Tag: actor
Don’t Ever Say This to Another Actor
Please, don’t ever say this to another actor. I was working on a feature film. The director decided to give the 6 principal actors one additional line that he quickly wrote. They were said rapid fire to another principal actor. One of the extras walked over to one of the principals and told her that […]
I Got Booked on an ABC Pilot
While giving workshops in South Africa, I got an email telling me I was booked for an ABC pilot. It is very hard to get these types of bookings. Casting directors can receive anywhere between 500-1500 head shot/resume submissions per role. Then, only a small percentage of those actors get the chance to audition. After […]
This 1 Trick Can Get You More Auditions
There is 1 trick that can get you more auditions. Many people have no idea that having a special slate on Actors Access can greatly increase your chances of getting an audition.
3 Tips When Using a Teleprompter
This morning I had an on camera narration job where I had to use a teleprompter. I love these bookings. Sometimes they are very educational, fun and all of my lines are on a teleprompter. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you don’t have to do a lot of preparation for the job because […]
If I Heard This Comment Over 30 Years Ago, I Might Not Be an Actor
I recently heard this comment from an agent. If I heard it when I was starting in the industry, I might not have entered the business. Not All Agents Understand the Industry Starting an acting or modeling agency, does not automatically mean that the agent understands how to run the business properly. I recently heard […]
Do This and Casting Will Delete Your Home Audition
After getting notified that you have a casting, you begin working hard on creating an incredible home audition. Audition Preparation You research, figure out your character, understand the changes and when they occur. After that, you decide who the scene is about. If you are auditioning for a TV show, make sure you watch a […]
How Far Can You Push an Acting Agent
There is a fine line between pushing an agent too far but also being proactive and taking care of yourself. I recently was asked to audition and have the video sent back to the agent by the next day. I worked really hard at understanding the material, who my character was, what the character wanted […]
Never End Your Audition On the Last Word
Many actors believe that when they say or hear the last word, the audition is over. This is not a smart way to audition. Actors should always audition in a way that helps the casting director and the director believe that they are watching the scene take place during the actual shoot. Although you are […]
The Truth About Accepting Extra Work as an Actor
Many actors who are getting started question whether they should be doing extra work. And, if they accept extra work, can it be listed on their acting resume? I am an “Expert Writer” for Backstage Publication. In this article I share the pros and cons of doing extra work. And, even though I I tell […]
Four Ways to Prepare Before Your Audition
I recently had the opportunity to audition for a pilot. I spent about 3 hours preparing for my home audition. There is no 1 way to prepare for an audition, so I want to share 4 things I did that helped me prepare and give a read that I was very happy with. Audition for […]
This Was a Really Bad Experience With an Agent
Sometimes we run into really bad experiences with agents. This happened to me a while ago. I want to share it with you so that you handle this type of situation better than I did. Like with many things in this industry, even after being a full-time actor for more than 30 years, I am […]
Should You Pay Attention to the Writers Notes in a Script?
When you are reading a script, sometimes you will find writers notes. A question that I hear a lot is whether an actor should pay attention to the writers notes. Absolutely. Always pay attention to them. But, the real question is, should you follow the suggestions. NOT NECESSARILY You are not a puppet for the […]
4 Things You Can Do to Help Your Agent Get You More Work – Video
I was recently asked to help find talent for a few business video projects. I had the chance to get a glimpse into the life of an agent. It was a great experience for me. I always knew that agents work incredibly hard, but it was so interesting to see how much detailed work goes […]
Can You Ask Your Agent This Question?
It is very exciting to get news about an audition or go-see (the audition for models.) But there is a problem and you aren’t sure if you can ask your agent this question. When is it OK to Ask Your Agent for a Favor I was recently in a situation where I was told about […]
How The Actor John Mahoney Changed My Life
Life Altering Conversation We all have different people who have greatly influenced our lives. Sometimes people don’t even intend or try to have a major impact, but perhaps something they say or do can be life altering. The late actor John Mahoney had a major influence on the way I live my life. Back in […]
Do Actors Have to Memorize Lines for an Audition?
As an acting and modeling career coach and guest speaker, one of the most frequent questions I receive is: “do actors need to memorize lines before an audition?” Even though this is a pretty simple and straightforward question, the answer is actually rather complicated. If the casting director says that all actors need to be off-book […]
All Successful Actors Use This Audition Technique
Sometimes you will learn that one little thing that you should be doing during an audition, that can make a major change in your read. This technique is simple, and once you learn it, you will quickly understand why it makes so much sense and why it will make your audition so much better. […]
3 Ways of Doubling Your Chances of Booking a Modeling Job
3 Ways of Doubling Your Chances of Booking a Modeling Job Written for BackStage By Aaron Marcus If you have never attended a modeling go-see, let me first give you some background information about what takes place at the model’s audition (go-see), before explaining how you can increase your chances of getting booked. A […]
The Photo of a Giraffe Can Get You More Auditions
Last week someone sent me a photo of a new born giraffe. This 6’0 newborn looked so interesting and beautiful she just grabbed my attention. I knew that I needed to see her in person. So, last Sunday I took my family to the zoo and we got a chance to see “Willow”, her mom […]
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