Acting Website

what is like to be on a set?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:39:00 +0000

In the beginning it can be VERY confusing. Most of the staff and crew on a set are so professional and so competent that you may feel like the new kid at High school in the middle of the school year.

There is always a person who is appointed to show you where to go and what to do (often this is a PA – Production Assistant). If you listen carefully to the instructions of that person and really keep your eyes and ears open you won’t end up totally confused by day’s end.

A TV or movie set is very face paced (though many actors think it is slow because they don’t see or know all that is going on behind the cameras) in that there are a lot of moving parts to filming anything, from cameras, to microphones, to bodies. So, because there is so much going on it is best to stay on the sidelines until you really know the ropes on the set - believe me there is nothing more annoying than someone accidently bumping a mic or walking into a shot.

It may be a good practical exercise to be an extra (background) on a set once or twice if for no other reason than to know what is going on and how things work.

All sets will have someone in charge (the Director) and then people under him/her that ensure people are where they need to be - all the way from the Assistant Director (that’s the Directors right hand) to the PA and every position in between.

A union set is similar to a chess game in that all the parts have specific tasks, they only do what their exact job dictates and all parts are essential to make up the whole.

Actors - How to choose a head shot

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Wed, 19 May 2010 02:36:00 +0000

Actors - How to choose a head shot

I cannot tell you how many people say “A headshot should look exactly like you do”.

I think that advice only works if you have virtually flawless skin, full and fabulous lips and perfect eyes sans wrinkles.

Some of us need a little help to be at our best! And that is what you should look like in your headshot - the best YOU you can be!

So the first point is use make up, don’t drag queen yourself out, but do enough to spark the best points of your face. A good photographer will have someone who does make up if you are inept.

If need be, get your teeth whitened if you can, pay the extra money to have your hair did And if you don’t opt to have them whitened, pay your photographer the extra retouch money it will take to give you pearly whites.

Here is the second key point: Most actors are their own worst critic or total megalomaniacs, in either case, they are the least likely to pick the best photo.

So, choose several shots yourself and keep a record of the shots you like (not on the photo itself but a separate piece of paper) then ask your agent, manager and other actor friends to make their picks. There will be one smile shot and one serious shot that have more yes’ by far than any other.

THOSE are the shots you use as your headshot.

The other thing you can do is put the shots on your website and “survey” your friends and family via the net so you can move more swiftly. This is also a good promotion point, it draws people to your site who might not have known you were an actor or who haven’t kept tabs on you in a while who very well could have an aunt Gertrude who has a twenty year neighbor who happens to be a big director!

Give yourself a time limit to get the shots chosen and printed so you are not going on and on forever procrastinating (another noted action of actors – and another blog for another day) about what photo to use and thereby giving yourself an excuse to not promote.

What to wear

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:49:00 +0000

Should I wear the same clothing to a call back?

Are you superstitious?

Okay, sincerely, it is not wrong to do everything you did that got you the call back in the first place.

It is possible that the people who are calling you back liked the way you looked physically, but most likely they liked something you brought to the character you played.

If it helps you to be the character, to feel comfortable, then yes, you should wear the same clothes. If it doesn’t make you feel good then don’t do it. It isn’t going to make or break your audition.

Of course, if there is ever direction from the Casting Director asking you to wear the same clothes, yes, you absolutely should!

Should I do Commercials?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:42:00 +0000

Should I do commercials?

Commercials are an excellent way of getting your feet wet and making money while doing a job in the industry.

So, the short answer is – sure!

The longer answer and more philosophical question is does it work for you as an artist?

Commercials are a sales pitch. Always. When one does commercials they are selling something. It is still acting, but it a sales pitch for a product.

Do you believe in the product? Is it something you feel passionate about? Will you feel good about yourself if you do the commercial? Will you be embarrassed by your participation?

Once you answer those questions you can then decide if you should do commercials.

In the beginning of your career don’t make a habit of doing things that will make you feel you have violated your integrity as an artist, because you will set a precedent for your whole future as an artist.

Is There Something Wrong With Getting Naked?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:42:00 +0000

Is There Something Wrong With Getting Naked?

There are different types of naked in film.

There is dirty movie naked, which though technically isn't rated X is nonetheless vulgar and I wouldn't want my child to see me in that.

There is naked in excellent film for the purpose of illustrating that there is a sex act occurring.

There is the type of naked that is required in order to communicate an art piece.

Take Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts played a hooker. One would think that in order to portray a hooker we'd need to see a lot of naked body parts. Not so. There is one TINY shot of her breast in a scene where they are in bed when she realizes she loves him and aside from that it is all left to imaginings.

On the other hand, Charlize Theron in The Devil's Advocate, where she has gone to a church and her husband comes to find her wrapped in a blanket, she drops the blanket and reveals a marred and gnashed body that she insists is the devil's doing. For me, that was very illustrative to the piece and not at all salacious.

The question you have to ask yourself is how does it make you feel? Would you be proud to have your mother or child see it? Are you doing it because it seems that it would get you excited physically or is it really for the art of it?

No serious actor ever did porn, hard or soft before making it as an actor. No one. Not even the infamous Traci Lords actually had a remotely decent acting career and she was supposed to be the poster child for the industry.

Don't do things just to "get a job" or because you think it will lead to something better and compromise your artistic integrity. Do naked if it appeals to you as an artist.

Is Non-Paying Theatre worth doing?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:01:00 +0000

Is non paying theatre worth doing?

The reality any work is better than no work.

When you are engaged as an artist, as an actor, it makes you more confident and helps you to expand your ability and talent.

However, don’t let a two-bit director who has cast you in a non-paying theatre job make you break your spirit as an artist, in other words, if the direction is bad don’t take that direction with you after the play. Recognize that the director has his/her own viewpoint and while working for them follow their direction, but if you disagree as an artist don’t let it follow you to the next job.

Theatre is a specific genre of acting, it is a great way to find one’s voice, figuratively and literally.

While you shouldn’t wreck the rest of your life to engage in non-paying theatre, by all accounts, it is a worthwhile experience to engage in and can be very rewarding! It is also a great way to meet casting directors, producers, directors, and gives you something news and exciting to add to your resume and reel!

How Can I be Proactive in My Acting Career?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:52:00 +0000

Well, the first rule is to stay informed.

Any business one is part of requires a person to be in touch with what is happening in that industry.

In the Entertainment Industry it is important to stay on top of the current casting, projects, who is hot etc. that is something easily done by reading the Trades, going on line and researching etc. It is not something you do by watching Access Hollywood or other trash T.V.

One can ALWAYS self promote in the Industry. A website, new current photos, updated resumes, making short films for YouTube, these are all things an actor SHOULD be doing regularly.

An actor has to keep his game going in order to stay fresh in the game.

If you haven't been on an audition in a while send out more headshots and resumes and update your website so you have new fun stuff posted there then send out a postcard telling casting directors, agents, managers, and others to check out your updated stuff.

Opinions on the Industry

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:06:00 +0000

"The Industry", it use to mean so much more to be a part of Hollywood than it does today.

There was an art form that sometimes seems forgotten. It is called the ACTOR. With so many reality stars it is hard to find the real talent that was a mainstay of Hollywood's grandeur of yesteryear.

There are the real stars still, the Hugh Jackman's, who do a big blockbuster, but who is really a talented talent, who hopefully inspires others not to sell out just for the big bucks, but to be true to their own goals as an artist.

It is exhausting to hear commercials today that are a who's who of Hollywood. Do they really need the money that badly that they have to sell us cars, lumber, paint and a myriad of ten thousand other items? Maybe they should think about downsizing their lifestyle rather than their integrity....

It seems nostalgic, but there was a certain charm to the Marlon Brando's of a bygone era, the Greta Garbo's the other's who seemed to be just a little, I don't know, maybe classier than the trash we have to ingest today.

On Set Attitude

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:25:00 +0000

On set attitude

Many wonder what will it be like to be on set?

How should I act generally?

If I act more important than the other actors won’t I be perceived as more important and then more opportunity will be available to me?

Well, a set is not at all unlike a normal working environment. Ninety percent of the people who work on a set never have their name in lights and have a pretty average life, suburban home, wife and kids, beer and BBQ’s on the weekends.

Generally, if you are just YOURSELF and maintain manners that is the best way one can be. If there are confusing things that occur on set and one isn’t comfortable to ask, make a note and check it out later, but don’t leave yourself with confusions about what is going on on set.

If one goes into a new job (which acting is – just a job, and usually new) with a holier than thou attitude how will one’s co-workers perceive them? Well, it is the same thing on set. Go in with an attitude of who you are, and you will find that those who like YOU will hire YOU again and again!

Actor Exposure - Film, Stage and Showbiz Expo

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:08:00 +0000

Film, Stage and Showbiz Expo

This weekend the Los Angeles Convention Center was home to the Film, Stage and Showbiz Expo.

The show was a lively combination of actors, models, general entertainers, agents, producers, directors, casting agents, and anyone else you could think of having to do with the industry.

The excitement of the hall was palpable.

It was a great mix of entertainment professionals.

Attendees and exhibitors included Fox Television, Disney, MyActingSite.com, Kevyn Major Howard, a well known photographer, and many other hi-profile industry representatives.

This is the first year I have ever attended. It was interesting to see all of the various old and new faces to the industry in the same space. This show is a must attend for anyone looking to think out of the box where the Industry is concerned!

Check on line to see future show dates and locations!

Advice from a Hollywood Manager

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:50:00 +0000

Advice from a Hollywood Manager

A web presence is vital for an actor.

“Promotion is the key to sales. Sales is the key to income. Income is a measure of success. What could be more simple?”

Actors and all artists alike need to promote themselves personally until their measure of success is so high that promotion is done by fans.

There is fierce competition in the Industry. But there is also fierce originality and talent! The more your talent can be showcased the more opportunity has chance to knock on your door.

You need a website. You need a site that is easy to access. You need to have regular updates to your site.

Divas suck!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:28:00 +0000

Divas suck - seriously!

There is the diva in Hollywood, male or female, they are all one in the same. Diva in the English language means a leading woman in an opera. Well, in Hollywood slang it has come to mean a woman who tends to demand, in an ungracious way, treatment or perks that are above and beyond what is acceptable as part of the needs of an artist.

Years ago a trend started in Hollywood where starlets would be asked by a generous producer’s staff if there was anything that they may need to be more comfortable. They would usually graciously answer with some small request.

In more recent years this has become a monstrous beast, from a simple thing like a specific brand of water to a HUGE request like a double the size of all the other talent’s trailer with fresh flowers in a specific color, a certain type of candles, specific food, etc etc….

Producers have caught sight of the fact that they can stand up to the “celebrity” and say no, or just not ask in the first place!

American Idol is a perfect example of this, all the guest performers are essentially treated the same way. They are paid the minimal amount of money per Union rules, given a so-so room and told the number of guests they are permitted in the audience. Sorry that is the way it is, don’t like it, don’t come get your face in front of our MILLIONS and MILLIONS of viewers!

It has begun to turn the tide. There is spectacular talent out there, people who used to be strictly film stars who are now doing guest appearances on television.

Why?

Because professionals LIKE TO WORK!

So what is the underlying message? Don’t be a jerk in anything you do in life, because it can sometimes permeate all the other areas and the next thing you know you are in a tabloid being talked about because you’re a real ass!

Key industry terms

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:55:00 +0000

Definitions of some key industry terms -

Here are some simple terms that have often come up to make it easier to understand what is being said in the Industry.

Audition: This is anything that an actor tries out for. it can be spoken or not. It can be for a commercial or theatre or TV or a film.

Call back: This is when the actor has done an audition and then is called back for a second audition. This means they liked you. It is a good thing.

Hold: This is where the production has asked an actor to possibly do a job, though for various reasons they cannot actually book the actor. It rarely has to do with talent, they would never hold you if they didn’t like your audition, it often has to do with production restrictions and union rules.

Booking: This is where an actor is given a job. Sometimes they are paying, sometimes not. It is always a confirmed job that has a shoot date.

Shoot date: This is the date that the actor will film a TV, movie, commercial etc. Often there are many shoot dates in a row and sometimes they are broken up into several weeks or months.

Set: This is any portion of the area where the shoot is actually occurring. For example, the eating area is not on set, though it is on the production lot.

Anything else that would be good to know?

A must attend event for any actor in Los Angeles

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:27:00 +0000

Just click on the link above and get registered! You will be utterly happy about attending!!!!

What is the "Method", and why should I stay away from it?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:00:00 +0000

What is the "Method", and why should I stay away from it?

There are many forms of acting “technique”.

A technique is a way or means of doing something.

In the case of acting the person doing it is meant to pretend that he or she is a character and assume that character’s identity and portray that identity on screen or stage. That is the actual product an actor is achieving, the creation of a believable situation to the audience.

The means to get there is the technique the actor uses.

The “Method” is a specific technique. I have personally never taken nor taught the Method, so bear with me in that I can only share the limited experience I have had with it. The Method is a technique that uses past experience in order to cause the actor to “find” his emotion in the scene. This can be bad for two reasons:1. If you have no past experience to draw upon you’re up a creek 2. If your past experience causes you a great deal of emotional pain you have opened a wound which could sting long after the scene is over.

I have heard of people giving up acting because it was “too painful”. The Method could be part of that.

I did some career counseling with a lovely actress not long ago. She was on the show the Ghost Whisperer, she had to cry for 8 hours on and off for every take. There was another girl in the scene who dried up and could no longer cry. The other was practicing the Method, whereas the girl I was counseling had done some scene study and was using her imagination. She never dried up in 8 hours of crying!

Why? Because when someone has a terrible thing happen to them they go through various emotions and eventually those emotions go further up scale from grief up to cheerfulness, in other words, you eventually lose the tears. However, imagination is endless, one doesn’t run out of emotion because imagination goes on forever and has nothing to do with real emotion. As an actor you get to pretend the tears, the sorrow, the joy etc. for as long as you decide!

Make sense?

How Do I Push My Agent to Get Me More Auditions?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:03:00 +0000

How do I push my agent to get me more auditions?

First of all you need to make sure that YOU are creating on your career.

People who are part of your team only work as hard as they are inspired.

Part of that inspiration comes from you doing your job and booking jobs. It means you making sure you are taking a class that celebrates you as an artist. It means really being well prepared on an audition. This needs to be a priority for you, it means not staying up late partying or goofing around when you should be working on your sides. It means being dedicated to your craft.

Once you have done your part, you can then do things like stopping by your agents office with a small token, like a coffee or a homemade muffin or a card or even better a new headshot, post card or resume addition, a new website or a note saying your site has new features or a new reel etc. It is important to keep yourself real to your agent and by real I mean there and in their minds.

How do I handle being nervous at auditions?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:59:00 +0000

This is where the old adage “practice makes perfect” comes in. The more one does audition the less overwhelming it is and the easier to deal with.

In the meantime, a trick I have used with friends and my own child is half an hour BEFORE the audition take Vitamin B1, calcium, and vitamin C and E. the dosage and brand you will have to go to a nutritional site or look up at a reliable source.

According to some research I have read in various medical publications the B vitamin family has many relaxing qualities and actually helps to relieve terror stomach for a short time.

There is a book by Adele Davis, and while I am not a doctor or medical expert, the book entitled Let’s Get Healthy seemed to have some great and informative information about little tricks to help ease tensions in the body.

Finally, mentally, you must prepare yourself for your audition in a way that you feel you have done all you can do at that time to give your best performance and then don’t beat yourself up over any foibles. Find a class that embraces you as an artist and helps you to hone your craft without contributing to any insecurities you may already have.

How do I get a manager?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:11:00 +0000

A manager is a bit more of a personal contact type situation than an agent in that there is no managers union whereas agents are regulated by SAG.

The best way to get a manager is to ask a friend to bring in your head shot to their manager and recommend you to them for representation.

If you don't have a friend with a manager you can get crafty and go on the net and search out those actors you really admire and then find out who reps them and mail several times to those managers. You can also open up any of the industry publications and seek out someone who has published anything in one of those for their clients.

Rule number one is simple: NEVER seek representation from anyone who wants money from you up front for services, even if they tell you it is only to provide expenses for photos or some other nonsense.

Artist's are easy prey for unsavory charlatans who would rather vampire than actually produce anything themselves, mainly because you, in the main, are trusting individuals who keep putting your hearts on your sleeves for the benefit of the world. So, pay attention and of it seems off it likely is!

Hot new video, very funny!!! very real, and very true!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:47:00 +0000

How do I get an agent?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:02:00 +0000

There are a number of ways to do this. I will list them in order of seniority:

1. If you personally know an agent, whether a family friend, a distant or close relative, a former co-worker or employer - never hesitate to ask them for an audition or representation. When possible do this in a face to face encounter. Where face to face is not possible send them a PERSONAL letter along with your photo and resume and website info.

2. If you have a friend who has representation ask them to put in a call to the agent and ask for a meeting on your behalf. Sometimes you have to press this point with a friend, but fear not, there is plenty of work in Hollywood and RARELY will it come down to you and your buddy for the final casting call.

3. If you meet someone at a party (this happens ALL the time) who is an agent, ask them if they would mind looking at your photo and resume, and hopefully you have a card with you that you can give them with your website on it so they have instant recognition when you send them something. Then make sure you follow up IMMEDIATELY, procrastination is the number one artist killer! Don't let it get you!

4. If you have none of the above, the next option is to call SAG or go on line and get an approved agent list that you can then mail to. Choose only those that you have some connection with, their name is the same as yours, their agency name jumped off the page at you, whatever system you would like to use, then mail to each of those chosen agents your photo and resume three times. Three is the magical number in this world, somehow after the third every actor I have ever worked with has gotten an agent if not sooner.

So, don't be afraid or reluctant to ask for help from those you know, be persistent and don't procrastinate when you have any opportunity!

How do I organize my life to help my acting?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:43:00 +0000

Imagine that you are an athlete and you and another competitive athlete have about the same build, the same physical prowess, the same genetic structure. The two of you compete against each other in sports regularly. One day he decides to up his game and begins to go to the gym more regularly, adds in body bulking protein drinks, stops drinking diet coke and generally increases his stamina. You do nothing different than you ever have before.

Who is going to win the next sports match?

Exactly!

So, in the world of the Arts, especially in today's market where the biggest idiots and most untalented people are now being dubbed "celebrities" (though I cannot wrap my mind around how or why they think they are actual celebrities - the derivation of the word it "to crowd") you HAVE TO up your game. That means perhaps sometimes missing a party, or other such function because you have an early audition. Or it means working a night gig so you have your days free to audition so you can still pay your rent and EAT without worries that you HAVE TO book a job or you will starve. Maybe it means you sit at home some Friday nights and update your website or send out a mailing of your new head shots.

See, this is not a job, this industry, this is a way of life. The hardest working actors have only a little advantage over the rest of those playing the game, but maybe it is that small advantage that makes the difference between success and failure.

Should I get professional head shots?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:59:00 +0000

All entertainers should have professional calling cards. This is your number one promotional tool. In the case of Actor's this would be a head shot.

There are many photographers out there who take beautiful photos. One thing I recommend is that you have a look at their body of work, look for familiar faces, some head shot photographers have taken shots of celebrities and those photos are on their site, this will help you to see the representation of the person they shot.

Many photographers will meet you in person if you feel that is helpful before you hire them. There is probably not much worse than having someone take your pictures with whom you are uncomfortable, so this is a valid step in the process.

Don't let your buddy take some shots of you because they have a hobby and then think those will pull like a pro. The industry knows professional work when it sees it!

To be a Pro, you have to BE a Pro!

How Important is it to be nice to everyone?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:50:00 +0000

A very wise man once said remember the secretary of today is the boss of tomorrow.

No truer words were ever spoken. In fact, most of the Hollywood elite are not Harvard educated business men and women, most of them have industry related education and then went in to a mail room at some agency or studio to work their way to the top.

The late Dawn Steele, former head of Paramount who made Tom Cruise super star, was a self made woman and the first female to head a studio (she has a great Auto Biography that is a worthwhile read).

Most of the big wigs I have met in the industry have been self-made, which means that they had to work up through the ranks! And I will tell you the BIGGEST actors and BEST execs are the ones who have ZERO superiority complexes!

One time I was at a restaurant in Los Angeles with my husband, there was a very kind man and another gentleman sitting just next to us. They were simply trying to enjoy their meal. throughout dinner a variety of people kept stopping at their table and saying hi and chatting at them, finally the topper was a couple who stopped with their very large dog who sniffed around at us and the gentlemen, it was obnoxious. The one gentleman apologized to us. I turned to him and said in earnest, don't apologize to us - you guys are the one's who can't enjoy your dinner! Long story short, I rifted with the gentleman a bit, made fun of a film that was opening down the street only to find that he was the PRESIDENT of that film company, so rather than apologizing I played into my flub and made a good laugh of it. He then took my name and address and for 5 years sent my daughter EVERY single video release from that company that came out. She wrote thank you notes every time a new video would arrive.

So I would say that it is VERY important to be courteous to everyone you encounter - but above that be GENUINE in your behavior as veils are transparent - even a veil of feigned diplomacy or care.

How come it takes a week to make a show?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 07 May 2009 19:01:00 +0000

This is about a brief rundown as can be done on a blog. If you have specific questions feel free to write back and ask those and I will answer as I can.

Television is not like a film. Most comedies are shot in sequence whereas most films are shot totally out of sequence.

In television there are multiple steps to creating a show and there are also multiple people who are involved.

There is the Director of the show, the Executive Producer, The Studio person and the Network person. ALL of these people have to agree that they like the particular show that has been written BEFORE it gets shot.

Because most studio and network execs are more business oriented than they are creative (someone has to make sure a show makes some money!!) they generally like to see the actors do what is called a table read. A table read is where all the actors sit down with the first draft of the script and read their parts and then all those present make notes, most importantly the Studio and Network people say what they do and do not like or will and will fly for the censors and advertisers.

The re-write begins. Then the cast and crew have to come back together to run through the script that has now been agreed and approved. Though there are still changes to be made from this point and those will be incorporated all the way up to filming.

There is another step called Blocking. This is where all the actors “marks” or places to walk or stand etc are blocked out so the camera men can ensure their cameras are in the right spot for shooting.

And then we come to the Network/Studio run through and rehearsal. This is where any notes from the Executives of the show are given and incorporated into the show.

Finally – it is shoot day! Some shows are shot in front of a live audience and this is the day they use to make the show that will finally be on TV.

So all in all it can take anywhere from 3 to 5 days to shoot a comedy show because of all the people who are involved.

What is it like to be on a set?

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:37:00 +0000