GARY MASON

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Acting

Top Twelve Acting Skills an Actor Needs to Develop

Acting, Voice Over, Wisdom

Welcome back!

And thanks for reading!  So, you’re an actor or want to become an actor?  Consider these Top Twelve Acting Skills an Actor Needs to Develop.

REMEMBER:

Just a reminder here that when I use the term “actor” I mean it to encompass all forms of acting including voice, stage, and screen.  What follows applies relatively equally to all of these forms of acting.

Skills

Or is it Skillz these days?  I don’t know, but what I do know is that actors need them.  I recently had someone comment on a Twitter link to a blog post that “…acting and blogging isn’t real work.  It’s all just pretend…”. Well, to that I say…PSHAW!  If you’ve been doing this work for any amount of time, one thing you’ll realize right away is: It’s not as easy as it looks and there is a definite skill set involved.  These skills can be natural or trained, but the skill is required no matter what.  Let’s take a look at the 12 most important skills an actor can have.

Memorization

Admittedly, this skill is not one that is terribly important for the VO actor, although in a way it is if you are able to “lift” copy from the page – read ahead of your speaking so it doesn’t sound like you’re reading.  That’s sort of a rolling memorization.  For a stage or screen actor?  Probably the most important skill to have.  When you first get started this is also probably one of the hardest to master, but your brain is like a muscle and when you exercise it it gets stronger – and memorization gets easier.  There are a couple of methods to help in memorization such as; writing your lines out by hand; reading your lines over and over and over and over…; or reading your lines out loud with a partner.  These days there are apps like Rehearsal Pro that help a lot.  Rehearsal Pro is my go-to method.

Communication

 

Maybe an essential skill in any career, but certainly important for an actor on several levels.  Much of an actor’s work is communicating with a variety of people.  Everyone from agents and managers to producers and directors while working out the details of the logistics of acting: Rehearsals, call times, wardrobe and many others.  This is a critical skill for actors both on and off stage, after all, acting itself is communicating.  One very important aspect of communication is listening. More specifically, active listening.  If you are working with a scene partner, you are going to have to be actively listening to them so that you react appropriately!

Control: Body and Voice

As an actor your body and your voice are your instrument.  An actor MUST learn to control their voice and body in order to be competitive in their career.  For stage/screen actors think about learning dance, or fight choreography.  Learn to know how your movement relative to the camera affects the scene.  As a voice actor you will need to learn to control your voice much like Nancy Cartwright does when voicing Bart Simpson and Chuckie Finster.  This skill is as important for voice actors as memorization is for stage/screen actors.

Script Analysis

No matter the length of the script – a 30 second commercial to a feature length film to a series of 60-minute television shows – an actor will need to develop the ability to break down and analyze the script.  A script is a 2 dimensional thing, but the end result needs to be 3 dimensional and believable.  You start by asking the 5 basic storytelling questions of who, what, when, where and why.  Who is your character?  Who are the characters your character will interact with? What is everyone doing? What time period are we in? Where are we? Why are we doing and saying the things we are?  All of these will inform your character and their dress, language, accent and how they interact with other characters.  If the script doesn’t answer these questions, the actor comes up with answers as they build their character.

Stamina

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Actors work exceptionally long days, usually starting in the wee hours of the morning when sane people are still sleeping.  Even with long periods of waiting while changes to camera position and lighting are going on, it takes a good bit of Stamina to be an actor.  If you are a stage actor, add weeks of grueling rehearsals to the mix. And for VO, imagine recording, editing and mastering an 8–10-hour audiobook!  Stamina is a necessity!

Emotional Intelligence

This is one you don’t think of often. An actor must be able to tap into their own emotions and use them to connect with their characters and their audience. Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, manage, and express emotions, which is essential for actors to be able to fully inhabit their characters. You not only need to understand a plethora of emotions and their nuances, you also have to know what they look and sound like.

Improvisation

It seems counterintuitive when you think about scripted content.  Sure, IMPROV troupes need to learn and hone their IMPROV skills, but even in scripted formats improvisations is important.  In a stage play if another actor “flubs” or misses a line, his scene partner(s) has to keep the scene flowing by improvising something or it looks wooden and unnatural.  Actors should be able to think on their feet and react to unexpected situations.  And sometimes an improvised line in screen or VO makes it into the final cut because it sounds more natural and the director likes it.  Improvisation allows actors to be more spontaneous and responsive in their performances and can lead to more dynamic and interesting characters. Check out this list of The Ten Most Iconic Ad-Libbed Scenes in Film History.

Resilience

The acting profession can be unpredictable, with rejections and setbacks common. As an actor, you better be able to handle rejection and failure and keep pushing forward. Even the best actors go through periods of un (or under) employment.  It can be very easy to just give up and fall back on a 9-5 job. But the resilient actor keeps pushing on.  You may never “make it”, but giving up makes it certain.

Passion

I’ve talked about this one before:  If you are an actor who does this for any other reason than you love it, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Actors must have a genuine love and passion for their craft or they quickly burn out. It is this passion that drives them to continue to improve their skills, take risks, and persevere through the challenges of the industry. Yes, you can still act and may even be successful without passion, but the odds are definitely not forever in your favor!

Business Savvy

Let’s face it, no matter HOW much you love acting it is, at its core, a business.  As an actor you are an independent freelance business owner and treating this career like that will take you a lot farther.  Know your brand, understand fundamental marketing, stay on top of shifting industry trends, know simple financial management and contracts and you will go much farther, with much less stress.

Self-Tape Basics

The COVID pandemic shut down the industry briefly, and a major shift was to begin auditioning almost exclusively by self-tapes.  This opened up an acting career path for a lot of people who might otherwise might not have had access, which is great, but it also added a whole new skill set required of actors: self-tape production.  You don’t have to be an experienced DP, but you do need to understand a bit about framing lighting and sound to produce a professional self-tape.

Kindness

You’d like to think this is a skill every human would possess, but if you’ve been alive long enough to become aware of other people, you’ll know it is not always so. This doesn’t need to be a massive effort, but small acts of kindness go a long way.  Simple things like remembering the casting associate (or casting director’s) name, always being on time (or calling if circumstances make that impossible), listening attentively and following the rules.  These are simple things that make people want to work with you more.

In conclusion

Being a successful actor requires a wide range of skills and talents. These include memorization, communication, body and voice control, script analysis, stamina, emotional intelligence, improvisation, resilience, passion, business savvy, self-tape basics, and kindness,  Actors who are able to develop and master these skills will have a greater chance of achieving success than those who do not.

If you enjoyed this, please leave a comment below to let me know.  If you DIDN’T enjoy it, well, I’d like to hear from you too!  And please feel free to share this blog on social media or with other people you think might enjoy it.

Looking for your next great non-fiction read? Check out this promotion: Become Inspired. Become You.

If you haven’t already, please feel free to subscribe so you don’t miss anything – and as a thank you receive a free copy of my E-Book: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About getting Started in Voice Over but Didn’t Know Who to Ask!

PROS and CONS of an acting career

Acting, Wisdom

Welcome back!

And thanks for reading!  So, you want to become an actor?  If you are not yet familiar with the film or VO industry, consider these Pros and Cons before jumping in.

REMEMBER:

Just a reminder here that when I use the term “actor” I mean it to encompass all forms of acting including voice, stage, and screen.  What follows applies relatively equally to all of these forms of acting.

Acting

Ever thought how great it would be to be an actor?  I used to think that all the time, and now I AM an actor!  Let me tell you, it is definitely an awesome career choice…although not quite as “stable” as some other career choices might be.  Most jobs have you apply, interview, get hired and then you work there for a few years, or even decades before either finding another, better, job or retiring. As an actor?  Not so much.  Sure, a few actors land gigs as recurring characters on popular shows that last for many years, but that is the exception, not the rule.

Like any other job

Well, OK, not exactly like any other job…but a lot like any other job there are pros and cons to being an actor.  It’s great, but as I tell my kids all the time “If it was always fun, they wouldn’t have to pay you to do it”. Unlike other jobs there are a ton of actors who actually DO work for free just because they love it and are trying to build a portfolio.  I suppose other industries also have unpaid internships; it just seems more prevalent in this industry.  Anyway, let’s look at some pros and cons, shall we?

CONS

I like to get the bad news out of the way first.  So, I’ll start with the CONS of acting.  If you answer the question: “You want the good news or the bad news first?” with “Good news”, then you should start at the bottom and read your way up.  That’s just not me, and since this is my blog, I’ll start with the bad news.

Questionable job security

Probably the biggest CON of deciding to work as an actor is the uncertainty of it all.  No matter how talented you may be, there is just no guarantee you’ll book enough work to support yourself. While you definitely need talent to be successful, booking enough work to be able to support yourself also requires a fair amount of luck.  No matter who you are, or how good of an actor you are, you are GOING to experience periods of unemployment…sometimes LONG periods. Acting is one of the very few career choices that will likely require you to have a second career to be able to pay the bills, at least for some period of time (and maybe forever).

Competition is FIERCE

It doesn’t happen often in today’s self-tape age but walk into an in-person audition and you’ll see 100 other actors who look similar to you waiting to audition.  Generally speaking (there are exceptions) and in my experience other actors are friendly and helpful.  But as an actor you have to know that there are a multitude of others all vying for the same jobs.  It’s a bit of a dichotomy but what I have found is most actors are not “competitive” with other actors per se, but at the same time there is a lot of competition for a given role.

The hours are abysmal

It may look all glamorous and fun, but working as an actor means long days, early call times and long periods of just sitting around waiting.  The actor may be the face of the production, but the 200 people who run hair, makeup, lights, sound, set design, photography, catering, craft services and a host of other necessary production items are the ones who “work” full time.  Most of the actor’s day is spent either IN hair, makeup, and wardrobe…or waiting around for the set to be ready to shoot.  And once the production day is over, the actor gets to go start preparing for the NEXT production day.  Honestly, most of the work of an actor is completed away from the set.

One bad performance

In the Navy we had a saying: “One Aw-Sh*t wipes out a thousand atta-boys” and that can definitely be true for an actor.  You may be cruising along booking awesome roles and knocking them out of the park and then one bad performance can crush you.  Not only does it wreak havoc with your ego and self-confidence it may mean you have to (or at least FEEL like you have to) start over trying to claw your way to where you were before a bad review.  If you are emotionally fragile, this can hurt you in ways a bad performance review in other lines of work cannot.  You will definitely need thick skin and a pretty stable mindset to succeed in the long run.

Privacy

And then, you finally “make it” as an actor.  You get the recognition of industry pros that you are a solid, dependable actor and you begin to have a fan base. Uh-Oh…you have a fan base (I’m speculating here, because my fan base consists entirely of people who were my fans before I started acting: My family and friends). If you do this right, and become a well-known actor, you can kiss your privacy goodbye. Want to take your wife out for a quiet dinner?  Better be able to buy out the whole restaurant. Thankfully, most of us will never have to worry about this CON.

PROS

OK, now on to the good stuff.  While there are certainly some downsides to being an actor there are even more PROS.  Of course there are…or no one would want to do it!  I’ll try to briefly capture a few of them here.  There are a lot more, but I try to limit my word count.

FAME!

Well, fame is a double-edged sword, and it’s not very likely as I have mentioned a number of times before, but it is a perk if you manage to achieve it.

Wealth

Again, not as likely as we’d like it to be, but you can earn a decent living even if you don’t get rich once you start booking consistent union work.

Enjoyable work environment/fun work

Contrary to the CON mentioned above about abysmal hours (which can definitely be true) and sitting around a lot (also true) you get to work behind the scenes “making the magic happen”.  On top of that, all that sitting around gives you time to meet and get to know some very interesting people.

Opportunity to collaborate

Are you creative?  (If not, why are you an actor?).  This career not only gives you an opportunity to meet and get to know some pretty interesting people, it ALSO gives you a chance to collaborate with them on projects you’ll enjoy.

Exploring new places

Face it, it’s not likely there are going to be any movies shot in your backyard, or even in your city (unless you live in LA, NYC or Atlanta anyway).  So, it’s a pretty safe bet that you’ll get to travel to some cool new places as an actor.  You may not have a lot of time to explore those places (see abysmal hours above), but you should get to experience some of the culture and may even work in a day off here and there,

It’s never boring

Despite all the sitting around (that is really networking) being an actor is never really boring.  Each project and set are different, and there are always new people to meet.  On top of that you get to portray a different character each time.  It is fun and a learning experience to explore new characters as well as your own emotions.

And there it is

Some PROS and CONS about becoming an actor!  Pretty sure you can think of more, and if you do, I’d love it if you popped them into the comments below!

If you enjoyed this, please leave a comment below to let me know.  If you DIDN’T enjoy it, well, I’d like to hear from you too!  And please feel free to share this blog on social media or with other people you think might enjoy it.

Looking for your next great non-fiction read? Check out these promotions:  Personal Wellness and Self-Help and Become Inspired. Become You.

If you haven’t already, please feel free to subscribe so you don’t miss anything – and as a thank you receive a free copy of my E-Book: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About getting Started in Voice Over but Didn’t Know Who to Ask!

10 Acting myths debunked!

Acting, General, Voice Over, Wisdom

Welcome back!

And thanks for reading!  There is a lot of mythology surrounding acting and most of us believe at least one of them.  This week let’s debunk some acting myths!

REMEMBER:

Just a reminder here that when I use the term “actor” I mean it to encompass all forms of acting including voice, stage, and screen.  What follows applies relatively equally to all of these forms of acting.

The myths of acting

Sitting on your couch binging Netflix is a great way to be entertained, especially during a global pandemic (let’s hope THAT’S behind us in 2023!) and may make you want to be an actor.  Actors and non-actors alike have likely heard many of the myths that follow, and maybe even believe them.  What follows are 10 common acting myths you may have heard, and reasons why they are myths and not facts! There are a lot more, but these are the 10 I chose to talk about.  So, let’s just jump right in!

Background (BG) work leads to principal roles.

OK, so this misleading bit of tomfoolery gets passed around pretty often.  It’s true and can be verified by our friend Mr. Google, that many of the famous actors you know and love once worked as background actors.  The thing is, none of them were “discovered” as BG actors. Working in BG is a great way to learn your way around set, make a few bucks and get an idea what the life of a principal actor is like.  While it is possible to pick up a line or two (rarely), working as a BG actor is not likely to get you discovered and help you move into speaking roles.  While I was able to find many examples of famous actors who once worked as BG, I was unable to find a single example of an actor being noticed by CD’s, producers or directors.

Actors are born, not made

Ummmm…no.  Talk to any well-known actor or VO artist and you will find that each and every one of them has put in countless hours of training and practice to become the actor they are.  Having some natural acting ability is certainly a plus, but even starting off with no natural ability won’t stop you from being a working professional actor.  Acting is a learned skill…after all, acting is, according to Meisner, just (Just…LOL) “Behaving naturally in fictional circumstances”.  Acting is living, even if it is living in a fictional universe.  We all know how to live; the key is learning out how to live within the framework of the fictional world.

You have to be young and attractive to become an actor

Seriously, I don’t understand how this keeps going around.  First of all, watch TV and movies…you see every type of person being portrayed, because these productions are attempting to depict a real (even if fictional) world…that every kind of person inhabits.  And if you are into VO?  Who CARES what you look like!  My mom said I have a face for radio, and I STILL have managed to book a number of on-screen gigs. I didn’t even start till I was 60 years old!

You need an agent to be successful

A lot of people believe that signing with an agent will propel them to stardom pretty quickly. They are sorely disappointed when reality sets in.  Having an agent is not a bad thing, and agents generally have access to bigger roles than we do as actors…but the agent doesn’t book your roles, you do…so if you are not booking roles on your own, an agent isn’t going to magically make a producer hire you.  The unhappy truth here is that an agent is not likely to even consider signing you unless you are already booking work on your own (they only get paid when you get paid!) and even after you sign with one you need to keep hustling on your own if you want to be successful.

You need connections to make it big

Sure, having some connections to people in the industry doesn’t hurt…just look at all the “legacy” actors who have followed in their parents and siblings’ footsteps.  Connections help, but not having connections won’t prevent you from making it as an actor.  I’ve said it many times, relationships in this industry are foundational, but you don’t have to start with them; you can build them over time.  Get involved in your local acting community, join groups on social media for the type of acting you want to do.  This is the way to meet people in the industry and start building relationships.  Just remember, building relationships starts with how you can help them, not the other way around.

Introverts can’t become actors.

I’d love to put a BIG RED X (a la Family Feud) on this one!  Again, Mr. Google is helpful here.  Click the link and see if you recognize any of the names right at the top of the page: Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks…these are just the first three on the list.  It’s also true that many successful actors are extroverts, but it is not essential to being a successful actor.  You bring a bit of yourself to every role, and you just have to find the roles that are best for you and your personality.  And when your character is an introvert, who better to portray them than an actor who is an introvert!

Actors are “starving”

We’ve all heard of, or may even know, a “starving artist”.  The problem with this myth is that there is a grain of truth to it.  Particularly when just starting out, most actors will need a survival job in order to make ends meet.  It is extremely unlikely (although not completely unheard of) to begin your acting career and immediately earn enough money to support yourself.  The simple truth is if you put in the work and keep putting yourself out there you can become successful (not talking about fame here) and be able to fully support yourself with an acting career.  There are many, many, non-famous actors making a good living with their craft!

Voice actors are not “real” actors

I love (HATE) this one! Let’s start by setting the record straight: Voice Artists are actors.  If you want to “get into” voice over, first “get into” some acting classes (along with VO classes, because while it IS acting, it is a different kind of acting from stage or screen acting).  Of course, the most obvious difference is you can see a stage or screen actor and not a voice actor.  The truth is just because you can’t see them doing it, a voice actor behind the mic, if they are any good, is presenting the same facial expressions and some of the same gestures as any other actor…and don’t let anyone tell you it’s not possible to “hear” those expressions.  Voice actors are real actors.

There are rules and rituals to follow for success

Most of us have our rituals or things we believe will help us along our career path like always making sure to send a thank you, mailing postcards every six months ad infinitum.  The truth is a career as an actor is very unpredictable and there is no formula for a one-size-fits-all path to success.  If that were true every actor would follow the same path, and all would eventually be a success.  Instead of looking for some magic formula try working on honing your skills as an actor and figure out what works for you.  Acting is art, and art is both individual and unique.  If you want to be successful, find out what makes you unique and highlight that.

Fame is success

If you are acting because you want to be famous, I have bad news for you: only .001% of all actors become famous.  The good news though, is that fame does not equal success in this business.  If you are an actor because you want to be famous, then perhaps you need to find another line of work.  While fame certainly means you have been successful, being successful doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be famous.  There are thousands of successful actors, people you see or hear all the time, who are not famous.  Truth is, success means something different to each person, so figure out what success looks like for you and pursue THAT.

And there you have it!

Ten acting myths debunked.  If you can think of more, stick them in the comments section below, but remember: They call them myths for a reason.  We’re all individuals with an individual path and an individual goal.  Don’t just follow someone else, find out what works for you in pursuit of your acting goals and just keep working it!

If you enjoyed this, please leave a comment below to let me know.  If you DIDN’T enjoy it, well, I’d like to hear from you too!  And please feel free to share this blog on social media or with other people you think might enjoy it.

Looking for your next great non-fiction read? Check out these promotions:  Personal Wellness and Self-Help and Become Inspired. Become You.

If you haven’t already, please feel free to subscribe so you don’t miss anything – and as a thank you receive a free copy of my E-Book: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About getting Started in Voice Over but Didn’t Know Who to Ask

Books and Podcasts for actors

Acting, Resources

Welcome back!

And thanks for reading!  Wow, here we are on day one of 2023!  Yes, that’s right, posting my blog for the week on New Year’s Day…that’s dedication, right?  Well, kind of…I am writing it the Friday BEFORE the Holiday…hey, work smarter, not harder…ya know!?  Also, I did some research and have discovered that blogs posted to social media on Sundays and delivered to subscribers on Mondays get better responses, so it’s kind of selfish. Anyway. to kick off the new year, and hopefully provide some fuel for your shiny new resolutions, let’s look at some books and podcasts that are helpful for actors.

REMEMBER:

Just a reminder here that when I use the term “actor” I mean it to encompass all forms of acting including voice, stage, and screen.  What follows applies relatively equally to all of these forms of acting.

Without (much) further ado…

I will begin by confessing I have not read or listened to all of these myself, so I am basing some of these recommendations on the recommendations of others.  For those I have not read or listened to, I didn’t just take the word of ONE person’s recommendation, but several…in that way I can make sure that these really ARE must reads/listens for all actors.  Some of these you may have already read or perhaps listen to regularly…some may be a new discovery for you.  In any case, I hope they help you along your journey as an actor.

Links

I’ve included handy links to these titles below, and just wanted to let you know that these are NOT affiliate links.  I do not benefit in any way, well, except knowing I may be helping you, if you decide to click through and purchase any of these.  Of course, if you buy MY book I benefit, but it is still not an affiliate link.

Books, in no particular order

What is method acting?  In this book Isaac Butler walks you through the Stanislavski system and beyond, right up to and through the evolution of “The Method” as it is understood today.  Nathan Lane Butler calls this “the most important book about acting”.

If you are just starting out as an actor, this is a great book to start off with. With this book you will learn everything you need to know to nail an audition and get cast.  Shurtleff’s 12 guideposts will influence your auditions for years to come.

This fun book will be helpful for anyone who is just getting started along their acting path, and maybe even especially for those who have been at it for a while and feel like they just aren’t getting anywhere.  This book is encouraging as it shows how even the most recognizable actors struggled, sometimes for YEARS before they got a break.

A classic no actor should be without.  Uta Hagen provides a series of exercises and questions to ask yourself to help you connect to yourself in the moment, other actors in the scene and the audience.  She also helps you feel more comfortable on the stage and on set by working past your nervousness.

Larry Moss is a master acting teacher who no longer teaches.  If you ever wanted to study with him, this book is a great substitute.  From his introduction in his own words “I call this book The Intent to Live because great actors don’t seem to be acting, they seem to be actually living.” From the back cover: “From the foundations of script analysis to the nuances of physicalization and sensory work, here are the case studies, exercises, and insights that enable you to connect personally with a script, develop your character from the inside out, overcome fear and inhibition, and master the technical skills required for success in the theater, television, and movies.” This one is on my future reading list.

This title doesn’t provide any tips or ideas on how to act, but it is a wonderful memoir by Mr. Cranston that shows you the path to celebrity isn’t a straight one.  This book is encouraging for anyone who loves acting but struggles to balance their passion against their “day job” and wonder when their big break may come.  Highly recommended and a really fun read.

This book is aimed at stage actors, but can be beneficial for screen actors as well.  It is a compendium of all the unwritten rules and protocols all stage actors are expected to know and observe.  This guide is invaluable for professional stage actors from first rehearsals to final curtain.  If you are a stage actor, or a screen actor who is thinking about making the transition to stage, you should definitely have a copy of this book.

Now what kind of author would I be if I didn’t plug my own book?  This is a compilation of my first 10 or so blog posts, reformatted into a book and self-published on Amazon.  This book basically charts out my journey getting started in VO and captures much of the research I had done on equipment, training and recording space among others.  Hopefully it’s helpful, and you can have it for FREE just for subscribing to this blog!

Podcasts

In this podcast the hosts interview top players in the film and TV industry including celebrities, casting directors and agents.

This podcast is for anyone who is getting started in voice over, or who wants to…and for veteran voice actors to learn helpful techniques and keep up with current trends.  They also interview guests who are working in voice over successfully.

Matt describes his career as an actor as being told no for a living. In this podcast the host talks with successful top-shelf people from all walks of life about their journey through the no’s too get to the yes.  If rejection in this business get you down, it’s great to know that even the most successful people still get told no.

In this podcast Audrey talks with people from the entertainment industry to offer advice on everything from auditions to how to better utilize your union.

This is a bi-monthly actors podcast created exclusively for people in the entertainment industry. This show features interviews with entertainment industry experts including filmmakers, producers, casting directors, musicians, and other successful artists who have achieved success in their field and who share the steps THEY took to get to the next level.

In this weekly podcast, Academy award winner and celebrated acting teacher Milton Justice invites you to listen in on his weekly acting class.  This is one of the rare acting podcasts that delves deeply into the craft of acting.

You may not recognize his name, but you’d know him from TV and movies such as Parenthood, CHiPS, The Good Place and many others.  Check out his IMDB here. In this podcast Dax interviews celebrities each week (twice a week actually) and since he is often acquainted with his guests, he can ask the questions others may not feel comfortable asking.  If you want witty banter mixed with insights into the entertainment industry you might not get elsewhere, this is the podcast for you.

In this podcast Lilli Torre begins each episode by asking her guest: “So, what have you been up to?” and the conversation flows from there.  This podcast offers insight into the many different avenues one can pursue to support a career in the arts. Most of the people interviewed are actors AND something else, whether that be teacher, business owner, or real estate agent.

And there you have it!

My list of books and podcasts to get your New Year started.  These are just a few of the tremendous resources available and while I encourage you to check these out, there are thousands more available on the other end of a quick Google search. Happy New Year and welcome to 2023…may the upcoming year prove to be more successful than last year, no matter how successful last year was!

If you enjoyed this, please leave a comment below to let me know.  If you DIDN’T enjoy it, well, I’d like to hear from you too!  And please feel free to share this blog on social media or with other people you think might enjoy it.

Looking for your next great non-fiction read? Check out these promotions:  Personal Wellness and Self-Help and Become Inspired. Become You.

If you haven’t already, please feel free to subscribe so you don’t miss anything – and as a thank you receive a free copy of my E-Book: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About getting Started in Voice Over but Didn’t Know Who to Ask!

Common Misconceptions About Acting

Acting, General, Wisdom

Welcome back!

And thanks for reading!  This week let’s talk about some common misconceptions about acting.

REMEMBER:

Just a reminder here that when I use the term “actor” I mean it to encompass all forms of acting including voice, stage, and screen.  What follows applies relatively equally to all of these forms of acting.

Outside looking in

When you’re nestled on your couch watching television, or riding in your car listening to the radio and that hilarious commercial comes on…you think: What a life.  I could do that! (NOTE: you probably could). We see the glitz and glamour of a Hollywood premier, we watch award shows, read the tabloids and learn about the millions of dollars actors make.  We envy those people…but should we?

Dire Straights

No, not your situation, the band.  Have you heard their song “Money For Nothing” from their “Brothers In Arms” album?  It’s an 80’s “Classic Rock” song (and I hate that because it makes me feel old). If you are young and haven’t heard it click the link and you can.  TRIGGER WARNING: The song contains some language that was commonly used in the 80’s but which is rightfully no longer fashionable.

“That aint working…”

The song was a hit, of course, but do you know the origin? It’s fun.  One of the band members was in a store in NYC where a wall of TV’s was playing MTV.  He overheard one of the delivery people talking about how easy the life of a famous musician was and many of the lyrics are direct quotes from that guy (Pretty sure he is uncredited though…which could be a problem).  It caught this musician’s attention because it is such a huge misconception, and he wrote the lyrics right there in the store, later setting it to music.

This isn’t about musicians

No, this blog is about acting.  In my experience, many of the same misconceptions about musicians apply to actors as well.  So what follows are six common misconceptions about acting.

I know, you’d expect 5 or maybe 10 – I’m a rebel (and try to stay with a 1500 word limit so I don’t lose people).

Acting is easy to get into

OK, in some ways this is true. You want to be an actor?  Start submitting for acting jobs; VOILÀ, you’re an actor.  Then start taking classes, get professional head shots, draft a resume, take more classes, find an agent, buy, set up and learn how to use the equipment you need, take more classes, start an LLC (it IS a business after all), hire an accountant to keep track of all the admin crap for taxes and insurance, take more classes…you get the idea.  Starting to act is easy – it is simply a decision you make – becoming a working actor who gets paid for their efforts is a lot of work.

Acting is easy

I admit, at one time I thought this very thing.  Then I started acting.  Newsflash, it’s not; acting is hard work (but still fun…it’s a real dichotomy).  What you see or hear as a member of the audience is just the tip of the iceberg.  What you DON’T see is:

  • Early morning call times. There are 24 hours in a day, and any one of them may be the time you need to report to work.  Sometimes your scenes are night scenes, and well, they shoot them at night.  Sometimes getting ready for your scene (Hair and Makeup) take hours to complete so you need to be there early…like in the middle of the night.
  • LONG days. Especially on low budget independent films, you can expect to work 12, 15 or 18 hours straight.
  • MONTHS of preparation. Not for every gig, but it takes a lot of preparation to become a character.  Even for short VO recordings preparation is key.
  • Long periods of unemployment. A given role could last anywhere from a day to a few months.  Once it is “in the can” that job is over, and you are back to looking for the next job.

And this is just a touch of what you don’t see or hear.  There is also years of training and days/weeks/months of submitting and auditioning…on top of working a survival job to pay the bills between gigs.

Actors make a ton of money

Some actually do!  Most actually don’t. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, actors earn a median hourly wage of $23.48 as of May 2021. The lowest earning 10 percent made less than $11.16 an hour — not even as much as an average fast-food cook ($12.07).  Combine that with the fact that there are potentially long periods of unemployment between gigs, the cost for all those classes and head shots (and if you are lucky enough to have an agent, sharing 10-20 percent with them) and VOILÀ, you’re a starving artist. If you are acting for the money – quit now while you’re ahead.

You have to be attractive

It’s sad but true that attractiveness provides an advantage in any profession. If you don’t believe me, Google it, there are a number of scientific studies that confirm this.  So, pretty people have an advantage…but there are certainly plenty of roles for…what, unattractive people?  Let’s call them regular people.  People like me – and probably you.  Look around…most people look normal…which is probably why “attractive people” stand out.  Obviously for VO what you look like matters less than how you sound, but even in TV and movies pay attention to how many “normal” people there are.  I especially hate this misconception because what is attractive to me may not be attractive to you and vice versa.  So, take this one with a grain of salt.

You have to be young

Well, if THAT were true, I’m screwed.  You see, without a ton of very expensive makeup and prosthetics a 25-year-old person is not going to be able to play the 80-year-old person in a nursing home, or the jovial grandpa…or even the long-standing politician.  The truth is that there are roles for people of every age. Honestly, I personally find that there is ALSO a lot less competition in my age group, probably because most people believe this misconception. So, go ahead and keep believing this one so I have a better chance to book roles.

The best actor always gets the job

This one may be partially true in that the best actor who submitted and auditioned and who fits the look/character for the role and who is available during production dates usually gets the job. See the last paragraph for an example: If the 25-year-old actor is a better actor than the 80-year-old actor…they are not getting the role of 80-year-old nursing home patient.  Yes, it is important to train and practice and hone the craft of acting to become the best actor you can become.  Just remember that even the best actor cannot fit every character.

Any agent is better than no agent

Anyone who has been acting for much more than a couple weeks can tell you this is false.  It’s false for several reasons, one of which is that if your agent is not a good agent; they have few industry contacts, are not liked by many casting directors, or just don’t hustle and market you strongly enough…they are not going to book you work.  All agents are not created equal, so do your research and make sure you sign with a good agent if you sign with one at all. On top of that, there is a misconception built into this misconception that once you have an agent you can stop hustling for work on your own. I have 4 agents and the majority of the work I book I find on my own.  I’m not saying my agents are bad, they are not, and I love them, but they have multiple actors to worry about and I only have one.  I can concentrate on me like they cannot.

So, there you have it!

Six common misconceptions about acting that both non-actors and new actors (I hate the word aspiring) actors believe that are simply not true (or are only partially true in some circumstances).  Don’t let these common misconceptions keep you from pursuing your drams. So, take the classes, submit for the work and above all: KEEP HUSTLING no matter where you are in your career.

If you enjoyed this, please leave a comment below to let me know.  If you DIDN’T enjoy it, well, I’d like to hear from you too!  And please feel free to share this blog on social media or with other people you think might enjoy it.

If you haven’t already, please feel free to subscribe so you don’t miss anything – and as a thank you receive a free copy of my E-Book: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About getting Started in Voice Over but Didn’t Know Who to Ask!

Life Hacks for Actors

Acting, Encouragement, Voice Over, Wisdom

Welcome back!

And thanks for reading!  This week I’ve put together some life hacks for actors!

REMEMBER:

Just a reminder here that when I use the term “actor” I mean it to encompass all forms of acting including voice, stage, and screen.  What follows applies relatively equally to all of these forms of acting.

What is a “Life Hack”?

Simply put, the dictionary definition of a “life hack” is:

a usually simple and clever tip or technique for accomplishing some familiar task more easily and efficiently

Some of what follows could easily be described as a life hack, and some may be closer to advice for actors, but nonetheless, all of these following ideas should help make your life as an actor slightly easier, more efficient, and less stressful. Odds are no one will be able to do all of these…I mean we all have our own unique set of life circumstances after all…but if even one of them helps you then I consider this a success!

Memorization hack

I don’t know about you, but for me, one of the most stressful parts of being a working actor is memorizing your lines. Once you book a gig, there is a lot of research and analysis that goes into bringing your character to life.  Who are you speaking to, find the beats, determine your objectives, where are you coming from, going to and how did you get there?  This hack doesn’t take away any of that work, but remembering your lines?  The best hack for that is: repetition. It’s the way we learn song lyrics:  Listen to the song over and over again (and yeah, sometimes google the lyrics so you know what the singer is actually saying too).

Use an app or your phones recording ability

The absolute best and easiest way I’ve found to memorize lines is by using an app.  I use Rehearsal Pro.  This is not the only app for memorizing lines, but it works well.  The gist is you upload the script, highlight your lines, and then record all the dialog (right in the app).  Click play and the app plays the dialog over and over again all the way through.  When you think you know it, re-record just the other characters lines and run your lines, out loud, with yourself.  At first, just recite your lines out loud, and then add the dimensions you need from your script analysis. I listen over and over on my way to set…and you can split it into scenes so you can study lines for whatever scene you are about to perform.

Which brings me to: Be Off Book

Even for the audition.  A simple audition hack is to be off book as much as possible.  Being off book make your audition feel more natural; like you are living the scene, and not reading it.   This is MOST important for in person auditions…hold your sides so you can refer to them if you get stuck, but as much as possible be off book.

And if you can’t be off book…

I get it.  Sometimes we have a quick turnaround audition, and we just don’t have TIME to be off book.  Thanks to the pandemic, almost all auditions (at least initially) are self-tapes, so you have a little flexibility and are able to do as many takes as you need to have a great audition.  A simple hack I use for short turn self-tapes is: A teleprompter.  Simply set up the teleprompter (I use the Neewer Aluminum Teleprompter) on a separate tripod behind and just off the lens of the camera.  Then use the teleprompter as your eye line to your scene partner.  It’s a little pricey at just over $200, but I’ve found it very beneficial.

Choose a “warm” background color

OK, so this one gets a lot of attention in the acting world. One thing is CERTAIN…your background should be a plain solid color with no distractions.  Stay away from white if possible because it will affect your cameras light sensitivity and tends to wash you out.  Most professionals lean toward a neutral grey or blue.  I suggest blue, because while blue is generally considered a “cool” color, a mid-shade blue for a self-tape background looks warm (in my opinion).  In any case, choose what you consider to be a warm background.

A few ways to get the right background

Without spending a ton of money, it’s important to have an appropriate background available on short notice.  You can paint a wall in your house if you have a nice big blank wall available, but I choose to use a roll of photo background paper mounted to a background stand.  It’s easy to set up and take down…and best of all it doesn’t need to be ironed like a cloth background would. OK, I think we’ve beat the audition hack horse to death now.

Know your “audience”

Believe it or not, your audience is not the people who will ultimately watch or listen to your finished performance.  Your audience are the people who may hire you. You should get to know them!  I’ve said it over and over: This business is all about relationships. The best way to impress someone and have them like you is to be interested in them.  Get to know the people you are auditioning for, and learn what projects they have worked on, what awards they have won and be able to talk about them.  You can research them through IMDB Pro, reading industry news like at Deadline, Variety or just do a Google search.  Know your audience!

Find a Survival job in the industry

I’ve talked quite a bit about survival jobs in the past and usually recommend something that allows flexibility to pursue your passion career. This advice is slightly different though: Find a survival job within the industry you want to perform in.  Can you provide audio engineering skills?  Maybe be a set PA, work in props or wardrobe…if you have the skills try for an AD or gaffer job.  These survival gigs help you stay “plugged in” to the industry and also exposes you to other industry professionals to make connections and to network.

TEACH!

Want to keep your acting chops honed and can’t afford to pay for classes?  Why not teach others to act?  Maybe you feel like you don’t have the skills to teach other actors, and maybe you don’t…but you probably do!  I’m not suggesting opening an acting studio, but you can use YouTube and other social media outlets to teach what you DO know.  This helps you by forcing you to think about the skills an actor needs, and then present them in a way that communicates how to acquire them.  It’s like re-teaching yourself.  You MAY even be able to monetize it in some way.

Volunteer

Yeah, I know you are trying to earn a living, but short of landing that sweet lead role or 1st AD gig it may be possible to volunteer on a production just to stay plugged into the industry.  Relationships and all.  Volunteer to help as a reader for auditions, or volunteer to proofread scripts…find some way you can help the production team then offer to help.  Even if they say no, it sets you apart as a friendly, helpful person…and that’s who the production team remembers.

Use social media…Properly

We all know that as actors, social media is an important arrow in our quivers…but not all of us understand that social media is about a conversation not and advertisement. Sure, you want to use social media to present yourself to the community, and you definitely want to announce successes, but primarily the best use of social media is to (here it is again) start building relationships with others in the industry.  Start a conversation by commenting on what others post, answer questions, and provide useful advice and generally get to know people. It’s like being invited to the after party at a premiere…work the room and get to know people…and more importantly let them get to know YOU.

Lastly: Stay humble – Confident, not cocky

No matter how far along you are on your journey, remember where you began and stay humble.  No, not humble bragging, sincerely humble.  Be confident, for sure…confidence is attractive…but cockiness is a definite turn off.  Do your best to help people who are struggling or have questions and remember that you had some of those same questions or periods of confusion along your path too.  Don’t be that “USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION” guy…be supportive and helpful, and yeah maybe also mention searching, but in the context of finding more information than you can provide.

And there we have it

Some simple life hacks for actors!  Hopefully something here has been helpful for you and will serve to make your acting life a little easier or more efficient!

If you enjoyed this, please leave a comment below to let me know.  If you DIDN’T enjoy it, well, I’d like to hear from you too!  And please feel free to share this blog on social media or with other people you think might enjoy it.

If you haven’t already, please feel free to subscribe so you don’t miss anything – and as a thank you receive a free copy of my E-Book: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About getting Started in Voice Over but Didn’t Know Who to Ask!