People (including myself!) initially get attracted to the entertainment industry because it seems so glamorous. I remember when I was in college and trying to do everything I could to get in the door at MTV. I was having mentors review my resume, networking as much as possible, and constantly on the internet researching different contacts to reach out to: The hard work paid off and I landed my first internship at the MTV Studios! However, it was in the video library. No celebrity sightings, no opportunities to be on set, and I was lucky if I even got to be on the phone with a producer. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve been casting a show for HGTV now for the past few months.  People who get opportunities like these usually aren’t accustomed to being on TV:  often reality TV talents don’t realize how much time it takes to make a show that ultimately only lasts 22 minutes on air!  A lot of work goes into making a show and non-actors are usually totally unaware of all of the work it takes to even select people for reality shows! Casting is not about just picking the prettiest faces in the bunch that apply.  The main things I look for when casting for reality TV are a good personality and a great story.

I also take into consideration how reliable the person seems.  Due to the time commitment, I wouldn’t want to risk casting someone who isn’t reliable. This is a fast paced business and if you want it, you need to make the big commitments or you might not be cut out for it! Read the rest of this entry »

As most of you know, I am now living in Denver and trying to continue on my road to success in the entertainment industry even though this city has a much smaller media presence than i had living in NYC.  In a couple weeks Denver will be hosting a film festival: many people in the industry will be gathering for screenings, parties, and events.  For me this is a great opportunity to network and learn more about the ”who’s who” in the biz out here. 

Even when you already have a job, it is important to keep looking ahead and check out everything that is going on around you.  A lot of gigs in this industry are short term and although it is exciting when you have it, the next one may not come as easily and can take longer than you expect.  Read the rest of this entry »

The life of a performer can definitely be a roller coaster. You can go from working several gigs at once to none at all. This unpredictable spin makes life challenging and can affect you physically as well as emotionally.

Say you aren’t working– you might wake up everyday at noon and go to the gym, cook meals, run errands, meet up with friends. Then all of a sudden, you have a new gig that involves 12 hour days and a bad commute.

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Just about everyone feels most comfortable in their home city, where they have developed close relationships with friends and coworkers. It’s refreshing to go to your favorite coffee stop, see your local hairdresser, jog by your favorite park, and so on.

However, in this business, you may not always have the comfort of being in your hometown. But there are also amazing opportunities where you go on location!

And I know it sounds great, but I can tell you from personal experience that a long term adjustment is not always easy.

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People often think that after they walk out of an amazing interview or audition…they’re done. Then they just enter the waiting game, hoping to hear the good news. Well, if you want to get an edge on your competition, you need to continue to make yourself stand out…especially after the interview! A great way to do this is a simple thank you note. As a busy Casting Director who always meets lots of people, it’s definitely a nice gesture that keeps certain actors fresh in my mind.

If you feel it is an immediate casting, shoot an email to whoever auditioned you right when you get home, but be sure to keep it short and sweet. People don’t like to read long emails…especially in this fast-paced industry, so be sure to keep it to 3-5 sentences. Read the rest of this entry »

The fall holiday season is approaching which means tons of fun opportunities are coming up to show off your talents and be seen!  Let’s start with Halloween.  For those of you who are in big cities like New York, get involved in the Halloween parade this year.  Not only is it fun just march in and show off your cool costumes, but there are tons of organized groups out there who coordinate really cool acts.

I remember going to the parade a few times when I lived in NYC and there was always a group of 20 something people doing a choreographed thriller routine.  It received a lot of press and I am sure was a fun thing to be involved in.  Read the rest of this entry »

I know it is hard to find work as an actor. And a lot of work goes into just making the contacts and getting those auditions. And there may be times when you feel your talent is being wasted as you wait for gigs to come through. Well I have a solution for your actor blues:

Teach your skills! Get involved in acting schools or special acting programs for children and help prepare your students for this fun yet challenging industry.

If you can get a paying gig it can be some extra money for you on the side too.

Volunteering can be just as fun and rewarding. You can even start up your own acting sessions. Think of the opportunities you wished you had  had as a kid… and make it happen for other kids around you. This will help challenge your creativity and express your skill in a new way.

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Resumes are so important, whether you are trying to get a job or trying to get cast in a production. You will not go very far if you don’t have a resume helping you sell yourself!  And yes, it’s perfectly okay to beef up your resume and put something on it just to have more content, especially if you are new to the business.

Who really cares if you’ve only done local plays and the person next to you had some roles on Broadway

Your resume will help you get seen so as long as it is truthful and represents you accurately. Click here to get a custom-made resume on InstantCast today!

Don’t be afraid to note all of your acting experiences to fill up one page.  I would rather see a bunch of productions listed than just a few.

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InstantCast Exclusive: Time is running out to enter to win a one-on-one interview with a seasoned casting professional. Click here to enter to win right now. We take your career seriously here at InstantCast and you should too! No matter where you’re located you can win this casting director exclusive interview: get the career advice and support you need to succeed. Offer expires soon so be sure to click here & enter today!

By: Isabelle Dungan, InstantCast Editor

A term frequently used in this business is elevator pitch. It’s a 30 second pitch (the time it takes to ride an elevator) about something, including yourself. This ties into this week’s theme of leadership because the elevator pitch is about how you present yourself.

The next time you’re asked the most common question at auditions – Tell me a little about yourself – you’ll have a sentence or two prepared in advance.

When constructing your pitch, make sure you draw from the following categories: Read the rest of this entry »