Sorry for the grammatical error in the title, true believers. I hope it makes sense anyway.
As the summer’s first month concludes I’m starting to see a real difference in the happiness and satisfaction of those that are taking advantage of the usual industry slowdown at this time, and those that seem to be taken advantage by it instead.
As I wrote a few months back, this is the perfect time of year to take a look at the big picture and address whatever isn’t working. You don’t need to be pounding out those auditions, cold mailings, open calls, and other such daily and weekly activities designed to get you opportunities. Quite simply, there’s very few opportunities available. Your time can be better spent.
Rather than spin your wheels and suffer the frustration that inevitably results, this is a good time to do any of the following:
1.) Improve your marketing materials. Especially if you’re not auditioning as frequently as you like.
2.) Take an acting class. Especially if you rarely get callbacks.
3.) Take an audition technique class. Especially if you get callbacks but rarely book.
4.) Network with casting directors and agents. Especially if you book lots of work on your own and feel like you have gone as far as you can go without the help of industry people.
5.) Save up some money– especially if you can never afford to take a class, or network with agents and casting directors!
The people that are doing these things (the titular “dos”) are feeling good these days. They have specific goals for the summer that are being addressed, and by achieving these goals they will be more competitive when the fall casting season rolls around. They’re accelerating their careers.
Those that ignore this kind of advice are languishing through the industry’s slowest time of year, doing nothing to improve their situation.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday weekend! Be sure to catch the baseball action– lots of good divisional rivalries are yours to enjoy. I’ll see you next week.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I have an agent- Young’uns in London. I take acting classes.. but yet my agent hasn’t got me one single audition!
i would love this more than anything else in the world!
Please, feel free to read my blog… Acting IS the most important thing to me.
Jess– Unfortunately, lots of reasons exist as to why an agent may not be getting you auditions. Sometimes it’s them and sometimes it’s you. If you feel like you’re at the mercy of your agent and unable to fend for yourself I strongly recommend you consider a solid business of acting course like the Industry Boot Camp program offered by TVI Actors Studio in New York. This might be a good time for you given the large discrepancy in the value of the pound vs. the dollar. Contact me at the studio and I can give you more information!