Q: Angela,
Are you finding any duds in Los Angeles as far as directors, or film people go? Jaqueline and I have been working on a film for the past year and a half and suddenly they throw a contract at us without warning. It was a no-pay job, so we didn't feel a contract was necessary, and when shown to Jaqueline's agent we were told definitely do not sign it.
Now we are both being slandered because we had to quit. (Part of the deal was "sign this or don't come to set.") I was doing wardrobe and now they removed me off IMDB for the film even though I did it ALL to date. ???
So I just need to know is it better out that way, or...is it really like this everywhere?
Michelle
AO:
Hi Michelle,
There is a lot of that (what you just mentioned) out here too. There are scams, unprofessional people and all of that here as well.
My personal experience is that when a deal goes south...bundle up all of the emotional energy, and other resources you've invested into the project, combine it with love and your passion for the business and send it out to the Universe. Remember what you plant, grows seeds and becomes our harvest, so you don't want to spend any negative energy or waste any more time trying to correct the "deal gone bad".
Simply just move on.
I've had a couple of these deals - and I'll note in my database not to ever do business with these folks again. It is sad, but really simple.
The next suggestion is not to ever begin a project (even a free one) without a contract. It's just a good idea.
The most intimate person in our lives (our spouses) we sign contracts with when we marry - yet we are afraid to ask for a contract on a business deal.
And this is a business, so don't be shy about asking for a "letter of agreement" so you never get abused like this again.
And please keep me posted. I want to hear what happens.
Angela
© Angela Oberer
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Saturday, May 3, 2008
How do I find out about Auditions?
Hi Angela,
How do you find out about upcoming auditions? I don't have an agent yet and am basically sending out my own headshots to try to find work.
To answer your question about how do I find out about jobs – it’s all about networking. Get on mailing lists of other actors, casting directors, agents, Producers, acting teachers, read MySpace blogs etc.
It’s treating acting like a business, not a hobby.
It’s subscribing to websites like http://www.actorsaccess.com/ and http://www.backstage.com/ and http://www.exploretalent.com/ and http://www.instantcast.com/
They are all websites that allow you to post your headshot, resume and demo reels and submit yourself for jobs electronically.
By subscribing to sites like these, you'll get a good feel for breakdowns, what types of roles are available and until you get an agent who has the inside scoop and can submit you for roles they feel you could champion, you'll get your foot in the door and soon be on your way to making important industry contacts.
There are really only a few things one needs to know about acting, and if done consistently, bring consistent results.
© Angela Oberer
How do you find out about upcoming auditions? I don't have an agent yet and am basically sending out my own headshots to try to find work.
To answer your question about how do I find out about jobs – it’s all about networking. Get on mailing lists of other actors, casting directors, agents, Producers, acting teachers, read MySpace blogs etc.
It’s treating acting like a business, not a hobby.
It’s subscribing to websites like http://www.actorsaccess.com/ and http://www.backstage.com/ and http://www.exploretalent.com/ and http://www.instantcast.com/
They are all websites that allow you to post your headshot, resume and demo reels and submit yourself for jobs electronically.
By subscribing to sites like these, you'll get a good feel for breakdowns, what types of roles are available and until you get an agent who has the inside scoop and can submit you for roles they feel you could champion, you'll get your foot in the door and soon be on your way to making important industry contacts.
There are really only a few things one needs to know about acting, and if done consistently, bring consistent results.
© Angela Oberer
Casting Director or Just the Producer?
Hi Angela,
At a recent audition the Casting Director wasn't in the room - am I lucky since cut through the "red tape" and performed directly for the Producer?
The Casting Director is your friend, and if you only market to one person in this industry it should be the Casting Directors because they are the ones who will hire you, or put you in front of the people who can. At any audition, I wish for a Casting Director to be in the room rather than just a Produce or Director. Casting Directors cast people all day long – it’s their livelihood, and they have a really good instinct about who will be able to carry the film. Producers and Directors are limited to their own casting experience. If they’ve been in the business 20+ years, sure they’ve been part of the casting process for a long time, but if this is their second or third film, on average they’ve cast two or three projects – and they are probably looking to the Casting Director to persuade them one way or the other regarding a particular actor.
© 2008 Angela Oberer
At a recent audition the Casting Director wasn't in the room - am I lucky since cut through the "red tape" and performed directly for the Producer?
The Casting Director is your friend, and if you only market to one person in this industry it should be the Casting Directors because they are the ones who will hire you, or put you in front of the people who can. At any audition, I wish for a Casting Director to be in the room rather than just a Produce or Director. Casting Directors cast people all day long – it’s their livelihood, and they have a really good instinct about who will be able to carry the film. Producers and Directors are limited to their own casting experience. If they’ve been in the business 20+ years, sure they’ve been part of the casting process for a long time, but if this is their second or third film, on average they’ve cast two or three projects – and they are probably looking to the Casting Director to persuade them one way or the other regarding a particular actor.
© 2008 Angela Oberer
Monday, July 9, 2007
One picture or Many for Marketing?
Q: From a marketing standpoint is it better to have many different pictures of yourself? Or is it better to use one main picture so that when people see it they know who you are?
AO: The answer to the picture question will vary from person to person. My personal suggestion is to have a variety of pictures that all look like you, in looks you can duplicate.
If you have various of pictures that show you looking glamorous, ugly, worn, athletic, compassionate…then casting directors don’t have to guess if you are capable of playing that role. Casting directors have an innate ability to recognize a face almost instantly on a second or third contact, so the same picture over and over again is really not necessary, I’ve found. This way they see you in potentially different roles, and they’ll still recognize you when you show up for an audition.
Example: we all know what Lindsay Lohan looks like regardless of the color or length of her hair, fashion style, make up etc.
Pictures are crucial when you’re just starting out and don’t have much reel. You know the old saying, a picture is worth a thousand words…having a variety of pictures show cases your range of emotions.
© 2007 Angela Oberer
AO: The answer to the picture question will vary from person to person. My personal suggestion is to have a variety of pictures that all look like you, in looks you can duplicate.
If you have various of pictures that show you looking glamorous, ugly, worn, athletic, compassionate…then casting directors don’t have to guess if you are capable of playing that role. Casting directors have an innate ability to recognize a face almost instantly on a second or third contact, so the same picture over and over again is really not necessary, I’ve found. This way they see you in potentially different roles, and they’ll still recognize you when you show up for an audition.
Example: we all know what Lindsay Lohan looks like regardless of the color or length of her hair, fashion style, make up etc.
Pictures are crucial when you’re just starting out and don’t have much reel. You know the old saying, a picture is worth a thousand words…having a variety of pictures show cases your range of emotions.
© 2007 Angela Oberer
Do I need to Move to New York or Los Angeles?
Q: I keep hearing from lots of people that "If you want to make it as an actor, you have to get out of N.C. and move to N.Y., L.A., or Atlanta." I guess my question is, should I spend the next two years putting myself out there, hiring a couple of acting coaches, going to auditions, doing small roles for independent films, and getting an agent who knows what they're doing?
AO: There are certainly more opportunities in New York and Los Angeles for actors than there are in North Carolina. However, you'll have more competition in those places as well.
My personal philosophy is to do as much as you can where you are with the resources you have. If you are in a position to uproot and move to New York or Los Angeles and can sustain your lifestyle while there, then by all means go my friend.
If you don't have an agent, don't have a SAG card, don't have a resume, a reel, and don't have any classes under your belt - then you're probably not ready to move away just yet.
Take advantage of a smaller market such as North Carolina and use it as a spring board to expand your resume and skills. The North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem and has a wonderful film program that utilizes lots of beginning actors. Contact the film department and get your headshot and resume on file with them. They'll let you know about upcoming auditions.
Most NC & SC colleges and community colleges offer acting classes both for theater and film - take some classes and network with both the students and the teachers to find out who needs actors for upcoming productions.
Check the NC & SC film commissions for upcoming productions and find out who is casting those upcoming films. Get your headshot and resume on file with them.
www.Tarheelfilms.com is a great website that will alert you to some independent films constantly looking for actors from the Carolinas.
Yes, do as many small roles in independent films as you can afford to. This will help you build a reel, and get comfortable in front of the camera while trying out new characters.
Once a movie is complete and hits the festival or film circuit - you're going to go places that physically you will never go.
Your name will get out there, people who can hire you will see you in those films, and some of the difficult choices will be made for you almost effortlessly, choices to join SAG, better connected agents, whether or not to move to another city etc.
The secret is like a ball rolling downhill - Once you get the ball started, it picks up momentum, and eventually speed until it rolls downhill on its own. You can get that ball started from wherever you are - just start it.
© 2007 Angela Oberer
AO: There are certainly more opportunities in New York and Los Angeles for actors than there are in North Carolina. However, you'll have more competition in those places as well.
My personal philosophy is to do as much as you can where you are with the resources you have. If you are in a position to uproot and move to New York or Los Angeles and can sustain your lifestyle while there, then by all means go my friend.
If you don't have an agent, don't have a SAG card, don't have a resume, a reel, and don't have any classes under your belt - then you're probably not ready to move away just yet.
Take advantage of a smaller market such as North Carolina and use it as a spring board to expand your resume and skills. The North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem and has a wonderful film program that utilizes lots of beginning actors. Contact the film department and get your headshot and resume on file with them. They'll let you know about upcoming auditions.
Most NC & SC colleges and community colleges offer acting classes both for theater and film - take some classes and network with both the students and the teachers to find out who needs actors for upcoming productions.
Check the NC & SC film commissions for upcoming productions and find out who is casting those upcoming films. Get your headshot and resume on file with them.
www.Tarheelfilms.com is a great website that will alert you to some independent films constantly looking for actors from the Carolinas.
Yes, do as many small roles in independent films as you can afford to. This will help you build a reel, and get comfortable in front of the camera while trying out new characters.
Once a movie is complete and hits the festival or film circuit - you're going to go places that physically you will never go.
Your name will get out there, people who can hire you will see you in those films, and some of the difficult choices will be made for you almost effortlessly, choices to join SAG, better connected agents, whether or not to move to another city etc.
The secret is like a ball rolling downhill - Once you get the ball started, it picks up momentum, and eventually speed until it rolls downhill on its own. You can get that ball started from wherever you are - just start it.
© 2007 Angela Oberer
Is an Acting Degree Essential?
Q: Hey Angela,
How's it going? I wanted to get your thoughts on something. I wanted to go back to Liberty this Fall to finish school, but I want to pursue acting at the same time. I was planning on finishing my Business degree, but i'm now considering getting an acting minor or even majoring in acting and minoring in business. Do you think having an acting degree would give me a better shot at making it as an actor?
AO: Not necessarily. There are a lot of wannabe actors who have graduated from extensive acting courses and schools who don't know how to market themselves, and thus are out of business even though they are wonderfully qualified to act.
I do think you are on the right track.
If you pursue acting as a full time career - you will be running a business, with you as the product. It is essential to learn as much about marketing and personal promotion as you can. And learning the ins and outs of business will help you make prudent decisions regarding contracts, acting choices, investing the money you've earned, and hiring a team of people who can operate your empire while you are on a stage or out promoting your next movie.
As a professional actor, make it a point to be a student of life. Take as many acting and associated classes as your resources will allow (classes that will assist you in creating and sustaining interesting character roles. i.e. singing, dancing, voice, languages, sports, psychology etc.)
The secret is to focus. Pick a route and stick with it until you have arrived at your desired destination.
© 2007 Angela Oberer
How's it going? I wanted to get your thoughts on something. I wanted to go back to Liberty this Fall to finish school, but I want to pursue acting at the same time. I was planning on finishing my Business degree, but i'm now considering getting an acting minor or even majoring in acting and minoring in business. Do you think having an acting degree would give me a better shot at making it as an actor?
AO: Not necessarily. There are a lot of wannabe actors who have graduated from extensive acting courses and schools who don't know how to market themselves, and thus are out of business even though they are wonderfully qualified to act.
I do think you are on the right track.
If you pursue acting as a full time career - you will be running a business, with you as the product. It is essential to learn as much about marketing and personal promotion as you can. And learning the ins and outs of business will help you make prudent decisions regarding contracts, acting choices, investing the money you've earned, and hiring a team of people who can operate your empire while you are on a stage or out promoting your next movie.
As a professional actor, make it a point to be a student of life. Take as many acting and associated classes as your resources will allow (classes that will assist you in creating and sustaining interesting character roles. i.e. singing, dancing, voice, languages, sports, psychology etc.)
The secret is to focus. Pick a route and stick with it until you have arrived at your desired destination.
© 2007 Angela Oberer
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Do I need an Agent?
Q: I was moving to LA in September but my two roommates decided that they didn't have enough money. So for the next few months I'm not even gonna think about LA and I'll go by myself in a few months when I'm ready. I'm young, I have plenty of time.
I wanted to ask you if it's worth having a local agent? Don't you get alot of work on your own? Should I get an agent from the start or not worry about it until later?
-Adam
AO: Hi Adam,
I definitely think getting an agent as soon as possible is "worth it.” Sure. An agent will have access to stuff you will never find on your own. My agent has connections with people who call her in the eleventh hour and she finds jobs for her talent to be on the set later today or first thing tomorrow. I look at it not as "having an agent" but rather "partnering with an agent" - it is a business partnership.
Yes, you will continue to market yourself, and find a lot of your own gigs, but your agent will also find a few projects here and there and can put in a good word for you that will result in you meeting with casting directors who may not agree to see you as an independent actor.
A local agent may also have connections with Los Angeles Agents and when you are ready to move to L.A. they may recommend you to an agent there - which will save you enormous amounts of time, energy and resources. My personal philosophy is to do all you can where you are and that includes getting a local agent.
Good luck and keep me posted on your progress.
Angela
© 2007 Angela Oberer
I wanted to ask you if it's worth having a local agent? Don't you get alot of work on your own? Should I get an agent from the start or not worry about it until later?
-Adam
AO: Hi Adam,
I definitely think getting an agent as soon as possible is "worth it.” Sure. An agent will have access to stuff you will never find on your own. My agent has connections with people who call her in the eleventh hour and she finds jobs for her talent to be on the set later today or first thing tomorrow. I look at it not as "having an agent" but rather "partnering with an agent" - it is a business partnership.
Yes, you will continue to market yourself, and find a lot of your own gigs, but your agent will also find a few projects here and there and can put in a good word for you that will result in you meeting with casting directors who may not agree to see you as an independent actor.
A local agent may also have connections with Los Angeles Agents and when you are ready to move to L.A. they may recommend you to an agent there - which will save you enormous amounts of time, energy and resources. My personal philosophy is to do all you can where you are and that includes getting a local agent.
Good luck and keep me posted on your progress.
Angela
© 2007 Angela Oberer
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