Conquering the “I’ll never be good enough” thoughts A recovering perfectionist’s words on Imposter Syndrome A lot of us run around thinking that we’re talented and hardworking. Strike that: we know it! We pound the pavement, take classes, stay up-to-date with current industry news and build up contacts like the yellow pages (is that still a thing?). And when we finally get a big opportunity, what do we do? We act like it’s no big deal because deep down, some of us sometimes feel like phonies. Like our achievements were just luck. Like no matter what we do, we’re “pretending” to be part of this industry. We ignore evidence that we are skilled, talented and successful.That feeling, my friends, is called Imposter Syndrome. Imposter Symdrome isn’t a mental illness It’s very real and very icky. Imposter Syndrome isn’t a mental illness (thank goodness!), but it can still have some serious […] Read More
How to avoid waiting room mind games at your next audition How do you feel when you’re in the audition waiting room? Do you feel calm and relaxed? Or do you feel stressed and nervous? Maybe you feel excited? Or perhaps you rotate through all those feelings? If you feel great about your pre-game, waiting room mindset, STOP READING NOW. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! BUT….. if you feel that sometimes that pesky brain of yours can get in your way, or if you struggle with nerves, read on. I’m going to share some tips and tricks to master that waiting room self talk. Party with those nerves! Brene Brown defines vulnerability as: uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure….. pretty much the definition of an audition. The more you put on the line, the more physical sensations you will have, it’s a guarantee. So if you struggle with nerves, […] Read More
WHOA! You just attended a film festival and saw an incredible short film. So incredible in fact, you had to waltz right up to the director and producing team and tell them all about how awesome it was. This, of course, led to an insightful conversation about the inspiration filmmaking brings. It was a genuine connection and all of you decided to stay in touch. Business cards were exchanged , and your goal of making a strong industry connection was achieved. Nice work. But what do you do next? How do you continue these new industry relationships? Social media is my primary tool to stay connected. So take a journey through this list of ways to continue your industry relationships on Facebook! 5 ways to continue your Industry Relationships on Facebook 1) Friend them! It may go without saying, but it’s hard to take your real world connection online if […] Read More
Things I Wish I Knew Before I Got to Set You booked your first union theatrical job! Congrats! All those classes, marketing, and auditioning finally paid off. But hold up- here’s some helpful info so you know what to expect before your big shoot day (or days!). The Table Read Some shows will make you do one. People from the studio and network will likely be there. Show up to do your best work, be cordial to everyone you meet, and exude the positive energy that comes with being in a room with other creatives to make stuff. You’ve got the offer, but it’s not in the bag yet. Although it’s highly unusual, actors can be fired from table reads, so make sure you bring your A-Game and are super prepared. Fittings These are appointments with the wardrobe team to figure out what you’ll be wearing. Your picture will be […] Read More
How to Get into the Top 1% of Commercial Actors: Part 2 of 2 In my last blog we discussed the first two steps to getting into the top 1% of commercial actors: landing a top commercial agent and nailing specific headshots. Now let’s lay down how to make your casting profile pop. As a coach, I find it’s all the little details coming together that create a competitive edge. STEP 3: Create a Quick Read Online Resume TV/Film Credits While theatrical offices could care less if you booked a huge commercial campaign. Commercial offices definitely care about your theatrical bookings. Why? Often top TV and film directors work in commercials and they want to work with great actors. Theatrical credits are one way casting shows that you’re a solid actor. Instead of listing everything you’ve ever booked list your top 5 credits in TV and top 5 in film. […] Read More
Meeting Strangers on the Internet: Initiating the Conversation with Industry Professionals Meeting Strangers on the Internet As the perpetually single friend, I have plenty of experience online dating. While not the intended effect, it turns out that building attractive profiles, initiating effective first contact, and translating e-intros into in-person meetings are all highly transferable skills when it comes to professional networking. In this post, I share how principles of online dating can be applied in order to successfully convert online interactions with producers, showrunners, directors, and CDs into successful work relationships. Create an online presence that reflects how you want your future industry besties to see you Your online profiles aren’t just for you, your college friends, and your crazy aunt who’s still living vicariously through you and your college friends. That said, when creating and maintaining your social media presence, it’s important to be honest, passionate, and be yourself. […] Read More