Pilot Season 101 for 2010

So pilot season is wrapping up in LA with maybe a couple of weeks to go. For those beginners out there, pilot season is the time of year (typically from January to April) when the networks shoot a bunch of television shows to see what they will introduce in their fall lineup.

Each network used to shoot 100 or more pilots, but that's not the norm anymore with massive budget cuts. So how do you make the most of this time for next year? Here's how you can start now:

Now:
1. Move to Los Angeles. I've never understood people who come to LA for a few months or weeks and hope to make it big. Not saying it doesn't work, but it's very rare.

April-August 2009
2. Get a good or better agent. This is easier said than done but now is the time to put up a showcase, take meetings and schmooze your way into a better representation situation.

August-November 2009
3. Push to land co-star and guest star roles. This will put you in a better position for pilots if producers know you're currently working. Casting directors will also have you fresh in mind for projects.

December 2009
4. Take a pilot prep or scene study class. Remember how to do a great character analysis and brush up on cold reading.

January-April 2010
5. Pilot auditions! Send out postcards with reminders of recent work and push for your favorite casting directors to see you.

Good luck in 2010!

Getting the Perfect Headshots

Taking headshots is typically something actors either really enjoy doing or hate with a passion. I tend to be the latter. I get nervous, my hair never does what I want and I can't seem to get my expression right. But what I have found helpful is looking through hundreds of shots to see what poses, faces and outfits look best. If you study something that makes you nervous, you can often master it through education.

Be sure to look at headshots critically for composition and marketability as well. If you wouldn't call YOU in for an audition (based on your headshot), why would anyone else? Search and search and then shoot until you find the right combination. Bring in examples of pictures you like to your photographer and ask for duplication of the best elements. Also, spend the money ($150-$300) on a great photographer to ensure high quality.

Picture Time!

Okay, it's been six months or a year (or more! YIKES!) since you've taken new pictures.... what are you doing about it?

Well, I rarely recommend specific people, but if you are anywhere in the LA area, go to www.hypnoticheadshots.com. NeTonya Grant is an amazing up and coming photographer with amazing work already filling her portfolio.

Use her--immediately, before pilot season ends :-)

Find Your Niche

I talk about this a lot but I think it's worth repeating... you've got to find yourself in this business and in life. What are you GOOD at? Comedy? Drama? Don't say you can do it all because you will get cast in nothing. TELL casting people what you do, find the work in that arena, gain experience, THEN you can branch out. In my estimation, a jack of all trades and master of none rarely works in Hollywood. Here's a trick -- look at the stars you admire and look at the timeline of their work on IMDB. Find the pattern -- I guarantee you there is one -- and see how long they did a specific type of work and how they broke out. Mirror the greats to be great but forge a path that is uniquely true to YOU.