Open your eyes, your career is waiting ...
I write a column for the Examiner called "How To Make It In LA." I just came across this article I wrote in June, and although it pertains to actors - I think it still has a lot of relevant qualities ...
What are you doing right now to further your career? You say you want to be an actor, great, the unemployment line is a great place to share your latest monologue. What actual steps are you taking to execute your goal?
Let's start with the basics here:
1. Do you have a headshot?
Acting skills aren't required to be an extra, but a picture is. A good headshot will sell you better than any Ari Gold wanna-be. Here is some more info on how to get a headshot on a budget.
2. Do you have an agent? Or do you need one?
God bless agents, in the 9 almost 10 years that I have been a professional actor I have seen my fair share of agents, but the one who got me the most work is the one I see everyday when I look in the mirror. What are you doing to sell yourself? I'm not talking about going down to Hollywood and Highland, but what are you sending out to your current network of contacts letting them know about your past work, and asking about future projects. Ask, ask, ask. Now, courtesy of Web 2.0, social networking has enabled you to keep in constant contact with anyone and everyone. So, what are you doing about it?
3. What's your marketing strategy?
Do you have a website? Facebook? Myspace? Twitter? Linkedin? Actors Access? LACasting? Do you have a web presence? How is someone going to know to find you if you don't even have any of these sites set up? The majority of social networks are free, and Actors Access and LACasting are reasonable on their monthly rates. Establishing a presence is absolutely mandatory. If you don't do it, someone else will do it for you. Now, that's a scary thought.
4. What's out there about you?
Have you googled yourself? No, its not as self-absorbed as it sounds, but as an actor some crazy things can be written about you. Awareness is the key. Everyone has freedom of speech, but knowledge is power - stay one step ahead.
5. Be as specific as possible with what you want to do. Saying you want to become an actor is too broad. There are many forums in which one could act; stage, TV, films, theme parks, porn, Grauman's Theater "characters," which one are you going to do?
We are all going through a rough time financially. More and more people are losing their jobs everyday, it is reality. It is so easy to sit there and become so absorbed with the negativity thinking that "nothing is being shot right now" or, "next season I am going to send out pictures when I have more money." The time is now - we only have now.
Do me a favor, write down a list of the next action you can take to further your career. See where it takes you ... worst case scenario is you prove me wrong. Best case scenario, you are right.
Mantra for 2010: JUST DO IT