The Successful Talent: Tips for the Actor & Model

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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DO YOU KNOW YOURSELF?

 

Figuring out who we are and what we're meant to do is a lifelong process. Some of us are fortunate enough to find out at an early age, while others may adopt being a jack of all trades and dabbling in a bit of everything.  Talent who have successful careers and develop naturally have what the industry calls the "it" factor.  In reality, they are simply comfortable knowing who they are and what they have to offer without forcing anything outside of that on themselves or their audience.  Here are some ways to learn more about yourself as suggested by Anthony Meindl.

Start with yourself. If you start anywhere else, it’s a false start, and you’ll just be forced to go back to the starting line and begin again and again.

Starting with yourself means finding the place within you that is not influenced by outside forces. It’s not affected by what other people say or do. It’s not discouraged by people wanting to stop you. It’s not even concerned with the negative things you say about yourself, which come from the conditioned part of our left brain.

When I was in my 20s, I spent a great amount of time running away from who I was. I was always trying to be someone else – wanting to be liked, popular, cool, or attractive.  But no matter how hard I tried to avoid myself, I kept coming back to me. By my 30s, I realized that who I was – who we all are – is the thing we keep looking for somewhere else.  In someone else.

Our essential self (which makes each of us unique) is the part of us that is connected to something bigger than our egos. It’s like you are one of those limitless channels available on TV.  To receive the broadcast, you’ve got to keep your channel open. You’ve got to get out of your own way. You’ve got to get out of its way. Keep it open. Stay plugged in.  It’s not an easy job because the ego wants to get in there and take credit, lay blame, excuse, rationalize, defend, or judge.

Because each of us is uniquely different, the expression of our true selves will be unique, innovative, original, and dynamic. Look at the actors you admire.  You don’t have to work so hard trying to “do.” You don’t have to put something “on.”  You don’t have to show. You simply have to allow. Surrender. Align. Accept. Be.

Watch what happens. Just. Stay. Open.

You are the vehicle. Let yourself be driven. 

Are you still learning to accept who you are?  If you've found that sweet spot and are comfortable in your own shoes, what advice do you have for those who have not yet?

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MEETING A NEW AGENT?

Commercial Print Instructor, Scott Powers provides us with an inside look of what to expect from an Agents' Office.

[Agent offices] come in all sizes and shapes.  Just like agents, actually!

Some agent's offices give off a friendly vibe, others just cold.  Some are professionally organized, others outdo a college dorm room.  Don't let any negativity or weirdness impact on you.  Always think:  happy, bouncy perky.  You're the talent.  Again, rise above the fray.  Some offices seem to be out of control, especially if they're working on last-minute castings.  Don't get caught up in the chaos; keep your cool, your focus.  Remember if you're kept waiting, don't get upset -- at least visibly.  Waiting means that office is really busy with casting and that's where you want to be!  If you walk into an office and they have all the time in the world to chat with you, you may have a great meeting, but the volume of work coming out of that office may not be want you want.

But what is going on while you are present doesn't tell all.  Note that the commercial side of an office tends to be more hectic with bookings for the next day; the legit side can be more peaceful, working on castings done for upcoming projects, not necessarily so time sensitive.  Same office, split personalities.

An interesting observation:  some offices in our industry do not, or no longer, have air conditioning.  [They just] can't afford it.  Keep this in mind during the spring/summer months.  Refrain from the cliché actions of fanning one's self with your headshot, looking inconvenienced or staring like a silent Friedrich, whose compressor died three years ago.  Just think, YOU don't work there every day!'''

This is your chance to make a great first impression within a matter of minutes.  Are you setting the stage for a profitable relationship?

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AND THE WINNERS ARE?

With only a couple of days away from the 85th Academy Awards, the intensity is at a high. As showtime is quickly approaching and viewers plan for Oscar parties, the Red Carpet, and performances, nothing can compare to the moment the winners are announced. The question is, who amongst the nominees has what it takes to take home the gold?

Here is a list of the Nominees:

Actor in a Leading Role

• Bradley Cooper in "Silver Linings Playbook"
• Daniel Day-Lewis in "Lincoln"
• Hugh Jackman in "Les Misérables"
• Joaquin Phoenix in "The Master"
• Denzel Washington in "Flight"

Actor in a Supporting Role

• Alan Arkin in "Argo"
• Robert De Niro in "Silver Linings Playbook"
• Philip Seymour Hoffman in "The Master"
• Tommy Lee Jones in "Lincoln"
• Christoph Waltz in "Django Unchained"

Actress in a Leading Role

• Jessica Chastain in "Zero Dark Thirty"
• Jennifer Lawrence in "Silver Linings Playbook"
• Emmanuelle Riva in "Amour"
• Quvenzhané Wallis in "Beasts of the Southern Wild"
• Naomi Watts in "The Impossible"

Actress in a Supporting Role

• Amy Adams in "The Master"
• Sally Field in "Lincoln"
• Anne Hathaway in "Les Misérables"
• Helen Hunt in "The Sessions"
• Jacki Weaver in "Silver Linings Playbook"

Animated Feature Film

• "Brave" Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman
• "Frankenweenie" Tim Burton
• "ParaNorman" Sam Fell and Chris Butler
• "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" Peter Lord
• "Wreck-It Ralph" Rich Moore

Cinematography

• "Anna Karenina" Seamus McGarvey
• "Django Unchained" Robert Richardson
• "Life of Pi" Claudio Miranda
• "Lincoln" Janusz Kaminski
• "Skyfall" Roger Deakins

Costume Design

• "Anna Karenina" Jacqueline Durran
• "Les Misérables" Paco Delgado
• "Lincoln" Joanna Johnston
• "Mirror Mirror" Eiko Ishioka
• "Snow White and the Huntsman" Colleen Atwood

Directing

• "Amour" Michael Haneke
• "Beasts of the Southern Wild" Benh Zeitlin
• "Life of Pi" Ang Lee
• "Lincoln" Steven Spielberg
• "Silver Linings Playbook" David O. Russell

Documentary Feature

• "5 Broken Cameras"
  Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi
• "The Gatekeepers"
  Dror Moreh, Philippa Kowarsky and Estelle Fialon
• "How to Survive a Plague"
  David France and Howard Gertler
• "The Invisible War"
  Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering
• "Searching for Sugar Man"
  Malik Bendjelloul and Simon Chinn

Documentary Short Subject

• "Inocente"
  Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine
• "Kings Point"
  Sari Gilman and Jedd Wider
• "Mondays at Racine"
  Cynthia Wade and Robin Honan
• "Open Heart"
  Kief Davidson and Cori Shepherd Stern
• "Redemption"
  Jon Alpert and Matthew O'Neill

Film Editing

• "Argo" William Goldenberg
• "Life of Pi" Tim Squyres
• "Lincoln" Michael Kahn
• "Silver Linings Playbook" Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers
• "Zero Dark Thirty" Dylan Tichenor and William Goldenberg

Foreign Language Film

• "Amour" Austria
• "Kon-Tiki" Norway
• "No" Chile
• "A Royal Affair" Denmark
• "War Witch" Canada

Makeup and Hairstyling

• "Hitchcock"
  Howard Berger, Peter Montagna and Martin Samuel
• "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"
  Peter Swords King, Rick Findlater and Tami Lane
• "Les Misérables"
  Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell

Music (Original Score)

• "Anna Karenina" Dario Marianelli
• "Argo" Alexandre Desplat
• "Life of Pi" Mychael Danna
• "Lincoln" John Williams
• "Skyfall" Thomas Newman

Music (Original Song)

• "Before My Time" from "Chasing Ice"
  Music and Lyric by J. Ralph
• "Everybody Needs A Best Friend" from "Ted"
  Music by Walter Murphy; Lyric by Seth MacFarlane
• "Pi's Lullaby" from "Life of Pi"
  Music by Mychael Danna; Lyric by Bombay Jayashri
• "Skyfall" from "Skyfall"
  Music and Lyric by Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth
• "Suddenly" from "Les Misérables"
  Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; Lyric by Herbert Kretzmer and Alain Boublil

Best Picture

• "Amour" Margaret Menegoz, Stefan Arndt, Veit Heiduschka and Michael Katz, Producers
• "Argo" Grant Heslov, Ben Affleck and George Clooney, Producers
• "Beasts of the Southern Wild" Dan Janvey, Josh Penn and Michael Gottwald, Producers
• "Django Unchained" Stacey Sher, Reginald Hudlin and Pilar Savone, Producers
• "Les Misérables" Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward and Cameron Mackintosh, Producers
• "Life of Pi" Gil Netter, Ang Lee and David Womark, Producers
• "Lincoln" Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers
• "Silver Linings Playbook" Donna Gigliotti, Bruce Cohen and Jonathan Gordon, Producers
• "Zero Dark Thirty" Mark Boal, Kathryn Bigelow and Megan Ellison, Producers

Production Design

• "Anna Karenina"
  Production Design: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
• "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"
  Production Design: Dan Hennah; Set Decoration: Ra Vincent and Simon Bright
• "Les Misérables"
  Production Design: Eve Stewart; Set Decoration: Anna Lynch-Robinson
• "Life of Pi"
  Production Design: David Gropman; Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock
• "Lincoln"
  Production Design: Rick Carter; Set Decoration: Jim Erickson

Short Film (Animated)

• "Adam and Dog" Minkyu Lee
• "Fresh Guacamole" PES
• "Head over Heels" Timothy Reckart and Fodhla Cronin O'Reilly
• "Maggie Simpson in "The Longest Daycare"" David Silverman
• "Paperman" John Kahrs

Short Film (Live Action)

• "Asad" Bryan Buckley and Mino Jarjoura
• "Buzkashi Boys" Sam French and Ariel Nasr
• "Curfew" Shawn Christensen
• "Death of a Shadow (Dood van een Schaduw)" Tom Van Avermaet and Ellen De Waele
• "Henry" Yan England

Sound Editing

• "Argo" Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn
• "Django Unchained" Wylie Stateman
• "Life of Pi" Eugene Gearty and Philip Stockton
• "Skyfall" Per Hallberg and Karen Baker Landers
• "Zero Dark Thirty" Paul N.J. Ottosson

Sound Mixing

• "Argo"
  John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff and Jose Antonio Garcia
• "Les Misérables"
  Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson and Simon Hayes
• "Life of Pi"
  Ron Bartlett, D.M. Hemphill and Drew Kunin
• "Lincoln"
  Andy Nelson, Gary Rydstrom and Ronald Judkins
• "Skyfall"
  Scott Millan, Greg P. Russell and Stuart Wilson

Visual Effects

• "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"
  Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton and R. Christopher White
• "Life of Pi"
  Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer and Donald R. Elliott
• "Marvel's The Avengers"
  Janek Sirrs, Jeff White, Guy Williams and Dan Sudick
• "Prometheus"
  Richard Stammers, Trevor Wood, Charley Henley and Martin Hill
• "Snow White and the Huntsman"
  Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, Philip Brennan, Neil Corbould and Michael Dawson

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

• "Argo" Screenplay by Chris Terrio
• "Beasts of the Southern Wild" Screenplay by Lucy Alibar & Benh Zeitlin
• "Life of Pi" Screenplay by David Magee
• "Lincoln" Screenplay by Tony Kushner
• "Silver Linings Playbook" Screenplay by David O. Russell

Writing (Original Screenplay)

• "Amour" Written by Michael Haneke
• "Django Unchained" Written by Quentin Tarantino
• "Flight" Written by John Gatins
• "Moonrise Kingdom" Written by Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola
• "Zero Dark Thirty" Written by Mark Boal

All nominations are selected by a panel of the Academy. This year that panel ensured a diverse showing under each category.

Do you think there is a nominee missing from any of these categories?

 

FOUR SIMPLE WAYS TO BOOK MORE WORK!

What can you do to book more jobs?  Every talent asks this question and although a lot is dictated by outside variable and other decision makers, some of the easiest things a talent can do are frequently overlooked or dismissed as unimportant.  You are already working on your skill set, building your resume or reel, and developing a bigger network of contacts.  What else matters?

Here is a list of simple things that successful talent do on a daily basis that set them apart from their peers:

1.)  Pick up the phone.  The talent on The Avenue's roster who book the most work consistently answer the phone when the agency calls.  It may sound trite, but being able to access a talent quickly means being able to respond to the client more quickly -- and in many cases, the early bird books the job.  Case in point, last week I called a talent and left a message early in the morning.  I didn't hear back from the talent until very late that night.  The job had already been booked and the late caller not only lost the opportunity, but lost a little of my confidence.  As an agent, we want to know to that we can count on the talent to do their part of our partnership, so the talent who readily respond are always going to be our go-to pick when we are in a pinch!

2.) Follow directions.  You always follow directions right?  Of course, you do!  Well, you mean to anyway.  Best intentions aren't good enough when it comes to following directions.  As an independent contractor, you have many different clients asking for similiar things with different details.  Should you bring 1 headshot or 3.  Did you wear black pants when you were supposed to wear khaki?  Can the CD count on you to listen and then nail their direction in front of the director?  I recently witnessed a well-meaning and very talented actor submit a taped audition for a big role.  The audition was phenomenal, but the file was not sent according to the directions that had been given.  Casting did not realize the tape was there until after the role had already been cast.  A very sad day for the talent who nailed the audition and was never even considered for the part -- and now has created the impression with casting that he/she can't follow directions. 

3.)  Be able to submit a taped audition from home -- immediately!  Our digital age is exciting and has opened up opportunity to a lot of actors outside of the biggest markets.  Those who are self-reliant and respond quickly are booking work all over the place!  The talent who rely on another person, another person's technology or expertise, or even someone they hire for help are missing the boat.  Sure, your agent may be willing to tape you, but do you really WANT them spending time burning down audition tapes?  No, they should be working to get you more opportunities!  Self taping has become so simple that every home has access to some sort of video recording and computer burning device.  It may vary from person to person, but the end result is the same.  The talent who don't make excuses and figure out a way to make it work are the talent who are working.  They are also the talent who the agent is going to call first and when under pressure or time deadlines.  Don't you want to be that first call?

4.)  Be willing.  This is an industry of unknowns.  Models are doing taped submissions for jobs today as often as actors are.  The models who are willing to try working with a video camera instead of a still camera are the models who are working.  And the added bonus is that a lot of them are booking jobs that pay residual, which means they are making a lot more money than they have in the past.  Being flexible and willing to try something that you

Sometimes your bottom line profit is about more than your abilities as a model or actor.  In this high drama industry, everyone is looking for the easiest way to keep their set functional and friendly.  Are you making their life easier and giving yourself an advantage?

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WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?

The hallmark holiday of love is heated topic in entertainment.  As consumers, we tend to either make it a grandiose holiday or ignore it altogether.  Rather than doing either extreme, have you thought about how passionate you are towards your career?  Or maybe what emotions the valentine's holiday conjures up for you?  These are great questions to take stock of now for future characters, story lines, or shoots!  Or could you just use the holiday to get a whole lot of hits on YouTube and become an overnight sensation?

 

So this is the industry asking politely . . . will you be it's Valentine?

TED TALK WITH SUPERMODEL CAMERON RUSSELL

In this TED talk by Supermodel Cameron Russell, we get to live from the model's point of view the true power of beauty and the entertainment industry.  Her disarming appeal and approach will win you over!   Think that modeling is the career path for you? 

 

Supermodel Cameron Russell has graced the cover of Vogue and launched the Victoria's Secret runway during her career, but those are just some of her accomplishments.  Russell began modeling at 16 years of age under the eye of Ford Models.  She is currently housed with Elite.  Her most notable credits include runway fashion shows for designers including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, Ralph Lauren, Victoria's Secret, and Diane von Fürstenberg.

She majored in economics and political science at Columbia University.  She is involved in charitable organizations and gives her time as a model to give back to her community.

 

 

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MORE HOLIDAY VIDEO FUN (Part 4)

At this year's holiday party, The Avenue's talent were given an open forum to record whatever came to mind. With no preparation or forewarning, many brave souls were willing and vulnerable enough to share a piece of holiday spirit with us. In the following blogs, we will share their video choices and YOU will get to decide which video will win! The lucky winner will be announced after all videos have been posted and can pick up their prize from myself at The Avenue. So tell your friends, share on facebook, and tweet away -- will it be you?

 

Talent are known for beating themselves up, but Caleb takes it to a whole new level.  Someone help this kid!

 

 

Jeremy Curtis, Katie Groshong, and friends need more chips.  And yes, we'll let you start over!

 

 

May Hwen melts our hearts.

 

 

To vote for Caleb, Jeremy & Katie, or May, leave a comment below.  The video with the most comments will be announced next week, so check back.  Did you pick the winner?

 

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MORE HOLIDAY VIDEO FUN (Part 3)

At this year's holiday party, The Avenue's talent were given an open forum to record whatever came to mind. With no preparation or forewarning, many brave souls were willing and vulnerable enough to share a piece of holiday spirit with us. In the following blogs, we will share their video choices and YOU will get to decide which video will win! The lucky winner will be announced after all videos have been posted and can pick up their prize from myself at The Avenue. So tell your friends, share on facebook, and tweet away -- will it be you?

 

 I'm not sure who is to "blame", but Joel Diggs might just have a little Michael Jackson deep down!

  

 

Jacob Hunnicutt shares a top 40 Jason Mraz to keep all the holiday cheer real.

 

 

David Ditmore, Heather Liddington, Stephanie Gamonet and friends offer some holiday specials!

 

 

Are you fearless?  These talent are!  Every opportunity is an exciting experiment, and some of the best just happen naturally when we aren't hindered by our own fears.  Vote by leaving a comment about your favorite video below.  Will you make David, Heather, Stephanie, Jacob, or Joel our winner?

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2012 Holiday Party!

MORE HOLIDAY VIDEO FUN (Part 2)

At this year's holiday party, The Avenue's talent were given an open forum to record whatever came to mind. With no preparation or forewarning, many brave souls were willing and vulnerable enough to share a piece of holiday spirit with us. In the following blogs, we will share their video choices and YOU will get to decide which video will win (the video with the most comments below, so comment away)! The lucky winner will be announced after all videos have been posted and can pick up their prize from myself at The Avenue. So tell your friends, share on facebook, and tweet away -- will it be you?

Lynn Summers beautifully orates from the heart.

 

 

Isaiah Stratton gives us some sage advice.

 

Penie White brings her warm sunny personality to heat up our winter festivities.

 

 

Vote for your favorite holiday video by leaving a comment below.  One winner will be chosen after all videos have been posted.  More videos yet to come, so check back next week!   Whose video is best so far -- Lynn, Isaiah, or Penie?

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