This is what I learned at ActorFest 2011:
- There are a lot of companies that seem to exist for the sole purpose of separating actors from their money.
- Actors will do anything for a chance to talk with a casting director, including standing in line for over 3 hours to have a two-minute chat.
- However, most actors are not willing to get up before 9am.
- I have no idea what to say to a casting director in a two-minute general meeting.
- Casting director's also have no idea what to say to actors in a two-minute general and their go-to question is "So, where are you from?" Better than, do you come here often? I guess.
- There are some very sketchy people out there trying to be actors.
- There are people who look gorgeous at 8am standing outside in the freezing cold. I assume these people are genetic freaks.
- If you are going to be standing in line for most of a day, bring snacks. And if you ask me, peanut butter cups have protein and are therefore good for you.
- High heels make your butt look pretty and your feet hurt. If you are going to be spending all day in line, bring flats.
- Apparently, Irish-American doesn't count as diverse to NBC.
Yeah, I waited in lines for most of the day, but all in all a fairly productive way to spend a Saturday. Now time to write the follow-up thank you notes.
Last one I went to was about 8 years ago. Felt like a needle in a haystack - won't go again! Hope you made some good connections!
ReplyDeleteI find workshops with CDs whose shows I want to be on to be more productive. You often do a scene with another actor (usually make a friend) and get to chat with the CD briefly and then at least they've seen you work a bit.
ReplyDeleteI would've been actorfest had I not gone out of town, but I think you summed up pretty much what I thought it would be
Paid: $0.02 :)
MrJ: I like free workshops and go whenever I can, but I am over paying for ones. Just didn't see the returns on the money going out. I guess my opinions about that could be a future blog.
ReplyDeleteTam: It was crowded, but definitely less so first thing in a the morning. I didn't do the panels, I focused on the meet and greets and auditions.