In my first year of acting, I took on various projects to build my portfolio, resulting in 19 credits, classes, and skills. Now, I aim for more mainstream work to advance my career. With deliberate choices, I seek to progress rapidly, focusing on SAG and mainstream projects for greater impact.
Many actors with amateur or average headshots struggle to get auditions. Professional headshots make a significant difference. Examples of actors upgrading their headshots and experiencing increased audition opportunities highlight the importance of investing in quality headshots as a crucial calling card for actors. Quality headshots are essential for standing out in a competitive industry.
When pursuing representation from agencies, it's crucial to confirm their submission policies. SAG-AFTRA's franchised agency list is a helpful resource. Submission methods vary, typically involving email, online forms, or mail. A strong cover letter, professional headshots, acting credits, training, diverse skills, and a compelling reel are key in attracting an agent's attention. Persistence is also essential.
I had my first virtual audition through Backstage this week and I thought I would share the process with you. The process is very similar to a callback, so I used that mentality for the audition. I arrived to the virtual room about 10 minutes early. It's part of making a good first impression. The … Continue reading My First Virtual Audition
I was just contacted by some random actor on DM asking if I have any projects coming up. I told him that I had a few. He then asked me for a role in one of these projects. I am not a filmmaker. I am an actor. Even if there were roles to be filled, … Continue reading Aaaaand I Just Pissed Off Another Actor
Happy New Year Everyone. I hope 2024 is an amazing year for all of you. I have allowed actors to come over to my place to use my audition setup since I started acting almost a year ago. Most of the time it's a good experience, but some actors will come over and be completely … Continue reading What’s The Point In Auditioning If You’re Not Even Prepared
The post discusses the author's reliance on mentors, specifically in the acting business. The writer articulates the benefits of mentorship, including guidance, the realization of potential, and motivation. They suggest networking and social media as ways to find a mentor, while emphasizing the importance of nurturing a beneficial mentorship relationship. This involves openness, curiosity, enthusiasm, gratitude, reciprocation, and personal connection.
The post discusses a unique strategy the author has for uploading acting reels to Actor's Access. Despite the high cost of $22 per minute of uploaded video, by uploading separate clips instead of one full reel, they believes it has benefits. These include flexible clip combinations for specific roles, avoiding irrelevant footage, and avoiding the cost of full reel re-uploads.
The content is about an actor who evaluates potential roles based on three criteria: career development, compensation, and personal fulfillment. They prefer principal, speaking roles to enhance their acting reel, need reasonable compensation for their work, and favor projects that resonate with them personally or offer creative growth opportunities. Background roles don't meet their current career needs.
An actor recounted a recent conversation with a friend about navigating the formative period of their acting careers. Guided by prior experiences and advice, a key insight shared was the value of building a resume and learning through every experience, even in less appealing projects. For new actors, taking on any role, practicing auditions, networking, and learning from every opportunity constitute crucial steps toward professional growth.
Simon Shih 