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The Actor's Hour
Now, there are those that say you are defined by what you spend most of
your time doing. This means that when someone asks you what you are, you
should answer with what you do most of the time. Since you're reading this
page, you would probably answer "actor." But is that so? Do you
really spend most of your waking hours in pursuit of your acting career?
If you sleep eight hours a day and work a day job
eight more, that leaves eight hours or less for the rest. You're not
spending most of your time acting. Unless you're fortunate enough to
already have acting as your day job or not
need a day job because you're independently wealthy, it's just not possible to
spend the majority of your time in acting. However, you should be making
use of every minute you have.
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Get and Stay Informed
Catch up on pertinent news, peruse headlines and read
articles of interest.
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Variety -
considered "The" newspaper of the acting world. They offer
free headlines and news summaries through email.
- The Hollywood Reporter
- here you'll get the skinny on who's casting what, who directing what
and who's gonna star in what.
- Studio Briefing - online headlines
and a paragraph or two, quick and to the point
- The Los Angeles Times -
specifically the Calendar
Live section.
- BackStage West /
Drama-Logue - once a week, read it cover to cover.
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Submissions
That age old saying about your agent getting only 10% because you do
90% of the work applies. Unless you bootleg the full, uncensored edition
of the Breakdowns (which we officially discourage), you
can check these sites for some casting information.
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Actor
Access to Breakdown Services - who said Gary Marsh doesn't give
anything away?
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BackStage West
/ Drama-Logue - once a week without fail.
As for how you submit, here's some tips. Use a little
yellow Post-It note on your headshot to remind the casting person why you
are the man (or woman) for the job. Sometimes funny comments, sometimes
sarcastic will get you a call.
As for what to send, the answer used to be
simple... an eight by ten black and white with resume on the back for
initial contact and postcards to follow-up or to keep in touch. Well, the
times they have changed, and envelopes seem to scare people now. That
means that your envelope may end up in the trash without ever being
opened.
So, what do you do? Here's what I do... I've been
sending out way more postcard type resume/picture type things for the
initial contact. Cardstock is pretty cheap and easy to find (Kelly Paper
is great if you buy by the ream... discount for businesses... ask your
"boss" to front a letterhead or business card for you). You send
half size (8.5" by 5.5") as a postcard. When I do feel the need
to submit a regular headshot/resume in an envelope I've gotten way more
aggressive (read "creative") in what I write on the outside with
my black Sharpie... writing anything witty or charming I can put to stop
the letter from getting to the trash can before getting opened by at least
one person. "Cash-Money Enclosed" may get someone to open your
envelope, but that someone may work at the post office.
And then there's my newest idea, though why I
hadn't thought of earlier I don't know... large labels (3.3" by
4" size... six to a sheet... Avery #5164) and 600dpi laser printing
of my headshot to stick on the front of the envelope along with
witty/charming prose. My return address labels have had two headshots for
a while, but they were too small to really make anyone take notice... the
larger ones get my face in their face, so to speak.
As for sealing the envelope, many an
"expert" has an opinion about this. One thing on which most
agree is that you shouldn't lick 'em closed. Some use only the clasp, but this runs the risk of screwing up the automatic sorting machines of
the USPS. So, use a strip of tape no longer than one inch to seal the
headshot in. That way the busy-bee casting person doesn't break a nail
getting to your winning smile. A more expensive approach, but may be worth it in limited use
is a see through envelope. That way someone at the office will see your
mug without even opening the parcel.
As for what to do when they call you in... check
out The
Auditioning Page |
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Work
Over an Agent
For those without respectable representation, no need to mass mail...
just do a few a week.
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Choose a few select agents and managers with whom you would make a
perfect match and get your submission packet to them. If you only do
a few at a time, you'll make it easier and cheaper on yourself.
What do you include in the packet? Great
question. Here's one answer.
- Appropriate Headshot - commercial for a commercial
representation, theatrical for a theatrical.
- Postcard - this can include several other headshots to show
them your other looks.
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Cover Letter - oh, yeah, the dreaded cover
letter. The basic rule is to write something that you yourself
would like to get. That said, here's a web site to get some
valuable information
Andy's
Showbiz Page
Andy spells it all out for you.
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Flyers - for current Productions, invite the
person to a play or current screening.
| Brad
Blaisdell offers the following words of wisdom:
Before you write the letter. Is
your headshot great? What's on your resume? Is is clear, clean
and professional? This is much more important than what your
letter says.
VERY IMPORTANT! Do you know who the
agencies are in this town? Have you chosen this particular
agent for a reason? Before you mail to them, know who they are
and who they rep. Get the client list. Find out who they are.
Agents have egos too. Big ones if they're any good. You need
to be specific. Honest. Real. To the point... NO BULLSHIT!.
Clear and respectful and most important... SHORT.
Introduce yourself simply. Dear Mr/Ms,
My name is ________.
Then let them know you know who they are and that this is not
a mass mailing. Something that lets them know you know them...
"their work."
THE RISK. Tell them in one or two
sentences something true that peeks their curiosity. For
example, if I was Paul
Molinaro, I'd write something like ... "I went to
Medical School to become a part time doctor and a full time
actor. Acting is my passion, please come see me in Welcome
Home Soldier." I would call him/her 3 days later
and offer to pick him/her up and bring them home after the
show... or hire a limo... or whatever it took to get them
there.
Now that's a risk... but if you want
results, you have to take big risks. You have to believe in
yourself if you are ever going to get them to believe in you.
If they shine you on or are rude ... great, you learned
something about who they are and they're not who you want ...
now you can move on. Be bold not crazy!
The truth is the letter isn't
important, if you're gonna follow the way other people
tell you what it should be. You gotta make it up. You gotta
care that much. You gotta risk your own ego to wake people up.
Don't be crazy or nuts. Lots of
wannabe actors are totally crazy and nothing will most likely
work for them. You have to figure out a way to show confidence
with class... And if you don't really believe in yourself ...
you can't fake it. You gotta find that first.
Agents have enough actors already.
They don't want anymore actors... UNTIL... somebody knocks
them out! Excites them. You might be the best actor in the
world...(we all are in our own minds) but unless an agent
believes you are gonna walk into an audition they get for you
and GET THE JOB... your P/R and cover letter are in the trash.
How do you do that? I don't know.
I've done it. I'm no where near the best looking guy. I never
went to medical school ... BUT this is my life ... I got
nothing to lose. Be BOLD.
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Follow-Ups
Don't botch getting a job because you didn't maintain contact. This
is a business. Keep your contacts alive.
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Send some postcards,
letters and once in a while, a unique inexpensive gift to the people who
pull the strings. I like using computer generated graphics and labels.
I've sent six packs of bottled soda relabeled with my
headshot and an appropriate message. I've also sent milk cartons with my
headshot and a "Have You Seen This Actor?" notice attached on
the side. Use your imagination. Just make sure they don't forget you.
Who have you auditioned for in the past month? If appropriate make a phone call or two. |
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Make Connections &
See What Your Peers Are Doing
Read and respond on the forums. You get to share information, make
new contacts and see what the other guys in your shoes are up to.
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Visit The
Bone-Yard and after perusing that site,
follow the links to all the other forums! |
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