Get Ready To Book The Role That Will Change Your Life

I just realized I haven't shared any of the odd casting notices that have landed in my email in the last few weeks.  Time to see if there are any parts that are perfect to get your career going.

1. Large hulking 20-29 male actor wanted for a superhero short film. You will be the conflicted hero saving kids and puppies while trying to eat your lunch. Must be willing to eat multiple hot peppers and snack cakes on screen.
2. Overweight yet muscular 50-65 male of yet to be determined ethnicity to be the head of a vegetation related crime family. Are you the "Sodfather" we're looking for? 
3. Looking for an actress in her 30s who can sing to help publicize our Kickstarter campaign. Must be able to carry a show tune as well as rap and twirl a baton. Any ethnicity welcome.
4. Casting real football players, coaches and water boys for feature length film. The White House has bet our freedom on a high school game between the team and alien invaders. Players and water boys must be 22-28 and in shape.
5. Looking for a ukulele player to perform Drake songs for the soundtrack of an upcoming film. Must be able to read music.
6. Seeking Mexican and Asian teens for movie about summer love and first heartbreak. Must be able to swim the backstroke, climb a rope and fart on command.
7. Seeking authentic country band willing to perform EDM in the style of "bro country". Send demo tape with your country versions of EDM songs ASAP.
8. Are you a petite Filipino nurse willing to work nude at a retirement home for a one-day shoot? Must be comfortable around older and slightly racist people.
9. Love fast cars and wrestling? We're looking for people skilled in both for stunt work. Must be willing to drive in a sumo suit and wear a mask while going 120 MPH.
10. Casting now for a family film about the attachment people have to their goldfish. Must currently own multiple goldfish, know them all by name and be willing to let them appear in the film.

While you might think some of the above films are not a good fit for you, they just might be your ticket to move stardom. Break a leg!

This actor just booked a role on a College Humor web series.

Hollywood Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween is just around the corner and you might not have your costume idea finalized yet.  No worries! There are six days left until Halloween so here are six last minute costume ideas inspired by Halloween in Hollywood.

• Don't have enough money to buy or rent a costume? Go out for Halloween dressed in your normal clothes and tell people that you write screenplays.  The sloppy clothes and sad look on your face will sell the undiscovered writer look of your costume.
• Got a group of girls of various ages that want to go out together on Halloween? Have each of them be a different version of Miley Cyrus. The latest versions will not have to spend much money on clothes for a costume.
• Want to perform a party trick while having a costume that costs next to nothing? Take a bowl out of your cabinets and write the word "Hollywood" on it. Balance the bowl on your head and tell people that you are the Hollywood Bowl.
• Do you have jeans and army jackets in your closet? If so, go out as the two dudes from "Supernatural". I've never watched the show but that appears to be all they wear if the commercials for the program are any indication.
• Go as a character from one of the following movies: "Paranormal Activity: Ghost Dimension", "The Last Witch Hunter", "Jem and the Holograms" or "Rock the Kasbah". The costumes are easy because all four of these movies tanked at the box office this weekend. You can wear whatever you want and say you are a character from one of the movies. Nobody saw them so they won't know if your costume is correct or not.
• Dress like a generic teenager that is running from adults and is a character from a post-apocalyptic YA novel that was adapted into a movie. Between "The Hunger Games", "Divergent" and "The Maze Runner", you stand a great chance of looking like one of the characters in those movies.

I hope this list helps you make a decision on what to wear for Halloween. Be sure and save some candy for me!

This actor has his costume picked out and ready to go.

The Path To Acting Success

I've discussed ways to become a better actor many times on this blog. From acting classes to workshops to networking, there are a variety of ways to find success as an actor. Sometimes the path to acting success has less to do with acting and more to do with your attitude and the environment around you.

• Have a positive attitude - Being in the mindset that you're going to succeed doesn't mean you don't need to be realistic about your chances of success. Casting directors, producers, directors and other actors like to surround themselves with people that have a good attitude towards the project and the other members of the cast and crew. You'll be remembered just as much for your good attitude and positive outlook as your frown and bad attitude.

• Be an industry expert - This doesn't mean that you need to be a know-it-all who annoys everyone with your quick answers and cocky demeanor. It means you've taken the time to read books, articles and blogs on the entertainment industry. It means you've attended mixers and workshops to meet fellow actors and industry insiders. You've listened to them and thanked them for their valuable time, insights and advice. The more knowledge you gain as you enter the industry, the less surprises you'll run into down the road.

• Master the three "R's" - Reliable. Responsible. Ready. Three words that seem easy to master but many people have trouble handling one of them much less all three at the same time:

1. Being reliable means you are on time for auditions and rehearsals and don't hold up the rest of the cast. 
2. Being responsible means you are prepared when you get to the audition or rehearsal. You know your lines as well as the motivation of your character. 
3. Being ready means you are prepared to be on set and work hard. There are hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of people who dream of being on set as a working actor. Be worthy of the opportunity you have been given and be ready to perform.

• Pay attention - It's amazing what you can learn if you pay attention to the world around you. Acting classes, workshops, the people at your gym, coffee shop customers, movies and television shows are all learning opportunities. Don't sit passively and let the world float by you. Pay attention and watch other performers and regular people living their daily lives. The world is full of characters that you can watch and learn from 24/7.

• Be realistic - The odds of you becoming a star known the world over is not very big. You might make a living as a working actor but you could be an actor who is always asked, "Where have I seen you before?" Just know that being a working actor and entertaining crowds big and small is sometimes enough to count as success in the entertainment industry. While you might not be a big star, you'll be part of a community that supports you and helps you grow as an actor and a person with each project.

This actor is realistic with his goals but still dreams big.

Why Do You Want To Be An Actor?

Many people that get into acting think of it as a calling. They often discuss how much they love acting and how they can't imagine ever doing anything else with their life.  It's amusing that many actors I meet can't answer one simple question that I love to ask them. The loaded question is:

Why do you want to be an actor?

In other words, what is it about acting that makes you believe it's the path you should follow?

If you live for the applause and the crowd calling your name, your time in the spotlight normally fades away as you get older and are replaced in the public eye by the "latest thing".

If acting gives you a feeling of self-worth and validation that you otherwise lack, there are issues beyond acting that need to be addressed as soon as possible. The amount of rejection and parts that you don't land will far outweigh the parts that you book. If you don't have a thick skin, this might not be the career path for you.

If you're in it for the money, you're going to be disappointed. The amount of actors making enough money to support themselves purely by acting is small. The amount of actors making a living doing something else while still acting on the side is a far greater number.

However, if you want to be an actor because you enjoy being part of a community that takes chances and constantly improves their skills, you are on the correct path. As I mentioned above, most actors can't imagine doing anything else besides acting. It's important to remember that it is okay to have hobbies and interests beyond acting.  In fact, it's not healthy to obsess about acting 24/7. Being part of a community that pushes you to learn more about your craft and expand your skills is a good thing but please keep it in perspective.

If you want to be an actor to discover who you are right now and who you will be in the future, you're definitely on the right path. Being an actor is a chance to explore your inner self and have fun becoming other people.

Don't jump into being an actor without giving it a proper amount of thought and planning. It's not worth ruining your love of acting if you come to the conclusion that acting is more of a hobby and less of a career choice for you.

This guy wants to make his living as a professional actor.

 

Which Acting Class Technique Fits Your Acting Style

As I mentioned in an earlier post about finding the right acting class for you, there are hundreds of classes to choose from in the Los Angeles area. While many classes cover the same territory, there are enough differences that a person needs to study what they offer to make an informed choice. Here are just a few acting class options to give you an idea of how overwhelming choosing the right one can be:

• Scene Study
• Cold Reading
• Affective Memory Acting
• Accent Reduction
• The Business of Acting
• Practical Aesthetics
• Stage Combat/Stunts
• Musical Theater
• Empty Space Utilization
• Natural Function of the Vocal Mechanism 
• Dialects
• Musical Improv
• Playing to the Camera
• Acting For Parts Younger Than Your Actual Age
• Using the Body to Convey Emotion
• Identifying the Spine of Each Character
• Acting for Shakespeare 
• Social Implications of Characters
• Living the Truth in Imaginary Circumstances
• Focus on Feeling the Truth in Your Body Onstage 

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to acting classes. The choices are seemingly endless as most teachers offer a slight variation of each category or technique in order to stand out from the crowd.  It's best to meet with the acting coach and audit a class before committing to spending the money for the class.  Doing proper research now helps make sure your hard earned money is being used in the best way possible to further your career.

This actor has worked with some great acting coaches over the years.