How Does An Actor Spend His Summer Vacation?

"Summertime and the livin' is easy"...According to George Gershwin.

The first (and best) answer to the question of "how does an actor spend his summer vacation"?

Skipping the vacation and working on his career.

Summertime is traditionally a slower time in Hollywood.  The television business is waiting to crank up the production schedule for the fall season.  Auditions are a bit slower because not as many industry types are working thanks to the production break.  The amount of production crew jobs is smaller since the total number of shows being produced is not as large this time of year.

There a few exceptions on the production front thanks to the amount of network and cable channel choices as well as the original shows produced by Netflix and Hulu.  Overall, the time between pilot season and the start of episodic season in late July/early August is the perfect time to work on the main product of your acting career....Yourself!

1. Use the time wisely and make sure your personal publicity machine is running at full power:

• Is your headshot up to date? 
• Is the resume you attach to the back of your headshot current? 
• Is your demo reel and contact info correct on the various casting websites?
• Is your personal website and social media sites up to date?

2. Use the downtime to reconnect with industry contacts:

• Be on the lookout for casting workshops
• Build relationships in your acting classes that can translate into future projects
• Work on your own material - Screenwriting, Acting, Songwritng, Improv, YouTube videos
• Send postcards and handwritten notes to casting directors you've met in the past
• Target the casting directors you'd like to meet in the near future
• Follow your contacts on Twitter, Facebook, etc.

3. Be aware of the trends for episodic season:

• What are the majority of the new shows - Comedy? Drama? Single or Multi-Cam? 
• Are you working on the skills specific to those types of show?
• Know what parts are right for your look and acting skills

4.  Check in with your representation:

• Make sure your manager knows you're in town for episodic season
• Make sure your agent knows you're in town for episodic season
• Find out if they prefer phone calls or texts or email confirmations for audition notices
• Let them know you're available for auditions with little to no advance notice

5.  Spend some quality "me time":

• Don't go into episodic season feeling stressed
• Focus on your strengths
• Remember why you're here and what you want to accomplish in the long run
• Believe in yourself and you'll be on the way to success

Even though we're still in the final days of the month of May, the start of episodic season will be here before you know it.  Being prepared before auditions begin means you're one step ahead of the competition.

Summer Vacation Means Sleeping Late To This Actor