With Holiday Festivities come Parties, Charity Fundraisers and of course the beginning of Awards Season!

What do these 3 event types have in common?

Ah yes, the Red Carpet...which sometimes now is White or Green.

Our PerformerTrack Members have asked us some questions about attending, so here are our responses that we'd like to share with you.

QUESTION #1

"I've been invited to a Red Carpet event? I'm not a celebrity, should I go?"

 

 

 

RESPONSE #1

YES! It doesn't matter if you are a celebrity, you are a performer, you've been invited to attend and it's Your Job to been seen. Go and have fun, but go with a purpose too (more on that shortly).

Log into your PerformerTrack account. If this is a Red Carpet Event associated to a Booked Project, then go to that Booking in the "Booked Projects" section, then to the "Post-Project" area and create the "Red Carpet Event" as an Appointment.

If this Red Carpet Event is NOT related to a Booking, then go to the "Calendar" section and create the Appointment.

Remember to add any Expenses (i.e. - Mileage, Fares, Hired Car, the cost of a gift if you were asked to bring something for a Charity, etc.) that you incur to your PerformerTrack "Expenses" section (it could be a tax-deductible expense!).

QUESTION #2

"I've been invited to a Red Carpet event do I have to wear an evening gown?"

RESPONSE #2

No! Do research on the event ~ just like you would do on a project before you audition for it.

• Where is it?
• Who is the event for?
• What company has their name attached?
• Who are the special guests?

If the Red Carpet is at a clothing store, say a jeans company, chances are that wearing jeans and a hip top is what's expected. If the Red Carpet is taking place in a hotel or theatre see if the invite notes White Tie, Black Tie, Cocktail or Tea and then plan your outfit accordingly.

If you don't know what these terms mean, just do a Google search and look for definitions, images and videos on the subject. You always want to arrive looking your best and as requested.

If you are working with a publicist, you can ask them for suggestions on how to dress. If you aren't working with a publicist, then you can always call who is inviting you and politely ask.

Log into your PerformerTrack account and in the Appointment's "Notes" area, reference what you are wearing to this event. This way, you will be able to tie your photos to the event and you won't mistakenly repeat the look and wear this outfit to another red carpet event in the future.

QUESTION #3

"My invitation says the event is from 7:30pm to 11pm with Red Carpet Arrivals from 7:30-8:30pm. What does that mean?"

RESPONSE #3

It means the event begins at 7:30pm and will last until 11pm. That's a hint for you to start saying goodbye to your friends and new contacts around 10:30 so you can leave before you need to be asked to.

If you want to walk the Red Carpet and have your photos taken and be interviewed, then you need to be there between 7:30 and 8:30pm. This means after 8:30pm the photographers may leave and go to other events or they may come inside the location to take photos.

This is not an event to arrive late to so give yourself plenty of time to get through traffic. If this Red Carpet is for a film and you are not in it, you should get there for the earlier part of the Red Carpet as cast members will take longer to walk through, take photos and be interviewed and you don't want to miss out.

In your PerformerTrack account be sure to add the location (remember if you are only going to go there once you can always make it Inactive so your Locations list isn't too long. Use the Map it feature to find the Mileage, Driving Directions and identify landmarks if you have not been there before).

QUESTION #4

"What am I supposed to do on the Red Carpet?"

RESPONSE #4

Adjacent to the Red Carpet there will probably be a publicist checking you in and introducing you to the media before you step on the carpet to walk. Depending on the event you may just walk, stop, pose for photos and enter the event. Or, you may walk, stop and pose with the Special Guest and enter the event.

When you are on the carpet be sure to smile and make eye contact with the lens of the cameras. Be nice to the photographers who are taking your photo.If they ask you for the correct spelling of your name spell it out clearly for them to record. Don't give an attitude, you want these pictures to show up on the wire services with your name properly spelled and your image identified as you not "guest'. The more events you go to the more you'll make contact with the photographers and get to know them. Not only will you have your photo taken, but very often there are opportunities to be interviewed. Remember people are at this event to celebrate so never sound dull or say things like, "It's slow". Here's your chance to shine!

When you are researching the event, take a few minutes to make notes on these questions. Add them to the Appointments "Notes" area in PerformerTrack, print them out and bring them with you to review on the way to the Red Carpet Event.

• Are you invited because you know the special guest? They may ask you how you know them. Say something complimentary about them.
• Have you worked together? Mention that.
• Are you a patron of this charity? Are you an advocate for Cancer Awareness? Animal Rescue? Mention that too.
• Were you invited because you performed in this production? What was exciting about that? Do you have a brief funny story about something happened during production? Mention that. It's great for a sound bite.
• What else is exciting that's happening in your career? Where can the public see you next? Are you in a play? Do you have an air date? Are you off to shoot somewhere. Plug that!