Myspace/Facebook Part. 2

OMG -- I've gotten so many responses about my posting on 7/21 about myspace and facebook photos. People have shared stories with me of actors who have LOST JOBS because of their public profiles. I'll leave names out, but a woman who is known for being sexy recently lost out on a hosting job because her myspace/facebook pages were SO raunchy. And the company hired her because she was sexy, but even her pages were too much. AND -- a lot of the conflict had to do with the type of COMMENTS she was getting, not necessarily her own postings.... something to think about...

Have Passport: Will Travel....

Do you have a passport? If you are a professional actor, you must have a current passport! Make sure to apply RIGHT NOW -- you never know when you might get a job in Canada or Mexico -- yes, you need a passport to go to these places now! Never let your paperwork keep you from working....

Advice for Newbies (and those who are in a rut)

Again, I've been asked to give young actors advice -- this request baffles me (and flatters me) sometimes because I'm still forging my path! -- nonetheless, here is an addendum to my initial entry on this topic (see page one of this blog) aimed specifically at young people who are in/looking to move to Hollywood....

1. CLEAN UP YOUR PUBLIC WEB PROFILES!!! STOP CURSING/WRITING PERSONAL THINGS ONLINE. AND -- STOP taking NUDE or SEXUALLY EXPLICIT pictures. Too many times, girls have these pictures on their MYSPACE or FACEBOOK pages! Are you serious?! Take these down and destroy them IMMEDIATELY. And don't get me wrong -- this is not a moral judgement. I don't care what you do in your spare time. However, if you want to be taken seriously as an actress, you do not want to represent yourself in swimsuit pictures or pictures of you in tiny outfits bending over. Just my opinion. Casting directors are LOOKING!

2. GET MORE EXPERIENCE before you come to LA. I can't tell you how invaluable this is. Work in theater, local productions, regional commercials, etc. Whatever you can get your hands on before you get here will help. Don't come here blind with no work on your resume.

3. Attend industry "networking" events, but discontinue this if you find that the crowds are full of people just like you who are struggling. That is a waste of your time. You want to be around people who are doing BETTER than you and who are in a position to help. I suggest attending screenings at the DGA (Director's Guild of America), become a "reader" for a famous casting director, or intern for a production company -- to me, these are much better ways to meet important industry folks than paying to attend a mixer.

Hope this helps...
Happy Acting!

Dealing with Rejection

Do you feel rejected after you don't book a job? Especially one you KNOW you're right for? I always feel that the key for actors is to never take rejection personally. In fact, maybe we shouldn't even consider it rejection at all, but rather fate. We've all got a specific path that will lead us to success -- although it is rarely revealed to us! In my opinion, if you do your best work every day and in every audition, you will find peace in your ability to do this consistently. Another helpful hint -- work in a casting office as a reader if you can -- this will help you learn how little what you do in an audition actually has to do with you getting the job. Sometimes it can be as simple as hair color, other actors who you'd be matched with, or who's sleeping with the producer :-). Keep moving and don't look back -- you are only as special as you believe you are!

Audition Remorse

Do you beat yourself up after your auditions? Asking yourself what you could have done better or why you made certain choices? Most teachers/actors will tell you not to do this, just be happy with your performance as it happened because there's nothing you can do. However, I believe that you should listen to this voice, and evaluate your performance (before and after the camera starts rolling) to learn for next time! Use possibly embarrassing choices or poor performances to grow for next time. Here are a few things I've learned from both the acting and casting sides:

- Don't engage in too much small talk. If the casting director wants to talk to you, than by all means engage them. However, don't use your nervous energy to give out too much information that will only distract from your performance.

- Be prepared. If you went in knowing you didn't spend enough time on the material, make sure NEVER to do that again. Even if you need to ask for more time out in the hallway, do it so that you can do your best.

- NEVER apologize for your headshot, performance, clothing, etc. GET IT RIGHT before you go in!

:-) Book it next time!