What if you have to leverage more than just a pretty face, a rockin body and the ability to cry on cue? Talent can only get you so far. Even before you get to showcase your acting mojo, the doors need to be opened for you first.
What if you could bypass the common trajectory that actors take? Unless you’re a bit of a sadist, I’m willing to bet that the rejection part of the process is not your favorite. Many talented actors become a casualty to the audition process.
“It takes too long.”
“I’m never who they’re looking for.”
“The blonde who blows the director is getting the lead.”
“I’m too old.”
“I look too young.”
These are the “woe is me” chorus for many struggling actors. Imagine a career where you could define your success on your own terms? Wouldn’t that be a pleasant change of pace?
Building a strong R.E.E.L.
When you think of a reel you envision a 3-5 minute montage of your best work and/or short clips that show exactly how they can cast you in an instant. Scenes from a dramatic piece which showcase your range of emotions, edited with scenes of you in a recognizable film or show which shows you’ve appeared on something meaningful.
What if you could design the career and lifestyle you wanted with a strong and pretty badass R.E.E.L. – Relationships, Entertaining, Engaging & Latitude.
R is for Relationships
This is the industry of “it’s who you know” and the digital space helps facilitate that process. Sure there are in person events you can attend, which is invaluable for solidifying your presence within the industry.
What if you work a FT job or don’t live in LA? Establishing those relationships can be tough when you don’t have the means or resources to meet and greet the gatekeepers. And let’s say that you do, how effective are cold pitches over cocktails at happy hour working out for you?
Instead try:
LinkedIn.com – Still very much the go-to online resource for building your rolodex. With Linked In you can showcase your resume, highlight testimonials and connect with the gatekeepers. You also get to learn more about that casting director or producer.
- What projects did they work on last?
- Do you have a connecting friend who can make a virtual introduction?
- Are you both addicted to Game of Thrones?
Any little bit of qualifying information can give you the “in” you need to cultivate a relationship with those who are inaccessible otherwise.
Notable mentions:
- Quora.com
- Meetup.com
E is for Entertaining
Let’s keep it real – are you entertaining? Sure you can recite Sally Field’s monologue from Steel Magnolia but are people paying attention when you do? When you perform, do you come across as a cliche copycat of every other actress?
Are you leveraging your “unfair advantage” to captivate an audience?
Acting and entertaining are not synonymous with one another.
Acting is what you get paid to do. You do character development and you memorize lines. You read the body language of your fellow thespians and bring the scene to life. You train to become a great actress.
Entertaining is what you are remembered for. It’s about the lingering emotion you leave behind. It’s about how you make people feel when they see you perform. It’s what makes you memorable. People never forget how you make them feel. Are you interesting enough for them to care?
Spark your entertaining mojo:
Leverage Google Helpouts to pimp out your transferable skills: https://helpouts.google.com/
- Great at explaining how to use WordPress?
- Do you have a kickass system for learning lines?
- Are you a social media maven?
Use this as a way to kill 2 birds with one stone. Practice your entertaining skills and get paid to teach others how to do something that you’re a rockstar in. Win-Win.
E is for Engaging
Are you tapping into the power of social media because it serves your own interest or do you genuinely care about having conversations with other people? If it’s the first, I can’t help you.
If it’s the latter, let’s talk.
Aside from performing, what are you known for? Do you have a life purpose or mantra that guides the work you do?
- Do you love to work with at risk teens?
- Do you offer life coaching services to fellow creative women?
- Do you have a knack for graphic/web design?
Leverage your “nonperforming” skills to build a tribe. Engage them so that you have a captive audience that’s invested in your success.
- That blogger you just hooked up with graphics is BFF with a casting director for a major motion film.
- That production assistant you just gave career advice to is now in charge of acquisition at a distribution company.
Karma works in your favor when you’re genuine and you put the intentions out there. Be strategic with who and how you engage.
Tools to help you create community:
Setup a Google community where you share resources, tools and advice. Host a monthly Hangout around your area of expertise so that you are consistently engaging your tribe.
You can also host a chat on Spreecast where you interview industry professionals. Give someone else a chance to shine. Showcase a talent manager or agent and have a virtual heart-to-heart with them, asking the questions no one else is.
L is for Latitude
What is your range? Do you have natural talent or do you require A LOT of training in order to compete? Take an honest inventory of what you have in your arsenal so that you can plan accordingly. Work with your strengths, not against it.
Are you bubbly and full of energy? You might thrive with improv.
Are you shy and reclusive? You might thrive with writing.
Take the Myers-Briggs test to learn your type and use that as a baseline for how to create leverage. In doing so, you won’t get a clear cut definition of what you should be doing but you will get some insight into what’s natural for you. Latitude is about knowing how to get to where you want to be.
Books to read:
- Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way: Sustainable Success for the Creative Entrepreneur by Jennifer Lee
- The Desire Map: A Guide to Creating Goals with Soul by Danielle LaPorte
- The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One by Margaret Lobenstine
- The Renaissance Soul: How to Make Your Passions Your Life – A Creative and Practical Guide by Margaret Lobenstine
- Refuse to Choose!: Use All of Your Interests, Passions, and Hobbies to Create the Life and Career of Your Dreams by Barbara Sher
Getting a job is a sprint. Building a career is a marathon. You are on a journey and along the way, there will be speed bumps, detours and road closures. These strategies are designed to give you guidance and support along your way so that when life’s PLOT TWISTS throw you off track, you can embrace them for what they are and harness the learning experience to boost your personal brand.