Sometimes we stop asking because we fear our persistence will be seen as an annoyance. We think that if we keep insisting they will get tired maybe even to the point of “dropping” us, so we get frustrated thinking they arent taking us seriously. But here is the truth; you are just as responsible as they are for this vicious cycle. If when you dont get a reply you merely let it go, thinking well, I will find out eventually. Then you are giving the message, through your actions, that its OK for them NOT to answer you.

If on the other hand you insist (without ever becoming offensive or insulting) they will get the message, again through your actions, that you are someone who has to be answered. Someone who demands a response. The easiest way to do this? To simply hit the RESEND button. Your agent hasnt gotten back to you in over 2 hours responding to your question? Simply take the last email you sent with the question and click resend. Its been 4 hours? Simply Simply hit RESEND again.

Not only will you get a response if you keep doing this, but you will prevent future uncertainty (which is a cause for major stress and frustration in most actors). From now on the thoughts in their mind will be more along the lines of: “We better answer this because he will not just forget”.

And heres the funny part. All those worries about whether or not they would be annoyed by your persistence will vanish as soon as you get an answer and see the results of your assertiveness. Keep in mind that every successful filmmaker or actor WAS annoying until he could afford to pay someone to be annoying for him. And no one will think of your persistence as annoying when you are making them money, or when you are winning awards on a stage. All they will know is that moment.

On one of my first auditions the casting director told my manager I was good, but I was "a bit green". So, What the hell does that mean? Well, its still not very clear. For some its a simple excuse not to get into detail about WHY they didn't like you. For others it means your lack of experience is preventing them from hiring you even though you have talent, and for others, its a matter of a "lack of talent" or not having learnt to use it.

After this, I asked around to everyone I could: What does being green mean?. Every single actor has gotten it at some point. The beginning ones get it as soon as they hand in their resume. The more experienced ones get it when they present themselves without a certain confidence generally associated with someone of their experience.

I started re-playing the audition over and over in my head because I wanted to know exactly what was pushing this CD to say that. And then I realized I had done everything right…up until I finished my audition. I had planned in my head for days how I would walk in confidently, shake their hands and do a great job (and so I did), BUT I had never thought about what would happen afterwards. So as soon as I finished and he told me how "That was a great job"…I was caught off guard, got nervous and said in what I can now only describe was an insecure teenagers' impression: "Oh, really? Did you think so? Gee, thanks…"

In a matter of milliseconds I had transformed from my character and a confident actress sure of what she is doing into a sad puppy in need for approval and eager to please. I was doomed! I walked out not giving it a second thought until I got home. Theres an old age saying that has done wonders for me in this arena after my horrid experience:

FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT.

As actors we are all eager to please the casting directors, our agents..etc. After all they are the ones between us and that next big gig. But coming across as unsure, hesitant or merely wanting them to like you, you are shooting yourself in the foot. Have you ever seen how cocky some of the best actors are? Not as people, but when it comes to their profession. They don't hesitate when asked how they got into character, or how they did this and that in a scene. They don't apologize for their mistakes over and over. If you believe you are a master at your craft; You will be seen as one.

Needless to say when I returned to that same CD, I put on a brave front UNTIL I walked back to my car and never heard that comment again.

As actors we are stuck with alot of "in-between gigs" periods. All that time when there arent many auditions and bills still need to get paid. When your career seems at a standstill sometimes you need to find new ways to CREATE opportunities. The most common and well known example of how this works is Sylverster Stallone, who wrote "Rocky" with the intention of creating for himself a good role that would showcase his talents. Im not saying your next script will be a big hit, but isnt it worth a try? It might even open up a new side of you that you werent aware of. Our advice here at BREAKALEGG is never think youve done enough. Even if youve gone to your classes, and if you have worked on your talent, read up on plays and scripts, auditioned wonderfully, been on time and professional…if theres more time than you thought, find something else to work on that can help you get where you want to go. Screenwriting, Directing, producing, teaching, volunteering…  For those of you who want to give filmmaking a shot, here is a great article to get you started… For the full article..Click Here.

The other day I was reading this article on Unclutterer (for the full article…click here.) and it really struck a chord. In the extremely competitive business that is acting…auditions anyone?… how often do we feel the need to best others? To look better, perform better, act better, prepare better…basically BE better?

I knew an actress that wouldnt go to auditions unless she had atleast 2 weeks to prepare for an audition because she said only if she had that much time could she walk in feeling like she would be the best! I believe in going in prepared, but that just seems like she is missing alot of great opportunities. Something most actors cant afford to do. Another guy I knew quit class when he saw some of the other students were much better or talented than him. And the examples pile on. Is it self sabotage? Are we such over-achievers that we are willing to quit if confronted with someone better?

The best thing (the only in fact) you can do is be YOUR BEST without comparing yourself to others, because the truth is…there’s always going to be someone better, more talented, better looking, or whatever MORE than you. But that doesnt necessarily mean they will be more successful. If not, every talented young actor out there would be working and we all know thats not the case. Be smart. Thats the best advice I can think of in this business. Know yourself and learn how to improve and SELL yourself to your own advantage. If you find "your place" in the ndustry (or even create it) then you wont need to be better than others, just the best yourself.

In this video, professional voice instructor Jennifer Rutherford of International School of Music, and private teacher in Bethesda Maryland, describes how to prepare for a competition like American Idol, or any other audition. Some tips on preparation, vocal health, song choice, and audition etiquette are covered. Warm ups are also suggested and demonstrated with student and model, Mair. The video assumes that candidates will have some level of training or natural ability, but would also be useful for the amateur interested in pursuing training for a career in singing.

Generally speaking, actors are normally too apologetic about themselves or their craaft. We tend to victimize ourselves somehow (specially at auditions) because we feel lucky to be given a chance, or time, or a meeting, so we value other peoples time more than our own. How many times have you been at an audition, had to start over or simply been given feedback and started by saying: "Im sorry". Or, "Im sorry I couldnt memorize the lines, I got the script last night…etc." Chances are, very often. When it comes down to it, 90% of apologies are done for one of two reasons: Justify and make Excuses, or To seek sympathy or pity by becoming the victim. NEITHER of these will help you in your career or to become a better actor. SO STOP doing it.

On the other 10% of the spectrum, we are human, and we all make mistakes, and if these mistakes genuinely hurt or hinder others then we not only should, but need to apologize sincerily. Its the only way you can maintain healthy relationships and not burn bridges in the industry when you mess up. So what does it take to really make a true heartfelt apology? The Simple Dollar breaks it down to 3 parts:

The Accuracy
An apology that actually works is one that shows that you have real insight into what you did wrong and the effects of that mistake. Doing that well takes some introspection and some willingness to admit that you do have specific faults.

When you realize you’re in a position where you need to apologize, step back for a bit and look at the situation. What exactly did you do wrong? It might be easy to point to a specific thing, but is that actually just one little piece of a larger thing?

The Delivery
There are three key points you need to get across when you deliver your apology.

“I did something wrong.” A real apology is an admission of fault. You made a mistake somewhere along the way – if you had not made a mistake, you would not be apologizing.

“What I did hurt you – and I recognize that.” Your fault, the one you admitted to, caused pain or difficulty for someone else. You need to recognize that if you want your apology to matter at all.

“What can I do to make amends?” Most of the time, an apology is sufficient for beginning to rebuild trust. Sometimes, however, more may be needed – perhaps you need to speak to someone else to repair a reputation, or maybe you should fix an item that you broke. Reaching out and offering to make these amends (and if you don’t know what they might be, offering to do what it takes) goes a long way towards cementing the sincerity of your apology.

The Sincerity
Most important of all, if you can’t be authentic about any of the above parts, don’t apologize at all. An insincere apology is transparent and does nothing to repair the situation. All it does is further damage your own reputation, not only in terms of the person you’re “apologizing” to, but to anyone else who hears about it.

Another note: a sincere apology never, ever expects an apology in return. An apology in the form of “I apologize, but I expect you to apologize in return” is not an apology – it’s a request for someone to apologize to you.

For the full article on Simple Dollar… Click Here.

Leaving a decent phone message seems like it would be a no-brainer, right? Unfortunately, not always. All too often Mr. Mumbles, Ms. Fast-Talker, and Mrs. Nocontactinfo leave messages. Yet the difference between a good message and a bad one might mean landing that next role or not. Casting directors and agents wont always be available, they are busy people if they are doing their job right, so its YOUR job to make sure you are understood and make it easier on them.

Here are some phone “dos”:

Slow down.

It’s true that no one wants to listen to a five-minute phone message, but there’s no need to leave a fast-talking voicemail. Slow down and speak clearly. Nothing is more frustrating than having to listen to a voicemail four or five times to understand the message… Or, as I often have to do, have someone else listen to it to see if they can understand what the person is saying (they usually have the same luck I have).

Explain why you’re calling.

I receive a ton of messages from people who simply leave their name and number. When I call them back, it turns out I’m not the person that can help. If they had left the specifics in their voicemail, they wouldn’t have wasted my time or their time with a call back that didn’t solve anything. Be specific.

Leave complete information.

For two days in a row I received a voicemail from a woman who left her first name and company but no phone number. I tried calling the general company line and asking for her but without a last name the large company could not help me. She ending up getting a hold of my secretary and leaving an angry message that I never got back to her. Trust me, I would have if she left the appropriate information.

Also, don’t assume that the person you’re calling has your information, even if you spoken to them before. It’s always appreciated when you leave a call back number; it saves the recipient from having to look up your number.

Repeat. Repeat again.

Say your name and phone number and then say it again. You should say your information at least twice, if not three times.

P.S. I also use one small trick: imagine you are your favourite actor/actress. How do they address others? How would they talk? Move? Smile? Act?How would their voice sound? Calm? Funny? Excited?