Importance of Experience
Apr 30, 2015 01:10 pm | Emily Barnes-Dunlop
Signing with an agent can be difficult and usually takes awhile, signing with the right agent can be even more so. Some actors jump into the process of finding an agent before he/she is ready, and doing that can really shoot yourself in the foot. Here are some tips on how to go about that process.
You may be as talented as Meryl Streep, but that is never an excuse not to pursue as much experience as you possibly can before approaching an agent. Experience includes training. Pay to play if you aren’t booking jobs on your own.
• For screen work — just get on a set. There is so much to be learned simply by running cables on a set, gripping or PAing. Get as close to the action as possible, be the hardest worker on the set, and watch and learn from everyone around you. Learn the lingo and anticipate what will be needed so you are ready before the director even asks the question. As a screen actor, learning the inner workings of a set is almost as important as being a good actor. This will make you far more pleasant to work with when you’re actually the one in front of the lens. It will make you efficient, courteous and someone directors and crew want on sets.
NOTE: Although there are things to be learned from being an extra, I hesitate recommending this. Being an extra is a lot of waiting around and most of the time it’s in the background. Gripping, gaffing or PAing will bring you closer to the action, will keep you moving more and will help you learn the inside scoop.
• As for acting — get in a play. You can learn so much more about how to listen, be present and react truthfully from being in a play than you ever will in private lessons. Not to say private lessons are not worthwhile please, let’s be clear on this. But you will expedite your growth as an actor simply by getting involved in a theatre production. Be a tree, for heavens sake, and learn from the actors who have lines. Listen to how the director directs them and watch how they take notes and grow in their performance; then when it is your turn you’ll be that much more prepared.
• Get in classes — workshops, private lessons, meeting with a coach, etc. You need to be practicing consistently and hearing objective, unfiltered feedback from someone who knows better than you because you are not going to be getting it from anyone else. Your agents, directors, friends…these people are not your coaches. Put yourself under the leadership of someone who you respect and trust and will not sugar coat the feedback that you desperately need to hear.
• Audition. Audition. Audition. Audition. Please audition! This is what it means to be a w o r k i n g a c t o r. Most actors will tell you their booking to audition ratio is any where from 20/50 auditions to 1 booking. So, please, audition!
Now read over those bullet points again. Have you done each of those things? If not, then you are not ready to even be talking to an agent. Atlanta is a small market, people will remember you. Don’t ruin your chances in the industry by jumping the gun and approaching a conversation you are not yet ready to have. And when you are ready to find a coach, come to TSS. We will help you find the fit that’s right for you.
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