What Tom Hanks Taught Me About Baseball and Acting
Tom Hanks famously said in A League of Their Own, “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard… is what makes it great.”
Even though Coach Jimmy Dugan from the movie was talking about baseball, Career ACTivate‘s Coach Eric applies this philosophy to his acting career. And you can, too.
Coach Eric hits a grand slam with his great advice on how to create the right mindset when you get thrown an audition curveball.
He shared tips about:
The pros and cons of memorization
How to position ad-libs, improvisation & buttons to be memorable
A simple process to fin the right audition coach (and when you may not even need one)
When you’re ready to get off the bench, click below to watch Coach Eric’s vlog so you can book a commercial home run of your own.
Below is the finished commercial that Eric booked using his vlog tips
Producer Jimmy Nguyen dropped in for a Q&A with our Elite Clients to talk about the difference between being interested and interesting.
His insight just might be a big wake up call.
You’ll also learn:
What one thing actors do that drives casting crazy (and not in the good way)
The best way to ask for what you want
Who you should be “networking” with
Watch below to see some of Jimmy’s suggestions on how you can be the kind of business-person who finds success in your career.
PS. if you’d like to get guided step-by-step through how to best build relationships, deepen those relationships, and collaborate with people whose work you really respect, check out our Relationship Roadmap Live Virtual Program.
The Self-Tape That Got Her Booked As The LEAD In A TV Project
What does it take to book a lead on TV? I’ll show you…Elite Client Melina’s audition tape helped her book the lead of a TV movie (this was her first TV role too!). You can watch the tape below.This was one of the various audition tapes we shared during our Elite Client Self-Tapes that BOOKED: Behind the Scenes VIP Event.
Actors shared how they got the audition, what the audition process was like, and tips they used to book the roles they did. Here’s a snippet of what Melina shared during the event about her tape: she added a button to her first scene and added a little bit of improvisation as well.
To follow her career, follow her on Instagram: @melinabartzokis
Like most actors, you’re probably self-submitting to every job you’re right for. And why not? Work begets work. After all, at the end of the day all you really want is to act!
As you continue building your professional reputation, you probably never see a time when you’ll say, “no,” to a project. But, maybe you should.
In this week’s vlog, Coach Eric highlights the PROs and CONs of always saying, “yes.”
Things to take into consideration include:
What’s better: Quantity or Quality
Are low-paying jobs keeping you from higher paid opportunities
Do these bookings keep you in the same tier or do they help you move up
Saying, “no,” doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful. But, it can help you level-up!
Check out Coach Eric’s vlog to see if you’re ready to say YES to saying NO!
You’ve seen those personal little moments at the end of a scene or commercial. Maybe you’re already using them yourself. But are your buttons working for you or against you?
In this week’s vlog, Coach Eric shares his 3 tips to create memorable buttons that have led to many commercial and TV show bookings.
Buttons can be a truly effective way to make you stand out. Make sure you’re pushing the right buttons for casting.
We’re in the middle of pilot season. Popular myth: NOW is the best time to focus on booking a series regular.
With the right marketing, an awesome rep, and a little luck, any actor can land a regular role on a new series, so that’s what you should focus on, right?
Wrong. Booking a series regular just might be the worst thing to focus on this pilot season.
What’s A Realistic Booking Ratio? 2020 Audition Stats from 2 Actors
It’s time to check in on 2020’s audition statistics. You may be asking yourself: How much did the pandemic affect other actors’ audition numbers? Did I have a good callback ratio? What about my booking ratio?
If you’re not keeping track, you may never know. We recommend tracking your auditions, callbacks, avails, bookings, etc. because “what gets measured gets improved.”
Commercially:I had 73 auditions, 11 callbacks, 1 avail, and 3 bookings.
Theatrically:I had 24 auditions, 2 callbacks and 4 bookings.
“2020 was the busiest year for me in my 10 years pursuing acting in Los Angeles. It was my first time auditioning for exciting things like Grey’s Anatomy, Selena (Netflix) and an Amazon short film. When I read all of this back to myself now I am excited, proud, and a little shocked!
I guess the reason why I have a habit of glazing over these wins is because I am not yet making a living as an actor. BUT if Leah from 5 years ago were to look at this list of accomplishments she would be super duper impressed… So I realize that I AM progressing and making strides in my career. I am continuing to work toward my goals and I understand that income is not the end all be all for me (although it is part of the overall goal). Money is NOT the reason I am an artist. I don’t know why I tend to equate success with income, but I’m shifting that mindset, dammit!!!
As my year 1 in the [Elite Coaching & Mastermind] program comes to an end I am very happy I joined. I’m am grateful for this community for sharing your experiences and knowledge! Thank you for again [Coach] Rachel for your excellent guidance, inspiration, and kick-assery! Thank you Jona Xiao!”
Edward Hong
@cinnabonmonster
Total Auditions for 2020: 201Theatrical: 158Commercial: 43
“I’ve been chipping away at this acting career for a decade now and thus it goes without saying that I’ve been doing this manic audition tracking for the 10th year. So here it is, the 2020 Acting Track List, Pandemic Edition with the stats and observations that follow:
THEATRICAL OFFERS1/31/20 – Date Night (Ensemble, Occidental College Staged Reading)5/21/2020 – Fumblewinter (Ensemble, Zoom webseries)7/16/2020 – How’s The Store? (Lead, Company of Angels (CoA) Zoom Performance)9/30/20 – A Pretty Good First Draft (Lead, Horror Short Film)10/3/2020 – A Christmas Presence (Lead, Zoom Performance)
THEATRICAL VOICEOVER BOOKINGS6/26/2020 – The School Nurse (Guest Star/Recurring, Netflix Dubbing)
THEATRICAL VOICEOVER OFFERS2/23/2020 – Kingdom (Recurring, Netflix Dubbing)*** This follows from my first booking with this gig on its first season **3/14/2020 – Escape from Evil Town (Recurring, YouTube Dubbing)
COMMERCIAL
AKA Talent AgencyAuditions: 34CB: 7Straight to CB:Avail: 1Booking: 1.5
COMMERCIAL VOICEOVER BOOKINGS8/25/2020 – Real Hype (Commercial)
THEATRICAL OBSERVATIONS
* As to be expected, theatrical on-screen/theatre auditions plummeted to almost nothing for 2020 thanks to the pandemic. While I was aware that things were better for other actors, there were more pressing things to be concerned about than just being an actor.
* The voiceover realm was not affected whatsoever in terms of audition opportunities but this year I was unable to book something for my VO agent alas. But if I did get any opportunities, it was through referrals and gigs I got on my own.
* This year brought about an explosion of Zoom performances and though it was rough in the beginning, it was a delight getting to meet so many amazing artists through this strange realm where I’ve done more readings and performances than I can count. The ones listed here are the ones I got paid for, hence them standing out.
* I did not renew my Actor’s Access account for my reliable source of self submissions because I wanted to prioritize safety over work, especially if safety can be questioned for major high-profile jobs, then it would be even more so for the indie ones. Don’t regret this choice whatsoever.
* The horror short film was a unique one where it was mainly through our experience with the Make a Wish – A Short Film festival run that we got to work with fellow horror filmmakers we met along the way. Though filming it in October was certainly a risk, especially with my comment above that indie filmmaking poses its challenges with safety, it was something I was grateful nonetheless.
COMMERCIAL OBSERVATIONS
* This year ironically was the best year I ever had in the commercial realm. The Apartments national booking kicked it off at the very beginning, my UPS one got its contract negotiated after 21 months, and at one point in this year, I had three nationals running at the same time, two of which I’m still under holding for (UPS once again and Universal Studios). And for the first time in my life, I was finally able to pay off my lingering credit card debt that I’ve carried for YEARS. It was, without a doubt, an extremely fortunate and privileged position to be in.
* This is also the year that I’ve experienced being a COVID actor backup, which is a strange purgatory position where you technically booked the job, you’re just not the main actor. And in my case with the M&M’s gig that would be my last booking of 2020 (thus reflected by my 1.5 booking), I was considered the primary a few days after the booking until I was demoted to secondary the day before costume fitting. Sucks but in the end, getting paid for 3 COVID tests, a postponed half session fee, and a session fee to basically spend 5 hours in the car while you’re on set isn’t exactly too bad.
OVERALL OBSERVATION
* As to be expected, theatrical on-screen/theatre auditions plummeted to almost nothing for 2020 thanks to the pandemic. While I was aware that things were better for other actors, there were more pressing things to be concerned about than just being an actor.
* The voiceover realm was not affected whatsoever in terms of audition opportunities but this year I was unable to book something for my VO agent alas. But if I did get any opportunities, it was through referrals and gigs I got on my own.
* This year brought about an explosion of Zoom performances and though it was rough in the beginning, it was a delight getting to meet so many amazing artists through this strange realm where I’ve done more readings and performances than I can count. The ones listed here are the ones I got paid for, hence them standing out.
* I did not renew my Actor’s Access account for my reliable source of self submissions because I wanted to prioritize safety over work, especially if safety can be questioned for major high-profile jobs, then it would be even more so for the indie ones. Don’t regret this choice whatsoever.
* The horror short film was a unique one where it was mainly through our experience with the Make a Wish – A Short Film festival run that we got to work with fellow horror filmmakers we met along the way. Though filming it in October was certainly a risk, especially with my comment above that indie filmmaking poses its challenges with safety, it was something I was grateful nonetheless.”
What About You?
Do you keep track of your audition statistics? Do you review them at the end of each calendar year? Let us know in the comments below!
P.S. Looking for creative, effective ways to generate a lot more auditions? Then you need to check out some free goodies at this link: Valuable Freebie for You!
“You’re doing everything right.” That’s what 30+ year veteran casting director Patrick Rush said to one of our Elite Clients when she asked for advice on booking her first co-star.
Patrick generously shared his time and thoughts during a Q&A with our Elite Clients and now YOU can get in on the action! In THIS video, you’ll discover:
*The best way to put casting at ease when you’re in the office
Check out Patrick’s intriguing thoughts on casting below:
Did you know that some of the changes in casting due to COVID are probably helping you as the actor? We pulled some inspiring tips from 30+ year veteran casting director Patrick Rush’s Q&A with our Elite Clients. In THIS video, you’ll learn:
How the changes in the casting process affect you as the actor
What makes you really stand out in a self-tape
Check out Patrick’s hot and authentic take on casting in 2020 HERE.
Although this year has proven that nothing is for certain, it’s starting to look like production is making a comeback in North America. Here’s a quick update on what’s going on in different markets, and a few quick tips on how to stay updated on what’s casting, who’s working, and where production is happening.
New York
After emerging as an early COVID hotspot, NYC went into strict lockdown and now expects to make a major comeback in TV/film production by the end of the year. Projects currently in production or pre-pro include: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Succession, Gossip Girl,SNL, and the popular late-night talk shows.
Most projects that are active in NYC shoot on sound stages, where COVID protocol and safety measures can be strictly enforced. Some location shoots have shifted to upstate New York and New Jersey to avoid close contact with the outdoor dining crowd as well as enhanced parking restrictions in New York City.
New York’s tax credits were recently slashed from 30%-25% and eliminated for productions with budgets of $1,000,000 or less, impacting union indie projects which may now also have a tough time affording COVID production insurance.
Los Angeles
Production is opening up slowly in LA, which doesn’t expect to make a full comeback until 2021.
However, since September, FilmLA has noted a steady increase in film permit applications.
A veteran LA talent agent estimates that breakdowns and filming are at “about 80%,” although some non-critical roles may be cut from future episodes to save money due to expensive COVID protocols. A veteran LA talent manager shared that film is a little slower to come back than TV from what he’s seen.Fans of the Bachelorette will note that the show is now back on air. Reality TV and commercials, with smaller casts, largely account for the recent increase in LA’s total production days, although scripted shows including This Is Us, Good Trouble, SWAT, Good Girls, and Animal Kingdom, are also now filming.
Vancouver
Production in this city has been growing steadily over the years, and 2020 looks to be no different. Local film resources report the industry has picked back up quickly, now with 61 projects at some stage of production, up from 41 in March. These include 22 TV series (Batwoman, Nancy Drew, Riverdale, Supergirl, and CW’s pilot pickup Kung Fu among them), 6 feature films, and 23 TV movies.
Atlanta
27 movies and shows are filming in Atlanta this month. Local production officials estimate these projects will hire 40,000 production workers over the next 18 months.
Dear Evan Hanson (Universal), Black Adam (starring Dwayne Johnson), Stranger Things, Legacies (CW), Tyler Perry’s Sistas and The Oval, The Walking Dead (AMC), The Resident (FOX), and multiple Bravo shows are among projects that are in production or pre-production.
An agent at a very strong Southeast agency shared yesterday, “I would say the industry is at least 70% of where it was before, things are quite busy and almost back to normal.”
North Carolina
5 new productions started up in October, including 2 made-for-TV movies, an indie feature, and Delilah, a new TV series for OWN filming in Charlotte. Season 2 of Hightown (STARZ) is filming in Wilmington, and multiple reality series continue production in the state.
New Mexico
In 2018, Netflix entered a 10-year deal to create a film hub in Albuquerque, and has since invested over $150 million in the state. While the state is dealing with stricter COVID measures as cases have once again started rising, the Albuquerque film office remains optimistic of a strong comeback in 2021. Netflix’s Harder They Fall, starring Idris Elba and Jonathan Meyers and produced by Jay-Z, is filming in Santa Fe through December. THEM, a TV series from Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television, is also shooting in Santa Fe.
Resources
Stay up-to-date on active projects with these resources:
CastingAbout.comThis is a database of active and past film/TV projects. Sort for the market you’re interested in and filter for “Casting.” You’ll get a list of which casting offices are casting what, as well as a simple logline.
IMDb ProFilter for the market you’re interested in and by project status (in production, in development, or in pre-production).
Project CastingThis site gives a concise roundup of projects that are casting all over the world, with emphasis on the US and UK.
InstagramFollow people you’re interested in working with on Instagram, and you’ll see a glimpse into their lives through their stories. Are they working on a new shoot in LA? Directing a feature in New Orleans? Quarantined in Vancouver before starting a new production there? Asking for tips about good restaurants in New Mexico?
People have turned to social media this year more than ever before. It’s now a source of industry information (or at least hints, if they’ve signed an NDA) about who’s working, where, and on what, as well as a tool to connect.
FilmLAThe company has updated their website to include COVID-specific production logistics and protocol, as well as filming status for specific municipalities within LA.
We at Career ACTivate are here to help you stay healthy, positive, and informed. Here’s to a safe return to production!
… So I realize that I AM progressing and making strides in my career. I am continuing to work toward my goals and I understand that income is not the end all be all for me (although it is part of the overall goal). Money is NOT the reason I am an artist. I don’t know why I tend to equate success with income, but I’m shifting that mindset, dammit!!!
