CAN BEING TOO PERSISTENT BECOME ANNOYING?

Have you ever submitted something to a CD, or an agent, or even a producer; then called to get feedback and didnt get an answer? How many times did you ask your team (agent/ manager/ director) a question only to get ignored or even worse just a vague approximation to an answer?

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…

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Leaving voicemails for CDs or Agents…

“What the heck did she say?”

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,…

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TIPS ON HEADSHOTS

Here is a great little backstage  video on what your headshots should look like and what are the DOs and DONTs in the industry as related to headshots now.

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AN INTROVERT ACTOR’S GUIDE TO NETWORKING (Part 1)

This is part of a 2 post series that deals with networking for those of you that… dont feel as comfortable doing it. Many actors are introverts. Many artists are introverts. But sadly the most recognised and working ones are usually the ones who overcome such obstacle (because lets face it, in this business, it IS and obstacle).

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CASTING DIRECTORS HAVE A BLACK LIST TOO…

Backstage (as always) offers us an article on that one list you never want to be on as an actor. How to avoid it, how to deal with it if you already are… For the full article...Click Here

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3 Tips to Help Launch Your Acting Career

The time to learn the basics of acting is not on the way to your first audition or job. Assuming that you have taken an acting class that covers improvisation/scene study/cold-reading, have a great headshot, and a resume that lists your acting achievements/special skills/classes taken/union affiliations, then I would say that you are on your way to being 75% prepared for an audition. I am surprised at how many actors go into an audition without knowing what exactly they are walking into. There are alot of things that an actor can do before an audition to prep themselves…

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Things to avoid during auditions…

At Actorfest NY, the experts were asked what they consider pitfalls at auditions. Here is a video of things to do and AVOID during an audition.I think one of the most significant is when an actor argues creatively with a CD. NO NO!!! Our job is to take direction and use it, not argue it.

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HOW TO GET CONTENT FOR YOUR DEMO REEL

Joe Gressis tells you different ways to get content if you dont already have it…or maybe you dont like what you have? Or maybe you only did theater?

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Manage Your Online Reputation

Have you ever Googled Yourself? Ever been disappointed? Or surprised? Well just think of what comes up if a potential Agent, director…etc look you up. You need to make sure he sees what you want him to see. LifeHacker has a great article on managing your online reputation that covers the basics. For the full article… (CLICK HERE)

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LOVING CHARACTER ACTORS…

Great article of “Petermans Eye” on character actors and their amazing contribution and sometimes belittled rewards… for the full article… Click Here.

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GIVING THANK YOU SPEECHES…

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Here it is. One of those moments you dream about but don’t know if will ever come true HAS come true. You are getting an award!!!!!!!!!!! Its great. You feel great, You look great, they give you a great award for a great job. Your on top of the world. Then its your time to shine and give a good speech. Who do you thank? Your blocked and have so many names of people who have helped you that you cant think straight…

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WHATS IN A NAME?

Sometimes, stars don’t have to work and sweat their way to a first gig. Sometimes, their dads, mothers, relatives or friends give them that shot. Is it fair? Is it decent.

Let me put it this way. CONTACTS are fundamental in this business. Making them from scratch or having some come as inheritance makes no difference. You need them. And every “smart” actor knows how hard this business is so will use anything they can to get a big break. So if you have someone who can help you: USE THEM. Dont try and be a martyr by saying things like: “I want to make it on my own…”. Its not how the world works. Its not real, and its not smart. NOBODY makes it in this world alone, not in this one or any other profession. So you need to stop holding yourself back and try and contact every…

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LIVE THE LIFE OF A CELEB FOR A DAY…

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Want to live like a celebrity, even if only for a day? Celeb 4 A Day makes it possible for you to live like the stars, by providing you with a personal paparazzi service that puts your face on the cover of a faux magazine. While their services are available to just about anyone, they market themselves primarily to D-List celebrities, entertainers or bands looking to boost their publicity at a public event. After all, if you’re being followed by cameras , you must be someone big, right? Well…no, but that’s what they want the public to think.

Currently Celeb 4 A Day’s paparazzi experience services are US based and available only in Austin, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. Each city offers a slightly different package, ranging from $299 – $1499 (plus tax!). No one ever said it was cost-effective to live like…

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EDITING YOUR DEMO REEL.

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O.K. We all know how actors can be: egocentric, narcicistic and vain. And there are plenty of times when that would be anything but useful. Except one: The demo-reel.

Demo reels have one purpose and one purpose only: Showing you (I know you love it!). And that means it is of no importance who feeds you the line, their response, their shot, only you, you, you. Here is how a proper reel should look:

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TOP 10 QUALITIES OF A GREAT ACTOR

Here is an article from the Acting School Directory where they talk about some qualities they believe make a great actor. I would emphasize number 2, 7 and 9. But overall I agree with most. What do you think? Tell me in your comments…

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AWARDS AWARDS AND MORE AWARDS

Sometimes as actors we feel the need to be recognized for our job. And what better way that a grand award ceremony where other experts in the industry get together to hand you a statue? So for all of you out there trying to earn an award, know there are litterally hundreds of these to hand out. Here is a List of some of the most prominent ones:

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HOW TO CREATE A DEMO REEL

Here is a great video on how to create your demo reel.

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HOW TO BUY YOUR DOMAIN NAME

The importance of owning the domain:

www.yourname.com

May seem very silly to you now, but give this some thought. IMAGINE: You’ve actually made it big, you are known in the industry and with the general public. You have fans and millions of people are using google to look for info on you. The first thing that comes up?

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PERFECTING YOUR HANDSHAKE TO CREATE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION

Its fundamentally important for an actor to present him/herself in a confident and professional manner. Specially because sometimes first-impressions are all we get with casting directors. So beside appearances, our body posture and our handshake need to match the “persona” we want to present. The perfect handshake is one that is not too aggressive but firm and made with a clear intent, with our hands clean and dry, and accompanied by a polite “hello” and a smile…

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THE MUST HAVE GADGET FOR ANY ENTEPRENEUR

As actors we know how important it is to be connected at all times because your business (so also your money) depends on being able to jump at an opportunity when it presents itself. That might mean something as simple as being on time to an impromptu meeting with a producer in an hour (but how do you find your way there on time?) or sending your resume and head-shot to a casting director while you are at the gym, or even simply answering the phone. Not to worry though, the rate at which technology is evolving

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