The author asserts that new actors don't necessarily need agents. Drawing on personal experience, they highlight how most career progress was achieved independently, with their agent contributing little. They advise new actors to concentrate on developing their resumes and reels, building confidence in their auditions before seeking representation.
The presenter discusses his method of memorizing lines which involves reading the script and writing lines on index cards along with utilizing mnemonic techniques. Understanding the character and the scene reinforces his memory. He also notes running through the lines before bed and carrying index cards for practice anytime and anywhere.
The author is an actor with numerous tattoos, including on their hands. These tattoos affect their auditions for commercials and roles in SAG films, due to copyright issues. Although these tattoos can be covered with makeup, the process is cumbersome and rarely foolproof. Consequently, the author is undergoing tattoo removal on their hands, a long, unpleasant process that underscores the challenges faced by tattooed actors.
The writer shares their observation that casting directors who view their linked audition videos multiple times, often found through Facebook, potentially increases their chances of landing roles. This is in contrast to their unsuccessful auditions where the videos were viewed only once, suggesting less interest.
For new actors, building a resume and reel is crucial. Focusing on short films is recommended because they command less time commitment and provide quicker footage return. Feature films have a longer post-production period. Participating in series often equates to underpayment and huge time investment, making them less worthwhile. Unpaid work should be seen as a chance for gaining experience rather than expecting exposure or discovery.
The post details the author's experience with receiving two audition requests via IMDb from international casting directors. The author underscores the importance of maintaining an updated and comprehensive IMDb Pro profile, complete with personal information, headshots, film clips, and agent/manager details. The site also offers casting call searches.
The author felt insecure about their appearance after watching one of their acting auditions, magnifying perceived flaws. However, an actor friend and an instructor offered perspective, the latter showing a video of acclaimed actor Willem Dafoe discussing his own self-perceived flaws. This helped the author to focus more on acting rather than personal insecurities.
The actor narrates their perspective on self-advocacy in the acting business. Despite having an agent, they choose to look for and apply to their own casting calls. Their experience of not landing roles via their agent's auditions highlights the importance of taking control of their career and continuously seeking opportunities.
Below is a copy of my resume and it's formatted the way a professional resume should be formatted. Film and TV should be separate categories. (I have no TV credits yet). Then it's the Film Title. Supporting or Lead (no need to put the actual role), and the Production Company or Director. (The director name … Continue reading Resume
The user has crafted a professional resume with separate sections for Film, TV, Theater, and Commercial work, each with specific formatting. The resume also includes links to their reel, social media, IMDb profile, and their and their agent's email addresses. The author chose a simple format and populated the skills section from their profiles on acting websites.
Simon Shih 