This blog isn’t the only work of…well, something that had an anniversary lately. Back in 2006, I started writing a column for professional and aspiring-professional actors about the non-acting aspects of the business. Over time, it’s morphed into more of a marketing column, but I still try to slip in little bits of helpful info [...]
acting
It seems impossible that my cohort is turning 50, and yet, there it is. I’m sliding into it myself, just three years and change to go. Truth be told, I can’t wait: my 40s were so much better than my 30s, which were so much better than my 20s, which were so much better than [...]
This is Day 3 of a 21-day effort to see the good in what might, at first, look like an irredeemable drag. Its name comes from a classic bit of dialogue uttered by actor Kevin Bacon in the comedy classic of my generation, Animal House. They say everyone gets fired from some job at some [...]
I’m bad! I’m nationwide! Well, not really, but thanks to my good friend, Matt North, I’m the newest columnist at LACasting.com (a division of Casting Networks, Inc., and the main actor submission service used for commercial auditioners), where the first installment of my monthly column on All Things Acting is up for anyone who wants [...]
Today I auditioned for a spot I’d really like to book. The part is funny, the casting director is smart (meaning, the spots he casts are low in cheese factor) and, imagine, I could use the money. Casting directors often give a group explanation prior to a string of individual auditions to save time and [...]
I am just waiting for the day I get a casting breakdown specifying, “Unnatural, awkward talent only. Must be over-the-top with no ability at all to respond in the moment. Or dead. Dead would be good. Dead, with really, really bad comic timing.â€
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What not to tell an actress
I’ve taken 2 hours out of my very busy day surfing the interweb to audition for you. I’ve driven 10 miles in the rain at $2.75/gallon with a cityful of rude assholes in luxury assault vehicles to get there. I’ve suffered the indignity of holding up a magic-markered sign with my name on it as [...]
From a breakdown (character description) for an audition I have tomorrow: Caucasian woman, 35-45. Real with character. Not attractive. They probably have some cute or quirky characteristics, but again, they’re not beautiful. We would love a brunette or dark hair but open to all hair colors. Oh, this is to play a tomato. Yes, really. [...]
Note to anyone* who ever knew me in my previous incarnation as a copywriter: Dear Former Co-Worker of Mine Who Is Still in Advertising, Boy! Long time, no time, huh? Where are you guys staying now, Shutters? The Viceroy? Or do you eschew the beach and stay in town? Or maybe you go super-downscale and [...]
I had one of those colossally bad auditions yesterday. The kind where from the moment you walk into the room, not only can you feel it’s not going your way, it would throw up on your shoes and slam the door in your face if it could. And where by the time you slate your [...]
