Does Anyone Out There Know How to Network?

I need to admit something to you guys.  I am terrible at networking; I have no idea how to go about it.  Any actor who gets an agent while working as a bartender or cast in a movie after meeting a director at a party impress me.  I'm especially terrible at parties because I tend to just stand by the food (cheese is my downfall) and find it difficult to "schmooze."

No matter how difficult it is to network, Hollywood is a people business and who you know does matter.  If schmoozing at parties isn't your thing and the idea of approaching someone at your day job with a headshot makes you feel sick to your stomach, how do you get to know the right people?

Maybe it's just the word "networking" that bothers me so much.  It just sounds disingenuous.

Quite a few actors have taken to twitter and follow directors, producers, casting people.  I don't know if this has led to any successful business relationships, but I think the key is to engage sincerely and don't try to kiss up as so many people seem to do.  Twitter may be a start, but I don't think you should let it be the only way you try to connect.

What you should be doing is making friends, not "connections" and you don't make friends by worrying about how they can help your career.  You make friends by being there when they need you.

Here are some of my ideas on non-network-networking:

• Help out at a film festival.
• Volunteer at something you feel passionate about, like at an animal shelter or Habitat for Humanity.
• When you meet a casting director at an audition or workshop, offer to be a reader for them.
• Offer to help on your friend's film sets (even if they didn't cast you.)
• Get involved in hobbies you love. 

Do you guys have any other ideas?  How have you all made contacts in the "biz?"

The truth is you never know who you might meet or where you might meet them.  So, never be afraid to say you are an actor, but remember you are a whole person with other interests and those other things may be the key to making a new friend.

Just Do Your Job

When filming things are always changing, plans fall through, and it's probably already over budget.  As an actor, you are normally protected from all this craziness, so what does it have to do with you?   It's your job to make them not have to worry about you so they can worry about all that other stuff.

That means you come to every set, no matter how small your part is or how low budget is, completely prepared.  Be so prepared that when everything changes you can change with it.  Be flexible.

On set you are going to work with people who don't work the same way you do.  That is why it's so important to be strong in your own craft and don't judge the other actors because they don't follow the same technique as you.  Be there for the other actors, if they need you do something to help them be stronger in the scene, then you do it.  Even if it's not part of your "process."  Your job is to create the best scene possible and be the person the other actors can rely on.

Besides being the best actor you can be, you should be the nicest person on set.  Say thank you to everyone.  The crew who likes you will help make you look the best, sound the best, and do your best work.  I recently heard some good advice, "Always remember you aren't as nice as you think you are."  There is always room to be nicer.

Lastly, while on set smile and don't complain.  Remember you love this job.  Be the person people want to be around and then they will want to work with you again.

In short: be prepared and be nice.  Don't make other people's jobs more difficult than they already are and just DO YOUR JOB.

How to Keep my Goals

Since the beginning of this year, I've been making an effort to focus on my career.  I started by created some professional goals to help me measure how I am doing.

As you know some of this work has already paid off.  I got to film a co-star role on a pilot for USA Network, I'll keep you updated if it airs.  I also completed three short films that have been accepted to the Playhouse West Film Festival.  Plus, I've been cast in a couple projects that are set to start filming in the next couple months.

But, one thing that helps me keep track of the goals I set is by telling you guys how I am doing with them.  So, here is how I did in the month of April (a couple weeks late.)

Goal: Attend class unless working an acting gig or sick.
Actual: I believe I missed a day or two when I was helping out at a casting office.

Goal: Work on scenes that from plays I can put up.
Actual:  Still working on "Vanities."

Goal: Read two plays a month.
Actual: I actually read a ton of plays to find a scene for a web series I am involved with.  So, I am probably good for the next few months.

Goal: Find a good on-camera class.
Actual: GOAL COMPLETED!
**UPDATE ON GOAL: Attend acting workout sessions that my friend, Tammy Taylor, is setting up with actor friends.**

Goal: Complete editing on my films for the Playhouse West Film Festival.
Actual: All three of my films were accepted to the festival.   Final touches happening on ALL YOU NEED, just waiting on final sound.
**UPDATE ON GOAL: I want to submit All You Need to 10 more major film festivals by the end of the year.**

Goal: Write and produce two more shorts this year.
Actual: I have two new shorts written and hope to start filming them after the film festival.

Goal: Help at the agency once a week.
Actual: It's been very slow, but I have been helping out when I can.

Goal: Find three new Casting offices to help out as a reader.
Actual: One new one and one old one.  I'd like to find two more new ones!

Oh, How Far You've Come

When you are an actor, you know you spend most of your time not working in the job you love.  I've discussed different ways you could keep yourself busy during those down times, like producing your own stuff.

But sometimes not working can be pretty depressing and it can be hard to even get out of your pajamas much less be proactive.  I've talked about watching movies and reading plays when you feel down, but sometimes you're so far down the rabbit hole even that won't pull you out of it.

So, when I am spiraling down into that dark place, one thing I like to do is remind myself how far I've come.  No matter how long you've been following your dreams, I guarantee you've come a ways from where you started.  Think of everything you've learned since you began. 

I think of the plays I've been in and even the scenes I've done in class; all the short films I've helped out on or acted in.  Every little thing I've done has taught me something new about my chosen profession.  I know I've come far since I moved out here, but sometimes I need to take a moment to reflect on it all to really see it. 

I'm here to remind you that this business is a 10-year project (at the least.)  Yes, some people get lucky and make it before then, but don't expect that.  Just remember every step forward, no matter how small, is still a step towards where you want be and you gotta keep moving. 

But, it's okay every once and a while to look back to see just how far you've come.

How Having a Day Job Can Help Your Acting

For many of us actors, whether or not we have have a day job is not really a choice.  It can be quite difficult to make a living as only an actor.  Without another source of income, every acting job and in turn every audition becomes even more important.  When it's just the job that you want, you often appear desperate in your auditions and your acting can suffer.

Having a day job that you can count on to provide you with money allows you to relax and do your best acting.  It does not have to be a job that you love to do, but it shouldn't be one that you loathe.  If going to your day job makes you miserable and stressed then your acting will also suffer.

Most people think the only job an actor can have is waiting tables.  I waited tables for years and learned that being a server made me a miserable person to be around.  Everyday I had to go to a restaurant was a day I dreaded and made it difficult for me to focus on my acting.  So, this wasn't a good day job for me.  But, there are other jobs actors can do that will allow you to go on auditions and classes.  I have many friends who have very accommodating office jobs.

But, you have to be careful.  Making money can be a trap.  The more you make of it the more things you want to buy and then the more you need of it.  If you get too comfortable with the money you are making then it can be easy to allow your acting to fall off the side.  Suddenly, you don't want to take time off for classes or auditions, and you day job becomes your career.

There is a happy medium that every artist must find.  Money is a necessity, but so is your art.  Don't let the need for money prevent you from creating your art.  But, you have to accept that having a job that you can rely on can also be important to your acting career.