I have been asked by many people how to best find a great
acting school in New York.
Back Stage Publications, www.backstage.com, has a special issue every year that
lists all of the major acting schools in NY. Read the list, audit a few classes at
all of the schools that interest you, and that will be a great way to find a school
that best fits your needs.
Have you explored any New York acting schools? If so, please leave a comment below.
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In order to have success in both
the acting and commercial modeling
industry, it is essential that we figure out
what type or look will sell us best.
Many people say that they don’t like to be type cast,
but, I actually think it can be helpful to viewed and
cast in a specific category. It is so important
to figure out your type, create the photos that
accentuate that look, and market yourself that way.
Generally, I get cast as the dad, teacher,
doctor, lawyer, scientist, government worker, etc…
That does not mean that I can’t play other types,
but those categories are the how most people view me.
Don’t fight the categories that others see you in,
instead embrace the look and try to get as much
work as possible.
Have you thought much about typecasting? Type in your comment below.
Hosted: CBS Radio Show
Worked With Aaron Jackson
Many people have asked me my thoughts
on accepting extra work. I have heard
that in the L.A. market, if you want to get
principal acting work, then actors should
not accept extra work. In that market, actors
will only be considered extras.
In many other markets, especially, on the East Coast,
many actors work as extras and also get principal
work. If I am available, I will take extra work.
Sometimes the scenes are small enough that I get
the opportunity to learn from watching some
amazing actors prepare and deliver their lines
over and over again.
It is also wonderful to listen to the director discuss
deliveries and character ideas with the actors.
While on the set, it is great to network, make new contacts,
learn about new projects, find out about agents in different markets,
and so much more.
Sometimes actors are even given lines and up-graded on the set.
I find that doing extra work can be a great experience if you
go into the day with the right frame of mind, and a pen and paper
to make lots of notes.
If you have ever done extra work, share your experiences as a comment below.
Print: ad for Southwest Airlines
Print: The New Museum – Washington, D.C.
National TV Spots:
Chick-Fil-A – Two national commercials as Thomas Edison airing now.
Coupon Bug – National commercial as Albert Einstein
Dragon Software – Featured on three national commercials as the grandfather.
Prominent Legitimate Roles:
One-Eyed Horse – Colonel John Cussons, principal
Rick Gywnne – Monsters & Mysteries in America
Day of the Gun – Simon Doubleday, narrator & supporting actor
Signed with PC-Goenner Talent Agency – Ohio
Received a scholarship and will attend the New York Film Academy
Whenever I give my workshop, I always
tell people that after an audition, it
is important to analyze your audition,
make notes about your performance,
then let it go, and think about
your next audition.
I recently had an audition for a national
TV commercial. These can be very lucrative
bookings. If you are a Union actor, your
compensation will be based on where and how long
the commercial runs. This company seems to
run their commercials for long stretches,
which translates into more money for the actor.
I got a call back, which means the director
and people from the advertising agency saw
my audition, liked it, and wanted to see me
perform live.
My call back felt good. I made the adjustment
the director asked, and two days later, I was
put on “Right of First Refusal.” This means that I
need to hold the shoot dates, as well as the date
for the wardrobe fitting for the TV spot.
I can’t accept another booking for those dates
without having my agent call the ad agency to see
if I am booked or released for the commercial.
I waited for days before getting any information
about my status for the shoot. I have to admit
I was thinking a lot about the commercial. It was
not until late afternoon, the day before the
wardrobe fitting was taking place, when I
got an email saying I was released. That news
felt really bad. Not only was it a really funny spot
that would have been a blast to do, but it could
have also been very lucrative.
It is hard to even get calls to audition for national
TV spots, and then to get a call back, placed on
Right of First Refusal, and then not get the
booking, boy that was tough to hear.
I have to admit, I did not take my own advice,
which is to just enjoy and learn from the audition,
and then move on to the next one. The reality
is that not all auditions and projects are
created equal.
There are some projects that are much more
meaningful and important to us than others.
It is only human to focus on things that are
more significant to us. So, now I have slightly
changed my audition philosophy. Sometimes it is
OK to be a human and think about a previous
audition.
Let me know your thoughts. Have you ever had disappointments after the audition? If so, share it with others. Leave a comment below.
When you are creating your resume or listing
personal information on your composite sheet, you
need to have a phone number so people know
how to reach you.
If you have an agent, then it is pretty simple,
you simply have your agents information listed.
If you don’t have representation, or if you are
marketing yourself on your own, then you will
need to list your phone number. This is where
things can get a little dangerous.
After handing in your head shot or composite sheet
at an audition or go-see, we have no idea who will
see our photos. If they are thrown away, then
many people outside of the industry could see
your pictures and get your personal contact
information.
Here is an amazing way to help protect yourself.
from strangers getting your personal information.
An actor who recently took my workshop shared
an incredible idea that I want to offer you.
If you visit http://www.google.com/voice, you can get a
phone number absolutely free. And, you can set things up
so that anyone who calls that number will be transferred
to your cell or home phone, or any other phone you desire.
This allows you to know that it is a business call, and
you don’t have to give out your personal phone number.
One of the things that I love about giving my
workshops is that I learn so much from others.
Thank you Sarah for this incredible suggestion.
If anyone has other tips that will be helpful to
actors and models, please leave your comment and information
below.
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