Hot topics for both consumers and webmarketers on WebmasterRadio.FM
Every Wednesday, 4PM Eastern.
What Casting Directors are Looking For
You may encounter this phrase from casting directors more than once in your career: "I'll know what I want when I see it." One thing is for sure: They're not looking for a scene-stealer. They're not looking for a prima dona. Chances are, they want chemistry within their cast. They need to see that you're a team player, someone who listens, is respectful of others, and ultimately brings more to the team. Showing casting directors and fellow actors that you can work with them is far more valuable than showing them up.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Developing New Skills
Do you have plenty of stage experience, but dream of breaking into film? Are you interested in supplementing your income with commercials and voice work? Would you like to expand your repertoire? Consider an acting workshop.
Acting workshops are great for developing a new skill, such as conquering the cold reading, fine-tuning your comedic timing, or nailing your dialects and accents.
When looking for acting workshops, here are a few guidelines to keep in mind:
- Don't worry too much about reputation, and don't assume a more expensive workshop is necessarily better.
- The workshop should be large enough for creative exchange, but small enough to allow you plenty of practice time.
- Ask about the teacher's experience. Does she have industry experience in the skill being taught? Talk to the students, if you can. Find out what they think about the teacher and the class.
- Choose a workshop that challenges you. If the teacher always praises the students without providing constructive criticism or if you already excel in the skills being taught, you won't learn anything. Choose a workshop that pushes you beyond your comfort zone.
- Make sure the workshop is about learning and growing, not about tearing the students down. The class should feel creative and collaborative, not like a psychological war zone.
- If you are allowed to audit the workshop, jump on the opportunity. It's a great way to get a feel for the teacher and the other students.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
The Basic Acting Classes
Everybody has to start with the basics in acting class. Your first classes should teach you the basics of movement and voice. Learn how to hold your body for maximum breath control and healthy posture. Improv classes are also a wonderful way to learn to use your body effectively. When studying voice, practice projection, annunciation, and breathing. Basic classes will cover these skills. Once you have your instrument tuned, you should move onto scene study courses.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
The Acting School Audition
Once you've decided on the acting schools you'd like to apply to, you should start working on your audition. Here are a few pointers that will help you make the best impression on any acting school selection board:
Select more audition pieces than you need. For example, if you are expected to read one classical and one modern monologue, select two of each. Be prepared to switch in case one feels more appropriate to the occasion.
Don't chit-chat with the auditioners. If you are asked a question, feel free to answer in a friendly manner, but don't add on to the conversation.
Be respectful of your time slot. You may have between two and five minutes for your audition. Don't rush, but don't linger, either.
Be prepared. Do all warm-ups before you step in the room.
If you "go up" on your lines (forget them), don't freak out. Just pause and say, "I'll start again."
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Succeeding at a Casting Call
You're the only one who can make yourself look good in a casting call, so be proactive. Take note of the following advice: Show up on time. Be prepared for any readings that you have to do. Bring two copies of your resume/headshot package. Be very respectful to all of the people that you interact with, even other actors. Show that you can work professionally with the casting director and anyone else attached to the production. Follow up with a postcard or another small mailing the next day.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Working Actors Don't Always Work
If you want to become an actor, keep in mind that much of your acting life will be spent not working for pay. Many young performers do not realize this as they go out into the world and are sorely disappointed.
It will take time for you to establish yourself as an actor. You can get a good base going by doing the following:
Take classes.
Audition as often as you can.
Send out headshots to casting directors and agents.
Attend acting seminars.
Remember that there is no such thing as an overnight success. Every performer you see on stage or on screen has had to work hard to become an actor or actress and get where he or she is today. Keep plugging away at your craft and work will come your way. Above all, stay patient and focused!
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Acting Jobs and Industry Connections
Keep in touch with the industry community. They will be your peers, your support group, and hopefully your connections to better acting gigs. Go to the plays of your friends and get to know the cast, crew, and any management. Watch new movies and television shows to see which way the industry is headed. If you like a show, find out who casts it. There are several seminars in larger cities you can attend and meet agents, casting directors and managers. Go to as many as you can to network and learn the names of important players in the film and/or theater community.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Starting Out as an Actor
Before anyone considers a career in acting, the main question many young performers have is how to become an actor in the first place! First, you need training. This can come in the form of acting college, training seminars, or even one-on-one personal coaching. Give yourself an ample amount of time to hone your craft. By the most general standards, that would be approximately one year of intense training.
After training, invest in a good set of headshots. You don't need to break the bank, but do try to select a photographer whose work looks professional to you. A great place to find photographers is at the photo printing houses that with reproduce your headshots for you. You can look these places up online.
Next, you'll need a resume. At this point in your career, high school productions are acceptable to list as experience, provided you are under the age of 25. Now, if you don't have a lot (or any) experience, list your educational background. This counts, especially if you've trained at a prestigious school or with a great teacher.
Now you're ready to start auditioning!
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
The Screen Actors Guild and Your Acting Career
If you want to be a film actor, membership to the Screen Actors Guild is critical to your career. Membership insures that you will receive the optimal wages, as well as payments from producers to your pension and health insurance accounts. As a member of the SAG, you will also be able to collect residual payments from your work. There are several ways to get into the union. Visit their website at www.sag.org for membership information.
LifeTips is part of ideaLaunch, the hub for a group of websites offering
solutions that help clients improve mind share, market share and profit online.
