Heres the main issue: Everyone needs to eat. And pay bills, and classes, rent, gas…etc. But as an actor you have to be careful with what "Day Job" you get. Not only because you run the risk of it taking up valuable time from your objective, but also because in BREAKALEGG we think ANY job that doesnt give you some sort of knowledge or advantage over other actors is a complete waste of time. Here are 10 great options of jobs that allow you to be flexible with hours or more importantly, can give you great insight into the industry. At the end of the day, it is where you are planning to be anyways…right?

1. Try to get work in a casting director or an agent’s office. Sometimes in the industry trade papers agents and casting directors advertise for assistants and people to work a few hours a week opening mail and doing office chores. It’s a great way to learn what goes on in their offices. You get to see the kinds of mail other actors send in, overhear telephone conversations, and just basically see what it’s like first hand.
2. In addition, there are other acting schools around the city that look for assistants.
3. Theater companies looking for stage personel and production assistants often with no experience necessary. Prerequisite is to be responsible and a fast learner.
4. There are also a host of casting websites and organizations, such as Actors Access, Breakdown Services, NYCastings as well. If you do a Google search, you will find a slew of others. Why not see if they need help or could use your services?
5. There are also showcases and industry events that are organized to help actors promote their careers. It's a great way to meet casting directors and agents. The organization of those events is a big to do and they need hosts and hostesses to help the event go smoothly. You can find information about such events by simply keeping abreast of what’s going on in the industry. Read the trade papers regularly and check the top acting/casting websites.
6. Why not see if the local union offices of SAG, AFTRA and EQUITY could use some help? Find out where their offices are. See if you can find out what they might be looking for. Find out who the person is you need to contact and if your approach is to send a cover letter, then address the person by his name as opposed to “To whom it may concern.”
7. Do you have skills that one of the trade papers could be interested in, maybe to work in one of their offices? Could be an idea to contact Backstage, Ross Reports, probably the most read of the industry papers. Have a look on the internet or in the Drama Book Shop in New York to see some of the other possibilities that exist.
8. There are many production companies who are looking for good people with skills.
9. Do you have the skills to form a production company? I know someone, a fellow actor, who has done just that. It’s a great way to make industry contacts with people who could also help you further your career as an actor.
10. Do you have the skills to start and run your own small business, form your own company? What do you love to do? Could you turn your hobby into a business? If so, do you know other responsible and reliable people who share your same passion and who have good business skills? If so, maybe you could form your own company together with those people. Why not? As time goes on, you could gradually distance yourself from the daily business of running your small company and dedicate more and more time to acting and promote your acting career. The whole point of this article is to help you think. If you don't have a steady stream of residual income that will permit you to focus 100% of your time on your acting career and you have to work in the traditional sense to make ends meet, then at least do something that will keep you connected to the industry and at the same time help you grow in some way as an actor.

Article by Anthony Lee Smith.

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 recognized and working ones are usually the ones who overcome such obstacle (because lets face it, in this business, it IS and obstacle).

Are you an introvert?

• Does a crowded room of people overwhelm you?
• Do you feel drained after interacting with a lot of people?
• Would you rather be at home rehearsing a scene than at an event?

If you answered yes, you’re probably an introvert.

Being an introvert is different than being shy.Introverts would rather be alone because that’s how they can become energized, not because they’re scared to interact with others. Introverts don’t necessarily dislike socializing, they just generally prefer to be alone or with a small group. Al Pacino has confessed several times to being an extremely introverted and even shy person.

Why you should network

Since introverts prefer solitary activity, it can sometimes be difficult to convince yourself that you need to get out of the house and network. But, you do. (And, online networking doesn’t count in this case.)

Benefits to in-person networking:

• Learn from people you might otherwise not have met. In general, introverts enjoy learning. There’s a whole world of people to learn from out there and networking is a great way to meet them.
• Make connections with people who can help you. You could meet people who can help you find your next role, hook you up with a producer for the screenplay you’ve written, get you an interview with a great agent. You never know who you’ll meet when you’re at an event.
• Make connections with people you can help. Everybody loves to help other people – including introverts. You have a talent and probably a connection that can help someone else, and when you do, you’ll feel great about it. In this business you have to help others and here at BREAKALEGG we strongly support actors who do.

Where to start

If you’ve been avoiding networking – or attending any kind of social event, premiers… – because you don’t see the value or haven’t felt comfortable with it, follow these suggestions:

Use the buddy system
If you’re going to a networking event and you won’t know a lot of people, ask a friend to join you. It’s even better if your friend is an extrovert and can introduce you to a lot of people or is already in show-business. (We’ll talk about what to say once you meet these new people in Part 2.)

Downsides to the buddy system:

• You could neglect to network with anyone except for your friend.
• Your friend could totally ditch you and leave unprepared to go out on your own.

Pick a sit down
Sit down dinners and lunches make it a lot easier to network. All you have to do is find an open seat and introduce yourself to the people on either side of you.

Downsides to sit downs:

• You could pick a table where everyone else knows each other and totally leaves you out of the conversation no matter how hard you try.
• If you don’t know your dinner etiquette, you might turn people off. (Hint: Follow others, you’ll be fine.

Other networking tips

Give people something to talk about
Wear something memorable. Try a great necklace or brooch. You don’t have to go overboard, but people will talk to you if you stand out a little bit.

Get a drink
I’m not necessarily advocating for alcohol, but a drink in hand helps you seem more a part of the party. And, you might be able to strike up a conversation with the person behind you at the bar. Maybe its a Shirley Temple but the effect is the same.

Find someone alone
Walking into a crowded party where everyone else is talking can be a bit overwhelming. After you get your drink, scour the place for another lonely soul. There’s bound to be one somewhere.

Hang out by the food line
Food is a great conversation starter. “Oh don’t these stuffed mushrooms look wonderful!” Get a couple of appetizers and walk around. If you don’t find anyone to strike up a conversation with, get some more appetizers and try again.

Don’t dominate one person
Introverts enjoy deep conversations, not small talk. Pay close attention to the person you’re talking with to make sure they’re as engaged as you. You don’t want them to have to use drastic measures (e.g. faking an illness) to get out of the conversation with you.

Take breaks
It can be emotionally draining to be around all of these people for so long. Don’t let it get to you. Check your cell phone. Step outside. Visit the restroom. Take a break from the commotion so you could keep going.

Now you know why you should network and how to get started. In Part 2, we’ll answer the question: What do I say once I meet someone?

Article by Angela

“Hollywood will help you…but only once you are making a million dollars and Hollywood can take 10%.”

1. BE PREPARED.

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…do an internet search on the project- it can be eye opening to type in the director’s name and see what types of things come up. Also- for me I have learned that before an audition I need to distance myself from the other people in the room. Mainly because I am really talkative and it seems to break my focus if I am chatting about nothing before I enter the audition.

2. STAY IN-TOUCH/REACHABLE

Join theater groups, hang out where other THESPIANS are hanging, so you can stay on top of gossip and network. Finding out who is who in the local industry will help you play the game. Build a web site that people can log onto and get all of your information from. Resume, photos, and contact information are vital. If you aren’t great at building a website then hire someone that is.

3. CREATE LUCK

I came across a thin-as-a-rail actor named Paul Cram that consistently seems to get lucky. It doesn’t make alot of sense considering this guy is almost six feet tall and only weighs about 120pounds. He seems to be the polar opposite of what an ‘actor’ should look like. But upon observing what he was doing to market himself and how he handled himself in social and business settings I noticed that he was setting himself up to get lucky. He wasn’t sitting back in his chair waiting for lady luck to

notice him, he was actively pursuing her. I even noticed that on his car he had written his website “www.paulcramactor.com” I have never seen another actor with that type of enthusiasm.

If you live in a city or state that doesn’t film movies or commercials- move.
Some states have agencies that work with film companies to assist in scouting shooting locations and striping away legalities. Find out who they are and if they have a mailing list or another way of finding out in advance if a film crew will be shooting in your area. Then fing out who the casting director is and send a copy of your headshot/resume. Who knows…the road to acting in movies and commercials is long, but maybe your exit is just a few blocks or a mile away.

Here’s how to construct the perfect email:

Subject line
Subject lines are critical to getting people to actually open your email.

DO:

Always (always!) include a subject line.
Indicate if action is required.
Include an action verb, if appropriate. Example: “Join us for an important screen-test ”
Example of good subject line: “New Role Development Meeting Notes 02/28/08″
Example of good subject line: “New Changes on script – Response Requested”

DONT:

Use the subject line as the entire email.
Overdo the “high priority” button. You don’t want to be “the boy who cried wolf.”
Be too generic in your subject line.
Example of not-so-good subject line: “Notes”
Example of not-so-good subject line: “Changes”

Greeting
Always start your emails with a greeting. I almost always start my emails with “Hi (insert name).” Other options include: dear, hello, or just their name. Just make sure you include some kind of greeting. And even if you are writing an email to an agency seeking representation, do your homework and find someone to direct it to. Whether it be the Commercial department head, an associate agent…find their name!  NEVER say: “To whom it may concern” or anything of the likes.

Body
The body of your email should include all pertinent details in an easy-to-read format. Clearly state:
1. The purpose of the email.
2. Any actions or tasks required from the email. Don’t forget to include dates.
3. Any attachments to the email. These should be spelled out so the recipient knows exactly what should be included in the email.
4. A recap or next steps, if appropriate.

Attachments
A headshot and resume are mandatory here for new contacts. If its not your first time emailing this person thats a different story. Be sure to appropriately and accurately name your documents before attaching them so if they download them there is no misunderstandings. Similarily, if you attach more than one document, the recipient should know by looking at the names of the documents which one is which. And ALWAYS send ur resume and headshot in PDF form! No Text or other files.

Acceptable attachment name: “John Smith Resume 2/5/08 .Pdf”
Unacceptable attachment name: JS.pdf

Closing
Just like the greeting, always end with a closing, even it’s just your name (See Signature) . Other popular options include: thanks, talk soon, see you soon, look forward to talking to you soon, all the best, best, best wishes, thank you.

Signature
Always have a “signature” on the bottom of your email. (This is a personal preference of mine. I get so frustrated when I want to call someone in response to their email and their phone number is not included in the email signature.) Signatures can be set up so they automatically are included in the bottom of your email address – I highly recommend this.

This signature should include:
Your name
Your title (optional)
Your Agent
Your Agents Address
Your phone number
Your cell/fax number (optional)
Your email address (optional, but especially handy if the email is printed out and doesn’t include
your complete email address)

Here’s how to put it all together:

Subject: It’s pilot season and I need your help!

Hi Chris:

Can you believe it’s pilot season already? I really enjoyed working with you last year on the “Stranded” audition, and I wanted to invite you to our rehersal sessions this year to help out with a couple of us actors. We could use a great coach to give the show that extra umpf!

In these sessions you would assist:
1. Me
2. The 2 child actors: Katy Mink and Jack Stell
3. Actor Steven Guil
Attached please find the complete resumes, “Actors Resumes: Stranded season 2. 8/3/04 ”

I hope you can join us on the following dates:
1. Date & location #1
2. Date & location #2

Chris, thanks again for your support. Please let me know if you can make these dates.

I look forward to hearing from you soon,

Angela

Angela Strass
Rep: Jackson Artist Management
3680 W Grand Blvd
Phone: (555) 4567

Get emailing!

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…

You should have prepared a good thank you speech. That’s what were here for. Ok first some basic notions for actors; people who have helped you in your career would like to be thanked, but not all of them expect to be named in a few seconds speech! You dont need to make a list of 50 people to enumerate while you are on stage. If you have a certain group of people who belong to the same company, production house, studio or agency then just say that, not all of their names. And remember that the most important thing for someone getting their first major award (when you have 40 you can get as creative as you like) is to keep it short and simple. Dont drag it on, please.

Here is what the speech should be made up of:

• Religious figure and parents/family first if applicable.

• Your co-workers on the project; you dont need to name them all. If one stood out then name him or her and then add “and all of the wonderful actors/people from..XXX…who helped bring this project to life and made it such a wonderful experience…” or something like that. Include the studios or people who help “pay” for the project too.

• The people who give you the award or voted for it. Ex: “To NHB Studios and the fans who voted for me….”

• Finally if there is someone else who you feel needs to be granted credit for this award do it: normally your agent, manager, the director…not your best friend who let you bunk in her place during acting school. It might be a moving story, but now is not the time. Thank her by taking her to dinner or getting her a role in your next big project. Not by wasting peoples time at the show (remember time is money in this biz).

Then just say thank you one last time, and step back or off the stage.

SIMPLE. SWEET, SHORT.

If you are largely known for your humor and have been given a comedian of the year award or something similar. Then by all means put a twist on the speech and make it yours. Funny, witty. But if you are not born with that natural “funny gene” where anything you say gets laughs, dont attempt humor in this occasion.

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 single person you know remotely related to acting and theater or films….and ask them for an audition or a lending hand.

Trust that if you are good, you WILL be “making it on your own merits”. And if you are bad, they wont giveyou the job. Just the audition. So what can it hurt to try? Just try to make sure when they do give you a chance you are ready.

For an example of how many celebs and actors have used relatives to get where they are now, there is a cute website: Hollywood Nepotism. Its funny to find out just how MANYYYYYYY stars aren’t there “on their own merits” yet they are exactly where you want to be.

Elizabeth Dillon at HB Studios in NY was one of the best teachers for beginning actors in the business. Her ability to be clear about acting choices set her apart from all the other teachers. Dillon said drama is heightened reality. Not just a sigh, but the most profound sigh. Not just a tear, but the most poignant tear. Not just a laugh, but a contagious laugh.

New York agent Michael Kingman, a whirlwind personality on his own, spoke of his ideal client: an actor with contagious emotions. Look in the dictionary. It says dramatic is “vivid, startling, highly effective, striking.” Are you? It takes alot of energy to be fascinating, and it doesn’t happen by accident. It takes energy to focus your essence that much.

You better not just be pretty. You better be beautiful. Pretty is a dime a dozen in the marketplace. You can even be ugly and have a career, but you better be really ugly. Phyllis Diller is an attractive woman, yet she made a career making us think of her as horse-faced.

Whether you are extremely fat or extremely thin, you had better have or create a look for yourself that is unique and then develop a persona to match it.