Monday, February 24, 2020

Things Talent Agents Want You To Know!

Having worked as a talent agent and also talking with the agents that represent me I have learned a lot about what agents find most helpful in their relationships with talent. Here are a few things to know and keep in mind.

1. Response time to audition requests
When your agent calls or emails you with an audition request, the faster you respond the more helpful it is for everyone.  Often times slots are limited for auditions and the faster you respond the more likely you are to have a choice that works for your schedule. Letting them know you can’t do a particular audition is as helpful as letting them know you can. Clients and casting directors request certain talent and often provide back up options in case their first choices are not available.  If you can’t do an audition and let your agent know as soon as possible they can move on to someone who may be available. I have found that having a special alert set up for my agents email address and phone number gets my attention and I can respond sooner rather than later. And a couple of reminders....make sure your voicemail isn’t full..and that you have all the email addresses for the agents that contact you set to safe senders. Nothing like finding that audition or booking request a week late in your junk or spam folder or an agent trying to reach you and not being able to leave a message. And if you have a voicemail from your agent listen to it before calling back..often there will be important info you will be asked about when you respond and you’ll also know who it is that called. I can’t tell you how may times I have picked up the phone and heard “someone called me” my response “did you listen to the message?” Then I hear “no, I just saw I got a call”.  This saves time for everyone and you’re more prepared to answer questions your agent many have.

2.  Be prepared
Your agent will give you as much information as possible for each audition they schedule you for so make sure to read through everything. I can’t tell you how many times I received emails or phone calls from talent with questions that were already answered in the email confirmation that I sent. Make sure to work on the script if there is one or look at the storyboard, if provided, to help orient yourself before the audition. Show up a little early to the audition because things change from the initial info and also there is usually paperwork to fill out. Making the casting process easier for those running it by being prepared and on time is a huge advantage for you as a talent. Of course things happen, traffic, work conflicts etc but as much as possible try and control the things you can. If you are running late or unable to make an audition always contact your agent so they can let the casting people know since they are expecting you. When you have to miss an audition it can be unavoidable but know that it limits the options your agency has sent for the audition. Every talent agency wants to book their talent and they have the best chance of doing that when you show up!

3.  Contacting Your Agent
I have heard talent say I think they have forgotten about me.  I can say that isn’t true.  You may go for long stretches of time without an audition but that doesn’t mean you haven’t been submitted for an audition it just means you haven’t been requested or selected for a particular audition. It is always in the best interest of the agency to submit all the talent they represent that fit the specs for a particular audition because they want to book their talent.  When you reach out to your agent have something new for them, an email that just says “hey, got any work for me” doesn’t always stand out.  You completed a class?, workshop?, have new headshots?, a new reel?, you’re in a stage production? Those are all great ways to update your agent.  Also always make sure if you’re going to be out of town to let your agent know because then they won’t submit you for something and then request you for an audition only to discover that you aren’t around.  Another big one is an address change, new phone number or email address...alway make sure your agent has the most up to date contact info for you.

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Top 5 Audition Pitfalls

In the last year, as I have been doing more teaching and coaching for stage and on camera acting, students have suggested I start blogging again. I won’t name names to protect the innocent. This first blog post is something that I often share with actors when they ask me about what they can do to audition more successfully.  Let me start by saying that being cast for stage or on camera can be extremely subjective.  Often it is not merely based on talent or even how well you auditioned. One of my colleagues and friends, Beth Chaplin, says it’s Look, Attitude and Talent, in that order. That can be frustrating which is why I say this career path is as much psychological and emotional as anything. Being judged is never a welcomed experience.

So here are my top 5 Audition Pitfalls I have come to understand from running many stage and on camera auditions as a director as well as auditioning for projects as an actor.

1. Want and Need 
As actors we can find ourselves in the trap of wanting and needing things.  We want people to like us, to believe we are talented, to acknowledge our experience and training, to be cast because we love the  work.  We need to book work to gain experience, be a part of projects we are passionate about, further our career, and have the opportunity to learn and grow, and get paid. 
While there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with those wants or needs it can be an influence when we walk into the audition. Remembering a couple of things can help with your confidence when entering the audition room. First, someone wanted you there.  A director, an agent, a creative director, or just yourself because you submitted for the audition. You belong there.  That’s the first part of the audition process. Walking in with the confidence that you belong there is a big step towards success. Second, change the casting paradigm. I use to want them to say yes to me and a few years ago I changed that paradigm by saying I want them to have to say no to me. Meaning that I want them to have a difficult time saying no to me because they are deciding who to say yes to.  If we say yes to this person that means we have to say no to this other person, how are we going to do that?  I want to exude confidence and skills so they have to wrestle with decisions as they are making final casting decisions. 

2. Compete don’t Compare
Competition is not a dirty word!  Competition should be motivating and empowering. Comparing is the problem. When we look at what others are doing or getting related to auditions, casting and bookings we begin to judge ourselves or even doubt our own ability. You belong at the audition walk in with the attitude of competition instead of looking around the room or trying to see who else is auditioning. When you show up to compete for a role you do so with confidence instead of comparing yourself to others that are also auditioning. If you have decided that it is a waste of time to audition because certain people are also auditioning and they tend to “always get the job” over you then you have already disadvantaged yourself at that audition. 

3. Preparation
This is by far the one area that I have witnessed first hand as being a major pitfall. After running auditions and also auditioning myself I can see the talent who have not prepared as well as others for their audition. Often you don’t get scripts or sides weeks in advance and sometimes you get them with 24 hours or less to prepare. This, unfortunately, is the nature of the beast.  Looking at the script or storyboard or role description in the parking lot before you go in isn’t preparation. Make sure you are allowing yourself time to look over all the info you were sent for on camera and stage auditions. trust me, that can be a very helpful exercise.  Also take 15-20 minutes to look at things on the internet that the company or theater you’re auditioning for have already produced. This can help you identify their brand and even at times help with wardrobe if the direction is more general related to wardrobe.   

4. Scheduling
Day jobs, class, and just plain life can often be a nightmare when it comes to scheduling auditions.  As much as possible make sure you are scheduling an audition time that fits best for you to arrive 10 minutes early so you’re not rushing in the door and then right into the audition, Giving yourself some breathing room is helpful.  Things change in auditions and often you may be faced with new information that you’ll need a little time with. Of course that isn’t always possible but if it is don’t underestimate the advantage you have in arriving early and being able to sit and breathe for a bit before being called in. Again you may not always be able to control things to get the times you prefer but know your best times of the day...Morning? Afternoon? Evenings? Weekends? When are you most focused?  Understanding the times of day that fit you best can help when the audition allows you to go at a time that best fits you.

5. Overshare: The Social Media Trap
I won’t go into old man mode here and bash social media because frankly I think it can be helpful.  However, there are pitfalls. I pay attention to what people share on social media because if I am running an audition their perspectives and feedback from experiences can be extremely helpful in the casting process. But I also pay attention to those that seem to constantly have an axe to grind. We all audition, we all don’t get cast, that’s just the way it is.  Bashing a theater company or organization or fellow actor because we didn’t get cast only hurts us. If there is a legitimate complaint or something of concern that should be brought to light in the community then we do have a responsibility to share that.  However, just a rant post isn’t always the most effective way.  Addressing managing directors, or agents directly and with clear communication can often yield better results. If I take to social media and just share everything that bothers me about the industry without any purpose other than to get attention then soon people will stop listening. Remember, people see what you post...even though you may not be connected to some of the decision makers on your social media platforms they can still hear about it. Please please please do not hear this as a form of censorship. Sometimes we just need to put something out there to confirm our feelings and thoughts aren’t just isolated. Confirmation and recognition is important. Change and new ideas are as well.  So if we are always over sharing and ranting then often our voice may be diminished.  If we are calling organizations and individuals to action that is about change for the better then we have voices that create a better atmosphere.