Last week, the Actors’ Network held an informative workshop on pilot season at Argentum Photo Lab. The workshop was hosted by Actors’ Network Vice President, Paulo Andrés, who is also former actor, and current talent manager for several working actors in Hollywood. He estimates that there will be 125 pilots cast and shot this upcoming season, which runs Jan. 3-April 15. According to his estimation, this upcoming pilot season will offer more guest starring roles than in previous years. With this information in mind, Andrés offered some excellent advice to actors of all levels to help actors create a plan of attack for the season. In summary, Andrés offered the following tips:
Timing is Everything: At this time of the year (Oct.-Nov.) actors should be preparing themselves for pilot season in several ways. Schedule planning meetings with your manager and agents. Sign up for acting classes, especially audition technique classes. Sign with new representation if you’re not happy with your current representation. Get new headshots, if necessary. Get your face in front of as many casting directors as you possibly can at this time. Increase your credits by any means necessary. Involve yourself as much as possible to build the momentum and confidence that you’ll need to catapult yourself into the season that awaits you.
Prepare Your Pocketbook: Work more paying jobs now and through the end of the year. If you’re expecting holiday gifts from friends and loved ones, request cash—you’ll need everything you can get. It will allow you to focus less on bringing in survival money during pilot season. During the season, your time will be better spent on preparing for pilot show auditions, auditioning, and hopefully call-backs and call times for jobs. You don’t want to miss out on an important audition because you have to worry about paying your bills to eat.
Know the Competition: You probably go up against the same actors for the same parts. Andrés suggested that you should know your competition’s availability so that you can make yourself available when they may not be around. Be in town and available during pilot season.
Flexible is Doable: Set up work with flexible hours during the pilot season. It’s a small window of time. Don’t wait until then to try to do it. You’ll make yourself crazy. Do it now. Find and interview for positions that will allow you the time that you need to pursue your dreams.
Stay ACTive!: Live the actor’s life. Join a theatre company. Start a theatre company and make things happen. Write. Make films. Spend productive time with other actors. You are an actor; cultivate the self-confidence that it takes to do it and live it.
Marketing…Shmarketing: Get the best headshot you’ve ever had! According to Andrés, 95% of today’s headshot submissions are electronic. Casting directors look at your shots as small images on a computer monitor, which really means that they’ve gotta’ pop. In addition, order new postcards, including stationary, business cards, demo reels, etc.
He also suggested get a minute long reel, or “Speed Reel.” It should have two contrasting scenes on it. You can do this yourself, especially if you own a newer Mac computer that often comes ready to shoot, edit and burn reels. In short, market yourself like crazy! Make and renew contacts with casting directors, casting associates, studio executives, hair dressers on set and anyone else who can open doors for you.
Study Hard & Do Your Homework: I’ve mentioned it already, but it’s worth restating. Get into an acting class. Andrés also suggested that actors should also get a great acting coach who is available at an instant’s notice. During the workshop, Andrés recommended a few private acting coaches; I hesitate to mention their names here for the sake of their privacy. However, if you are interested send me an email to michelle@michelleflowers.com. I don’t feel it would be rude to share this information on an individual basis. Read and study scripts. Understand what’s going on in them. Andrés suggested that actors should get scripts and work them as if they were preparing for auditions. Also, know the history of people in the industry, especially casting directors. Know what they’ve cast and what they are slated to cast.
Trade Papers & Sites: Lastly, Andrés recommended that all actors should study the trade papers and websites, including:www.backstage.com, www.hollywoodreporter.com, and www.variety.com. In addition, he mentioned a site that I don’t have much experience with called http://www.futoncritic.com/. Check it out let me know what you think about it.
This Actors’ Network event was co-sponsored by Argentum Photo Lab. It is part of an ongoing guest speaker series. It was held at the Argentum Photo Lab’s new location at 6550 Sunset Blvd.,Hollywood, CA. For more info about their upcoming events, visit www.actors-network.com or www.argentum.com.
I welcome your comments and additions to this post. In the meantime, take heart, prepare well, and stay ACTive!
