Imagine a world with just three major television networks, a handful of cable channels, few independent feature films being completed and NO internet.

That world was 1982.

Back then Performers were known to have milled about complaining that “it’s slow”.

 

 

 

 

Fast forward almost 30 years later and you have Performers still saying “it’s slow”.

Huh?

 

 

 

That’s right. It’s 2010 and there are a gazillion cable channels, Web sites housing gobs & gobs of content, both with their fair share of infused commercials employing on camera and VO talents, film festivals with shorts, full-lengths, there are fringe festivals with pieces developed from regional plays, off-off-off productions, almost every bar or comedy club has some kind of open mike night for musicians, comedians, bands and spoken word artists.  Oh, and don’t forget poetry and monologue slams, and then musicians who go on tour, they need backup singers and dancers… Dare we forget to mention one of the biggest markets for performers, video games on cell phones, devices, on our computers and on the web? Motion capture, performance capture, voice over artists are all needed to make these projects happen.

YES, it’s SO SLOW – isn’t it?!

C’mon… There has never been a single moment in history when the producing of content has out-paced the ability to consume it.  So much content, so little time.  That means a LOT of work to be had… but how do you get it? How do you go about it in a smart way?

STEP 1: Rid Yourself of the “It’s Slow” Phrase

Anytime anyone around you says “It’s slow” consider responding with a resounding:

“Is it really? I think there’s a lot of work to be had out there.
There’s a lot of opportunity. You just have to find it.”

If you read an e-mail from an Agent or Manager, Acting Coach or fellow Performer that seems to have the explanation as to why “it’s slow” and why you are not auditioning or working as often as you’d like, consider DELETEING it and DO NOT forward it.  These “facts” are merely giving you an excuse to:

• sit around and watch TV
• allow your Reps not to explain why they aren’t expanding their contact database
• complain to everyone you know that you don’t have anything to do and be miserable

STOP IT!

“It’s Slow” is an excuse trap – don’t fall into it. Don’t push others you know down that hole by perpetuating a myth.

STEP 2: Be Selective

With so much content being made it is easy to find yourself doing projects that you have NO interest in doing or will do NOTHING to move your career ahead.  When we talk to performers we hear that they will do any project to stay “busy”.  “Busy” (a.k.a. – masquerading as that nasty word “proactive”) doesn’t make a career – being “productive” does. It is much more advantageous for your career growth to do 4 quality projects in a year that will show off your talents/skills than it is to spread yourself thin doing 40 projects that go nowhere.

Being selective requires you to know what your “Career Bulls-Eye” is.  Without that you will waste valuable time, energy and money in this business.  To learn what a “Career Bulls-Eye” is we suggest you partake in a Performer Webinar called “Talent On Target: Hitting Your Career Bulls-Eye” – it’s FREE so do it! You can register for the next “Talent On Target” webinar here www.PerformerWebinars.com!

STEP 3: “Street View” Contacts

Huh? What does that mean?

Well, we could have easily said “Do The Research” but that is so “old school”.  There is a BIG difference between looking at a plain old map and doing a “Street View” on Google before you leave to your destination.  A map will only tell you where a location is. “Street View” gives you a sense of surroundings and what the area looks like – it gives you the sense of being there so you know what to expect.

In one word: familiarity.

You have got to have that level of familiarity of a “Contact” before you can ever make them a “Connection”.  In this day and age you don’t have to wait to meet someone before you can learn what they are all about.  There are so many ways to dig around on the Internet to find out what makes someone tick. From online biographies, chat rooms, message boards and so on you can begin to uncover a person’s likes & dislikes, what networking groups or memberships they are involved with, their hobbies, where they went to school, etc. Do you have anything in common with them?

“Street Viewing” contacts before meeting them at Industry Events and Auditions is crucial so that you feel “familiar” with them and have things to talk about if and when a conversation arises.  Doing so will not only build up your confidence when talking to people but will increase your odds of turning that Contact into a “Connection”.

To learn more about the right ways to do research on Contacts we suggest registering for the FREE Webinar entitled, "3 Must Do's Before: Agent Meetings, Casting Director Workshops & Industry Seminars".  For Webinar dates/times and to register go here: www.PerformerWebinars.com

STEP 4: Move PAST The “Middleman”

So many Performers are stuck with the notion that Casting Directors are the ones you “have to meet”. How about a different approach instead? Get out there and meet the people who are creating the type of work you want to do!

If you want to be on stage, who is currently writing the types of pieces you want to work in? Are they hosting table reads?  Stage readings?

Is there a group like this where you live:
London Playwrights Collective

Could you attend a live event? Could you network with playwrights that might audition you? Collaborate with you?

Do you want to work in TV as a comedic actor? If so, then find out who is creating content that could help you get better footage for your demo reel, shaped to highlight you as a comedic actor.  Are there Websites that host the work of upcoming and established directors who are creating content? Could you find their clips and then reach out to them, introduce yourself and tell them where they can see your work?

Check out Web sites like KoldCast.Tv

No matter what your particular niche is as a Performer, move past the middleman and meet the creators. So many performers are trampling over each other to meet Casting Directors… wouldn’t it be better to avoid the crowd and go a different route?  Instead, get in with those who have to hire the Casting Director in the first place. 

As the CEO of Holdon Log said during a recent Interview with Inside Acting Podcast:

“Want something different?
Break your routine, do something different.”
-Brian Vermeire