

Yes, of course there are many other things that are within your control . . . but these are the ones that drive you crazy. Right?

What you must understand is that your only job in an audition is to do your best work. Everything else is not up to you. The role you are reading for is one piece of an entire jigsaw puzzle. It must fit with the rest of the puzzle or the puzzle won’t work. The casting director, producer, and director are fitting pieces of the puzzle together all day long. Your only job is to be the best “piece” you can be. Whether your edges fit in the slot for that piece is not up to you.

Just go to your audition. Do your best and let it go. If you’re good, they will remember you. And the next time you hear one of those things, remember these words, let a knowing smile creep over your face, and go enjoy your day!

Amy Jo Berman is former Vice President of Casting at HBO and for 14 years has overseen the casting of over 150 films, mini-series, and series. She is the founder of Audition Polish, a membership-based audition coaching program that has helped actors around the globe nail their auditions on the first take. Using her 18+ years of technical audition experience in the casting room, Amy has helped thousands of actors with her tele-classes, private coaching, workshops, and seminars. Amy loves staying in touch with actors on social media. Watch her video acting tips on Youtube, join her Tips On Acting community on Facebook and get her VIP event updates here.

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WHAT ARE WE UP TO?

The Avenue's talent have been busy this year!  Just a few recent releases that we can share . . .

This holiday's Houchen's IGA commercial features Barbara Ann Brown, Diana Moseley, and Jack Cook.

 

 

And Kristy Lee Cook's newest release "Airborne Ranger Infantry" features Katie Napier and Trevor Roderick.  Visit our Facebook page to see the full video link and watch Trevor get shot!  (And while you're there, click the LIKE button and help us get to 1000!)

     

DO YOU HAVE A HIDDEN AGENDA?

From the BackStage Experts blog, coach Bill Howey asks us to take a step back and look at ourselves from a different perspective.

A Hidden Acting Agenda is a new term to describe an old phenomenon. These agendas - formed when you, the actor - hide some behavior, attitude or trait because they were the source of criticism or embarrassment in the past.

Let’s say that you were told that “you cry too much and it’s annoying.” So you decide to avoid crying because crying is bad. This decision becomes a Hidden Acting Agenda that subsequently changes every character choice you make.

There may be a list of behaviors or physical traits that others might have disapproved of, such as: talking too loudly, talking too softly, making too many faces, a too even temper, weird-looking eyes, and so on.

Or, you might have come to the conclusion, all by yourself, that you have a specific flaw. Such as telling yourself you can’t do comedy because no one laughs at your jokes.

Hiding traits you feel (or have been convinced) are "wrong" guarantees that your character will not be as complete or as interesting as possible. You may feel safer by avoiding a sensitive area, but the character you portray will be weaker without your hidden vulnerabilities.

Hidden Acting Agendas prevent you from fully discovering your full potential. This is because every character will be missing these “undesirable traits” that make you unique. But you will never know the effect your Hidden Acting Agendas could have if you avoid confronting the discomfort of revealing your “flaws” by thought or deed.

You must think like an adventurer and risk exploring each and every “flaw,” whether it came from someone else or from inside yourself. Adventuring into and uncovering your Hidden Acting Agenda is essential to developing your acting to the highest level possible.

The rewards for exposing your Hidden Acting Agenda can be enormous. Once you stop hiding those traits, your acting can blossom in unexpected ways. Connecting with, and then developing what you may consider your flaws are life giving to characters. Your unique qualities are what differentiate you from other actors.

You arouse feelings in an audience, a casting director, or anyone because you are tapping in to the parts of yourself that you have kept hidden. These flaws resonate with an audience when you allow them to exist as part of your character presentation. When we see an actor reveal herself and allow us to observe what we sense to be an imperfection, we are moved.

Interestingly, your faults and shortcoming can often become the most affecting elements of your acting. The best acting ingredients are always personal and real, and they should be used as the tools they are, not hidden away.

So take some time, be honest with yourself, and write down your Hidden Acting Agenda(s). This will give you a map for this adventure. As you explore those traits, bringing them out of the shadows, you will find yourself growing as an actor.

Bill Howey teaches “Scene Study with Emphasis on Auditioning.” He began a professional acting career at the Cleveland Playhouse. He moved on to
television, film production, produced and directed independent films and worked as a dialog coach for TV shows.