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Expert: - 6/9/2009


Question

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Hello again.

First, I am generally an outgoing and nice person, I know that networking is essential in the film industry so i asked some friends what their first impressions were of me and they all said I didn't really make one, because i didn't say or do much. i know that first impressions are very important especially with auditions. That said, how can I improve the first impressions that i give off?

Second, the whole union thing is extremely confusing. Like can you be in all the unions or just one? and how do you join the unions. i was looking over one of your answers to another person and you said you need three vouchers to be in the SAG, does that go for all the actors unions? and how can you get work without being in the unions?

third, you said that film acting is more about the "look" more so than actual talent, does that mean a specific look the casting directors or producers want for that part or just the look in general, like the awe factor. i know that sounds silly.

fourth, i have done a lot of searching on the Internet for auditions but it seems like they are ALWAYS posted too late. is there some type of newsletter, Internet site, magazine that posts breakdowns/auditions in advance?

And lastly, I know that for auditioning you should have two or three monologues prepared, classical and contemporary. I'm not sure how to choose the right ones to prepare, does it really matter which one you choose? and should i have them completely memorized? and should i bring a copy of them to the audition so they can read the other lines or just allow time in between lines where the other actor would read theirs. and could you suggest any?

thank you so much for your time:)
Kate

i have attached a photo, could you give any advice on what i could change to make my headshots better.

Answer
Kate,

Thanks for writing. Let me see if I can help by answering your questions.

1) How can I improve the first impressions that i give off?
You shouldn't be anything more than yourself. It sounds like you're a terrific person but you tend to be a bit shy and/or reserved or cautious when first meeting someone. That's certainly acceptable, but it doesn't make for a memorable first impression. In entertainment, you meet a lot of people, so you WANT to be memorable. The best way to do this is begin by making a list for yourself of what makes you unique. Each of us are unique, we have things about us that we've achieved, completed, experiences we've had that are unique to ourselves. Start thinking about those and after you've done that, pick three or four that seem the most interesting. If you struggle with this, ask your friends to tell you unique things about you, or have them look at your list and see which 3 or 4 jump out at them. Once you've chosen them, the next step is to make those part of your introduction to people. When you meet someone and they say "So, tell me about yourself," that's a great way to launch into your "personal pitch" about what makes you - you! What's unique about you. Make it conversational and fluid.

2) Like can you be in all the unions or just one?
You can join as many unions as you'd like. There is no law in the USA that says you cannot belong to more than one union.

3) How do you join the unions?
First you must know what the eligibility requirements are for a union before you can even attempt to join. For each union that interests you, visit their website or call them and seek out their eligibility requirements. That will give you a clear understanding how to join.

4) i was looking over one of your answers to another person and you said you need three vouchers to be in the SAG, does that go for all the actors unions?
No. Only SAG offers extras vouchers.

5) How can you get work without being in the unions?
The same way you get work if you ARE a member of an actor's union - by auditioning.

6) You said that film acting is more about the "look" more so than actual talent, does that mean a specific look the casting directors or producers want for that part or just the look in general, like the awe factor.
There is a thing I call the indescribable "it." If you've got "it," then you'll probably make it as an actor. Call it a "look," call it "beauty," call it "charisma," call it "talent," call it all of the above. If I knew what "it" was, I'd bottle it and sell it. It's truly indescribable, but it has a lot to do with talent, being attractive in some way to your audience, and having the camera like you. Brad Pitt is universally recognized as a good-looking guy. But he has more than that - he's talented, he has a mystery about him, he can be self-deprecating, the camera loves, and he's physically attracted. You WANT to watch him. At the same time, Tom Hanks is universally recognized as a star. He's also talented, also self-deprecating, but he's not physically gorgeous and I wouldn't say the camera loves him in the way that it loves beautiful people. And yet, you WANT to watch him AS WELL! So what is it that they both have? It's that indescribable "it." Casting Directors, Directors, Producers, Agents and Managers are all looking for this in the actors with whom they work.

7)  Is there some type of newsletter, Internet site, magazine that posts breakdowns and auditions in advance?
Yes, but if you don't live in Los Angeles, buying into these sites are a waste of your money. 95% of all casting for film and TV is performed in Los Angeles. If you don't live here, you cannot be available at a moment's notice for an audition. You won't be "cast" over the internet. You may get an audition that way, but you STILL have to physically be in front of the Casting Director and Filmmakers in order to be cast.

8) If you are auditioning for film or TV, you do NOT have to have a monologue prepared. You'll be asked to read from the script. If you are auditioning for a professional stage production, the casting notice will indicate if you should prepare anything or not. Follow their directions closely. Nine times out of ten, the best thing for you to prepare is a piece that represents you well, shows your talent well, and that indicates your age range as well as the kinds of roles in which you are normally cast. For example, you would NOT play Madame Arcardi from BLITHE SPIRIT since she's in her 60's and speaks with an accent. That's not you, you're not that old, and you'll never be cast in that role today. So choose something closer to whom you really are.

Finally, your senior photo is a nice, dramatic photo. You could certainly use it as a headshot. But you'll also need something that's more bright, cheery, "up" and shows your vibrant youth. That's the kind of headshot you would submit for a comedy - NOT the one you've shown me.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil  
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you so much for the great answers and advice! They were very helpfull!! kate:)


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Phil Nemy

Expertise

I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.

Experience

Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others. Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene. Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.

Organizations
Director's Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, Actor's Equity Association

Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.

Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.

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