Career. Yes. If you want to make money at this acting thing, you need to be a business person. You need to be professional. You need to show up alert, respectful and ready to sell yourself. What does that mean? It means you’ve got to be prepared.
And we at the New York Acting School for Film & Television have the tips you need if you want to climb the ladder, be seen and succeed. Here are some simple tools that will help you further, rather than limit your acting career success. After all, your goal is to be hired.. not just hope for the best.
Have Your Bio Online
This one is simple. It’s not about building a complex website. It’s about creating a one page that tells about who you are, shares your accomplishments, shows your faces and talent and tells people how to contact and see you.
Step one. Know who you are. Be confident in your personal brand. It’s not about inviting type-casting, it’s about your web-presence selling you while you sleep, audition and go about your life. Define your strengths and see that they are communicated on your page. Are you bold and confident? Classy and romantic? Are you a comedian? Are you kind, gentle and determined? Let these things show through in your layout, graphics and color scheme.
Step two. Keep it simple. This can even be a one pager if you want. Make sure the header sends a clear message to the reader about who you are and what you do. If you specialize in voice over, let it show. If you enjoy more camera work, don't have it littered with theatre imagery.
Step three. People have short attention spans. Use your header space wisely. Make sure there’s a photo of you, a summary of your strengths and a way to contact you. Keep it his resolution, clean and not cluttered. People want to feel that they are working with a professional.
Step four. The body. Tell a short bio emphasizing what your skills and passions are. People are interested in your story, but more interested in what you can do. This is a good place to put one more, different head shot. If you create videos or audio samples, feel free to include these on the page as well, if there is room.
Post media clips.
Do you create media? Do you have samples of your work on video or through audio clips? Maybe you can think of interviews you would like to conduct with other actors, directors, writers etc... When you create media, you showcase not only your own skills but also the love for the industry itself and your desire to learn. This shows both your dedicated and humble commitment to your career.
Blog what you’re learning.
Just like the above, writing a blog also gives people a chance to peek into your career. A word of warning tho, if you're thinking of keeping an online journal. Keep it respectful and professional. You will likely deal with people in the industry that annoy or insult your career. The Internet has a way of coming back to you - do not vent your frustrations with the industry in detail. Say what's frustrating and bring awareness to how it can be done differently. But do not allude to or specifically insult any individual or business. Write out your expertise and curiosities. This is beneficial publicity.
Always have an email signature.
You never know who's going to see your email, so make sure you use that free tool by having a great email signature. Tell people a one-liner about your passions and skills. Include links to your facebook, instagram, twitter or whatever social media is useful to find. ...website link?
You are talented and have chosen performance as a career. It's still a business and you should be performing your best online as well.
At The New York Acting School we want to see you succeed. Please call us and let us know how we can help you achieve your dreams!
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