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Follow-up postcards

Question:

If your training has strictly been for stage work, then a few weeks is not likely to teach you very much about working on camera.  How are your improv skills?  How are you, technically, for reading a script while you’re acting, without the script getting in your way or distracting from your audition?

I feel like I’m pretty good at reading a script while I’m acting. I wouldn’t rule out taking another class, it’s just that it’s hard to find a good one. I don’t feel like I got great feedback in the class I took–it just feels like the whole thing is luck. And they’re expensive. When I was fifteen, I got a callback on the first few commercial auditions I did, and I had no experience then at all! It’s extremely difficult full-time, and you are competing with the many people here who are full-time.  In this city there is a tremendous amount of competition. I think it’s possible, but it still requires a strong commitment.  If you are called for an audition and you can’t make it, that might be okay.  If you do it twice with the same agent, however, you’ll likely be moved down the list (if not removed entirely).

I have a strong commitment to doing this, in the sense that my job is flexible, and I would never miss an audition. However, like I’ve mentioned earlier, I’m not sure what to do in the meanwhile. How does one pursue commercials alone besides mailing out packages and follow-up postcards (on which I currently have nothing to write?) I’m starting to feel that the money I spent on the headshots, etc. might have been totally wasted. Mindy

Response:

…I’m not sure what to do in the meanwhile. How does one pursue commercials alone besides mailing out packages and follow-up postcards (on which I currently have nothing to write?)

I refer you back to my earlier post in this thread.  There are good acting classes that integrate on-camera work, and Sally’s is one of them.  I still recommend you visit her if your serious about this.  She doesn’t allow auditing, per se, but after an interview she will allow you to participate in one class pro rata.  If additional training is outside of your budget, there is the pursuit of student film and showcases.  Both are free of charge.  The student films would interfere with a day job, but the showcase rehearsals are generally at night. If you do start an on-going class, BTW, there’s a reason to send a postcard! 8-) I’m starting to feel that the money I spent on the headshots, etc. might have been totally wasted.

Let’s hope not.  Sending out cold headshots and postcards is not a one-for-one payoff.  It’s about making your target audience aware and conscious of you. …it just feels like the whole thing is luck.

    "Diligence is the mother of good luck."       — Benjamin Franklin — Daniel

Response:

…it just feels like the whole thing is luck.

A respected person in the business told me once that 90% is tenacity; perseverance, and only 10% talent.  That’s why you MUST be fully committed and keep your vision, no matter what you encounter.  It’s that inner attitude that will get you where you want to be. — Opus (: http://members.home.net/coble/OpusGraphics -Websets and Graphics http://drewcarey.acmecity.com/kate/43 -Blade Pro Presets "Well my dad has only had 4 bypasses, and he eats all the steak he wants."– Hank Hill

Response:

I agree, but it’s well directed tenacity that’s effective. Where to direct it is something to learn, otherwise one may just hit his/her head repeatedly. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …it just feels like the whole thing is luck. A respected person in the business told me once that 90% is tenacity; perseverance, and only 10% talent.  That’s why you MUST be fully committed and keep your vision, no matter what you encounter.  It’s that inner attitude that will get you where you want to be. — Opus (: http://members.home.net/coble/OpusGraphics -Websets and Graphics http://drewcarey.acmecity.com/kate/43 -Blade Pro Presets "Well my dad has only had 4 bypasses, and he eats all the steak he wants."– Hank Hill

Response:

You’re exactly right.  BUT, no matter what direction you have or have not chosen, it is still important to remember that without a strong committment to the profession itself, you’re going NOWHERE period.  I’m not saying that the poster was waning in her committment, but I did want to stress how important a committment was at all, and how 90% of making it in this business is tenacity and who you know. — Opus (: http://members.home.net/coble/OpusGraphics -Websets and Graphics http://drewcarey.acmecity.com/kate/43 -Blade Pro Presets "Well my dad has only had 4 bypasses, and he eats all the steak he wants."– Hank Hill

Response:

Thanks for all your help everybody–I realize the commitment involved in acting, I just have to motivate to give it my all, if I’m going to bother at all. ;-) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You’re exactly right.  BUT, no matter what direction you have or have not chosen, it is still important to remember that without a strong committment to the profession itself, you’re going NOWHERE period.  I’m not saying that the poster was waning in her committment, but I did want to stress how important a committment was at all, and how 90% of making it in this business is tenacity and who you know. — Opus (: http://members.home.net/coble/OpusGraphics -Websets and Graphics http://drewcarey.acmecity.com/kate/43 -Blade Pro Presets "Well my dad has only had 4 bypasses, and he eats all the steak he wants."– Hank Hill

Response:

and how 90% of making  it in this business is tenacity and who you know. –Right on the money here!  There are a lot of extremely talented people

that just don’t know how to market themselves,  and two it does cost $$ so it is a shame that it has come to this,  but it is absoluteley 90 -98% better settle for acting for fun or find a damn good agent!  Even most agents don’t market you on a big level you need to still do the pushing. I know a lot of people who get an agent  and then they just stop marketing themselves. It is a sure fire way to lose a lot of opportunity! The agent rep just opens doors for you… You have to be the one who opens  their eyes!

Response:

"The harder I worked, the luckier I got."  –Mark Twain Don’t give up, Vernon

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t feel like I got great feedback in the class I took–it just feels like the whole thing is luck Mindy

Response:

I’ve just been told that commercial acting is not something you need to take an ‘advanced class’ in.

If your training has strictly been for stage work, then a few weeks is not likely to teach you very much about working on camera.  How are your improv skills?  How are you, technically, for reading a script while you’re acting, without the script getting in your way or distracting from your audition? …it’s very difficult to try to act ‘part time’, or even try to get into commercials ‘part time’

It’s extremely difficult full-time, and you are competing with the many people here who are full-time.  In this city there is a tremendous amount of competition. I’m not sure that just pursuing commercials is possible.

I think it’s possible, but it still requires a strong commitment.  If you are called for an audition and you can’t make it, that might be okay.  If you do it twice with the same agent, however, you’ll likely be moved down the list (if not removed entirely). — Daniel

Response:

Thanks. I already took an on-camera class though, and although it was somewhat useful, I feel like since getting a commercial agent is based so much on your ‘look’, taking another one wouldn’t necessarily help me.

Sally’s class is on-camera, but it’s really an on-going thing.  For how many years have you studied acting?

Response:

Thanks. I already took an on-camera class though, and although it was somewhat useful, I feel like since getting a commercial agent is based so much on your ‘look’, taking another one wouldn’t necessarily help me. Sally’s class is on-camera, but it’s really an on-going thing.  For how many years have you studied acting?

I studied acting throughout college, and have acted in numerous college and community productions, but since college I haven’t done anything, which is why I want to get back into it–I miss it. Don’t me wrong, I know I could use more training; I’ve just been told that commercial acting is not something you need to take an ‘advanced class’ in. Commercials always seemed like fun to me (not to mention the money involved), plus I was always told that I have a ‘look’ so I thought it would be good to focus on that. I’m starting to realize though, that it’s very difficult to try to act ‘part time’, or even try to get into commercials ‘part time’. One needs to devote a lot of time to his/her career. I’m not sure that just pursuing commercials is possible.

Response:

Thanks for the advice. BTW, I live in NYC.

I highly recommend Sally Johnson Studio for ongoing on-camera/commercial study: 212/463-7962

Response:

Thanks for the advice. BTW, I live in NYC. I highly recommend Sally Johnson Studio for ongoing on-camera/commercial study: 212/463-7962

Thanks. I already took an on-camera class though, and although it was somewhat useful, I feel like since getting a commercial agent is based so much on your ‘look’, taking another one wouldn’t necessarily help me.

Response:

Thanks for the advice. BTW, I live in NYC. I know I need to devote more time to pursuing acting if I’m going to bother at all, but I have so many interests and it came so easily to me ten years ago when I had a taste of commercial acting, mostly because I had a connection in the industry which I no longer have. I think the first thing I need to do is sign up for another class, and start auditioning for showcases. Thanks again. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My question is, what should I write on the postcard if I don’t have anything going on right now? Don’t send the postcards if you don’t have anything going on.  The idea of the repeat postcard is so that every time your name/photo comes up, you are busy.  If there’s something an agent loves, it’s a busy actor. If you send postcards without news, you will look like an actor without anything going on. Here are some instances when to post a card:   – Your phone number has changed   – You changed your regular on-going classes   – You were called back for an audition   – You were cast in a role   – Your show(case) is opening in 8-14 days   – You’re back in town after being gone for acting work   – You joined a union   – You completed some major training (e.g. stage combat) I’m not exactly sure what else I can be doing while I’m trying to get a commercial agent. I’ve already taken a commercial acting class.   – Take an on-going class.   – Do a showcase performance.   – Learn to skate   – Learn to dance   – Learn to sing   – practice cold reading What city are you in?

Response:

Like in "Groundhog’s Day". With enough time one can learn anything. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   – Take an on-going class.   – Do a showcase performance.   – Learn to skate   – Learn to dance   – Learn to sing   – practice cold reading Daniel:     I’d just like to add to your idea above. One thing I try to do every year is learn something new and different. Such as, learn to play a music instrument, learn to be a really good billiards player, learn another language, or (as you say) learn to skate, dance, etc. Then when you’re really good at this "something new" add it to your resume in the special skills department. Not only do you add something new to your resume that just might help get you cast in something…ya learn somthin’ new !!! regards, Jim

Response:

  – Take an on-going class.   – Do a showcase performance.   – Learn to skate   – Learn to dance   – Learn to sing   – practice cold reading

Daniel:     I’d just like to add to your idea above. One thing I try to do every year is learn something new and different. Such as, learn to play a music instrument, learn to be a really good billiards player, learn another language, or (as you say) learn to skate, dance, etc. Then when you’re really good at this "something new" add it to your resume in the special skills department. Not only do you add something new to your resume that just might help get you cast in something…ya learn somthin’ new !!! regards, Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

My question is, what should I write on the postcard if I don’t have anything going on right now?

Don’t send the postcards if you don’t have anything going on.  The idea of the repeat postcard is so that every time your name/photo comes up, you are busy.  If there’s something an agent loves, it’s a busy actor. If you send postcards without news, you will look like an actor without anything going on. Here are some instances when to post a card:   – Your phone number has changed   – You changed your regular on-going classes   – You were called back for an audition   – You were cast in a role   – Your show(case) is opening in 8-14 days   – You’re back in town after being gone for acting work   – You joined a union   – You completed some major training (e.g. stage combat) I’m not exactly sure what else I can be doing while I’m trying to get a commercial agent. I’ve already taken a commercial acting class.

  – Take an on-going class.   – Do a showcase performance.   – Learn to skate   – Learn to dance   – Learn to sing   – practice cold reading What city are you in?

Response:

Hi everyone, I finally sent out my picture/resume to commercial agents a few weeks ago. Not surprisingly, I heard nothing, but I’m ready to send out follow up postcards as directed. My question is, what should I write on the postcard if I don’t have anything going on right now? I did finish shooting a video recently, but I already have that on my resume. I was thinking of mentioning that regardless, but does anyone have any tips on this for the future? What are some good things to say and how to say them? I guess my overall dilemma is that I have a full time 9-5 job, which is why I’m choosing to pursue commercial acting currently (my job is flexible enough for that).  So, besides follow up postcards, I’m not exactly sure what else I can be doing while I’m trying to get a commercial agent. I’ve already taken a commercial acting class. Thanks, Mindy People have been really helpful on this forum in the past…any advice?

Response:

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