Often, I will see casting directors or companies charging a
fee for seminars to instruct aspiring models and actors on what
they need to know in order to succeed in the entertainment
industry. As a way to give back to all of the thousands of
aspiring talent I have seen and rejected over the years, and to
those who I have never spoken with, I give you here in each issue
free advice on what it takes to succeed in the industry. You will
not find all of this advice for free anywhere else that I am
aware of. I hope it helps you. If you would like any free advice
to other questions not found in this article or in all of the
back issues of this article under the archives section of this
site, you may call my office and I will personally call you to
answer your questions when time permits.
BANDS: Some actors have a bad reputation for
being flaky. That is because many are. There are however some who
are even flakier – models. The winners in the flake award
however, are musicians. Some bands are some of the most difficult
people to deal with, because they are notoriously flaky. For one,
there may be 4 or more members, and if some are reliable, the
others may not be. Or, members may be on drugs, hung over, or
stoned. Avoid drugs and excessive alcohol use, and be on time and
do what you say you will do. That is the biggest thing any band
must learn. DON’T FLAKE.
Also, be prepared to fire a member if they hold you back. I
recently listened to a great band, who I wanted to rep and get
signed to a major label, and would have, but their singer, though
having an A for effort, had little soul, and even less technical
ability. They were way off key. Yet, the band refused to replace
them. I can image 10 years from now, when they are in the same
spot, they may change their mind. Do not hold on to some one in
your band if they hold you back. BE PREPARED TO SAY, YOU’RE
FIRED! (But in a nice way of course).
Support your peers. Go to other bands shows, become friends with
other bands, and support them. They in turn should then return
the favor by coming to your shows and supporting you, and you
both can then build up with each other’s fan base. There
are enough fans to go around, so don’t get over protective
of your fans; spread the love, and the love will come back to
you. ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE – (& UNITS SOLD).
PHOTOS: Models and actors, do not spend money on
pictures until you have an agent or manager. Any agent or manager
you sign with will want your headshots or zed cards (modeling
composite cards) to look and be marketed a certain way. An agent
or manager is not obligated to use your photos. If however you
have unarguably great photos that look like you now, and an agent
or manager is interested, they should use them.
Great however is of course, a matter of opinion. Most models or
talent I know that try to do trade for print shoots for free, on
their own, either get them months later if ever, or get lousy
work, looking nothing like what the photogs website displayed, if
they even have a site. You usually get what you pay for. Bands
should not pay for photos unless they can afford it, in which
case, find one for around 400 for one look and roll, and each
pitch in 100.
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