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Getting out of your head at networking events (1920 x 1152 px)

Getting Out of Your Head at Networking Events

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Networking Events… Ugh!!! Do I have to?!?

The short answer is, “No, of course not.” But expanding your network will help you meet every acting goal on your list.  So, rather than seeing networking events as a cringe-inducing waste of time, embrace them as a simple path to create authentic relationships.

Here at Career ACTivate, we like to use the word RELATIONSHIPS far more than networking. 

Networking events can feel transactional. Like, “I can do this for you, if you do this for me.” And who likes that? Not me! 

I want to share two ways to look at these gatherings that can potentially make them feel less icky. And just so my eye can stop twitching every time I type “Networking”… we are going to use the words “Relationship-Building” instead.

OPTION #1: The “Go-Giver” Approach

The first way to approach a Relationship-Building event is to attend with a “go-giver” attitude of solving a problem for someone. You have YOU-nique characteristics, hobbies, assets that truly serve the common good. 

Step 1:

Take a moment to think about 2 things you can offer to others from your unique set of skills and assets . 

Step 2:

Think about how you can find at least one person you can genuinely connect with and to whom you can offer that thing you do so well. 

All of sudden, this positions you in a place of being a giver and at the beginning of forming an authentic relationship. 

Here is an example:

Shanelle, an actor, attends a Film Independent event. They meet a writer whose story resonates with them. Shanelle says: 

“If you ever have a reading, I can connect you with a couple of my actor friends who would be happy to read for you.”

Maybe Shanelle takes it a step further… What if they were the person to coordinate an informal reading with their buddies and the writer?

“Whoa Whoa Whoa, Tiffany! That is a lot!” 

Not necessarily…

Shanelle can feel out the writer’s response to see if they are interested in simple introductions to actors. OR if the writer would be open to getting support in creating an informal reading. Many non-actors don’t have an abundance of actor friends that will read a script for free. Shanelle is an asset because they are providing something that the writer needs. 

They are also supporting their friends by introducing them to new contacts, giving them a chance to act, and introducing them to a writer. 

Shanelle gets to know the writer much better, and now they have explored and possibly created an authentic relationship with this writer.

See why I don’t use the word networking. This is all about true authentic connections.

OPTION #2: The Goal-Centric Approach

The second way you can approach a Relationship-Building event is by going in with a goal.

Maybe your goal is to find a fellow sci-fi nerd. Maybe your goal is to find someone of your same cultural background. (I am Trinidadian so I am always on the lookout for that!) Maybe your goal is to find the best logline. 

Step 1:

Take a moment to think about what outcome would be satisfying for you. 

Of course, meeting a casting director that offers the role of one’s dreams would be perfection. But, we can reach that by building authentic relationships centered around things and people that truly resonate with you. 

This positions you in a place where that audition or booking could come naturally with ease. 

Step 2:

Use this to guide your interactions and conversations at the event and come up with a specific connection strategy that could help move you one step closer to your goal.

Here is an example:

Ellis wants to work on a film that could potentially go to a big film festival like Sundance or Tribeca. They attend a Relationship-Building event, like AT&T Shape. Ellis brainstorms goals for this particular event which could lead them to an authentic relationship that gets them closer to their dream.

Ellis’s Goal Brainstorm:

  1. Attend the short film showcase and congratulate one of the creators of a short film that they truly like.
  2. At the networking tent, state their big goal at least once during each meeting. *Sidenote: AT&T Shape has a networking tent where you can set up meetings with other creatives in advance.* 
  3. Mention to one person a recent Sundance film that Ellis likes, and ask them for a suggestion of a film that is circulating festivals right now that they should watch.

Ellis now has several options but decides to go with option #3. 

They choose this because it allows them to mention Sundance. Additionally, this question helps to find out the taste of the person they are talking to. 

Thereby further figuring out if this is an authentic connection. It also positions Ellis in a place of being a giver and opens up conversation which can be hard to do with a stranger. 

So there you have it!

Try The Go-Giver Approach or The Goal-Centric Approach to get out of your head at the next networking event.

And if you want to dig deeper into relationship-building, check out Career ACTivate’s Home Study Course, The Relationship Roadmap, that will revolutionize how you build relationships and book work. 

Or if you’re looking for hands-on guidance to help define your goals and build your confidence, we invite you to explore becoming a part of our yearlong Elite Coaching & Mastermind Program, where you can be paired with a Coach to walk you step-by-step through your next Relationship-Building event.

 

Three Unique Gives (1920 x 1152 px)

Three Unique Gives for Reps, Industry Professionals, and Those You Are Connecting With

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Things are quieter right now because of the strike.

And if for some reason you have missed what is going on, please take a look at the WGA’s website, social media, and most recently, SAG-AFTRA’s statement of approving a vote for a strike authorization of the actor’s union.

Though things may be a little bit shaky, we can find our footing by connecting with those around us.

If you are interested in deepening connections or showing appreciation, I have a couple of free gives that can be shared. Everyone could truly take a little gift to feel better during these uncertain times.

1. Insight Timer – Free Meditation App

Find a short meditation on Insight Timer that speaks to you and the recipient. Share the specific meditation with them as a gift of breath, peace, and a moment of calm.

2. Share a memorable moment from your encounter

If you connected with someone in person while working or at an event you can send a note sharing the most memorable thing they said or did while you all were together. This is a great way to make someone feel special and help them connect YOU to a moment so they remember you. This works really great for follow-up emails, thank you cards, or to remain in touch with someone.

Example: Once, in a thank you note to the 3rd AD for an episodic television show, I quoted her morning greeting of “Today will be a good day” and told her I looked forward to hearing that each day. It was like my very own personal cup of coffee.

Notice the above example is specific, brief, and personal.

3. The Nudge – Free App for Outings

Sift through The Nudge to find a unique outing/ activity for them to check out during the industry’s downtime. Activities range from rooftops with free pizza to how to spend a weekend in Palm Springs. Cater your suggestion towards their preferences. How do you find out their preferences? Do some digging on social media, listen to interviews on podcasts that they have done, or find other ways through Career ACTivate’s Relationship Roadmap course.

BONUS GIVE!

Share a couple of unique tags that can be used on picket signs for the WGA Strike. This is a great way to show your support, personality, and creativity.

Example: “I saw you are in support of the WGA and I wanted to share a few tag lines you can use if you’re on the picket lines:

  • That’s your counteroffer?

  • No Words…

  • You want these pages then run these wages!”

Hope these unique gives are well-received. And have fun finding which one fits for you!

3 Instagram Engagement Strategies To Boost Your Career (1920 × 1152 px)

3 Instagram Engagement Strategies to Boost Your Career

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If you ever hear about other actors creating opportunities thanks to Instagram and think “ The only people who like my posts are my mom and my bestie,” you’ll love the below tips.. Here’s three concrete strategies to boost your IG engagement without feeling like a stalker that have helped me and my Clients:

CASTING
Figure out the shows/films you’re right for, and then follow those CDs to start organically and authentically engaging with their content. If they post something that genuinely makes you laugh, you could comment saying so, you could even share it to your story. And I think using the Stories section of Instagram is great for sharing your new reels or clips, ESPECIALLY if the tone matches the types of projects that they work on.

For example, a client of mine had created a new comedic demo reel, and she posted it to her story and then tagged a comedic CD in that story. That CD ended up watching the reel and then messaging my client, complimenting her work! What a great way to get your work seen by someone you’re targeting!

FILMMAKERS
There are two routes for this, one is to search for filmmakers that you know you already love and want to collaborate with (maybe they directed an incredible episode of TV or the film they’ve written is out in theaters) and the other is to discover new filmmakers through the search function. Let’s discuss option 1…

1) Filmmakers You Already Are Excited To Connect With:

Follow these filmmakers and begin to authentically and organically engage with them. You could even support their current projects by sharing their posts to your story. Most people are happy when more eyeballs end up watching their work, so offering some free publicity for things you really enjoyed is a great way to help them. And since it’s something you actually liked, it’s really easy to be genuine in your posting.

You can also send these people a DM letting them know how much their work means to you, and start a genuine connection that way. I mean, most everybody feels good when their work is seen and praised! Wouldn’t you love it if someone hopped into your DMs to talk about how much your work made them feel? Of course!! And who knows what could happen with that relationship!

For example, a client of mine connected with a writer through Instagram and after getting to know each other a bit over several months via posts and messages, she ended up asking them via direct message if they would consider donating to her films crowdfunding campaign, and this person did! I mean what a compliment and what a beautiful friendship that formed from authentic engagement.

2) Finding NEW Filmmakers To Connect With:

What if you want to discover some new people to collaborate with? I will use the hashtag search option and search for things like #director, #filmmaker, #indiefilmmaker, etc. to see who’s posting content with these hashtags and then checking out their page, their demo reels, their current or previous work. If they are creating content that really resonates with me, then I’ll give them a follow and start authentically and genuinely engaging with their content. This can lead to wonderful lasting friendships and potential bookings, I’ve booked two films through Instagram, one of which came about because a filmmaker and I started following each other and supporting each other’s content.

A couple of tips for this whole thing…

I don’t like tagging people in grid posts because they then get notifications when people comment, etc. I prefer tagging in stories because it goes into their DM folder in their message requests section, so they can choose to look at the tag. Also please remember that AUTHENTIC and GENUINE is key (do I sound like a broken record?) because that is how long lasting relationships are fostered, IMO, and it is legitimately so easy to comment that something was great when you actually thought it was great!

PLEASE NOTE: Please only follow/engage with people that are open about their work on their social media platforms… Some people have private profiles or only post about their family, so I wouldn’t attempt to engage with them from a “work” perspective. Focus on those who are open about their work on Instagram, and then you’ll be 100% sure you’re not crossing any boundaries.

3) Discover Your Community:

While instagram is a great place to network and find potential collaborators, it is also a great place to connect with your community of artists. There are so many actors and storytellers on there, and you can find them through the search function or hashtags. So many schools and actor podcasts are also on there, posting inspiring content and reinforcing that YOU ARE NOT ALONE on this journey. Being an actor can at times be an isolating process, so I do enjoy getting a chance to see what my peers are doing, how they are marketing themselves, how they seek guidance and support. I celebrate their wins because I know mine are just around the corner.

 Social media is a place you can find your artistic community, especially if you are in a smaller market or you aren’t in class right now. I have a few friends that I never met in person, yet I still celebrate their auditions, their bookings, their projects because it makes me feel good to see others succeed!

** Looking for an actor community? Join our Career ACTivate Success Network!**

Now get out there and start posting and engaging! Authentically and organically, of course! Haha!

Coach Rachel
Moving Markets (1920 x 1152 px)

Moving Markets: 5 Questions To Ask Yourself

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Have you ever considered moving to a different market? Maybe you’re ready for a change of scenery. Or perhaps you’ve heard that more opportunities await in other markets. 

It’s true that the days when LA was the only ‘movie town’ in the country, let alone the continent, are gone. Virtually every corner of North America is ripe with productions and every city has its own draw and appeal. 

But before you take the plunge, pack up, and load out, here are a few things to consider:

1. Where do you want to go and why?

Do you live in a remote small town that feels isolated and disconnected from the industry? Are you in a big city and feeling lost or overwhelmed by the constant buzzing energy? Does the appeal of a change of scenery excite you? Is the FOMO real? Asking yourself some real tough questions and getting down to the brass tacks of it is vital to understanding what is inspiring your itchy feet. Setting yourself up with a clear intention will change the way you approach the process entirely! 

After spending almost a decade in London, I found myself reluctantly back in Toronto, my home turf. Within the first few months of being back, I struggled to feel settled. Work was landing but something still didn’t feel quite right. It was on a blustery winter day that I realized I needed to head south and explore LA. Toronto just wasn’t the right place for me anymore and I wanted to be in the place where the decisions were being made. Truthfully, though, I‘d hit my threshold for the cold. So, I decided to do a little recon mission and check out the city for pilot season. If nothing else, I could escape the dreary winters! 

For three years, while my Green Card was being processed, I came down with dozens of other Canadians and every year, I learned to love LA even more. Every year, I took classes, met new people, and got to know the city better, eventually making it official and moving down. If it wasn’t for the first recon mission and the network I started building then, my formal move would have proven to be a lot more difficult, I’m sure of it. Most importantly, I knew LA was where I wanted to be.

2. What do you know about the place you’re interested in going to?

Have you ever paid the city a visit? If you’ve never spent any time in the city of interest, do yourself a favor and go check it out. A week or two is all it takes. Sometimes the idea is better than the reality and you won’t know til you spend some time there.

3. Immigration

Do you have the right to work in the place you want to move? Or do you need to apply for a visa, work permit, or residency? Without the right to work, well, you can’t work. If you’re dreaming of moving countries, this is definitely something you’ll want to consult a lawyer on. The moment I knew I wanted to be in LA, I consulted an immigration lawyer to discuss my options and see what would be the right course for me.

4.  Do you know anyone who lives there?

Is there a community you can connect with? Your experience moving to a new city will be informed by the people you surround yourself with. By taking classes and going to events, I was able to meet so many new people and then basically choose who I wanted to be in my inner circle. In a new place, friends really do become the family we choose.

5. Research the industry of the place!

What shoots in town? Are there local Film Festivals or events you can tap into? Get to know the players and decision-makers so when you make your entrance, you’re well equipped.

Taking the time to reflect on these points and asking yourself some specific questions can offer you some great insights into how best to make a life-changing decision. One that you’ll be proud you made and feel good about!

 

What’s A Realistic Booking Ratio? A Year’s Worth of Audition Stats from 2 Actors

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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.”

Two of our Career ACTivate Elite Coaching & Mastermind Program actors shared their 2020 audition stats and were generous enough to allow us to share it here.

Leah Rose

@leahroseactress

Total Auditions for 2020: 97 auditions

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

DDO Artists Agency (Theatrical Agent)Auditions: 12CB: 2Avail: 0Booking: 0

Authentic Talent & Literary Management (Manager)Auditions: 2CB: 0Avail: 0Booking: 0

Atlas Talent Agency (Voiceover)Auditions: 129CB: 0Avail: 0Booking: 0

Self-Submissions (Actor’s Access/Social Media)Auditions: 9CB: 1Avail: 0Booking: 1

REQUESTSAuditions: 6CB: 0Avail: 0Booking: 1

THEATRICAL BOOKINGSNone

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

Atlas Talent AgencyAuditions: 8CB: 0Avail: 0Booking: 0

REQUESTSAuditions: 1CB: 0Avail: 0Booking: 1

COMMERCIAL AVAILS11/2/2020 – Freedom Wireless (Canada international)

COMMERCIAL BOOKINGS1/24/2020 – Apartments.com (National Commercial)12/9/2020 – M&M’s (National Commercial) / COVID BACKUP LOLOL

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!

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What’s Going On With Production?

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What’s Going On With Production?

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).

The TradesVariety, Deadline, Hollywood Reporter, IndieWire are a few of many publications that break news about film/TV production and the state of the industry.

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!

— Coach Melody

How To Know When You’ve Found The One…Agent Or Manager Who’s Right For You

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How To Know When You’ve Found The One…Agent Or Manager Who’s Right For You

So you’re a free agent on the prowl for new representation. You’ve made your outreach list, brainstormed some solid opening lines, slid into a few DMs to test the waters, and adequately stalked your targets on the socials. It’s time to shoot your shot. 

Hold on. Before you dip your toe into the representation dating pool in hopes of connecting with the rep of your dreams, there’s one thing on which you absolutely need to have clarity.

What is it you’re really looking for?

Yes, obviously you want new representation. But what is it that you specifically want out of this relationship?Often actors scroll through IMDb to find a match, go on a few dates, and eventually settle down with a rep (Yay! Congrats!!), only to find months or years down the line that this partnership can’t be sustained due to irreconcilable differences.It’s best to be clear and upfront from the beginning as to what it is you need out of this relationship, so you don’t enter into the wrong one. Just like in dating, you’re unlikely to get ideal results by swiping right on everyone. You ultimately just want a right swipe from the person that’s right for you. How do you know when you’ve found The One?Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether a potential rep is worth the monogamy. 

How many other people are they currently seeing?

Do you want a boutique company with a small roster, ex. A manager who works alone and has a roster of 30, or an agency with 100 clients? Or would you want to partner with a large company that has hundreds of clients shared between teams of multiple reps?

Are they down for an open relationship?

As in…are they open to sharing you with reps in other regions? Some reps split commission between them. This is a topic to bring up if you’re a local hire in other cities and are considering, or may already have, reps in other markets.

How do they view their role in your partnership?

Every agent and manager has different expectations when it comes to the part they play in a client’s career. Agent roles are, for the most part, pretty straightforward- they pitch you to potential clients and negotiate contracts.Managers can vary greatly in how they view and execute their roles. Some managers help develop your materials and set you up with agents that will get you auditions. Other managers are more hands-on and will also pitch you themselves. Some want to be involved in all areas of your career, some just focus on the theatrical aspect.Be clear on what would be most helpful to you.

Who else are they currently seeing?

What level of actors would you like to see on their roster? Would you want to be a developmental version of someone they already work with? This could be an advantage if the celebrity version of you passes on roles you’re also right for.Are you interested in a company that also has a lit department? That represents directors/producers/writers as well as actors?

Will they make you sign a contract?

Run. Just kidding. Kind of. But at least know what terms you’re willing to agree to. Anything can be negotiated, including the existence of a contract itself, but the most commonly negotiated terms are:

  •  What and how much reps commission.
  • On-camera agents commission 10% in their respective departments. Managers vary between 10%-15% and may either commission just theatrically, or across the board.
  • Length of the contract. Some might give you an easy out in the first few months if either party decides it’s not working. Look out for contracts that automatically renew for the same duration if no written notice is given.

What is their expectation of you?

I have friends who were formerly repped by large, celebrity-filled agencies and said they auditioned for great roles non-stop for 3 months, but when they didn’t book a series regular in that time, they got dropped from the roster. Yikes. That’s a lot of pressure. How would your ideal partner handle a booking slump? What would they realistically expect of you, and is this something you feel you can manage?

Who are their friends?

If your ultimate goal is to be a series regular on a half-hour sitcom, you’re more likely to have success if your rep has great contacts in the comedy world.A good question to ask in a meeting would be, “Which offices most often call your clients in to audition?”You can also research on IMDb to see what their clients have recently booked.Even if you’re not looking for an LTR with your next rep, working with one that has connections in line with your long term goals can help you land the bookings you need to get to where you want to be. 

What do their exes have to say about them?

If you know anyone who’s previously been represented by them, get the dirt. Why didn’t it work out? Is their answer to this question something you can work with? Know that people grow and change, and your relationship might be completely different from the experience of this particular ex(-client). But it’s always a good idea to be aware of potential red flags before committing.

What’s their communication style?

Any successful relationship requires clear communication. How communicative would you like your reps to be? Some want to chat with clients monthly, others are super accessible via DM, and some communicate on an as-needed basis (read: only when you book). What’s your ideal (but realistic) turnaround time if you reach out via phone or email?

Before you seek out a partner, answer these questions honestly for yourself, and rank them in order of importance. Not all of these elements will hold equal weight. Then, assess the reps you’re considering in terms of how well they fit what’s most important to you at this stage of your career. 

This will help make sure you don’t settle for someone that’s wrong for you just because they’re willing and available. 

Ugh. We’ve all been there.Also, if you want tips on how to partner with a great rep now, sign up for Jona’s free online class, coming up soon (click the banner):

— Coach Melody

Get Yo Shit Done!

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Get Yo Shit Done!

Where would you be in your career if you did everything you said you would?  Following through on action items that can feel overwhelming or take us out of our comfort zones, and possibly change our lives completely, can be scary as hell! Who wants to do that stuff  when I still need to watch season two of Cobra Kai?!

If you relate to any of this then I highly recommended finding an accountability Partner. Having one can help you move  past any fears. It can also create shorter time frames that will help you chunk larger action items into smaller, less-overwhelming tasks. 

To support you with this, here is a 10-point guideline to follow on how to create a quality partnership. This guideline is inspired by what I learned from Shawn Tollison.

1. Set up a specific time to talk

This is critical. You can’t say, “Let’s see” or “We’ll talk later this week” because it won’t happen. From the start, figure out how many times a week you’re going to talk and AND COMMIT TO IT. It can be once a week, every other day, or every day – whatever you two decide!

2. Decide how long each call will be and divide that time equally

Let’s say you decide your call will only be 20 minutes. Then each of you will only take 10 minutes to declare your goals, ask any questions, receive feedback from your Partner, etc. Once the 10 minutes are up, your time is done. Now it’s your Partner’s turn. 

3. Be laser-focused with your time

Be brief and to the point with your goals, questions, and any feedback you might have for your Partner. This is not a venting session. From my personal experience, the less you go on and on about something, or someone, during your calls, the longer your partnership will last.

4. Be gentle, but ask the hard questions

The point of accountability is to be accountable (duh!)  and sometimes that involves feedback. 
Always ask if your Partner is open to feedback before you give it. Everybody has their own personal stories or beliefs. Share where you see they are hiding or playing small. As you grow to trust each other, you’ll see how this feedback will be critical toward you being efficient.

5. Utilize your Partner to help you with what’s really hard

What’s difficult for you? Brainstorm with your Partner ways to support each other to move through your challenges. 

For example, a lot of people have a difficult time doing pitch calls. Your Partner can support you with this! Brainstorm with them on the script you’d like to follow during your call and then role-play it with them. Make the call with your Partner rooting you on in person or over Zoom. From personal experience, having someone supportive with you while you’re taking bold action can be incredibly beneficial. If they weren’t with you while you did this, call them back immediately and let them know how it went.

6. Be a rock for each other

We all struggle at times with staying committed to our goals. These calls can be a way to get right back into being committed and taking action in just a few minutes as opposed to a few days, weeks, or months.

7. Set the bar for Accountability

Be the best Partner you can be. Lead by example. 

8. How you are with your Accountability Partner is how you are in life

You play the way you practice. How are you going to be in integrity with your commitments or when you face a tough challenge if you can’t 
be in integrity with your Partner for a 5-7 minute phone call? Be in integrity!

9. Be coachable

At times, things aren’t going to be working and it’s important that you both can be open to your Partner’s feedback. It can be a lot easier to give advice than it is to be open to receiving someone else’s. Be open!IMPORTANT NOTE:Being able to receive feedback without taking it personally or getting defensive is a HUUUUUGE skill to have in life. It will greatly benefit you in business and personal relationships.

10. It’s your game show!

This can look and be played out in whatever way you and your Partner decide. There is no right or wrong here. What’s most important is that you find something that works and commit to it.

NOW! To give you an idea on how this can possibly look, here is an example of a partnership I created with someone and found highly successful.

Set up your phone calls for Sunday nights. Before the call, write out all the goals you want to accomplish for the coming week and any questions you’d like to ask your Partner.

Jump on the call and declare your goals, ask your questions (if you have any) and receive any feedback (if you want any). Email your goals for the upcoming week to your Partner.

Each morning, text your Partner one to three words to describe the goals you are committed to completing from your list by the end of the day.

 For example, if my goals for the day are to call three producers, email 10 agents and write for 2 hours, then I would only text my Partner the following: “call producers, 10 agents, write 2hr.” 

Since you told them your action items for the week, they should know what this is referring to. If not, they can refer to the list you emailed them.

Once you have completed these actions, let your Partner know by texting one word: “Complete.”

From my experience, I have found this to be highly effective for the following reasons:

1. When I text my Partner my goals in the morning, I feel like it locks me into completing them. This is what I said I’d do and now I get to do it. This is where that integrity piece comes into play.

2. Daaaaaaaaaamn does it feel good when I get to text “Complete” to my Partner.

3. My Partners have told me that when they get my texts, it inspired them to take action and daaaaaaaaaamn does feel good, too! This is where leading by example comes to play.

4. There have been days when I have wanted to avoid my action items then “bing!” I got that text from my Partner and it inspired me to take action.

5. It’s quick and efficient. Everybody has 10 seconds to send 3-7 word texts every morning and 5 seconds to send “Complete” later in the day.

6. By declaring 2-4 items each day, it breaks down my long list of action items into small, bite-sized, little morsels that feel a lot less overwhelming. I recommend doing these daily texts Monday-Friday. The weekends are free from this commitment. However, Saturday can be a make up day. If there was one day during the week that you or your Partner didn’t get something done, you can do it on Saturday if you both agree on that.

When you get each other’s texts, keep it brief by replying with a “thumbs up” emoji. This is to let your Partner know that you saw their text, they’re on the hook for it, and you’ll be expecting a “complete” later that day.

I also recommend you both agree on a time that your morning texts will be sent. I would send them no later than 10:00 a.m. If you haven’t received a text from your Partner by the deadline you agreed on, text them, and ask for it. This is one of the ways you can stand for your Partner.

This is an example of what your partnership can look like. Again, you don’t have to follow this. You can take what you like or create whatever works for you. It’s your game show!

In closing, I will say this: You will only hold yourself accountable for goals that others know about. So find a Partner. If you both do this with integrity, you’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish.

— Coach Darin

How To Promote Your Bookings In A Classy Way

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How To Promote Your Bookings In A Classy Way

What if promoting projects you’re in helped open doors to you being cast in future projects? Promoting projects not only aids in building your fan base, it also can leverage new opportunities, as it shows filmmakers how valuable you are to the success of their film. It also shows other storytellers that you’re excited to promote, which increases the likelihood of them considering YOU for their future projects.Below, I go over some tips on ways to effectively promote your projects on social media, at film festivals and through digital/physical mailers.

Digital Postcards

With so many free design programs out there, it’s relatively easy for you to create digital mailers that you can email or post to your social media channels. And if you’re not too graphically inclined, you could even have someone create one for you for pretty cheap (check out FIVERR.com!).  

What to put on the image?Using a program like Canva or Photoshop, create an image that includes your photo, the name of the project, dates of when one can watch it, and some other fun info. For example, if you book the role of Mercutio in ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ you could have a postcard with your headshot, a phrase saying “Just booked Mercutio!”, the name and address of the theater along with the show dates, and a fun little quote from the play, like “True, I talk of dreams/ Which are the children of an idle brain, /Begot of nothing but vain fantasy”.

Where do I post the image?Post this digital postcard on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc! Create posts on your social media channels and tag the filmmakers, playwrights, crew members, other actors, everyone involved. Let the world know about your incredible work and the incredible people that you got to work with. Make sure to reply to comments and say thank you for all the amazing support you get on these posts.

Email your digital postcard.When people in the industry ask you to keep them updated on what you’ve got going on, make sure you do just that! Email them your digital postcard! Let them know about a booking or a play, the type of role you’re playing, what excites you about the project. Keep it relatively short and sweet. And if there’s a live performance or screening, invite them to watch.

Hard Copy Postcards

Another way to promote your good news is through traditional, hard copy postcards/mailers. Take the digital image you’d created for your social media posts above and adjust slightly.Add a little more info:Postcards have lots of space on the back that can be utilized to showcase a bit more of your personality. Add a little note about the project, for example, “I’m super excited to be working opposite so-and-so actor, and it’s been fun to get to play this type of character.” Make sure to put your (or your rep’s) contact info and be sure to address the postcard to the appropriate person. Send that baby off!

Create Multiple Mailers about the Same Booking!

A booking is a big deal and it should be shared multiple times. Use essentially the same template for each version of the mailer, but with different updates, like:1) Just booked!2) Just shot!3) Here’s a shot of me on set!4) Watch me on TV next week!5) I was on TV!6) Nominated for this award!7) The Reviews are in! (Be smart with this… Spread out these updates, especially if you are sending them to someone’s inbox)

Film Festival Promotion

A great part of our industry is that there are a multitude of festivals that are screening our projects, which creates so many opportunities for people to see our work. There are a lot of cool ways to promote film festivals and screenings, and here are some ideas for you.Promoting On Social MediaStills from a project are a great way to get promo images and to create a digital postcard, especially if you are growing tired of using your headshot for everything. Pull a still or screengrab with you in it, and then using an image editing software, add the laurels for that festival somewhere on the still. Also add info about the screening times and locations. Remember to ask the creators if this is ok to do, especially if you’ve been given an NDA to sign. Filmmakers do love it when people promote their projects, just clear everything with them beforehand :)Post these stills on social media + tag your collaborators

Just like the digital postcards above, post these images onto your social media channels. Make sure to tag the festival and the filmmakers. Make sure to THANK the festival for selecting the project you’re a part of! Oftentimes festivals will repost these types of posts, which allows your work to be seen by even more people.REMEMBER:Promoting projects makes you look good to the producers, filmmakers, other actors, because you’re also promoting them. Whenever I produce a project, I make note of who in the cast/crew actively promotes the film on social media. It’s free advertising for my project, and it encourages me to work with those people again because it simply means that more people are becoming aware of the project.

— Coach Rachel

The 9 Winners of The Career ACTivate Self-Tape Challenge

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The 9 Winners of The Career ACTivate Self-Tape Challenge

The Challenge

In April, Career ACTivate launched our first-ever self-tape challenge and it was a huge success!For this challenge, participants were asked to submit a self-tape of any length. It could be a favorite scene, or even a brand new monologue. As a prize we offered General Meetings for the Top 9 Winners with Casting Associate Laura Aughton of Wendy O’Brien Casting, Casting Director Mike Page of Page & Day Casting as well as Talent Managers David Chien of Art/Work Entertainment and Jacob Gallagher of E85 Artist Management.

A Gift For You

Our Top 9 Winners aren’t the only winners. Just for participating, everyone who submitted is being invited to Q&A Sessions with David Chien, Laura Aughton, and Jacob Gallagher. During our Q&A Sessions, participants can submit their questions and the industry professional will provide their insights as well as tips & tricks.If you didn’t submit, never fear! We have two more Q&A Sessions coming up and you’re invited. Register to receive the virtual meeting links or to receive a recording of the events. Join us for our upcoming Q&As listed below.Friday, June 5th at 11:00 AM – Q&A with Laura Aughton, Casting Associate at Wendy O’Brien CastingREGISTER HERE: https://www.careeractivate.com/lauraqa 

Tuesday, June 23rd at 2:00 PM – Q&A with Jacob Gallagher, Talent Manager & Owner of E85 Artist ManagementREGISTER HERE: https://www.careeractivate.com/jacobqa 

The Winners

We’d like to give a shoutout to everyone who submitted a video: We are absolutely blown away by the talent and creativity you all shared with us; the competition was fierce. Today we are announcing all 9 winners right here.

Congratulations to all of our winners!We hope you saw a familiar face above, maybe even your own.

How Can You Be The Next Winner?

To win, you have to submit! Find a current list of self-tape challenges by heading on over to our Career ACTivate Success Network Facebook Page. We’ve got you covered.

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