MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:
I began acting in 10th grade when I took stage and film in high school which soon led me to audition for plays and join the drama club. At 18 I moved to New York to get training at The American Musical & Dramatic Academy of New York (AMDA).
Upon graduating early (I stayed through the summer) in February 2011 at 19, I had already booked my first “professional” gig at a small theater in Times Square. I’ve been certified and performing for the past 7 years in a variety of original plays as well as short film. Honestly, I am still considered a “fresh face” because even though I have training and experience, I still haven’t “broken ground” I guess you could say. But I’m resilient and determined. Signing with Docherty Model & Talent Agency recently has been a landmark for me. There was a minor period where I took a break from auditioning as I was trying to sell my script and promote that. Then there’s also #LIFE...so...
But, nonetheless, I remain confident and look forward to the future. There’s always something going on and things can change overnight! That’s why you have to stick with it if this is what you want to be about. The moment you back out is the moment your breakthrough role was just handed to someone else when it should’ve been “all you”!
Now, my insight is coming from a New York perspective, but if you checkout some of the links for the places that I reference then you’ll see that they do have locations/offices in LA as well (if that’s were you’re at).
All-in-all, I hope this “mini workshop” helps you as you continue (or start) your acting journey.
ADVICE:
DON’T give up! If you know that you can’t see yourself living life without acting then fight the good fight!
Take time to REFLECT upon your prior roles or if you’ve never been in a production before, either way, decide how you want to been seen(i.e. type casting). Are you a bit of a geek, do you look like “the girl next door”?, or are you tall, dark, and handsome like “Prince Charming”? Establish your look and play up your strengths. This enables Casting Directors to cast you easily since you already fit a type. Once you get your foot in the door you can call the shots and picks your own roles, but starting out if you want to book the gig then you must look the part!
INVEST in legit head shots. They are pricey, but worth it. And don’t do so until you’ve decided what type (role) you want to play. This will save you money. It would be a shame to get expensive head shots then decide you want to be the jock when your pictures paint you as the tough-rough bad guy! The price range is between $200-600 at least. Don’t settle for $100 head shots; that’s cheap (trust me, they come out cheap too)! And don’t let your boyfriend or girlfriend take a picture of you on your iPhone or try to get by with a selfie (granted it will do for a minute so you can keep auditioning, but if you want to get serious then you need to seriously invest; is acting a hobby for you or a career?)
SKIP college/conservatory school. You can use the money to get those head shots, print them off in bulk, and have money left over. I went to The American Musical & Dramatic Academy of New York and I had a great experience, but I wish I had looked at all of my options. Bypassing the college route will keep you free from those infamous student loans! I recommend working at a job that you really enjoy and pays the rent then attending acting classes that are available in your area where you may have to pay a small fee per class. Otherwise, you can just jump right in to the “acting pool” and don’t be afraid to get your feet wet because of lack of experience. David Mamet has expressed (in one of his books that I read years ago when I was interning at a boutique agency in Manhattan) that he prefers actors with no “training” because they aren’t trying to get director’s approval like a young student at a conservatory. They’re just eager to “work” (paraphrased)!
But if it’s your desire to go to college then by all means follow your heart, I’m just noting the truth that it’s not necessary!
There’s only 1 Way to Heaven, but a plethora of ways to “make it” in this industry. Some go to Harvard or Yale while others drop out of High School and get their GED later on. Some get pointed out and discovered by an agent while they were innocently minding their business: others toil for years before they can get a break or a bone! Perseverance is key and thus:
DON’T GIVE UP!
BE PICKY when choosing what productions you want to be apart of. Don’t just do anything because they chose you and you want a gig. Don’t waste your time on fluff puff pieces that don’t pay you.
Not all non-paying productions are bad though. Use wisdom when auditioning. Ask questions about the production (such as: where will the play be held? what kind of camera will be utilized when filming? will it be entered into any festivals? what are the incentives that will be offered in lieu of pay?) You must act as your own agent/manager if you don’t have one yet. Asking questions shows you’re serious and not a push over. But to be honest, you get a real sense of how the production will be on “Day 1” of rehearsal. That will let you know for sure if the production you’ve agreed to work on is a hit or miss. And if they’re not paying you then don’t be afraid to bounce (in a professional manner that is). You are cultivating a career. You should only spend your time on projects that are worth while and not feeling depressed because you’re in a crap show! If the production is well connected then I advise you to stick with it and network.
I ENCOURAGE you to write your own work! Get together with a group of fellow actors and put on your own production. Rehearse and promote the event on social media. You can even try to gain funding by setting up a Kickstarter account or charging a small admission fee for each performance. Or if you work better alone then you can write and perform in a One Man/One Woman Show
Think about it...give it a shot...you never know! In 2011 I held a staged reading of my first play at my church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn that received a great turn out. Over 70 people for a staged reading in Brooklyn is considered a hit!
BE READY to perform a monologue at any given moment. Auditions can be spontaneous and they're never the same. Directors and Casting Directors are individuals. It's best to be prepared then empty handed. Prepare a monologue that fits your "type" and that you feel comfortable with. It can be either from a play, television series, or film. Published works are best as suppose to something you've written. I like to rehearse my monologue in front of a mirror so I can see how I appear when performing. You can also do your monologue in front of friends and/or family to get their insight as well as to feel more comfortable in front of an audience.
PASSPORT: get it! You want to be available and flexible to work whenever and especially wherever! If you can afford it (or plan to save up for it) here’s a link to a service that will rush your passport to you within a matter of days.
ACTING TOOLS:
Search Facebook for Casting Notices. There are a variety of groups where Casting Directors/Theater and Film Companies put up Notices for short films, plays, etc.
Check for Casting Notices on your location’s official website/website for their film office (if you live in any of the major film cities such as NYC, LA, FL, PA, etc)
AVOID CRAIGSLIST BY ALL MEANS!!!!!!!
(Nothing but scams and perverts)
And if you have any respect for yourself then you will heed my warning.
BEWARE of scam artists posing as agents/agencies! I had a lesson in this when I was just starting out at AMDA! I was naive and too ambitious for my own good. I didn't know then that you NEVER PAY an agent up front to be your so-called agent! Agents get a percentage from what you make WHEN YOU BOOK a gig for either film, TV, theater, and/ or print. Also, if you go on an audition, and whoever is running the audition asks you to pay them for head shots to send to some big shot Casting Director connected to "Universal Studios"then you need to run for the hills! If you don't have any current pictures of yourself on your person to take to an audition and if they really like you then they will take a picture of you; not ask you to pay $200 on the spot to get some taken! Don't let people see the stars in yours eyes. Be excited to act, but on your A-game. Working in NYC has exposed me to a lot of insane situations. Also, if you respond to a casting call and meet up with the "director" of the production, where he asks you to go with him to his apartment to audition for him...need I say more?
But on a lighter note...
One on One NYC is my top recommendation for serious actors wanting to establish a solid career in the industry. If you live in New York be sure to checkout their website for more details on their audition process. Upon acceptance they provide opportunities to meet and network with Casting Directors who are known for booking actors through their establishment.
I am apart of the alumni of TAP NYC (The Actor's Project New York City) and had the honor of being apart of the illustrious Troop 10 (a handful of members who are chosen by the Artistic Director to perform full length scenes and gain more exposure during performances in front of Casting Directors and Agents). It’s a great setting where you can meet other actors and gain training in comedy. The establishment’s main aim is to get actors representation! Even though this is not how I got signed with the agency I am now with; it was still a great moment in time in my career where I was able to network, meet new people, and showcase my talent in front of industry professionals. They also provide personal coaching and resume workshops.
I recommend visiting their website for more information on upcoming auditions and to get a feel for what they have to offer (to see if it is the right move for you)!
Nine-Nine: The UnAngency, seems to me to be a great opportunity for those who have no representation, but you want to gain serious work/exposure as an actor (and/or model). I was close to joining their database, but another opportunity came up. If you live in any of their office locations then don’t hesitate to checkout their website and schedule to show up at one of their open calls. I was told by one of the representatives that an actress that joined them booked work the entire year and got an agent then moved to LA! So you never know...
These are a couple of websites that I have been introduced to by my agent. You can sign up by creating a profile that allows you to search Notices that you feel you are a fit for:
ACTING EXERCISES:
Choose a short sentence or phrase from your audition monologue or from a scene you are working on for a production and repeat it, but say it differently each time: once slow, once in anger, once overly dramatic, and so on to help loosen you up. Doing this exercise enables you to discover a balanced and realistic deliverance for your line. As a plus you can do it with a partner (where they say their cue line then you respond and you keep going a round discovering new ways to deliver your line).
Set a timer for 1-2 minutes.
Recite limericks before your rehearsals/performances (either stage or film) to help your speech and pronunciation as well as loosening your facial muscles so you can be more expressive when you act.
Try these out for size over emphasizing the words to stretch your mouth and facial muscles:
Unique New York
Unique New York
You know you need
Unique New York
Ray ran around
Roy will arrive at around 2
A rose
Is a rose
Is a rose
Is a rose
Whether the weather be cold
Or whether the weather be hot
We’ll be together whatever the weather
Whether we like it or not
Whether the weather be hot or whether the weather be cold
We’ll be together whatever the weather
Whether we’re young or we’re old
Gigi got gum
Gigi got gum
Gigi got gum
Britney’s bad at baking bread
Britney’s bad at baking bread
Britney’s bad at baking bread
ACTING HISTORY:
These are links to some of the greatest acting legends (and their techniques) for you to get acquainted with:
Santé
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