Back in 2006, I took over a monthly advice column for actors from my friend, Matt North. My goal at the time was to gain some additional writing experience, make a (very) few bucks, and offload some of the thousands of woman-hours of hard-won knowledge I’d gained over the course of two 10-year careers: one as an advertising copywriter and another as a commercial actress.

As is usual with most exploits, I ended up gaining all kinds of things I wasn’t expecting, including an understanding of the similarities inherent in different modalities of communication.

Which is just a fancy way of saying, “All roads lead to Rome.” Or maybe “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” (And, sadly, “You can’t always get what you want.” But if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need.)

So yes, these are all articles about acting. But they are also about the particular, peculiar life of people who choose to express themselves for a living. Or for whom communication—the good kind, that entertains and uplifts and changes the world—is really important.

I hope you enjoy them, and even more, that maybe you’ll find them useful in a way you weren’t originally expecting. Yeah, that sounds weird, but when it happens? You’ll totally get what I’m talking about.

xxx
c

2008

Get ready to take on the new year. (January 2008)

A bevy of ideas, projects and tools to reenergize your attitude and your career.

How to ask for help…and how not to. (February 2008)

I get Emily Post(al) on your asses about the right way to solicit assistance.

Relax into acting. (March 2008)

Actual, actionable tips for creating that mind-like-water, in-the-zone state so critical to good acting.

Spring cleaning for your career. (April 2008)

When’s the last time you cleared out your career-related clutter? Some tips on how to.

Tooting your own horn effectively (Part 1). (May 2008)

I didn’t spend 10 years in the trenches of consumer advertising (and countless hours online afterwards) for nothing. Learn how to leverage branding for your acting career.

Tooting your own horn effectively (Part 2). (June 2008)

More fun & games with personal branding and self-promotion. (It ain’t always what you think!)

Tooting your own horn effectively (Part 3). (July 2008)

Wherein we embrace our inner nerd to effectively self-promote in an online fashion.

2007

What to Do with That Big, Shiny New Year of Yours. (January 2007)

Some thoughts and pointers on effecting real personal growth in 2007.

How To Get An Agent…Or Not (February 2007)

The best advice you will never hear from anyone in the business

Watch Who You Watch (March 2007)

An exercise in determining fabulousness, nothingness and everything in between.

Don’t Let Pride Kill Your Career (April 2007)

The four traps to watch out for if you want to go the distance

Don’t Quit Your Day Job (May 2007)

Why that thing you hate may make you the actor you long to be

Better Acting Through Listmaking (June 2007)

An inexpensive (and fun!) way to get a handle on your life, your career and your dreams

Great Actors Don’t (Just) Study Acting (July 2007)

Sometimes the shortest distance between two points is a parallel line.

How To Be Heard Over Yourself (August 2007)

Or, what exactly is “noise”, and what can you do to reduce it.

Dreams Don’t Happen—Plans Do (September 2007)

Why some people get there faster than others.

Keep the change (October 2007)

The good news is, everything changes every second. The bad news is… well, you guessed it—everything changes, every second.

3 things I wish someone had told me before I started acting (November 2007)

Learn from my mistakes, don’t repeat them!

How to Find a Great Acting Class (December 2007)

Arguably of use to non-thespians as well!

2006

Client-Proof Tape - Part I of II (September 2006)

What you should know about auditioning for commercials, from someone who has eaten lunch during your tape.

Killer Callbacks - Part II of II (October 2006)

More things you should know about commercial auditioning, from that person on the other side of the deli tray.

The star in your head vs. the star you are (November 2006)

Life is more satisfying when you get down with who you really are…and potentially, a lot more lucrative.

Actor, Know Thyself (December 2006)

Five reasons NOT to be an actor…and one reason to jump all over it.