Actors must have headshots, resumes attached, a reel, and
solid training. A repertoire is strongly advised. Models should
strive to do acting as well, and also must have zed cards, and a
portfolio book that is updated regularly, with a great wardrobe.
Bands should have rehearsal space, a backline, passports, and be
ready to rock and hit the road. All bands will need a great
entertainment attorney to get a label or distribution deal, as
well as a great manager who knows the music industry inside and
out, who may have their own legal for you, such as ours
does.
ACTORS – MONOLOGUES: Even though some
casting directors these days don’t even know good acting if
it hit them on the face, and don’t generally require
monologues, since standards for acting have declined, its always
better to have monologues ready to read than to not. You can
never be too good. You can be too bad, except for reality TV of
course. In a repertoire, your body of monologues, you should have
at least 2 from the classical era, and 2 from the modern era. One
comedy, and one drama from each era is advised. Classical era can
include Shakespeare, which is always good to know.
Do not scream or yell, or use major profanity in a read unless it
is in your sides (lines) and called for, or unless you ask the
CD, agent, manager, or producer or director you are reading for
first if it is OK. I can’t tell you how many actors I have
had to shout over to tell them to stop screaming and swearing
some lousy monologue. Don’t look at the person you are
reading for. I’ve had countless talents read love scenes or
scenes that they are killing some one or such, and stare at me
straight in the eyes. No, don’t do that, that is creepy.
Ask them where they want you to look and focus. They may have a
spot on the wall. Over their shoulder is usually the norm. If
they want a different angle, they will move or tell you. When you
are done with your monologue, say SCENE. I’ve had too many
actors smile and such at me, only in painful seconds later to
find out they are finally done when it wasn’t obvious due
to bad monologues.
Don’t pick monologues to play some one famous who you are
not better than. For example, if you are not as good as Marilyn
Monroe or James Dean, don’t try to read their lines from
their films. Pick obscure material unless you can hugely carry.
I’ve had countless actors see me fresh out of acting school
who don’t even know their slate. If that is the case, get
your money back.
THE REEL: Any actor not yet a star should have a
reel, which is a copy of your best work on tape. When we say
tape, we mean transferred from film to dvd, and also online,
digital. Your reel should be about 3 to 5 minutes long, depending
on how good you are and how much work you have done. Black and
white pieces are fine, and even silent, but do include some
talkie and color. The rule for monologues should here too be
followed. Show some comedy, show some dramatic action. Show some
action or drama scene, show some comedy, horror, love scene, kick
boxing, or whatever you do. Always include your name and reps
contact information at the beginning and end of the tape, and
make sure it actually stays on long enough for us to write it
down. Flashy editing and fx is not going to impress us, so
don’t bother if you can’t afford it. We are looking
for the soul, for the craft in your work.
COMMISSIONS: All talent, bands, and models
should be willing to give up to 15 percent for modeling, and 20
percent for talent bookings, for music and or actoral work. Great
managers or agents will get their percent added to the top for
you if they can, and you won’t even feel their cut. If you
would not have the job to begin with, without them, and you still
complain about their commission, then you should try consider
being your own agent or manager, which I would equate to doing
brain surgery on your self.
BITING THE HANDS THAT YOU WANT TO FEED YOU:
Don’t bad mouth or gossip about others in this business. I
know agents who plant spies on set, who report back to them if
any of their clients bad mouth them making them look bad. The spy
reports back, and not only is that client dropped, but they are
dropped from the show, and often blacklisted from the studio.
Agents and managers, along with the producers and lawyers, run
this town. If you have an issue with your representation or
whoever, address it with them personally, and try to resolve
it.
Most haters you may hear that attack those high up in the
industry in positions of power, are those who have been axed by
those same players, and are all washed up, trying to tear down
those in an industry they will never succeed in. If you libel or
slander an agent, manager, producer, or director in this
business, expect your career to be over fast, if it ever even
gets off the ground. Most will not waste their time trying to sue
you if you are broke, but you can generally be sure, that if you
screw over your representation enough, you will live to regret
it.
DON’T CALL US, WE’LL CALL YOU: I hope this is
of help to many of you. If any of you have questions, you are
seriously invited to call my office. Yes, I mean that. I am
offering FREE ADVICE to all of you who call. I will spend 1 hour
of my time, not for each person mind you, but total, per week
helping all of you who call, for free, answering your questions,
or pointing you in the right direction you need to go, from now
until July 1st. I especially invite those of you have any
complaints or criticisms of me to call, and I will do my best to
help you. Our telephone number is 310-226-7176 Don’t miss
more free advice back here in 2 weeks.