Tag Archives: the actors voice

The Real Deal on The Demo Reel

26 Mar

I’m in the beginning stages of putting together my new and improved demo reel, so Bonnie Gillespie’s latest post in her 5-part critiquing series proved very helpful. I’m glad it went up while I’m putting my reel together and not after!

See her critiques here.

Actors Resume, Headshot and Website as Marketing Tools

9 Mar

One of my fave actor-friendly bloggers, Bonnie Gillespie, has embarked on a 5-week Critiquing series on her weekly column, The Actors Voice. She opened her email inbox to headshots, resumes and websites from the everyday actor to get critiqued on her column. The main theme of her critiques is that your resume, headshot and website are all marketing tools, first and foremost.

Here is a link to her in-depth actors resume critiques.

Here is a link to her headshots critiques.

Here is a link to all of her old posts, which cover resumes, headshots, cover letters, demo reels and websites.

She’ll be having more posts in the Mondays to come…

Keeping it Real

16 Feb

Last Friday, Feb 12th, marked the premiere of the webseries “The REAL Girl’s Guide to Everything Else“. Produced by my friend’s production team, it makes me feel so good, inspired, motivated and proud to see talented actors making it happen within my circle of artists. And not only that, but making strong parts for women. As a female actor in this town, it can get discouraging  having audition after audition for weak female roles. Or scrolling through the casting sites and only seeing “nudity required”. Or looking at character breakdowns and no matter what the part entails, at the end of the description something to the effect of “and sexy”.

The Real Girl’s premiere episode, “Love, Lunch and a BOGO Sale”, proved that this series is going to be fun, smart and entertaining. I will admit, I’m a sucker for anything created by a friend… but so what. I’m not pretending to be objective here. In my most humble opinion, I believe it was evidently well-produced, acted and written- enough that in just a mere 5 1/2 minutes I was enticed to watch more. I can’t wait for episode 2.

This is the cool thing about the direction the entertainment industry has been heading as of late- it’s getting easier and easier for self-producd works. Casting Director Bonnie Gillespie talks about this all the time in her blog, and encourages self-producing actors with her “Self-Produced Clip of the Week”… which, by the way, featured another friend of mine just last week!

Actor New Years Resolutions

20 Jan

While we’re still in the month of January, I thought this would be an appropriate topic. Another actor-friendly blog I visit regularly, The Actors Voice by Bonnie Gillespie (I’ve listed her in my online resources), had a great post a few years ago on Working Actor Resolutions. Now, I’m not one for new years resolutions since I rarely keep them, but I thought this was a great list to keep in mind for actors be it new years or not.

These are the ones I liked from her list (with my own take on them), plus a few of my own:

1. Update your demo reel.

I intend to do this as soon as I get some footage I’ve been waiting on. Just like you should update your headshots, I think it’s really important to update your reel. Hopefully each year you are adding to your body of work and have something to show for it. And it’s a good thing to keep the ball rolling. It’ll feel good to have cut something together that shows how much you’ve grown as an actor.

2. Take a day off every week.

I try to do something every day related to my career, whether it’s reading a play, or submitting myself to auditions, I think it’s a good idea to give myself a day off! It’s hard with a career like acting to remind yourself to take some time off. We need vacations too. So take a day off where you don’t do anything related to acting at all and relax.

3. Create at least one project of your own.

Making your own work is something I’ve already mentioned a lot. And I’ll mention it again! Make one of your resolutions to create something of your own. Be it a short play that you put up in your own apartment for friends and family, or a little 2-min Youtube video. It’s a great confidence booster to have produced something on your own– and who knows, maybe someone who’s someone will see it.

4. Take a class you’ve never taken before.

I don’t just mean an acting class. But maybe a belly dance class! (Something I’ve taken up recently with well-known belly dancer and teacher Layla) or fencing or Spanish or jewelry making. Well rounded people make good actors. Think of something you’ve always wanted to try and sign up for a class. Or just open up your local community college’s course book and pick something. You never know when a casting notice will call for your type plus a special skill that you just so happened to pick up.

5. Write a scene.

I find that being on the other side of the page, writing a scene instead of acting in one, is really helpful for an actor. You’re still thinking of character motivation, objectives and conflict yet in a different context. It brings a fresh perspective to things you already think about as an actor.

6. Work on a new monologue.

A stale monologue is something I am definitely guilty of. It’s time for me to update my monologue library. There is something to be said of course of holding onto a monologue that’s always worked for you. But there is also something to be said of retiring one that you’ve used one to many times. Whatever fire that used to make that one monologue ring true, might just not be there anymore. Pick a new one. It’s time.

7. Be proud of yourself!

You’re going after your dream. Remember that. Some people go their whole lives without ever even realizing what their dream was. But you, you know it and you’re achieving it. And that’s awesome! So, as cheesy as this sounds… pat yourself on the back and be proud of yourself.