Insider’s Secret Tips for Actors #1

/0 Comments/in /by

by Tony Nation

It’s a fact!  I know that everyone in any profession is always looking for some secret tip or inside information to help them get that small edge on the competition.

Well, as the President of Actors Connection and also a consultant to actors now for over 10 years, I’ve gathered what I would call inside information because of my relation to pretty much 80% to 90% of the industry. I’ve participated in many, many events with them throughout my years of working at Actors Connection and have kept notes on what I think is some of the best advice as well as information and industry secrets.

So, now I’m going to be sharing with you that information once a week. Don’t miss out on the inside secrets, advice, input, tips and whatever else I can give you to help propel you forward in your acting career. It’s up to you to use it or not.

Insider’s Secret Tip #1

Are you an actor who is looking to build your Film credits? If TV and film are what you want to do, you need to be building your resume and film/TV reel in order to have agents seriously look at you. But how do you do that if you don’t already have much experience in these areas? Or if you’re a musical theatre actor wanting to either transition out of that career or simply wanting to explore other markets?

Some of the best ways to do just this, gain experience, credits and reel is to participate in student film programs.

One of the best film programs around, Columbia University Graduate Film School, now has a film casting site where you can register and upload your picture and resume to meet and work with some of the most promising film makers of tomorrow. Many of these student films go to film festivals and you just never know when one of the directors you have worked with hits it big and wants you in their next indie or feature film because they liked your work—it does happen.

Click here to submit

You’ve got to please yourself.

/0 Comments/in /by

Roz Coleman, actress, acting coach, and podcast host recently took the time to answer the question, “What’s the best advice someone has offered you?” Here is her response:

It was an observation that came from August Wilson…  It was when we were on Broadway in SEVEN GUITARS and it was more of an observation that I made over time.

August Wilson had so much joy about his role in the work and he had a recognition of who he was in the world. This made him about his work, it made him focus on the work.

I remember that I helped him join AOL and the screen name he chose for himself was “POWERSOURCE.” He knew who he was as the creator and storyteller. From that observation I knew that he was not apologetic about who he was but very comfortable.

The second observation that I made about him was that he always had the next play ready. Although he was grateful for his current success, he started talking about his next play. Wilson was always about the work. He knew it was important to dedicate time to his craft

You have to do your work, alone in a room creating. That’s what he talked about. It wasn’t on what was he had already done but what was coming.

Those observations translate into acting.

You can’t wait for permission for someone to tell you to create something. As an artist, you have to create every day. You have to create something. When you wait for the phone to ring, your instrument will atrophy.

Actor Sam Rockwell and I used to get together and read plays at each other’s house. If actors aren’t working, they should do the same. Sit down with some friends and and read some Tennessee Williams. Don’t talk about it. Get together and act it.

You have to be pleasing to yourself in your work.

Catching this blog post too late for Roz’s class? Check our schedule of events for a list of acting classes in New York city.

Roz will be leading a 4-week class, “Advance inTREATMENT”: On-Camera Acting for Film & TV, beginning Thursday night (January 6). Click here to learn more about the class and register.

So, you want to do voice overs?

/1 Comment/in /by

AC: If people tell an actor that he should really consider doing voice overs — and he’s never done voice overs — how does he go about getting started?

Paul Liberti: Bottom line: Training! Good training. Never stop training. Find a great coach and learn all you can. Then experience OTHER teachers and professionals in the business. If you find a class that an agent or casting person is teaching… GO! To have the chance to find EXACTLY what a casting director is looking for… then by all means that is a golden opportunity (that is why I love the opportunities at Actors Connection as that is what they are all about!)! Find a good VO class in New York and a great coach and learn all you can.

Learn all aspects of voice over—not just commercial voice over and animation. Take a class in audio books… or narration, or promos!! Even if you never plan to go into those aspects of voice over, the techniques you learn will help your story telling skills and character building skills to make you the most competitive actor out there.

You don’t plan a career; it works around you. We compete for jobs and you need to be just a little more of yourself then the voice guy/girl out there!! You need to be ready for any curve ball thrown. I have classes for the WORKING actor because you should always be growing and studying. When it all seems too comfortable, you need to get back into class. Any actor of longevity will tell you the same.

Paul will be co-leading “Professional Voice Over Tune Up” tonight (Monday, January 3) at 6:30 pm and also will leading and co-leading other courses through March. Click here to learn more and register.

Top 10 Tips for Professional Actors in 2011, Pt. 2

/0 Comments/in /by

Here are the remaining new year resolution tips from Tony Nation:

  1. Update or create your website
    If you don’t have a website to promote yourself, you MUST get one today. Even if it’s just a simple website with your picture, resume and information about you, it’s important that you are searchable via the internet. And if you have demo reels, there is no better place to spotlight everything that you do, than by putting it here on your website. If you don’t have any demos made but have clips, put them up. What better way to showcase all of your talents than on your website. You can get a free website at www.moonfruit.com. Easy to use and I highly recommend them.
  2. Purchase your domain name
    A must if you have a website as the domain name links your website to the internet. I recommend getting yourname.com or yourname.net. A domain name only costs around $8-$10 a year and www.godaddy.com is the place I recommend to buy yours.

  3. Get back into some sort of acting class
    Again obvious, but as actors we have to keep our skills up. Just like going to the gym to stretch and stay in shape, the same can be said for acting, so check out a list of acting classes in New York City and pick a class that interests you. If you can’t afford class, get a group of acting friends together and do monologues, scenes with everyone giving positive constructive feedback.

  4. Create both a short and long term goal list for your acting career
    A company without a mission statement or vision has no direction. The same can be said for anyone without goals or a plan of action. As actors it’s important to create goals that we can achieve daily, weekly, monthly and yearly. Create your roadmap to success today!

  5. Update your Monologues or Book of Songs
    Again obvious but just like the headshot and resume, if you’ve been using the same pieces now for several years or you don’t LOVE them, it’s time to find new material. Coach privately or in class, but find material that fits you like and glove and that you just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to do!

Happy New Year!

Top 10 Tips for Professional Actors in 2011, Pt. 1

/0 Comments/in /by

By Tony Nation

2011 is almost here and there’s no better time than right now before the turn of the new year to get yourself ready for what looks to be a very busy audition season! Word from the networks is that there are going to be more pilots than ever being produced and cast—plus summerstock auditions and the spring audition season will be here before you know it. So if you want to perform in NYC this year, here are some ideas to get you into tip-top show business shape:
  1. Update your headshot
    This might seem obvious but every time you get a new headshot that is better than your old one you re-introduce your product of “you the actor” into the marketplace. If your picture is eye-catching, tells a story and says you have to meet me, you’ll be amazed at how many more auditions come your way with a new look! Plus it’s a tax write-off. If your picture is 2-3 years old or is black and white, it’s time to update!
  2. Refresh your resume
    Again obvious but if you haven’t spruced it up lately or have been writing in credits, now is the time to make sure your resume is selling you. Remember, it’s your list of referrals as well as what you do as an actor. Make sure your name is the easy to read and stands out!
  3. Update your listing on Actors Access
    When’s the last time you did this? Updated your headshots? Resume credits? Make sure your agency representation listing(s) are correct? Help yourself and your agent get you more auditions by maintaining an up-to-date listing.
  4. If you have credits on IMDB, fill out your profile and add pictures
    If you have a listing on IMDB and have never added pictures, resume or representation, do it NOW! Yeah, it costs a subscription fee but everyone in the business uses it as a resource and it’s a tax write off. Also, make sure that ALL of your movie and TV credits are listed. If they are not the process can be time consuming but it’s important that you show your body of work to everyone who might bring you in for an audition or hire you.
  5. Update or create your casting director list
    Every time you meet an agent in an interview, you will be asked who are the casting directors who know your work. Instead of having to pull it off the top of your head, here’s a fantastic tool to present to them. It shows you know how agents work and that you are a TRUE PRO! After you’ve secured representation, it’s also a handy way to keep your agent updated with the casting directors who have recently seen your work.

What are some things that actors can do
to put their time and efforts to better use?

/0 Comments/in /by

By Brian O’Neil

Performers acting in New York City think in a very linear way.  They subscribe to online casting services (which is fine), but aren’t learning to create quality audition opportunities for themselves, which is an important step towards your goal to perform in NYC.

One very important thing that actors need to do more of, especially in New York, is to be going on to the websites of the top off-Broadway theaters and learning when these theaters will be presenting readings of new plays and attending them.

To gain access to actually taking part in a reading, volunteer to read stage directions for any upcoming “developmental projects” as these readings are frequently called. (None of this is to be confused with being a “reader” in an actual audition situation which is an entirely different thing altogether).

Be a Reader for New Plays

I am speaking here of being in a reading of a new play which a given theater may be considering for their mainstage.  These readings are usually open to the public and are presented for the theater’s artistic director, the theater’s staff, and potential backers as well.

Being in a reading is a wonderful way to network and get to know the serious players in the New York theater scene—some of whom are also in the  process of developing independent film works as well. Plan on making your attendance regular, saying hello to those involved (often refreshments are served) and staying in touch with the staff by mail.

In my files, I have many photos and resumes of actors who are signed with major agencies who have placed a reading at a good theater on their resumes.  So if they can, you can.  I say the latter because some actors have been told not to put readings on their resumes, but if the reading was at a good theater, you really should. Over and over, I’ve seen one or two such readings on a resume  change the entire perception of an actor when those credits are viewed by an industry professional.

Brian O’Neil will be teaching the six-week course I HATE MONOLOGUES, beginning January 15 at Actors Connection.