Having your marketing materials in good condition is one thing you can control as the talent in an industry with so many subjective variables. Another variable the talent can control is being timely and helping casting stay on schedule. Again, Mercedes Rose, blogger for Backstage Unscripted, shares her experience from the perspective of casting.
A
pro actor shows up on time, prepared. We saw over 75 actors total
from beginning to end. But we had 95 scheduled. You do the math. Wait- you
might be as bad at math as I am... according to my handy calculator, that is
about 20 actors that didn't show up. 4 contacted their agent to let us know.
The rest? We call those "no shows". The producer asked me to make a
list for him of all the names of those that were a no-show. He posted it above
his desk under sign reading "don't accept checks from". He has a
funny sense of humor. About half of all the actors were late to their scheduled
time. The two that finally booked the spot were early. Coincidence? Maybe.
Be Timely. Get Booked.
How do you ensure you are early to all of your professional commitments?
Mercedes Rose, blogger for Backstage Unscripted provides perspective on
other things the casting directors look for. As obvious as it sounds, headshots are one of the biggest headaches CDs deal with. She says . . .
Many
actors do not look like their headshots. Or forget them entirely so I
have no idea if they look like their headshots or not. This is such a
no-brainer I can't believe it is still an issue... bring a headshot and resume
already stapled to every audition NO MATTER WHAT. Better to have it and not
need it then need it and not have it. And that headshot that you remembered to
bring every time should look like you. And preferably it shouldn't have a
coffee stain right across your forehead. This is your calling card. What is it
saying?
I am sure I haven't heard every excuse in the book . . . yet, but I don't deal with as any talent as a CD would. Each time a CD hears an excuse, (s)he becomes more callous, which means you could be the next unfortunate soul to have all the negative feelings of prior irresponsible actors or models thrown at you. No one wants to be the straw that breaks the camel's back when it comes to explosive anger. Set yourself up for positive feedback and positive experiences - be professional and prepared!
How do you keep your headshots available and in good condition for last minute audition opportunities?
So much of a talent's time is focused on trying to book the job that we rarely consider the ramifications of work afterwards. Nailing the audition or go-see is always a good start, but it doesn't end there. The Virtual Channel Network's Inside Casting interviewed Mean GirlsCasting Director Marci Liroff about her experience casting and what followed after the actors had been offered the roles. Click the link below to watch more and hear her tell the story.
Truth be told, we all have bad days. We could even admit that we all suffer from a bad attitude from time to time. But being outright bulligerant to a CD, Director, or Producer''s request will only end up hurting you in the end. With or without Mr. Grumpy-Pants, the movie Mean Girls was a success. The producers made money. The director was praised. And the actors went home from the screening feeling very good about their work . . . well, most of the actors, anyway.
Happy Labor Day! What are you doing in front of a screen? You should be celebrating all the hard work you've put into your career by kicking back, relaxing, watching a football game, or lounging by the lake (or ocean for those lucky few)!
While Labor Day might be a relaxing break for most of us, Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, and Tobey MaGuire are hard at work on a new movie called . . . that's right, LABOR DAY! It may conjure up thoughts of fun, laughter, and good times with friends for most of us, but the movie has us in for a surprise. Set to release in 2013, the drama tells the story of a depressed single mother who offers to help someone else. Sadly, the person in need is not who she assumed and things turn unfortunate for Kate.
Keep an eye out for Labor Day to hit theatres . . . and make your Labor Day holiday more of a safe comedy!
Social media becomes a bigger factor in booking on almost a daily basis. Repeatedly in the past few months, I have heard producers, directors, and photographers say things like, "I wanted to know more about [insert your name here], so I checked out his/her facebook page and saw . . . " That lead in has ended with some really positive statements and translated into a booking for the named talent. It has also sometimes began a displeasurable rant about politics, sexuality, religion, and other topics.
Social medias are a new front for marketing, entertainment, and communication. Like most new things, we are going to have to learn some lessons the hard way before the younger generations are coached on how to use them effectively. Since most of us are already adults and making an effort to join the technological era, these words from BackStage blogger Mercedes Rose are well-timed.
Social
media does make a difference. A producer in the room for
final callbacks recalled a recent very negative Facebook posting
one of the actor had recently done. The producer immediately said he wasn't
"overly excited" about the prospect of that negative energy coming to
set. Now, I totally understand that one negative FB status does not a negative
actor make. The point is: this producer didn't want to take that chance. And
that is his right as the one doing the hiring.
In his new book, Talking Back to Facebook: A Common Sense Guide To Raising Kids in the Digital Age,
Steyer explores some of the effects of digital media and
outlines strategies for avoiding what he calls
RAP — relationship issues, attention/addiction problems and privacy
pitfalls — while navigating the digital world. "Young people in particular often self-reveal before they self-reflect," Steyer tells Fresh Air'sDave Davies. "There is no eraser button today for indiscretion."
There is a place for personal discussions in life - it is between those involved and in private. There is also a time for venting and bouncing ideas off of trusted sources - it is again, between those involved and in private. Social medias are too easily accessible, too quickly completed, and too likely to not be filtered based on statistical analysis noted in the book, Talking Back to Facebook.
There are ways to make certain posts visible to a specific group of friends; say, your family of origin, for example. Keep in mind, though, that the information you posted may only be immediately visible to those you choose, but it is still accessible out there on the worldwide web. No need to have haunting things pop up later when you make it big, right?
How are you using your social media positively? What results have you seen?
Open any major fashion magazine this month and you will see the face of
The Avenue's Meghan Wiggins in Guess' latest campaign. Elle Magazine
features a full spread in the front cover! Watch for more Meghan in future weeks on your local billboards and store campaigns.
Surprising as it is, there are a lot of models and actors in entertainment are rather quiet when off screen. These introverts can be successful in the industry, even if they aren't peppered throughout the tabloids for spouting off in public. Being heard is important, but more important still is being understood.
As an actor, the audience can't follow your character if they don't understand your speech (as well as movement and expression). For those who aren't naturally going to project their voices, learning how to be heard effectively can be as simple as a little practice.
Then start weight lifting with your lips! One very simple exercise Susan recommends is using tongue twisters to polish your clear vowel and consanant sounds. Try these several times a day for the next week and give your lips and tongue a good workout, too!
Green tea ice cream is a treat to eat
Mean men may cause harm
Go with the flow to stay in the know
Ed said get into bed
She lost her poise after hearing the noise
I knew the crew in a blue canoe
The next time you're in front of the camera, your lips will be primed and confident -- and everyone will know exactly what you are being hired to share (which will get you hired again soon)!
HBO's Documentary, "About Face: Supermodels Then and Now" debuted in New York City. Director and producer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders brought the faces that launched the fashion industry together in his documentary to explore their lives and the complex relationship between physical appearance and the business of beauty. He disspells rumors, myths, and even conquers the tough realities of aging and it's effects on women worldwide.
If you read the blog earlier this week, you might be playing in three leaf clovers with your new irish accent. Next up, the scottish accent! You might be thinking "but aren't these basically the same thing?" NO! To the untrained ear, they may sound similar, but the difference is important. So what better example to showcase a scottish accent than with Disney's new movie Brave which takes place in Scotland.
It's all in the pronunciation you say? Why yes, it totally is. For example, the scottish only emphasize and roll one "r" and words ending in "ing" are pronounced normally but the "g" is dropped. Also, The letter "i" is spoken like "ayt" as in "right" and "fight". All of these rules might be hard to learn by by reading text, so check out this video where Gareth Jameson, an actor and voice coach, teaches the basics of a Scottish accent:
Are you BRAVE enough to learn the Scottish accent?
These days it isn't necessarily what you know, it's who you know. With that being said, networking is one of the most important things in the entertainment industry. It can actually make or break your career! Having trouble finding ways to network? Think about volunteering! Lisa Dempsey from AuditionArt.com writes about how volunteering can actually get you cast.
A great way to make those connections and become a familiar face is volunteering. Every show, every theatre, every company could use another body helping out. Whether that be in the box office, ushering, painting, or building sets, if you’re there meeting people and networking, then you are helping yourself get cast in their next production.
By bringing up in conversation that you are an actor, maybe mentioning names of people or theatres you’ve worked with, and by being a joy to be around, you’re marketing yourself and getting your foot in the door. If they like you, can rely on you and know that you are a credited actor looking to work, they will most likely think of you if they have last minute auditions or need a replacement.
Volunteering can also just make you a “familiar face”. Being recognizable is incredibly important in the audition room as it can spark the question: “Where have I seen you before?” This conversation starter can allow you the opportunity to let your sparkling personality shine! Win them over; tell them you’re volunteering for them, maybe even mention how you’ve become good friends with the producer or house manager. They’ll be flattered and impressed that you are so active and involved, and will also have a person to connect you to and remember you by.
Taking one night out of the week to volunteer at a theatre, local festival or even on a low budget movie set can really improve your chances in this industry and build your long term network. Its not free work if you enjoy doing it and make new relationships out of it, right? Volunteering can be fun, it's all what you make out of it!
Have you ever volunteered or done a project without pay and then watched those connections turn into paying work later? Tell me your story. We all need inspiration!
