|
|
BLEND BUSINESS SENSE WITH YOUR
ENTHUSIASM
(by Mark Brandon,
Author of
WINNING AUDITIONS - 101 Strategies for
Actors (www.WinningAuditions.com)
Newer, enthusiastic actors often
overlook the necessity of doing things in a logical,
properly conceived order. As a result, they often
engage in a classic self-sabotaging activity. It
could be aptly named, "getting to market before the
crop's ready." In their excitement to get ahead, they
actually succeed in severely delaying, rather
than accelerating their progress. |
To begin with, what do you suppose most agents consider
the highest priority with respect to securing work for
their clients? It's not difficult to figure out when you
consider an actor would have to work nearly a whole month
on an Equity stage before he or she could make the same
kind of money from working a mere day or two on a TV
series or film.
In plain language, the good bucks are made around
cameras. Thus, one of the best things actors can do for
themselves is make sure they have a rock-solid foundation
in film acting technique.
Unfortunately, a lot of beginning actors don't see things
this way. They think acting is acting--that it's all the
same. Having done a fair amount of plays and dabbled in a
workshop or two, they rush out head-strong, into the film
and television job market. Doing this long before they
thoroughly grasp the distinct refinements of film acting,
they fall flat on their face in auditions by giving
inconsistent readings--scenes punctuated by painful
moments of disproportionate largeness. Subsequently, if
word gets back to their agent (as it usually does) that
they need more training, then what possible incentive
would that agent have in getting them more auditions?
These impatient actors fail to see the big picture. It
could be well over a year (or more!) before casting
directors would take another chance on seeing someone who
essentially wasted their time.
Moral of this story? The industry is too tightly knit,
and the memories of casting directors too long for you to
make the costly error of getting out too soon. Casting
directors compare notes, especially about newcomers. If
your name comes up during their conversations, you'll want
it to be for the right reasons!
Dare to ask your teacher or film coach if he or she thinks
you're ready. If they're experienced, they'll know. Until
then, study your craft as if your life depended on it.
Because for the life you dream of, it does.
|