FYC...As Far As The Eye Can See

While summer is making its presence known all across America, there is another season dominating the conversation in Los Angeles.

It's FYC season in Hollywood.

FYC stands for "For Your Consideration".  It is the phrase used to catch the attention of Emmy voters as they decide on nominations for the ceremony later this year.

No matter where you drive in the Los Angeles area, you will see billboards and signs with the letters "FYC" or the full phrase, "For Your Consideration", plastered across a photo related to a certain TV show. It could be a photo of a certain actor or actress, the entire cast of a show or just a reminder to recognize a certain program, writer or director.

In the past, these billboards along with boxed mailers and "FYC Nights" (where the cast and certain crew members of a show do a Q&A and screen an episode or clips from the program in front of a crowd of fans and industry people) were enough to grab the attention of voters. However, the massive number of "Peak TV" shows means studios have to go to greater lengths to get on the radar of voters.

Here are some great examples of "forward thinking" campaigns from the last few years:

• This year, Netflix used part of Raleigh Studios to do a "behind the scenes" look at some of their shows with costumes, sets and other interactive elements 
• Last year, Hulu had women parading around town wearing red dresses and bonnets to promote "The Handmaid's Tale"
• "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" is using billboards this year that are supposedly written by the talent manger on the show to describe the various characters
• Hulu did a fashion show at The Grove a few years ago showcasing the clothing selections on "The Mindy Project"
• Silver Lake Dog Park was the site of a promotion for "Triumph's Election Special 2016"
• While ABC hosted a block party and live table read for "Black-ish", they have completely suspended any efforts for Emmy nominations for "Roseanne"

It is helpful to have friends who are voting members of the Television Academy. They receive mailers containing selected episodes of TV shows being used to get votes for a show or certain actors and directors.

Plus, many of these DVD mailers are for online steaming services. If you don't have every streaming service, there are certain shows you can't watch. However, find a friend with screeners and you might be invited over to watch shows you wouldn't have a chance to see on a regular basis. (Cough...."The Tick"....Cough)

The nominations for the Emmys are announced on July 12th. That date will officially mark the end of "FYC Season". Even though the nominations are announced on that day, I'm sure the marketing departments of TV studios will already be making plans for next year.

For your consideration...Check out some new photos on Zach's IMDb page.

The Most "LA Thing" That Has Happened To Me (So Far)

I have been in Los Angeles for over 5 years and have certainly had some odd moments since moving here. However, a business meeting earlier this week might be the most "LA thing" I've ever experienced.

I had a meeting the other day with a new business connection. He contacted me out of the blue about working on 2 upcoming projects in the entertainment industry. We are both located in the Los Angeles area so it made sense to meet in person. I have ongoing freelance copywriting, marketing and publicity projects with clients located in New York, Florida, the Philippines and West Virginia so it was nice to make a business connection where I live.

We set a meeting time to get some coffee and discuss the projects. He has a European accent so each mention of coffee sounded like "We will get-uh da coffee and discuss-uh the project over da coffee."
I drove to his office and discovered that his office was his home. No big deal because I work at home as well. The surprise was that we were just doing coffee at his place and not at a coffee shop.

I rang the doorbell and was greeted by his assistant as well a dog that excelled in the art of crotch sniffing. Super sweet dog but extremely fascinated by the crotch region. After making some small talk with the assistant and bonding with the dog, I went into the backyard to meet with my contact and his partner. Before getting into the business at hand, we discussed our personal lives, They were tired from different social events and had meant to relax in the pool earlier in the day. However, they had run out of time before our meeting.

That's when they had a "great-uh idea"...What if we all got in the pool and did our business meeting relaxing in the water????

Without any hesitation, I politely declined by using the (very valid) excuse that I was not wearing appropriate pool gear and did not bring any with me. No problem (according to them) because the giant pink flamingo in the pool was big enough that I could just sit in it rather than having to get my body in the water.

I realize this is easy for me to say since I was experiencing the offer in person. The offer to get in the pool didn't strike me as straight up odd as it sounds. It was more European eccentric and probably something they do on a regular basis.

After thinking about it for about 20-seconds, I agreed to get in the pool. I removed my shoes, rolled up my jeans and climbed aboard the giant pink flamingo. I have never seen the show "Entourage" but this experience was exactly how I imagine the Hollywood in the show was portrayed all the time.

We floated in the pool for a good 30-minutes drinking "da coffee" and discussing the different ways to promote their projects. We even worked on a PowerPoint while my flamingo drifted next to their panda and martini glass floats in the pool. The dog even joined us in the pool at one point.

There was only one or two times that I was floating in the pool and thinking, "How the hell did my life get to the point that I'm drinking coffee in swimming pools and taking meetings on flamingo floats???"

I'm not complaining at all. It is just not a thing I ever imagined happening in my professional life.

It was a very productive meeting and I think great things (creatively and financially) will come from our partnership. I even made it out of the meeting without falling in the pool! If nothing else comes from this meeting, it will make a great story if (and when) I do an Open Mic comedy night around town.

This actor has a stand up comedy date in Burbank this month.

The Changing Landscape Of Headshots

Zach got new headshots earlier this year and I finally had a chance to visit a photo lab and get them printed. I went there Friday night and arrived about 15-minutes before they closed. I was the only customer so I was able to chat a bit with the guy working the front desk. I noticed that the photo lab seemed to have more video recording equipment than in years past. He said video production is one of the ways they pay the bills these days because "headshots aren't as big as they used to be."

I never thought about that fact before but he is right. Headshots are still important but they are not as important as they were in the past.

Let me explain.

When someone mentions an audition, one of the first things you probably think of is the image of an actor with his or her headshot in hand waiting to see the casting director. While this still happens, it doesn't occur as often as it did in the past. Many auditions are now recorded and instantly emailed to the casting director. There is no need for a printed headshot because the agent or manager used a jpeg of the photo to send to the casting office.

Even if the audition is in person, there will be times when the casting team have the headshot pulled up on their computer so there is no need to hand them a printed headshot.

Zach did two auditions last week and none of the casting directors asked him for his headshot.

If this is becoming more of a trend, why did I get new headshots printed? Because there are some casting directors who still want the actual headshot (with the resume on the back) even though they already have the photo and resume information on their computer. It might be a habit for them to ask for the headshot or they might want it because "that's the way it has always been done".

Plus, you still need a good headshot to showcase your personality. It doesn't matter whether it is a printed copy or an emailed version of the photo. You need to invest the time and money to find an experienced photographer who can convey what you bring to the table as an actor with your photo that (hopefully) serves as a good first impression.

A headshot is much like a business card in Hollywood. You present it to casting directors as a form of introduction as well as something for them to keep so they will remember you in the future.

This is another reason you need to use an experienced photographer for your headshots. A good photographer takes into account how the photo will look on the printed page as well as digitally. He (or she) will make sure the lighting and touch-ups on the photo work well in any format.

Plus, a good headshot is something to give family members who like to show off “their actor” to friends and other relatives. It's worth the money to make mom and dad happy!

This actor has new headshots on IMDb.

End Of The Year Means One More Meeting

Even though the entertainment industry is in holiday/vacation mode for the end of 2016, Zach had a meeting with his manager earlier this week to discuss plans for 2017.

I've always appreciated the fact that she insists her talent roster look back at the year that is ending in order to make plans for the coming year. It's a great way for Zach to see what he accomplished, what he needs to work on and to bounce around ideas for future projects.

The end of the year meeting (naturally) put me in a reflective mood. Some of my thoughts during the meeting included:

• We used to discuss "how to get on their radar" and now we discuss "we know the right people" and make plans based on those contacts
• Zach's confidence during the meeting was much greater than the kid that attended those meetings years ago
• The amazing amount of content options that have been created or seen incredible growth in the last 4 or 5 years (Netflix, Amazon, CBS All Access, Hulu, Seeso, Apple TV, Crackle, Snapchat, YouTube Red and many more that I am forgetting to mention)
• Zach's view expanding while also becoming more focused as he gains a better idea of where he wants to go with his career
• A grateful feeling for the personal and professional relationship we have with his manager as she has been a wonderful personal and professional mentor to Zach
• Being impressed by the way Zach was able to lead the meeting while I was only there to offer advice and be a support system 

There were some items on his action plan from last year that we didn't accomplish or didn't hit the desired goal. On the other hand, there were other opportunities in 2016 that weren't even on the list that Zach was able to run with and grow during the past year. Even though acting is a creative field, it is still very much a business and not something that should navigated without a game plan. After the meeting this week, Zach has a clear idea of what he hopes to accomplish in 2017. I'm looking forward to being part of the adventure and helping him achieve his goals from the meeting even as he keeps his eyes open for new creative opportunities along the way.

This actor is looking forward to a successful 2017.

Using Social Media To Promote Your Career

There are a variety of social media outlets available to actors today to help them promote their careers. From Facebook to Instagram to YouTube, social media is a vital part of the daily lives of people around the world. Are you choosing the right social media platforms to promote your career?

I do social media for a variety of clients ranging from cosmetic surgery to spices to crowdfunding to insurance quotes. All of these industries need specialized content for each social media outlet. Actors are some of the most creative people on the planet yet they feel using the same content across the board is perfectly acceptable.

It's not.

The social media sites listed below are ones I use on a daily basis. How can you use them to help your career?

• Facebook - The obvious choice for any actor when it comes to promoting their work and career. Used by billions of people, Facebook is an excellent way to build a community of fans you can interact with on a daily basis on a fan page.  It's also an excellent way to control your image without anyone seeing your personal posts that would be bested saved for a private FB account.
• YouTube - Are you a singer, stand-up comedian, actor or acting coach? If so, do you have a YouTube channel? If the answer is "no" then my question to you is "why not???" You can talk about your skills and talents all you want on your other social media pages but a YouTube channel is one of the best ways to share your skills with the public and reach a mass audience. It's also a great showcase of your talents that you can direct agents and managers and casting people to check out online.
• Twitter - I love Twitter because it teaches you how to get your message across in 140 characters or less. Creating compelling copy while still making a complete statement in a limited amount of space is not an easy skill to master. Learning to get your message across on Twitter can also help you be more focused and in the moment during auditions and meetings.
• Quora - Even though Quora is basically a giant online Q&A session, it can still help you further your career. Search for the people you admire and/or want to work with in the future and follow them on Quora. Engaging with them on a regular basis can put you on their radar but you do need to exercise caution and not be a part of every discussion they are involved with on Quora. There's a difference between being helpful and friendly and coming across as a stalker. I use Quora a lot for a hair restoration specialist I work with in Beverly Hills. Anyone that looks at my interactions on Quora will get the impression that I am completely obsessed with my hairline as well as hair restoration techniques and news.
• Google Plus - It seems like even Google doesn't care about Google Plus anymore but it is still there for you to share some links to your work or IMDb page. It will take some effort on your part to find the best G+ communities to place your links and videos in so don't expect to just make a post and see instant interaction I mainly use G+ as exposure for this blog. 
• Instagram - Even with their new (and awful) logo, Instagram is a great tool when it comes to marketing your carer. Since IG is a visual platform, it's vital to post a photo or video that is visually appealing to others. Post a photo from the set of your latest project or the costume from a play you're working on or even the script you're currently writing. Reaching eyeballs beyond your followers is pretty easy on Instagram by following a few simple tips:

1. You get one link on IG (in your profile) so make sure it points to the site you want others to view
2. Use hashtags to help others find you. Just remember that too many hashtags makes you look desperate to connect. Simply using your name as a hashtag might not gain you much attention. Using general hashtags such as #acting or #actorslife will connect you to others since they are phrases that are searched for on a regular basis.
3. When you gain new followers, share their photos when appropriate. Casting directors and other industry people appreciate having their content shared. However, don't share everything they post or you'll come off as desperate to be noticed.
4. Respond to all comments on your photos. The 30-seconds you take to respond helps build relationships.
5. Be creative with your photos and videos while sharing some of them exclusively on IG There's no reason for people to follow you on multiple sites if they can simply find the same content on FB and Twitter as they do on IG.

• Reddit - Exercise caution if you want to promote yourself on Reddit. Many people that post pitches about their work or links to their own videos get ripped apart in the comments section or simply have their link booted from a subreddit as being inappropriate or not fitting the rules of the subreddit. Make sure that your post is unique and out of the ordinary in order to make it through the crowd on Reddit.
• Vine - This social media platform used to be one of the main outlets to find new talent on the Internet. The looping video platform showcases creativity and the ability to show your talent to the world in easy to digest six-second bites. However, a good number of ad buyers have turned away from the app which has caused many "Viners" to follow the ad money and marketing sponsorship dollars to Snapchat, FB and IG. This has also led to a decreased amount of content that is "Vine exclusive" as more Vine users are now sharing their content on other platforms. Many platforms realized the viability of updating their video content and were able to catch up to Vine when it failed to make any changes and stayed with its 6-second format. I rarely use Vine for business just because of the decreased amount of eyeballs that see the content.  New talent can certainly be found on Vine but there is less marketing money and individual deals being pumped into the app so there are less breakout Vine stars than in the recent past.
• Snapchat - The platform that I am finding great success with when it comes to posting videos. Even though the maximum length of a Snapchat video is only 10-seconds, a series of 10-second videos can run one after the other to create a story. You can have people follow your story on Snapchat to create a narrative that connects the 10-second videos. Share your music, make a short film or do stand-up comedy as your story. I normally keep my client video stories to 3-minutes or less in order to keep fatigue from setting in from too many 10-second videos in a row.
• Periscope - The good news is that the live streaming video aspect of Periscope allows you to show your talents in a live broadcast setting. However, Periscope  requires people to add you on the app so it takes a performer with good worth of mouth or an amazingly dedicated fanbase to make a dent in terms of getting attention from others in the industry.

Now that you know the tools you have at your disposal, make use of them and promote yourself and your career in creative ways. Nobody is more invested in your career than you so be your own biggest fan and make social media work for you.

This actor is getting ready to start his own YouTube channel.

"He's So Funny!!!"

From the time Zach was a little boy, people would tell us that he was a funny kid. They were correct because Zach has always been a very verbal child. I always figured his chatty nature came from having two parents who both spent 20+ years on the radio.  He has always been quick with a joke and skilled at holding the attention of a crowd. In fact, he always enjoys entertaining the crews on the sets of the various movies and television shows he works on in Hollywood.

About two years ago, he decided to give stand-up comedy a try. This decision was easier said than done because he was only 15 at the time. There are not too many comedy clubs that allow anyone under 18 (or 21 depending on the venue) to get on stage. Zach had to get his start playing restaurants, coffee shops and other places that would allow performers of all ages to work on their act.

After a few months of performing at random venues, Zach was on the same bill with some other comedians in their 20s. They were all very encouraging after the show and spoke to him as a fellow performer and not like a kid. He started running into them on a regular basis on the open mic circuit and this led to a few comedians inviting Zach to be part of their shows around town.

It was always amusing to watch Zach on the same bill with these guys because they were a talented crew of hip hop comedians. Their sets would consist of a multitude of curse words and sexual jokes that were always funny. However, you could feel the surprise in the room when the nerdy 16-year-old would launch into routines about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and high school. Zach would win over the crowd a good 90% of the time but it took them a bit to realize the young kid was a comedian on the same level as the others on the bill. In fact, he was better than half of the comedians since his act wasn't solely based on curse words.

From Sal's Comedy Hole to Busby's East to the Blu Elefant Cafe and beyond, Zach worked on his set in any venue that would allow him to perform. Venues such as The Comedy Store and The Laugh Factory were beyond his age limit and it seemed like his comedy career was mostly limited to open mics.

All of that changed in the last few months.

Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank has an open mic and Zach discovered that he was allowed to try his material in the club.  The first night he went to Flappers, he was armed with some of his best material as well as a few new bits. Once he got home that night, I asked him if he received any feedback from the folks running the open mic. He proceeded to show me a coupon for a free pizza that is awarded to the best comic of the night.  While this might not seem like a big deal to you, it was his first time at the venue and a free pizza is always a big deal to a teenage kid!

Zach attended more open mics at the club and was eventually invited to perform on the Saturday night before Easter in The YooHoo Room at Flappers. He was booked with a group of comedians opening for the headliner that night. I had no idea where he was scheduled on the bill that night so it was a matter of waiting for him to get called to the stage. He was the last act before the headliner took the stage!  Pretty good for his first booked gig at the club. Plus, he was the youngest comic on stage that night. He killed that night doing new material as well as a few bits that have always done well with crowds of all ages. He has been invited back to open for another nationally touring comic as well as be a guest on their podcast.

He is still too young to play many of the comedy clubs around town but he is making a name for himself in the Los Angeles comedy scene. Zach's goal is to be a cast member on "Saturday Night Live". Between his stand-up comedy, writing his own material and improv training, he might be on the show sooner rather than later.

Actor. Stand-Up Comic. Second City Cast Member. He's a busy teen performer.