Once you’ve got an acting job, the work has only just begun.  Take a moment to celebrate, then get to work.  Make certain you know who to contact at production, get a copy of the script to read in its entirety, and get basic who/what/where information on the shoot.

You want to be kept in the loop, without being annoying and needy.  After you’ve arrived the day of the shoot, the best advice I can give you is to listen.

Follow my six tips on how to open your eyes and ears to your surroundings:

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Most auditions will provide you with sides in advance, but some will expect you to do a cold read.  What exactly is a cold read? A cold read “is the auditioning for a part with a script in hand, one the actor has never seen.” Sounds nerve wracking, I know, but just remember everyone is in the same boat.  So how can you prepare for an audition when you don’t know what scene you’ll be reading?

1. You do know the name of the script, so read it. If it’s possible to at least read the book it is based on then do it.  You’ll be able to understand the relationships between the characters and hopefully where the scene falls in the script. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you determined to get cast this fall? There’s nothing more important than your next audition. I’ve given some audition advice before, but it never hurts to add a few more key points.  If you can master an audition, you have a bright acting future ahead of you.

So what else do you need to remember besides bringing your resume, showing up early, and having the material memorized? Here are my top 3 audition tips:

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Just because you are an aspiring actor doesn’t mean you have to starve. It does, however, mean you may have to pick what genre you would like to pursue.

Most television and film work tends to start during daytime hours, although many films have night shoots as well. Theater, on the other hand, has the majority of their performances during the evenings and weekends. Unfortunately that means you need to make a choice.

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As a child you are taught to be modest and not brag about your accomplishments. The opposite is true in the world of acting. Until you are a big time actor with a publicist, you are your own publicist. Don’t count on anyone but yourself to get the word out.

The smallest accomplishments can be considered success. A featured extra role is great because you were chosen from a pool of talent by a casting director.

So what’s the best way to get noticed?

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IT Directors must put great value in their computers.  Photographers would have difficulty getting work without their portfolios.  Actors must take great care in looking after themselves and their bodies: Your body and your face are your greatest assets. Whether you have supermodel good looks, or a really interesting character face, it is still the biggest thing that defines you.  And that includes ability and talent.

What happened to Jennifer Grey after she got a nose job? She almost completely disappeared because the physical attribute that had so defined her…was gone.  So, here are 5 tips on how to take good care of yourself and never risk your greatest asset right before an audition or shooting:

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Sometimes it can be tempting to lie about your weight, age, and acting experience. In the long run, however, this is a really bad idea. The most important thing to remember when talking to a casting director is… be honest. Wasting a casting director’s time, as well as your own, is never good for anybody.  So what information should you share and what is best kept secret? Read on for my next four acting tips.

1. If you’re a model then all of your measurement information should be made available. For actors, during the audition process you should be fine with height and a basic dress size for women or jacket size for men.  Once you’ve been cast and need to be fit for wardrobe, all other measurements are no longer secret. Read the rest of this entry »

Whenever you choose a career path, there is always a ladder to climb. You often start out as an assistant in a small company before moving into deeper waters.

So when you suddenly decide you want to be actor, don’t get on the first plane to Hollywood. Taking things step by step will not only buff up your resume but it will also give you a chance to see if acting is your true passion. Here is a simple ladder to climb.

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At any audition you want to stand out in the crowd. You also want to go after each role with the same gusto.

As a casting director, I know when someone is just going through the motions. That’s not who I want to hire. I want to find someone who really wants the role and will invest themselves in making it a memorable performance, even if it’s just a featured extra in a scene. Here are 5 ways to make sure you stand out:

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Many people assume that Talent Agents and Managers do the same thing. That is not true. An actor will hire a manager for help finding work, to give advice, and generally assist in molding an actor’s career.

A manager has more of a personalized relationship with an actor than an agent. Because of that, managers will always have fewer clients than agents. They often classes and assist in putting together headshots.

Managers will also make all your important networking connections. For their services, managers will usually receive a 15% commission.

So what exactly can agents do for you? Read the rest of this entry »

The other day I received a notice from an actor I used to work with, about a one woman show she has been putting on. I’ve seen it once before and was wowed. I would love to see her perform again, partially because it was so good and also just to support her.

Acting is sometimes a lonely occupation. And it’s definitely an occupation that is easy to give up on and leave behind when things aren’t going your way.

But when they are going your way, all you really want to do is share that joy with your fellow actor friends. We all need support in life’s difficult pursuits and acting is no different.

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