check it out! PROWESS webseries episode "SPILLIN DA TEA"

PROWESS The series First Look

Audition and Booked Burt Wonderstone feature film w /Steve Carell and Jim Carrey

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2094164/Jim-Carrey-looks-creepy-dressing-gown-set-Burt-Wonderstone.html Great time Auditioning for Feature Film at Lisa Beach office felt good!

Monthly Newsletter on the best "WORKOUT" in town! THE CASTING WORKOUT! Tips for Actors

Monthly Newsletter on the best "WORKOUT" in town! THE CASTING WORKOUT!

 

Its The New Year! What changes did you Make for the New Year!

About the Workshop
I use the workshops as a marketing tool. There are not many ways that you are able to get your work seen by industry professional. Workshops are one of the tools I use.  Of course some of you can walk the RED CARPETS and give us a wave as you go through your photos and interviews; but for most it's a grind. With the workshops, I learn what each office likes to see, because every office is different and have their do's and don'ts. 

It's also good to get the correct information from the mouths
of the people who are doing the hiring, instead of the people you sit next to on the set.  More than likely, they have no network or studio credits, telling you how your headshot should look or what to do when auditioning. I have seen so many actors waste their hard earned money on their acting tools (headshots/classes/resumes/reels etc.), by getting the wrong information, and then spending their money on getting everything redone over and over.  Remember the number 1 in acting  is to listen!

ITS TIME TO GET REAL!
So many actors and Parents of kids come in not knowing what to do and where to start. Yes, there are alot of scams and rip-offs. That's why its so important for you as PARENTS to know the business as if you were managing your kids and not leave your decision making in the hands of some of these people taking you for $3,000.00or more on things you don't need, or have to pay that much for. Talk to the people you can trust. 

For the actors, its mainly on listening to the wrong people getting the wrong information that keeps your career in a holding pattern. Nobody cares more about you than you. ACTORS! Lets break it down!

A)  How can you know how to do things when you haven't done the business of Acting. There are over 200 casting offices, and whats good for one office might not be good for another
.
Example: you hear all the time don't touch casting, don't talk to the producers; yes that is true for some offices, but for others like "THE CLOSER", every producer about 7, want to shake your hand and say hello just to get a feel for your personality. So, if we knew the right way, we all would be working....One thing you can do, is get the right information.

Everyone in the world has an opinion and can find fault with anything you do.
You have a choice!  Make sure you weed out all those negative people and negative thoughts out of your life.  Remember Successful people surround themselves with other Hardworking successful people.

B)  Don't worry about everybody else, just worry about making yourself the most prepared actor you can be. There's a reason why that person got the part/or got called in over you.  Get your tools in order.  Remember you are a product, ask yourself why would people want to buy my product!  The main reason actors do not book jobs, is because they are not prepared or nervousness.

C)  I can tell you all day the things we should not have to pay for as an actor: paying to put pictures/demos up on LA CASTING /Paying to put pictures/demos up on ACTORSACCESS /Paying for WORKSHOPS/Classes Again you have a choice, but the old days are over!  The old guard Casting Directors who said they would never give up hardcopy submisson to go electronic, have changed their tune.  You either get with the times or you fall behind. Life is change.  Growth is optional. Choose wisely.  Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.

Example: Put yourself in the Casting Directors Chair / I see this at every class/and workshop
Would your hire:

Actors who are LATE

Actors asking to make copy's or need to staple there resumes when they know they are going to see an industry professional

Actors who have had a week to prepare a scene, still coming in not knowing their scene or asking for a scene the day before; or the day of the class

Actors who get a clear redirect in their scene and still continue to do it the same way without any change

Actors who tell the Casting Directors the way a scene should be played because of what they learned in acting class, and I can go on; and afterwards, these are the same actors saying: "My Agent sucks, they don't send me out/ why can't I get an Agent/ why do I never get called in".

The point is, you need to start doing the business of acting. Casting Directors take their job very serious, you represent them when they send you in front of their Producers. Would you recommend a friend for a job he's not qualified for?

Lets see if you are Taking Care of Business
What show do you see yourself being on? Who is the Casting Director?

If you didn't know the answer, you need to seriously rethink the way you are taking your career forward.

People ask me all the time do workshops work! 
I say , If you knew the Business of Acting you would not be asking me this Question! But I will leave it for you to decide on some of the things I've learned.
Casting Directors Make a name for themselves by finding new faces and Great Talent.  I didn't say good, everybody's good, I said GREAT!

Do you know what offices
A) try to seek out east coast types?
B) if you mispronounce one word wrong you are out?
C) hates props?
D) if you are late you are out?
E) if you change one word in the reading you are out?
F) that they do not hire SAGe actors?
G) says you must have at least one Costar to get seen?
H) Likes to see who you study with?

I can go on and on...its up to you to decide what's important for your career!
One night out: (parking) $20 + (Club) $20 + (2 drinks) $25 = $65 or more
One Workshop $40-$50
YOU HAVE A CHOICE TO CREATE CHANGE NOT WAIT FOR IT!

I bid you all the best, but make your chances better this year and
plan a "WORKOUT" into your schedule today!

and remember I'm a Actor Just like you!  I'm always here to help if you got Questions.....Let's make it happen

Tips for Auditioning for the Hit on FOX "HOUSE M.D."

IF you are lucky to get into this office, You must have been an East Coast type, which they Love. Also you just want to throw the lines away for Costar roles again,  just throw it away! (you are not there to take the shot, you are there to pass the ball)! it ticks them off when you try to make something out of Costar roles. Know the language before you enter the office, if you MISPRONOUNCE one word YOUR OUT! So again if you read for this office have your CRAP TOGETHER! They want professional ACTORS! don't ask for a stapler, highlighter etc...GOOD LUCK in your Audition....

Vp of CBS casting on Headshots...Take notes!!!

Fern showed examples of headshots and then went on to critique individual headshots. She took the time to review each participants’s headshot and ask them about their goals. It was apparent people weren’t aware of their own goals by their inability to answer her questions. One of those questions was, “What kind of work are you looking to book?” I admit to being one of those who stumbled when asked the question.

As the critiques went on, Fern’s comments were equally funny but brutal. Her piercing honesty was an indication of how harsh the casting process can be. In the end, it’s a reflection of how fast-paced the industry is. As a result, there’s no time for nonsense. People submitting for roles in TV need to be prepared, focused and professional. Anything less will most likely bring about a very unpleasant experience. Fern’s overall message was to focus on the reality of who you are and what types you can play to help redirect a floundering career. She warned not to let ego or self-esteem issues get in the way of what you can actually do. In the end, you need to remember the business end of acting. Be professional, know your market, know your goals and target your efforts towards that which will bring about the most success.

One of the most insightful pieces of information provided by Fern was how the TV casting process works. The difference in TV casting is that you ARE the role you’re auditioning for. You need to be the character as you walk into the audition room. Consider it “condensed casting” due to the extremely fast pace at which casting directors work. This is where your headshot can be an effective tool. Your headshot should represent your type and any other important aspects of yourself (i.e. height, weight and even whether you have an accent) so there are no surprises for casting directors when they meet you.

Regarding headshots, most people are given the tip to “be yourself” or “show your personality.” It’s not so much showing “who you are” in the headshot but showing the types of characters you can play (realistically and honestly). Keep in mind this is specific to casting for episodic TV shows and doesn’t really apply to other genres such as theatre or commercials. This is the importance of knowing your target market. I never knew this aspect of TV casting before the workshop and cannot thank Fern enough for sharing this invaluable information.

Some other tips from the workshop are below.

Some other tips from the workshop are below.

Keynotes on targeting work:

• Know who you are! Know your type!
• Be aware of patterns in casting
• Watch shows on networks to research roles (and types of roles) that are available
• Submit for things you are truly right for

Keynotes on what to know BEFORE you get your headshots:

• Know what kind of work you’re looking to do
• Think about the performance in the headshot, what character(s) are you portraying?
• Plan for 2-3 different shots that represent different characters you can portray

TIPS ON PHOTO SHOOTS:

• Use location shots to keep headshots from looking flat. Make sure background is appropriate for “character”
• Be very aware of color choices
• Make sure angles on poses are not awkward
• Women: avoid spaghetti strap style shirts

Keynotes on headshots that will get you seen:

• Full color!
• Make sure your materials reflect what the casting notice is asking for
• Be aware most shots are first viewed by casting director at thumbnail size. Make sure your headshots translate well at a reduced size.