Don’t play the waiting game in your acting career!

Written by Dallas Travers

Every actor plays the waiting game.  Regardless of if you’re waiting to hear about a student film auditions, an agent offer, or whether or not your pilot was picked up, waiting is part of your job.  I know, I know, you’ve been told this a million times, but it’s true.  You must be patient while you pursue your dream.  Patience is indeed a virtue and it’s one that ironically becomes more challenging to master the closer you get to the finish line.

Develop the Habit
It has been said that it takes 21 days to form a habit.  In order to increase your chances of success and avoid show business burnout, you must commit to habits rather than attach to any specific result.  You must practice patience.

You cannot control when your agent will call, when you’ll get your big break, or how often those residual checks come in, but you can control your own daily activity.  Commit to developing the habits of a successful and balanced lifestyle.  This goes back to The Rule of Seven.  No one thing you do will make or break you, but you can create success by consistently doing one thing each day.

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Hosting 101: Quick Tips

Hosting 101: Quick Tips

By Alison Massie

So you want to be a host? Here are some quick tips to keep in mind!

#1: It’s ok if you mess up

Practice doesn’t always make perfect when it comes to hosting. Sometimes you have a script, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes things can be edited out and sometimes they can’t. So take some of the pressure off of yourself by accepting that it doesn’t always have to be perfect. As a host you’re “playing” yourself. And don’t you flub over words sometimes when you talk?

In fact, one of my favorite hosts, Joel McHale of E’s The Soup, messes up from time to time on camera and just keeps right on going. (It’s not even a live show.) It works in his favor since it’s a satirical format, but it’s always best to try push through after a mistake.

#2: Stay versatile

It’s easy to get used to one area of hosting whether it’s live segments, using a teleprompter, conducting interviews, etc., but it’s important to not get set in your ways. There are easy (and free) ways to stay flexible and practice different types of hosting.

If you don’t have access to a teleprompter, try importing scripts into PowerPoint and then reading while  flipping through slides. Interview your friends or family members on topics you’ve never discussed with them. Read the newspaper out loud every day to help with cold reading. The point is, be creative to help hone your skills.

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Emmy Award Winning Cinematographer Thomas McKenney Discusses Tips of the Trade and Proper Set-etiquette for Actors

Sofia Gian, does one thing each day to reach her goal of living her dream.  In this process she interviews industry professionals and learns tricks and tips which actors can use to move their careers forward. Follow her daily quest on www.actressconfessions.typepad.com

Emmy Award Winning Cinematographer Thomas McKenney Discusses Tips of the Trade and Proper Set-etiquette for Actors

While a film director may have a general idea of how a scene should look, it is the responsibility of a cinematographer to make it happen. They are the ones who frame each shot according to the script and the director’s personal vision.

With over 20 years in the film industry, Thomas McKenney has had a lot of experience. He knows what looks good, what looks bad and what is an absolute work of art. He’s worked with Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman to name a few.  It doesn’t matter if he’s worked with big names or with indie productions he offers a cinematographers perspective on what makes a good actor.

First lets start with something easy – You won an Emmy!  What for?

After a few nominations, I got it for a mini-documentary that I did on pre-Rose Parade coverage.  I shot two WWII Air Men, walking the interior of a mock up of their plane.

Interesting story, we arrived at Chino Airport, California–normally an arid climate–it was raining. The producer lamented that we’d have to do the interview inside an office.  I jumped up and said that the rain was perfect, and as they still fit into their old uniforms, I put them and my camera under a wing of the aircraft. The look and sound of the rain “put” them back in time in England waiting for the European Invasion.

How can an actor help the cinematographer get the shot they need?

There is a variety of ways they can do this. First, you should know that there is a big pressure on everyone to work fast and get the shot. Collaboration is key, help me, help you.

Real life happens but getting yourself to the set on time, prepared with a good attitude is key. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

An actor should always come prepared to the set. Be professional. An actor needs to realize that we are all on the same team and that we are all working towards the same goal.

Also, an actor should know their lines and having a sense of feeling their mark or how to hit it. From a cinematographer’s perspective, if they know how to use the light and work with it then it makes our job easier.

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Book Review: The Savvy Actor Career Manual

The Savvy Actor Career Manual bills itself as ‘The Most Comprehensive Actor’s Business Guide Ever’ and while that’s a pretty big claim, I have to say if it isn’t, it gets pretty close.

It’s written by Jodie Bentley and Kevin Urban, both actors themselves so you know this isn’t some dreck that someone is trying to peddle to gullible actors. They live this manual and have seen results. And plus, after reading this, they truly want you to succeed.

The manual comes in a big 3-ring binder with tabs to sort out the 8 sections; Long Term Vision, Goals, Branding, Marketing and 4 others. Each section goes deep into helping you create your business.

Since it’s also a workbook, it also comes complete with spreadsheets, charts, sample cover letters and more (all of which you can also download to use and re-use).

At the beginning, the idea is for you to start thinking of acting as a business (which if you’re not already, you should). So, they begin with helping you create a long-term vision. They have self-evaluations, milestones (from 6 months to 20 years) that you write down in detail. After that, they make you promise – in your own declaration – that you will follow what you have just written.

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Are You On The Periphery Of The Industry?

Are you on the periphery?
by Amy Lyndon

Do you constantly complain that your representatives don’t do spit? Do you look at some of your friends and are envious of their good fortune? Are you on the sidelines looking in?

Not a day goes by where I don’t hear how frustrated someone is with their career. I always seem to be giving the same response, “Do you have everything in order? Are your pictures updated? Do you have a demo reel up on breakdowns? Is your resume properly formatted? Do you have a comprehensive package? Are you an “A” talent with a “C” package? Are you actively submitting to all the websites? Are you in touch with your representatives? Is your “day job” taking up all your time? Are you working at least 5 hours a day on your career?”  If you said “No” to any of these questions, then you have to reevaluate whether or not you’re actually in the game. Your job is to be in the game.

A student came to me frustrated because he didn’t sign with anyone. I said, “How many photos did you send out?” He said, “Uh… I don’t know… about 25.” I said, “You need to send out 300!” Guys, you need to RUN A BUSINESS! Are you attending the appropriate CD workshops for your type? Are you getting all 5′s? Do you know how to book? You can be the greatest actor in the world, but if you don’t know how to book, then you’re not going to work.

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4 Ways to Get Cast Without Improving Your Acting

4 Ways to Get Cast Without Improving Your Acting
by Paul Cram

1. Don’t Apologize

When… You just performed a scene you think went awful. All too often at auditions, actors shoot themselves in the foot doing this. Do yourself a favor and shut up. Instead, focus your attention on if there is any feedback. If there isn’t any, say thanks and leave.

2. Do Apologize

When… You are running late. Call and let ‘em briefly know how much longer you’ll be for you to arrive. When you do get there, say a simple “sorry for keeping you waiting” to everyone that you’ve effected by your tardiness.

3. Arrive Fashionably Early

Five minutes early for auditions, Ten minutes early for a job.

4. Say Your Name, Say Your Name, Say Your Name

At auditions, call backs, industry parties and on jobs. Don’t assume people know you. Be the first to extend your hand saying, “Hello, my name is…” Studies show that it takes someone hearing or seeing you several times to remember you.

Paul Cram, a working actor (check out his IMDB profile here), shares his thoughts on getting cast again and again by the same people.

The Importance Of Objective In A Scene

Hello fellow actors!

Thanks for the great feedback  from my last column about using the law of attraction to feel confident at your auditions. I’d like to begin a series of columns explaining how to break down audition scripts and utilize objectives, obstacles, substitutions inner objects and actions on every line to nail your auditions and book the part.

But first I’d like to introduce you to a book called The Healing Code which I’ve recently discovered. Authored by Alex Loyd and Dr. Ben Johnson (featured in the Secret video), The Healing Code offers a 6 minute series of body positions that offer deep relaxation and help you eliminate wrong or limiting beliefs systems at the same time. A friend of mine who is a successful acupuncturist and healer suggested that I read the book and use it before auditions and in general. I found the 6 minute system to be incredible. It takes you to a deep place of relaxation within a very a short time. I used it before an audition last week and experienced a sense of peace, strength and presence that was very powerful. I believe it’s only available on Amazon. Don’t think, just buy it (and no, I’m not getting a commission, I just really believe in this system because it’s working!!!)

So let’s get back to the basics of breaking down an audition script. What’s the most important thing to figure out in each of your audition scenes?

Objective.

Objective is key because all of your work as an actor will revolve around your character’s objective. By objective of course we mean, “what does your character need from the other person in the scene?”  An objective needs to be stated very simply as it specifically relates to the other person in your scene. Never state your objective in general terms like “I want love”, but rather be specific. “I need you to love me”.  You determine your character’s objective by asking, “if I were this character, what would I want from the other person?”

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Failure: Are you a victim of it?

Go With the Flow & Keep Truckin’!
by Dallas Travers, CEC

It was Albert Einstein who said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”  Every action you take produces a result. Your job is to take an objective look at the results you produce and make the necessary adjustments before taking the next action.  If you audition countless times without producing a callback, it’s time to adjust how you approach auditions.  If your current headshots look great, but don’t produce auditions, it’s time to re-evaluate your photos. If you’ve been with the same manager or acting coach for years yet your career hasn’t changed, it might be time to shake up your team a little.  If you can’t seem to catch a break doing what you’re doing, it’s time to do it differently.  It’s not time to quit, but it is time to avoid insanity.  In order to create the career of your dreams, you must be willing to take action, to try new things, and to make some mistakes along the way.

Let me be crystal clear here. I am in no way suggesting that you jump around giving up on things before they have time to develop.  I am also not suggesting that you quit when the going gets rough.  I am simply reminding you to stay alert and open to making changes.  Be flexible in your actions and willing to adjust the plan as things unfold.  That’s all.

Flexibility can help you to avoid failure. Please know however, that failure itself is not actually real.  Dr. Wayne Dyer discusses failure in his book, Ten Secrets for Success and Inner Peace.  He writes, “This may come as a surprise to you, but failure is an illusion.  No one ever fails at anything.  Everything you do produces a result.”

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Why Actors Need Websites – 6 Money Saving Tips

Imagine this: You are in your car (or walking to the subway) and you suddenly get a call from a casting director. They are interested in submitting you for an upcoming project, but need to forward your headshot & resume to the director within the next 30 minutes. You’re not at your computer, so you cannot email your materials to them. And you’re nowhere near their office, so you cannot just drop by with a physical copy of your headshot/resume. What can you do?

Or, imagine this: You are networking at an event (like the Tribeca Film Festival) and you have met so many people that you have handed out your last copy of your reel. You run into an agent who has seen you on stage, but comments that he would like to see your film work. He asks if you have a reel to give him. Sadly, you don’t, and it will be at least a week until you can get more duplicates made. What now?

If you are a business-minded actor, you would have a website and neither case would have been a problem! You could simply tell the casting director, “Drop by my website, where you can download a copy of my headshot and resume, both formatted for printing.” And for the agent, you would be able to say, “Here’s my website. Not only do I have my reel posted, but I also have clips from a few of the other projects I have done, including some singing and a few commercials.”

Having a website is one of the most important promotional tools an actor can have, second only to a good headshot. A website allows you to provide interested parties with a more full look at your body of work, your personality, and the way you run your business. And it allows them to do it in their own time, at their pace and leisure, which is vitally important in the larger, more competitive markets. The easier you can make it for a CD/agent to get to know you, the better chance you have of making an impact with them.

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7 Secrets To Thrive As An Actor

Seven Secrets for Thriving Artists
by Dallas Travers, CEC

1. Keep Your Word
Your word is your bond, so follow-up and follow-through.  Say what you mean and mean what you say.  Do what you say you will do.  Don’t gossip. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. Speak freely and openly about your life and career, but walk your walk.  Remember, actions speak louder than words.

2. Mind Your Own Business
Bette Davis once said, “I do not regret one professional enemy I have made. Any actor who doesn’t dare to make an enemy should get out of the business.”  The opinions of others are, quite frankly, none of your business.  Do not allow yourself to be distracted or discouraged by what others think, or say, or do.  Yes, accept advice and feedback, but never forget that no one knows you like you do.

3. Don’t Take Yourself So Seriously
When you take yourself too seriously, you create unneeded stress, worry, and disappointment. Your best work comes from a place of freedom and playfulness.  When you adopt a make-or-break attitude, you stifle your creativity.  Though it may be tough to hear, no one else takes your mistakes or questions as seriously as you do.  You are not as important as your ego would have you believe.  So, take a chill pill, set your ego aside for a bit, and play with possibility.

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