Happy (almost) New Year!
Depending on which time zone you may be in at the moment, you may have already rung in 2018! Cheers! I have been heavily relaxing this week (which is why you have not heard from me in a bit). I hope you had some time off too... time to recharge as you get ready to kick off 2018 with grace, prosperity and creativity! As I left my favorite barre class this morning, I couldn’t wait to sit down and write to you, so here we are... How was your 2017? What were some milestones reached? Some personal & professional highs? And lows? Did you set a goal for yourself and reach it? If you didn’t quite reach it, did the goal set you in action and maybe lead you toward some other pretty nifty achievements? If you didn’t set any goals for yourself, how did this year go career-wise? If you have been following my blog for any bit of time, you know I am BIG on setting goals, breaking them down into smaller actions and GOING FOR IT. I absolutely LOVE to reflect and plan this time of year, and invite you to do the same for your acting career. So, I’ve created a simple roadmap just for you to "Celebrate Your Success & Manifest More in 2018"! Claim yours now!
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Photo Source: Photo by John-Mark Kuznietsov on Unsplash So you’re planning to add a new city to your local hire list or maybe you’ve lived in a regional market for a while or perhaps you feel it’s time to begin working with an agent. Whatever the cause, it’s my intention to empower you to be your own agent in that regional market. First, let’s determine exactly what it is you might be expecting from an agent. Then we’ll explore how you can take on these responsibilities in order to own it in your region! Agents build relationships with casting directors and other industry professionals. Over months and years, agents cultivate relationships with casting directors and other decision makers by consistently sending talented, prepared clients who show up on time, are easy to work with, audition well, book jobs, and make the casting director’s job easy. In turn, CDs have certain agencies they’ll call first when they have specific needs, based on good track records with their rosters. How do you do this as your own agent? Attend auditions for projects you’re right for, attend general auditions, take advantage of any opportunity where you can begin developing relationships with casting directors, directors, writers, and other decision-makers. Click here to read the full article on Backstage.com! Originally published on Backstage.com
So what do you think? Have you encountered feeling of envy & jealousy in your career? How have you dealt with these icky feelings? Would love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
If you've found this helpful and and have yet to check out Episodes 1, 2 and 3 of our #Success series, just click on the links for more tips on auditioning for actor/musician shows, managing success and #tourlife! You can find out more about Erica Sypres here and be sure to SHARE this with any actors you adore :)
Good food for thought, right?!
If you enjoyed our conversation and have yet to check out Episodes 1 & 2 of our #Success series, just click on the link for more tips on auditioning for actor/musician shows and managing success! You can find out more about Erica Sypres here and be sure to join us next week for the final episode of the series! Please feel free to SHARE with other actors who'd get something out of this :) So what happens when you land a big job, ...need to back out of an entire season of regional work, ... and suddenly have to live up to the success? Well, this fabulous problem is exactly what happened to actress/singer/musician Erica Spyres when she landed the national tour of ONCE. When describing this big win to me, she said: "We prepare ourselves as actors so much for failure... we prepare ourselves for "no" that when we hear a yes.. we're like.. 'wait-what?! I was all ready to hear a "no" I don't know what to do with that!'" Many of us focus on being in a mindset of letting go after a big audition and haven't given too much thought into how to best be prepared for the feeling of major success. Check out this week's video for Erica's solutions and how YOU can best be ready for that next big job! So what do you think? Have you been in a similar situation? What healthy habit will you begin today to best be ready to manage big success? Leave your thoughts in the comments, please share with any actors you think might be into this, and... Stay tuned for more from Erica next week! In the meantime, you can learn more about her out at ericaspyres.com This is Episode of 2 in the #Success series with Erica Spyres. If you've missed Episode 1, go back and watch it here! In my very first post for this blog, I attributed much of my career success and life balance to having successful accountability partnerships.
And it’s true… I used to be a patient actor, hoping that eventually the right jobs would come. Now, I take daily and weekly action towards that next job and have someone to check in with, celebrate with, plan with. I always feel best in my accountability calls when I can report that I’ve done what I said I would do! And if sometime I am a day or two behind in an action, that’s okay too- because, in the end I am taking way more action in my career than I ever used to, so it’s still a major hustle! I have set big goals (begin a career in audiobooks, land great representation, book my first co-star), and I have accomplished them or something better- because I am constantly in action, controlling what I can (and letting go of what I cannot)! I used to be stopped by my own limiting beliefs. Because I’ve met my accountability partners via actor business groups led by optimistic, nurturing and strategic career coaches, we have each learned about how our own limiting beliefs can be our biggest career obstacles. I have often helped my partner face the obstacle, challenge it and move past it and have flourished from my partner doing the same for me. I now challenge myself to do something outside of my comfort zone daily, and the actions that used to feel scary - like making a phone call to a decision maker or ask for a meeting - have become easy. I used to work many “jobs” that were unrelated to my acting career. Today, I am working full-time in the industry- whether voicing a commercial, narrating an audiobook, acting in a play or coaching an actor the momentum continues to build. I look forward to crushing my next few goals with the help of these accountability partners. With accountability, actions take way less time than I ever thought they would, so each day I find myself moving on to “what’s next?” The constant positive time and effort invested into the business of the acting career makes it grow exponentially. I began saying “No” to the things I did not enjoy doing and insisted on getting paid for the acting career I had already spent so much money to build. Accountability can be a game-changer for you, and I am thrilled to see some accountability partnerships beginning to thrive in the current #GlobalActor Power Groups. It’s early November, if you have an acting goal, you have been putting off, like:
Consider joining us in the #GlobalActor Power Groups! Since launching in late August, we have celebrated all of the above accomplishments! How?
I’d love to be that optimistic, nurturing and strategic coach that helps sky-rocket YOUR acting career! IF you’re up for some acting success... Let’s set up a time in the next couple weeks to see if the #GlobalActor Power Group might be a fit for your current career needs! With the new year just around the corner, NOW is the FINAL time to lock in the 2017 power group rates- the lowest they will ever be, and take CHARGE of your career today! Are you a musician as well as an actor and singer? If so, I'm sure you've been noticing the call for more and more actor/singer/musicians in the theater today- from John Doyle's Sondheim productions to shows like ONCE and NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812. And what a great way to set yourself apart from the herd in this competitive business! If you're ready to market yourself as an actor/singer/musician, you have a special opportunity to stand out and book work that few others can. So, how can you make the best first impression auditioning with your instrument? Check out this week's video below for what is being asked of you in these kinds of auditions! I'm interviewing Erica Spyres who takes us through the step-by-step process of what it was like to audition and be cast in the National Tour of ONCE! (Be sure to follow her, as she makes her upcoming Broadway debut in CAROUSEL!) Watch it now! So what do you think? Now that you've got some tried & true tips, select a song or two that would seriously show off your musicianship and personality on your favorite instrument, and let me know how it goes, in the comments below. Stay tuned for more from Erica next week and in the meantime check her out at ericaspyres.com
Last week Actors Equity announced changes to the EMC (Equity Membership Candidate) program providing more flexibility to actors currently enrolled.
There is now an option to join AEA after 25 weeks in the program (vs. the former 50 weeks). If EMCs wish, they can stay in the program to Phase II- completing 25 more weeks as an EMC. A new dues structure has been put in place and those who qualify may be able to save $500 towards their initiation fee if they join before January 1, 2018. Following the announcement, my FaceBook feed blew up with complaints, advice to EMC members not to join AEA prematurely, etc. I noticed a lot of fear out there... and I thought it worthy of discussion. First off, Yay to the new flexibility! Joining the EMC program may be easier in the regional markets and while some regional actors may want to complete all 50 weeks, it may behoove NYC or LA-based actors to join at 25. The strength of Actors Equity is important for professional stage actors and stage managers and if this change will increase membership and funding, I salute you Equity! #EquityWorks Joining the union (at any time) is a personal decision and one that should not be taken lightly. I never recommend taking the blanket advice of anyone who is shouting it on Facebook. Your personal credits, relationships & training must all be taken into consideration before making such a decision. As a career coach for actors, I will never make a solid recommendation to a client on joining or not, until we have thoroughly discussed that actor’s goals, ambitions, past training and current relationships in the industry. So, I’ve put together a quiz (including some of the questions I ask my clients), so that YOU can begin to explore if joining Actors Equity NOW is right for YOU! Also, this Thursday, October 26th at 9pm EST/6pm PST, I will be hosting a FaceBook LIVE for us to further discuss! Invite a friend, bring your questions, comments and quiz results! build an acting career from anywhere!This article was first published in the Thriving Artist Circle on October 9, 2017. “Ugh!” You have tried to make it work in NYC… LA… Chicago… (fill in the blank with a major city w/ bustling film/tv/theatre scene… ) But you’re broke… or your mom is sick… (or fill in the blank with a legit reason that your life has taken an unexpected turn…) nervous breakdown, anyone? The move out of the city might feel inevitable; it might feel like you’ve lost your independence, and it may feel like you no longer have a viable acting career…. That was me at 26! However, that time out of the city ultimately ended up serving my career and life in ways I did not initially anticipate. I’d like to offer a few key steps to survive artistically during such a time. Find a release – A confidence boost. It can be tough to leave a thriving city with unlimited performance opportunities. You may go through periods of extreme emotions, mourning that independent, busy city-life. Find a healthy activity that helps you cope with extreme ups and downs. For me, I found positive endorphins through running. Other activities may include yoga, hiking, painting, songwriting, therapy, karaoke. What were the activities that kept you sane in your city life? Pursue theater/film/tv opportunities in the area. Share your experience and training with this new community. Research local performance groups and production companies and find a “way in,” whether it’s through readings, auditions, open mics or networking events. Work is work, and in smaller communities, you may have more opportunities to be a big fish in a small pond. You may be seen for roles outside of your type and have the opportunity to stretch your acting chops; be gracious. The quality may not match what you were seeing on Broadway stages, but you may find projects that have the ability to enhance your craft and build your resume. A smaller market afforded me great opportunities to attain Equity status – something to consider if you are thinking of joining an acting union. Check out local universities for further training. I trained with the head of a major grad school voice program for years, without the six-figure tuition bill; career-changing! Focus on the task at hand. If you moved away from the city to pay credit card debt, HUSTLE. Work as often as you need to pay those bills as efficiently as possible. If you moved to support a loved one, then do so full-heartedly. Be present. Don’t forget the importance of self-care (remember that endorphin, confidence-boosting activity). It will keep you facile and ready for the moment opportunity comes your way. Tap into your network and be open to surprises. If you have moved back to your hometown and have contacts there, let everyone know you’re back. Interesting opportunities may arise. I began teaching voice lessons and was able to tap into my family’s reputation in the area (my dad and brother are both music teachers). Think about what skills you have and the connections already in place to put them to work. Create a clear vision and identify goals & milestones within that vision. There is a reason you have left the city; keep that front & center, but remember to nurture your love of performing and continue the pursuit of your craft. Take some time to map out where you’d like to be in your career 1-3 years from now. As Dallas has shared time & time again, “reverse engineer it”. What is half of that goal (six months) and a quarter of that goal (three months)? Plan accordingly, and get into action. A thriving acting career IS possible outside of a major city. But watch out, you might find that the fresh air and small-town living appeals to you more than you thought… you may not want to return to full-time city-living again! For more on building an acting career from anywhere, download my FREE #GlobalActor GPS here. Have you been on this pursuit for awhile? You have every intention of Booking a Co-Star but you're not achieving results? Is your patience starting to wane? Don't give up- check out this 5th and final episode of the #BookACoStar series with John Cramer (House of Cards, Orange Is The New Black, Blue Bloods, Norman). This week we tackle some bonus actions you can take (from self-producing, to working with partners & more). John also introduces us to "The Pomodoro Technique" (which I am totally implementing my work this week!) Watch it now! A very special thank you to John Cramer for so generously sharing his expertise with us this past month!
If John's advice on partnering up for accountability sounds like it might work for you, I'd love to invite you to join the #GlobalActor Power Groups. I am welcoming a few new members to the group in October. Let me know if you'd like to be one of them. The bi-weekly coaching sessions are an awesome way to stay accountable, gain some laser-focused attention and specific actions to help you move forward strategically & efficiently toward your current acting goals and beyond! Set up a time to chat with me about it today! If you missed any of the previous #BookACoStar episodes, get you can access them here! Ep. 1: How John Cramer Booked His First Co-Star Ep. 2: Narrow Your Target List Ep. 3: Prepping for the Shoot Ep. 4: How To Build Relationships Outside of Workshops |
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