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
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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! 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.
A lot of actors think that you only need to reach out to an agent once. They send their headshot and cover letter, and if they don’t hear back, they assume the agent passed on them.
But no answer really just means you have no information yet. You have no idea where your materials have ended up: with the agent, their assistant or in a stack of papers somewhere in between. And agents are extremely busy with their current roster of clients to focus on, so don’t assume that once is enough. In our final #SignWithAnAgent video, Acting and Career Coach Ethan Paulini offers his suggestions for second, third and fourth contact with potential agents, and when he thinks it’s time to add a manager to your team.
If you’ve enjoyed these #SignWithAnAgent tips from Ethan, don’t forget that he has a special discount just for our community. Mention “Elise” when booking your first coaching session with Ethan, and you'll get the discounted price of just $20.17.
You can connect with Ethan at www.ethanpaulini.com/acting-coach, ethancoaches@yahoo.com or (917) 903-3546. And find him on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
Don’t forget, I’m hosting a Facebook Live this Thursday, June 22 at 6PM EDT / 3PM PDT where I’ll be sharing my favorite post-audition traditions.
--- This video is Part 5 of our 5-part #SignWithAnAgent video series with Ethan Paulini. You can check out Part 1, 2, 3 and 4 here.
Finding an agent is a lot like dating. Just because someone looks “good on paper” doesn’t mean they’re the right partner for you. The same is true for finding that special agent or manager to represent you to casting directors, producers and directors.
It’s important to have good chemistry with your representation, but a lot of actors overlook the big picture when they are deciding on who to sign with. In this week’s #SignWithAnAgent video, Acting and Career Coach Ethan Paulini explains why it’s better to sign with a lower level agent you have a great rapport with than a higher level agent that leaves you feeling frustrated. Get ready to start thinking outside the resume for your next agent! If you’re loving these tips from Ethan as much as I am, check out his special offer just for our community. Mention “Elise” when booking and your first coaching session with #ethancoaches is just $20.17. You can connect with Ethan at www.ethanpaulini.com/acting-coach, ethancoaches@yahoo.com or (917) 903-3546. And find him on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget, I’m hosting a Facebook Live on Wednesday, May 31st at 6PM EDT / 3PM PDT where I’ll be coming to you Live from APAC, the Audio Publishers Association Conference. I’ll be sharing my favorite audiobooks to find inspiration, up level your career and just get a little escape from the daily grind. --- This video is Part 2 of our 5-part #SignWithAnAgent video series with Ethan Paulini. You can check out Part 1 here.
I am so thrilled to introduce you to my friend and fellow working actor, Carolina Ravassa.
She not only created her one-woman web series, Hispanglosaxon, but she has appeared on Showtime's The Affair and voices Sombra for Blizzard's OVERWATCH. Check out part one of her interview here, and please share this with any other performers you know who may be inspired by this interview clip where we talk "Moving to New York".
Follow Carolina at Insta: @ravassa, twitter: carolina ravassa, facebook: Hispanglosaxon page
Let’s discuss on FACEBOOK & Insta LIVE tonight (Tuesday, March 14th) at 8:30 EST/ 5:30 PST Watch Facebook Live Video Here
Removing Yourself From Uncomfortable Situations
I am all for going out of your comfort zone, in fact I challenge you to go out of your comfort zone on a daily basis, because it will help you grow as both a human and artist. We will definitely explore the subject of “going out of your comfort zone” in a future post … But today let’s talk about UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATIONS… And when it’s time to walk away There have been times in my career where I have lost confidence because I found myself in uncomfortable environments. A time or two it was clear that I was in a straight up dangerous situation and I hustled to the door as quickly as I arrived. I was lucky in that all turned out well soon after. But if I hadn't walked away immediately, I could have been emotionally and physically hurt. This industry is full of hopeful artists trying to pursue their dreams, and sometimes not so nice people will take advantage of our starry-eyed aspirations—taking our money and not fully delivering. When should you get out of a situation that is makes you feel uncomfortable? 1.) If you feel like you will be risking your mental, physical or spiritual well-being by taking part in a project or experience. In my career I have had the awkwardness of:
2.) When the leadership uses fear-based motivation versus empowering inspiration and collaboration. Does the leadership inspire you OR make you fearful? Keep in mind that there are many paths to success in our industry. If a certain coach, company, director, actor or writer, is making you feel uncomfortable--- end the relationship. Walking away is not a career-ending decision. You WILL find others who are the right fit for you AND who treat you with respect. I don’t know about you, but I am interested in working with inclusive not exclusive folks who share a similar mindset of inclusiveness and love. I want to be creating inspiring art that challenges and has the power to change humanity for good! If the method of communication is fear-based, how is that in line with the work I want to create? We already have enough work to do in this business to keep our mindsets in check---- SO when given a choice, I choose inspiration over fear. What kind of work to you want to create? When looking at a next project or even current projects, are they in line with your goals? This topic and some of these examples may trigger questions and fears. I’d love to address your specific questions below. We are each at a unique place in our performing career and if my examples are not quite in line with where you currently are, I’d love to discuss your specific journey and current challenges. I will be exploring this subject further on Facebook Live, Wednesday, March 1st at 3pm EST/Noon PST. Please join me with your questions or comments then and check back for a link to the video. |
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