This morning I stumbled across an actors blog directory.
There were a lot of upcoming actors with a lot of nothing on their resume. Movie and TV extras who are hoping to the next Gunter (Friends). Unsubstantiated claims of being the best superhero, comedian, actor.... Blah, Blah, Blah.
They are off to a good start. Did you know that in order to be someone in movie/tvland, you will need to be the master of shameless self promotion?
Being a past alumni of the entertainment industry, I have put together a list of ways to shamelessly promote yourself in order to get noticed in the acting industry. Even with little or no background at all!
AN ACTING RESUME THAT STANDS OUT
The most important components of an acting resume are: film credits, tv Credits, theatre Credits, training / workshops, and special skills. This is the only resume you'll ever make that does not have to be 100% accurate. Agents and casting will never call your references. Make sure not to forget to list everything you have done - angel at church christmas play when you were 5, lead actor in stupid stunt video projects ..... Just make sure you file them under the right category.
Under training and workshops, list all the acting classes you could have possibly taken. Then, research acting schools or instructors in your neighborhood that are well respected. A good place to start is The Directory of Acting Schools in the US and Canadian Acting Schools. Go on acting forums and see which coaches are creating a buzz. On your acting resume list that you are on a waitlist for that class.
GET YOUR PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOT TAKEN
A professional photographer will give you a contact sheet or proofs to chose your headshot from. Pick one that shows character. Avoid the Michaelangelo David profile and the thoughtful stare. That's just goofy. Get about 100 repros and 1000 business cards and you are almost ready to be showcased!
MAKE A VIDEO DEMO
Get a friend to videotape you. Pick a couple of monologues from Anne's Page of Actor's Monologues. Never pick anything that Al Pacino or Jack Nicholson has done. That's actor suicide. Remember to edit each 15 minute monologue to the best 30 second clip. Put it on a CD and you are done!
GET LISTED!
Of course, all actors need to be listed on IMDB.com. Even if you are a nobody. Dont forget to upload your video!
NOW, YOU ARE READY TO SHAMELESSLY PROMOTE YOURSELF!
Let's go find an agent. Good agents are never hard to get. You just need to know how to get them! The Production Hub has a very reliable list of acting agencies. Find out which agencies represent famous faces! Send them an email with your resume, picture and video. Ring their office doorbells and pretend you're the Fedex guy and deliver them a package yourself! And when you get your own agent, do not forget to drop by to bring coffee, orchestrate chance meetings, or move in the same apartment building. Just act your way into everything coincidental.
Find out what's in production in your area. - IMDB and Local Film Commissions. Research who the important people are that are involved - casting directors, producers, and directors. Frequent celebrity hangouts. Fake your way into wrap parties. A good indication of a success is if you have passed out at least 50 business cards in one night. Always remember who you've met that night and google them when you get home.
Auditions - Casting assistants are also invaluable friends. Make sure to also drop by to bring coffee, orchestrate chance meetings, or move into the same building. They work with casting directors and will be the future wave. Casting assistants are usually responsible for audition list and will be able to sneak a name in, given the right conditions.
Word of advise from The Diva.... I do not recommend sleeping with the powers-that-be in order to get a role. That's just plain stupid. And you'll never get the part. You dont think producers know how to exploit actors shamelessly?
There were a lot of upcoming actors with a lot of nothing on their resume. Movie and TV extras who are hoping to the next Gunter (Friends). Unsubstantiated claims of being the best superhero, comedian, actor.... Blah, Blah, Blah.
They are off to a good start. Did you know that in order to be someone in movie/tvland, you will need to be the master of shameless self promotion?
Being a past alumni of the entertainment industry, I have put together a list of ways to shamelessly promote yourself in order to get noticed in the acting industry. Even with little or no background at all!
AN ACTING RESUME THAT STANDS OUT
The most important components of an acting resume are: film credits, tv Credits, theatre Credits, training / workshops, and special skills. This is the only resume you'll ever make that does not have to be 100% accurate. Agents and casting will never call your references. Make sure not to forget to list everything you have done - angel at church christmas play when you were 5, lead actor in stupid stunt video projects ..... Just make sure you file them under the right category.
Under training and workshops, list all the acting classes you could have possibly taken. Then, research acting schools or instructors in your neighborhood that are well respected. A good place to start is The Directory of Acting Schools in the US and Canadian Acting Schools. Go on acting forums and see which coaches are creating a buzz. On your acting resume list that you are on a waitlist for that class.
GET YOUR PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOT TAKEN
A professional photographer will give you a contact sheet or proofs to chose your headshot from. Pick one that shows character. Avoid the Michaelangelo David profile and the thoughtful stare. That's just goofy. Get about 100 repros and 1000 business cards and you are almost ready to be showcased!
MAKE A VIDEO DEMO
Get a friend to videotape you. Pick a couple of monologues from Anne's Page of Actor's Monologues. Never pick anything that Al Pacino or Jack Nicholson has done. That's actor suicide. Remember to edit each 15 minute monologue to the best 30 second clip. Put it on a CD and you are done!
GET LISTED!
Of course, all actors need to be listed on IMDB.com. Even if you are a nobody. Dont forget to upload your video!
NOW, YOU ARE READY TO SHAMELESSLY PROMOTE YOURSELF!
Let's go find an agent. Good agents are never hard to get. You just need to know how to get them! The Production Hub has a very reliable list of acting agencies. Find out which agencies represent famous faces! Send them an email with your resume, picture and video. Ring their office doorbells and pretend you're the Fedex guy and deliver them a package yourself! And when you get your own agent, do not forget to drop by to bring coffee, orchestrate chance meetings, or move in the same apartment building. Just act your way into everything coincidental.
Find out what's in production in your area. - IMDB and Local Film Commissions. Research who the important people are that are involved - casting directors, producers, and directors. Frequent celebrity hangouts. Fake your way into wrap parties. A good indication of a success is if you have passed out at least 50 business cards in one night. Always remember who you've met that night and google them when you get home.
Auditions - Casting assistants are also invaluable friends. Make sure to also drop by to bring coffee, orchestrate chance meetings, or move into the same building. They work with casting directors and will be the future wave. Casting assistants are usually responsible for audition list and will be able to sneak a name in, given the right conditions.
Word of advise from The Diva.... I do not recommend sleeping with the powers-that-be in order to get a role. That's just plain stupid. And you'll never get the part. You dont think producers know how to exploit actors shamelessly?
posted by The Imaginary Diva at 1:41 PM
