So it's that time of year in Hollywood. So far we've had the Golden Globe Awards and just this past Sunday, The SAG awards. Congrats to the winners, but also the nominees. It is an honour to be nominated for an award, but obviously for the SAG awards, even more so because it's our peers that vote. It's nice to be acknowledged by our friends and those who have worked closely with us. All of this of course, leads up to The Academy Awards (Oscars) wrapping up this season which I'm sure will send some surprises our way as always. Looking forward to see Billy Crystal host again, but a shame that Eddie Murphy will not be after the fiasco with Brett Ratner and Eddie's subsequent withdrawal.
Young, and not so established actors, directors, producers etc always dream of making it to an awards night, and I imagine this was still definitely the case when watching both Golden Globes and SAG awards this year. The amazing thing however, is the amount of artists in London who don't even have a clue about what's even going on with regards to award nights etc. It comes back to the same, shameful, "I want to be famous" phrase. I'm so sick of seeing artists, actors especially, who don't take acting seriously, they just want to be famous...Go make a sex tape or something..Don't do a disservice to our wonderful industry and insult our craft..There are people who work just too hard to watch these kind of people come in and just ruin everything they've worked for.
There's also the "I've set up a production company" phrase. This is usually actors who can't get a job as an actor. Don't give up. As I said in my last post, ACTORS, DON'T GIVE UP!! Keep banging on that door till it is opened for you, because it definitely will as long as you stick with it.
Maybe casting directors need to open up a little. Anyone been watching "Got to Dance"? Well, during the auditions, a 48 year old Sunderland fan came on and most people's reaction was, "oh no, what's he going to do?" Anyone see that? Well, if you didn't, he absolutely blew the crowd and the judges away with a self choreographed little dance routine, and Ashley Banjo said it perfectly, "You just look at someone and human nature just kicks in and you judge them, and then you see what they do and you go wow". Well casting directors out there. Let someone you've never seen before make you go "wow". Give the actors the opportunity they deserve. Don't judge them before you see them. It's happened to me many times in the past. I have had amazing reactions and surprised reactions, but that's only because they had never seen what I could do before. There are so many actors out there that can do the same thing, but just never get the opportunity..
Time for a change maybe? We shall see. Till next time folks, ActorWithAVoice, signing out.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Actor Restrictions
This week has been a bit of a strange one. I tend to surround myself with as many industry folk as possible and there are always trending topics that come up. One that struck me this week was that of the restrictions faced by an actor trying to get themselves out there.
Now, we all know that acting is a business first, and art second. Those that don't understand that, should understand it and never forget it. You are a product that you need to promote, and without this, it's death to an actor. The first thing that everyone wants, is and agent. And yes, this is quite important, but the amount of agents out there that don't give actors a look in, is astonishing. It's that funny saying, "All the bad actors out there have agents, but the good ones are stuck in the bin."
How does the good actor grab the attention of that agent? Why are they not getting noticed? A lot of the time it's because they're not business savvy and aren't using the right tools to help themselves. Head shots (COLOUR, NOT BLACK AND WHITE), a reel, business cards, maybe even post cards. These are all essential for an actor, to send out to agents and even to casting directors. I'm a firm believer in that if you keep knocking, sooner or later, someone will open the door.
Yes, there are those that just refuse, but don't stop trying. Never give up. Get yourself into a good acting class, casting director workshops, somewhere where you will have the opportunity to be seen or noticed. Never think that you are good enough and should be working all the time. An actor improves everyday and should persist in choosing to do so rather than thinking it will come because they're good enough.
As difficult as it may seem, due to the fact a lot of casting directors refuse to stray away from what they know, ie. actors with names, or actors they've seen previously, continuing to pursue with what you believe in is essential. Sooner or later, you will get seen. Just make sure you're ready. And I mean ready by being properly trained. Knowing what producers/directors are looking for and showing them exactly that.
And if it comes down to it, film your own stuff..Get a team together that you can trust and make shorts or anything of that sort. Send them out to festivals. GET SEEN!!!
Well, it's time for me to say goodbye..Enjoy your weekend, and be sure to share this blog with your friends and loved ones!! Remember, you can subscribe here to the left of the screen, that way you don't miss out when a new post is up.
Now, we all know that acting is a business first, and art second. Those that don't understand that, should understand it and never forget it. You are a product that you need to promote, and without this, it's death to an actor. The first thing that everyone wants, is and agent. And yes, this is quite important, but the amount of agents out there that don't give actors a look in, is astonishing. It's that funny saying, "All the bad actors out there have agents, but the good ones are stuck in the bin."
How does the good actor grab the attention of that agent? Why are they not getting noticed? A lot of the time it's because they're not business savvy and aren't using the right tools to help themselves. Head shots (COLOUR, NOT BLACK AND WHITE), a reel, business cards, maybe even post cards. These are all essential for an actor, to send out to agents and even to casting directors. I'm a firm believer in that if you keep knocking, sooner or later, someone will open the door.
Yes, there are those that just refuse, but don't stop trying. Never give up. Get yourself into a good acting class, casting director workshops, somewhere where you will have the opportunity to be seen or noticed. Never think that you are good enough and should be working all the time. An actor improves everyday and should persist in choosing to do so rather than thinking it will come because they're good enough.
As difficult as it may seem, due to the fact a lot of casting directors refuse to stray away from what they know, ie. actors with names, or actors they've seen previously, continuing to pursue with what you believe in is essential. Sooner or later, you will get seen. Just make sure you're ready. And I mean ready by being properly trained. Knowing what producers/directors are looking for and showing them exactly that.
And if it comes down to it, film your own stuff..Get a team together that you can trust and make shorts or anything of that sort. Send them out to festivals. GET SEEN!!!
Well, it's time for me to say goodbye..Enjoy your weekend, and be sure to share this blog with your friends and loved ones!! Remember, you can subscribe here to the left of the screen, that way you don't miss out when a new post is up.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Happy New Year: It's 2012
Hey guys, I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year's Eve celebration and the head throbbing didn't last too much longer afterwards. Sorry I was MIA last week, but oh my what a bang 2012 has been so far. It's been busy busy.
I've been thinking since Christmas of what my New Year blog would be and couldn't for the life of me decide. There's so much to talk about. But only last night I was having a conversation with a friend of mine, not in the industry, that I've been to the theatre with quite a lot and we discussed all that we had seen.
There was a common topic we discussed. The acting level. Mostly within musicals. It's borderline terrible. I understand that with musicals, the actors have to be able to sing, but thats just it, "THE ACTORS" must be able to sing. Not the other way round. It seems as though these casting directors don't care about the acting but only the singing. The only musical I saw in 2011 that I thought was good acting wise and singing wise, was Wicked. Absolutely sensational performances from a thoroughly talented cast. But other musicals such as The 'Lion King' and most shockingly for me, 'Phantom of the Opera', the acting was so poor it was almost sickening to watch. Yes, ok, they could sing, but the poor acting performance most definitely overshadowed this.
This brings us to a much bigger issue here in London. Have those 'decision makers' lost it? Are they still stuck in the 60's and 70's? I mean the whole black and white headshot is a perfect example of the poor effort to move along with the times. We need colour head shots..simple!! Also, with casting directors. I mean they are the first point of call. If actors don't impress them by a 'photo', they have no chance of getting in to see them. And when you're asked for a reel, how can you give one if you haven't worked to get the tape in the first place..I mean, it is a vicious cycle..
All in all, the outlook is very bleak unless something drastic happens..It's up to the individual nowadays to make things happen..Let's see how far it goes!!
Feel free to add comments and share this blog with others..Bye for now.
I've been thinking since Christmas of what my New Year blog would be and couldn't for the life of me decide. There's so much to talk about. But only last night I was having a conversation with a friend of mine, not in the industry, that I've been to the theatre with quite a lot and we discussed all that we had seen.
There was a common topic we discussed. The acting level. Mostly within musicals. It's borderline terrible. I understand that with musicals, the actors have to be able to sing, but thats just it, "THE ACTORS" must be able to sing. Not the other way round. It seems as though these casting directors don't care about the acting but only the singing. The only musical I saw in 2011 that I thought was good acting wise and singing wise, was Wicked. Absolutely sensational performances from a thoroughly talented cast. But other musicals such as The 'Lion King' and most shockingly for me, 'Phantom of the Opera', the acting was so poor it was almost sickening to watch. Yes, ok, they could sing, but the poor acting performance most definitely overshadowed this.
This brings us to a much bigger issue here in London. Have those 'decision makers' lost it? Are they still stuck in the 60's and 70's? I mean the whole black and white headshot is a perfect example of the poor effort to move along with the times. We need colour head shots..simple!! Also, with casting directors. I mean they are the first point of call. If actors don't impress them by a 'photo', they have no chance of getting in to see them. And when you're asked for a reel, how can you give one if you haven't worked to get the tape in the first place..I mean, it is a vicious cycle..
All in all, the outlook is very bleak unless something drastic happens..It's up to the individual nowadays to make things happen..Let's see how far it goes!!
Feel free to add comments and share this blog with others..Bye for now.
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