Showing posts with label casting director. Show all posts
Showing posts with label casting director. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Getting Work in Entertainment Question 934: A CD told me not to put any links on my emails because they are distracting, is this true?

If you asked 10 casting directors, you'd get 10 different answers. You are a business. You have to promote yourself. If you are sending in a headshot and resume for a project with a note, any additional links to social media, a website, a movie trailer, a reel, a blog, etc., would go under your signature. If they don't want to be distracted, they don't have to read down that far.

That said, make a note of the CD who doesn't like it and when you write to her/him, remove your signature.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com
To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 836: is it SUPER taboo to Facebook message a casting director with a professional question?

If it's a professional question, it's not super taboo. The problem is when people have "ulterior motives" for writing that are transparent.

Ask yourself, "Do I really need to know the answer to this question, or do I already know it?" "Is there a specific reason why I need the answer from this particular casting director?"

If you have an answer to the later, be sure to include it in your message, so the casting director knows specifically why you're reaching out.

So, that's best practices. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Casting Directors are VERY busy and don't always keep up with Facebook

2. Actors bombard CDs with Facebook messages, so if a CD doesn't know you, your message could go unread.

3. If you have access to the CD another way, it may be more effective.

4. You'll never know until you try! Every CD will respond differently. Some will be open to a question, some won't. You have no control over their response, so don't take anything personally.

Your best bet is to be as professional as possible, giving the CD as many reasons to think, "Yes, I want to answer this question."

Friday, April 8, 2011

entertainment industry coach question 764:How important is it for me to separate the different things I do (act, direct, produce, write, edit)?

It depends on the conversation you're having. If you're talking to a casting director whom you don't know very well, you want to present yourself as an actor. It's not important to them that you edit because that's not what they're hiring you for.

If you're talking to a producer as a writer/director, be careful about mentioning that you're an actor because the first thing they'll be concerned about is that you want to connect yourself to the project and it will be a deal breaker.

If you are talking to someone about partnering on an independent film that you've written, want to direct, and have a small acting role in, it would be advantages to mention that you edit because so many projects fall apart in post.

The bottom line is, you have to assess the circumstances and the relationship with the person, before revealing all of your hats.

Whatever you do, make sure you have separate marketing materials. Any business card that has all of those slashes can make someone think that you do a little of everything but don't have fabulous talent in one area.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

entertainment industry coach question 723: How can I meet Casting Directors?

This was a question asked of me last night at a networking event, by a very charming young man. Our conversation didn't start out about his acting, it started out regarding his book which became a best seller. It's subject matter, imitates what my favorite writer did 30 years ago, so I was instantly pulled into the conversation. As we got further into the discussion and he brought up acting, I asked him the first question I always ask, "how many people do you know in the entertainment industry." His answer was 300 (that's 100 more than the "sweet spot"). Now I knew something was missing. How can he know so many people and not be making any progress.

Naturally I asked him my next question, "how many casting directors do you know." He floundered for a moment then said, "one, sort of." AH HA! Mystery solved. So naturally he asked me how he was supposed to meet casting directors. I told him I'd answer him in my blog.

1. Ask the people you already know to give you referrals to the casting directors they know
2. Build relationships through casting director workshops (there's a whole strategy to this, but you have to coach with me... I can't give you all of my secrets for free)
3. Offer to do an internship in casting directors' offices
4. Attend networking events that involve casting directors
5. Join philanthropic organizations that casting directors are a part of

Yes, you have to do research for 4 & 5. Remember casting directors are people, treat them with respect and always look to create a win/win.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 629:What is the best way to write a letter to start a relationship with a CD, director or agent and...

... not make it about me, me, me?

The answer to that is make it about them, them, them! When you are approaching someone to begin a relationship, you want to offer help, or ask for something they can say yes to, which means: DON'T ASK FOR WORK or A JOB in the first few contacts. Build the relationship first.

So tell them in your initial letter: who you are, where you are in your career and where you want to be.
Then: Tell them why you're writing to them (what you want or can do for them) and WHY THEM PERSONALLY. This is where you make it about them, them, them.

Remember to give your contact information as well as a date when you plan to follow up with them.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 627:How often should I send out my headshot to the same casting director? How many should I start off with?

So this is two questions. The answer to the first is, (and this is based on the majority of CDs who have answered this question) you send a head shot once. They want you to save your money and the majority of them want to save trees. That's why so many cast through online service, so they don't have to send hundreds of headshots to the recycle bin each day.

Once a Casting Director has your headshot, unless you're submitting it for a certain role, you wouldn't send a headshot as follow up. Instead, you send a postcard or a note. Remember, there should be a purpose to your follow up; something special, unique, or a question. Just sending postcards every week to say "Hi" isn't as productive as creating a memorable campaign.

Question two, is regarding how many Casting Directors to send to. You want to target the shows you're right for. And when I say "right," I know many actors go into 'chameleon mode' where they can play any role, but if you're 35 and not a character actress, targeting a Disney show isn't as productive as targeting a show that features people your age, weekly.

Because I work with my clients to build strong relationships with people before asking for work, I suggest you start with 20 offices to get well acquainted with and then expand from there.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 624: Should I be sending out headshots or postcards to follow up a meeting with an agent or casting director?

Neither. If you had a meeting, I'm assuming that you already gave them a headshot. Your first follow-up should be a personalized thank you note. You are not asking for work, you are simply thanking the person for the meeting. Be sure to mention something that was said that had an impact on you, and any personal things you connected on. If the card reflects something you spoke about, even better.

I don't suggest putting your picture in the card, just write your name clearly. the reason for this is that you want it to be a genuine thank you. If the person forgot who you are but is touched by your words, he/she will look you up on IMDB (so make sure your pictures are up there and your credits are updated.)

Then you can follow up again a week or two later with a postcard, with a "marketing reason" for sending it.


For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 622:Do you put your theatrical and your commercial headshots on a postcard or keep them separate?

Because theatrical and commercial casting directors are completely different, your postcards should be completely different. There's a reason why you have different headshots- because you're marketing yourself differently. You want to look a certain way when submitting for Criminal Minds or Law & Order Los Angeles. Don't confuse them by sending them a happy, bright-eyed, smiley picture, when they want you to play a killer.

This is just my personal opinion, and if you asked 20 Casting Directors, you may get 10 who say they don't care, but you may not. Perhaps it's a good reason to call different casting agencies and poll them. You don't have to use your name, just play the "new kid in town" card and ask them what their opinion on the matter is. You will probably get the Casting Assistant on the phone. Note that the CA is the person who gets your postcard first, so is the perfect person to ask.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 615: how can I get a referral to an agent. Should I try the mentor approach?

Getting referrals to agents and managers is the same as getting a referral to anyone: you have to ask for it. A referral is an introduction from a mutual friend or work associate. It is not a recommendation (although those are good too.) Basically, you ask the people you already know if they are represented, and if so, if they would refer you to their representation for an informational interview or a meeting. The more referrals you can get to a specific agent, the better.

So if you're going after an agency that reps more than just actors, see if any of the writers or directors you know are repped by them. Aim for 3 referrals before making the call. Then there's the strategy of having 3 people make calls on your behalf to the same agent until the agent wants to know, "Who is this person I'm getting calls about and why don't I know him/her?"

Finally, you asked about mentorship with an agent. One of my first mentors in Los Angeles was an agent. It made sense; I wanted to study at the most respected schools, know the legitimate casting workshops, and get advice on which casting offices to target. It worked for me. And as a bonus, my mentor sent me out on auditions.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 568: Should my headshots be black and white or color?

I have not heard this question in years! This is really a question I would poll casting directors with. That said, in my opinion, the majority of actors have color photos. Black and white could make you appear dated or "not in the know." There is standing out because you "stand out" and there is standing out because you don't know what you're doing.

Color photos used to be cost prohibitive, that is no longer the case.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

entertainment industry coach question 566: A CD told me not to put any links on my emails because they are distracting, is this true?

If you asked 10 casting directors, you'd get 10 different answers. You are a business. You have to promote yourself. If you are sending in a headshot and resume for a project with a note, any additional links to social media, a website, a movie trailer, a reel, a blog, etc., would go under your signature. If they don't want to be distracted, they don't have to read down that far.

That said, make a note of the CD who doesn't like it and when you write to her/him, remove your signature.


For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry career coach, The Greenlight Coach, visitwww.TheGreenlightCoachBlog.com

To stay current on The Greenlight Coach's speaking engagements, recommendations, and work success articles, sign up for her free newsletter at the top of the page and get a great bonus 1-hour MP3 on creating powerful business partnerships when you do!

Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 1280: I grew up in India and as a result English is my second language (cont'd)

"I grew up in India and as a result English is my second language. I  am looking to improve my comprehension when I read my text book...