The other day I saw a guy I knew in a coffee commercial. Since I live in LA and know a lot of actors this is not unusual. I can't remember why I know this guy, maybe it was from a workshop or an audition, but I do remember thinking that he was arrogant and a total idiot. Clearly my opinion of people doesn't preclude them from booking a national commercial.
This is actually good news. What it means is that you don't have to make everybody like you. There will always be someone who doesn't like you and those people don't matter. Maybe they'll never ask you to be in their movie or cast you in a national commercial, but you can't worry about those people because you could be Meryl Streep and not make them happy.
I read some reviews of the movie, Drive, which I loved. A couple reviewers actually complained about Ryan Gosling's acting. If you know anything about acting, then you understand how crazy this is. But, it illustrates that no matter what you do there will be someone out there who will dislike it.
It's hard to let it roll off your back when someone doesn't like you. You know it's what you should do, but we operate in a business where more times than not it's the opinion of others that decides if you get a job or not.
Next time you find someone who doesn't like you, just keep moving on and the you will be sure to find someone who does.
Showing posts with label working actors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label working actors. Show all posts
Monday, December 5, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
How to Help your Agent Help You
I always say how important it is to not sit on your tush waiting for your agent to call. But, agents are an important part of the business. There are doors they can open that you can't by yourself.
This is why having a good working relationship with your agent is so important. I hear so many actors complain about how their agents aren't working for them or how their agents never get them auditions. But, how many of these actors actually talk to their agents about these problems?
I intern at my agent's office once a week. It keeps my face in their mind and I get to see what's going on out there. I know what's casting and if it really is just slow. But, interning isn't the only way to have a better relationship with your agent.
When was the last time you went to agent's office just to say hi and see how they are doing? One visit goes a long way, it makes them think of you and want to pitch you. Bringing baked goods never hurts either. Plus, you can take this as an opportunity to talk with them about what you need to do to get out more.
Don't hold back from talking to your agent because you're worried about bothering them. If there is a project casting that you really want to be in, or you know you are right for something, or you know the casting director, you absolutely should email or call your agent and let them know. If you don't feel comfortable enough to call and email your agent then ask yourself why you're in a relationship with them.
Your agent is your partner, but remember they only make 10% so you should be doing 90% of the work. Make your own movies, help out at casting offices, research what's currently casting on websites like castingabout.com, go to classes, network, and all that other good stuff proactive actors do. Make sure your agent has all the tools they'll need to be able to work effectively for you.
This is why having a good working relationship with your agent is so important. I hear so many actors complain about how their agents aren't working for them or how their agents never get them auditions. But, how many of these actors actually talk to their agents about these problems?
I intern at my agent's office once a week. It keeps my face in their mind and I get to see what's going on out there. I know what's casting and if it really is just slow. But, interning isn't the only way to have a better relationship with your agent.
When was the last time you went to agent's office just to say hi and see how they are doing? One visit goes a long way, it makes them think of you and want to pitch you. Bringing baked goods never hurts either. Plus, you can take this as an opportunity to talk with them about what you need to do to get out more.
Don't hold back from talking to your agent because you're worried about bothering them. If there is a project casting that you really want to be in, or you know you are right for something, or you know the casting director, you absolutely should email or call your agent and let them know. If you don't feel comfortable enough to call and email your agent then ask yourself why you're in a relationship with them.
Your agent is your partner, but remember they only make 10% so you should be doing 90% of the work. Make your own movies, help out at casting offices, research what's currently casting on websites like castingabout.com, go to classes, network, and all that other good stuff proactive actors do. Make sure your agent has all the tools they'll need to be able to work effectively for you.
Monday, October 3, 2011
What are you working on now?
Yep, that is one of the most dreaded questions for actors. Right up there with, Have you been in anything I would've seen?
Jobs for actors tend to be few and far between. A good year for an average working actor would be about four jobs. Unless one of those jobs is as a regular on a TV show, there is a lot of down time.
Of course, you are doing things like going to classes or on auditions. But, answering the question with a list of auditions or a description of how you were really close getting this one role, but at the last minute they decided to cast the director's girlfriend, leads to blank stares and polite nods.
Let me tell you how I would answer this question: We are in post-production on a five minute short that I wrote and shot last weekend. I am in pre-production on a film that I've been working on for about 6 months. We are going to shoot in two weeks. Plus, I am in a play that has been running once a month for over a year.
That sounds pretty impressive, right? It's all because I am being proactive by creating my own work. It's easy in this town to sit back and wait for your agent to call but if you do that you may be sitting around a long time.
You don't have to look like a deer in headlights the next time someone asks you what you are working on. Start creating on your own. If you don't know where to begin, then find people to work with who do. Form your own group of creative types and start working on something.
Jobs for actors tend to be few and far between. A good year for an average working actor would be about four jobs. Unless one of those jobs is as a regular on a TV show, there is a lot of down time.
Of course, you are doing things like going to classes or on auditions. But, answering the question with a list of auditions or a description of how you were really close getting this one role, but at the last minute they decided to cast the director's girlfriend, leads to blank stares and polite nods.
Let me tell you how I would answer this question: We are in post-production on a five minute short that I wrote and shot last weekend. I am in pre-production on a film that I've been working on for about 6 months. We are going to shoot in two weeks. Plus, I am in a play that has been running once a month for over a year.
That sounds pretty impressive, right? It's all because I am being proactive by creating my own work. It's easy in this town to sit back and wait for your agent to call but if you do that you may be sitting around a long time.
You don't have to look like a deer in headlights the next time someone asks you what you are working on. Start creating on your own. If you don't know where to begin, then find people to work with who do. Form your own group of creative types and start working on something.
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