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What is “IT” Factor in Actors

What is “IT” Factor in Actors?

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What is “IT” Factor in Actors?

They’ve got it.

They’re successful.

They have that “je ne sais quoi.”

The room changes when they walk in.

I can’t take my eyes off of them.

We’ve heard or even said these phrases about talented actors before… but no one quite pinpoints exactly what that feeling is.

Well I’m here to tell you— It’s Energy.

Now I don’t mean energy so much as in bouncing off the walls, 3 coffees deep type of energy. I mean internal vibrational energy made up of two primary things… CONFIDENCE and POSITIVITY.

The energy of someone who walks into an audition with training, experience and a positive self-affirming outlook is measurably different than someone who walks in with the energy of desperation for a booking. That desperation has usually eroded confidence, EVEN if the person is well trained and talented. Both desperation and lack of confidence are also indicators of a negative and self-destroying outlook– and this energy will lose you the job before you even open your mouth.

Casting Directors are experts in matching the energy of the actor, to the energy of the opportunity. They have spent thousands of hours assessing the “fit” of a person for a role and a project and they weigh everything from the ability to handle the character with craft and ease to the ability to work seamlessly with the on-set production team. These questions have always transcended look and resume to include the ENERGY of the performer.

So you need to FEEL like the right choice so you can give off the RIGHT energy in order to book the job.

Well how do you do that?

Here’s a few tips:

1. FULLY PREPARE. Do ALL of your actor homework. Get as off-book as humanly possible. Know your backstory, intentions and immerse yourself in WHO this character is.

2. BRING YOURSELF TO THE WORK. They want YOUR take, not a second hand version of what you think someone ELSE would do/ Find a way to personalize the work and bring your own sense of uniqueness to it.

3. MEDITATE that day. Get yourself in the zone. Clear your mind and center yourself so you can stay crystal clear and focused

4. VISUALIZE your success. Have fun imagining what a great audition looks and FEELS like. Rehearse the FEELINGS. This does WONDERS for your energy

5.DON’T RUSH. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive and plenty of time to perform.

6. STAY POSITIVE. Keep holding onto the joy that brought you here in the first place and stay committed to thinking positive thoughts about yourself and your abilities!

Need help training while you do the important work of building up your IT factor energy? Check out our many classes and events at www.actorsconnection.com to help build your confidence and skill level in this competitive field.

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From Hobby Actor to Professional: Here's 5 Tips to Help you Get There

From Hobby Actor to Professional: 5 Tips to Help you Get There

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From Hobby Actor to Professional: Here’s 5 Tips to Help you Get There

So many people begin their love of the industry thru school or community theatre and it just blossoms from there… but making the jump from hobbyist to professional is not an easy step for many actors. Enjoy these 5 helpful tips when making the leap into paid performance opportunities as an actor.

 

#1- KEEP TRAINING

The work of an actor is NEVER done. You need to constantly expand your skills and practice what you have learned time and time again. A series of community theatre or school productions does not equivalent real training with experienced educators. Find a teacher who is passionate about the craft that challenges you to be better. And don’t be the best person in your acting class… aggressive learning and training doesn’t happen when things are easy. Allow yourself to be in a classroom where it feels HARD!

 

#2- HOLD OFFICE HOURS FOR RESEARCH and MARKETING

Professional actors spend hours each day working on moving their career forward. I suggest protecting hours each day to do this. During this time, you should be researching industry trends, opportunities, potential partners, learning new materials, marketing yourself, tending to emails and more. You need to be an expert in what types of opportunities are out there for you, who you need to know to get them, and how to start building those relationships. This requires a daily commitment.

 

#3- DRAW THE LINE and PHASE OUT OF FREE WORK

In order to be seen as a professional and get paid for your work, you’ll need to get REALLY picky on what work you decide to do for free. You can’t expect others to value your work if you don’t. Giving things away constantly does not create a sense of value. I’ve seen this be a hard step for actors– but it is very important. Only take on free projects that could have MAJOR impact on your career thru connections or big resume credits— and even then— be really really picky. Do you need another role like this on your resume? Or does your resume already show you can do that type of part? Will the time you put in be worth what YOU receive for doing the project? Draw a line for yourself and hold yourself to valuing your contributions and performances. If YOU don’t do this for yourself, NO ONE ELSE WILL.

 

#4- GET PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOTS

Maybe your sister-in-law is a good photographer and does a fabulous job at your family photos– but that doesn’t always make her a good choice for a headshot photographer. It is very worthwhile to select a photographer who is experienced in this area. Notable headshot photographers have an understanding of what types of shots help actors get work and how to creatively obtain an organic shot from you. You should have a photographer who understands characters and storytelling so they can help you achieve pictures that clearly broadcast the emotions of the most common characters you can play. Headshot photographers also know the difference between a good picture of you and a good HEADSHOT of you. Just because a picture is flattering doesn’t make it a good headshot. You need to look just like you on a good day– not an over airbrushed magazine cover model.

 

#5 FIND A MENTOR

There are tons of information on how to go about the path of becoming a working actor and it can feel overwhelming at times. I strongly suggest that all actors find a mentor in the business; someone who is working professionally who has learned the ropes and can help you avoid mistakes and missteps along the way. As you go about your journey you’ll have questions about unions, contracts, pay rates and representation. It is enormously helpful to have a go-to person (or people) to help you learn professional protocols and standards along the way.

 

Looking for more help getting started along your career path from hobby actor to professional actor? Actors Connection is here to help you access the training and information you need to get to the next level. Sign-up here for a completely FREE program consultation to learn more about what we suggest as your personal next steps.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and learn how to take yourself from from hobby actor to professional, by watching our InterAct Q&A Webinars series with industry professionals. 

A Note on Actor Research: Be Mindful

A Note on Actor Research: Be Mindful

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Dear Actors,

A little note on Actor Research.

Be mindful of the questions you ask your industry contacts.  If you can GOOGLE the answer, or find it in a short internet search, I don’t suggest emailing your contacts for the answer instead just so your research is more convenient.

Agents, Casting Directors and other industry professionals are very very busy.  They want to see you succeed and many of them do everything they can to help you– but you need to be mindful about the time you request of them.  Using their time for a question you can google isn’t ideal.  Using their time for a more complicated or situational question– that is more worthwhile and a million times better for building a positive relationship with that contact.

Career research is YOUR job.  Creating your brand is YOUR job.  Knowing about opportunities is YOUR job.  Asking someone else to do the work for you may make them think you are a lazy actor– and in the most competitive industry out there– you do NOT want ANYONE to think that of you!

Take ownership over it.

Know your type.

Take a class to learn and ask questions.

Know the work out there for your type.

Learn about the major offices.

A question for the sake of asking a question doesn’t build relationships.  Trust does.

Build the Trust!!!

🙂
Colleen

 

[Photo kindly by Andrew Neel]

Handling Disappointment as an Actor

Handling Disappointment As An Actor

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Let’s talk about DISAPPOINTMENT.

I know…it hurts our hearts.  I don’t know of a single actor that hasn’t felt it at one point or another.

Especially when you KNOW you got close to the desired result, and at the last moment, things change and you are dealt with the task of handling your emotions.

Handling disappointment with grace is a talent we ALL need in our tool kit—and in this industry more than most!

So if you have been feeling a little sad and a little frustrated over not getting the callback or not booking the role– know we are sending you ALL the good vibes.  Take a min to pull your thoughts together and go thru this check-list.

AC’s FEEL BETTER CHECK-LIST FOR ACTORS

1) Remember that you are a fantastic human being and receiving or not receiving an opportunity is no measure of how fabulous of a person you really are.  There is no role or job on the planet that showcases how gosh darn beautiful that heart of yours REALLY is and that is the real measure of you as a person!

2) There are things in this life that are MEANT for us– and sometimes our life makes room for them in ways we don’t understand.  Think about what new opportunities could be available to you now that you have room for them.

3) Release those feelings of disappointment with ACTION.  This is important.  It’s ok to take a moment to feel what you feel, but holding onto those negative thoughts and feelings don’t create lives of joy and excitement.  Let those feelings go and start doing things that can lift your spirit again!

Here Are Some Thoughts for You

A) MOVE.  Not where you live– move your body!  Take a walk, go to the gym.  Take a dance class.  Those endorphins are your friends and really do help when you need a mind shift.

B) CREATE.  We are ARTISTS.  We thrive off of telling stories, creating stories, contributing stories.  Get in a class.  Go sing at Karaoke.  MAKE SOMETHING!  Start creating your youtube show.  Build your podcasting channel.  Paint.  Write a poem.  Sculpt.  Write a monologue– create using any method that brings you joy.

C) LEARN.  Don’t let ANY disappointment rattle your confidence in yourself.  A great way to make sure you feel stronger next time is to learn another skill to help you reach your goals.  We’ve got some great options below!  Empower yourself by growing and strengthening your craft everyday.

I hope this helps you.  At AC we are here for your craft AND here for your hearts.

And now…..::::WHISTLE::::

Time to get off the bench and get back in that game!

🙂 Colleen

 

[Photo Kindly by Nathan Dumlao]