"I'm Sorry..."

Here's a quick exercise, complete the above sentence with one or more of the following:

	...I didn't get your message.
	... I'm late. It's... a) the traffic b) the trains c) I was out late d) nobody woke me e) nobody called me f) I didn't know I had to be on time g) the line at Starbucks
	... I lost the phone number (and you look it up for me); I lost the address; I lost my mind.
	... I'm not off book. Similarly: I don't know my blocking. "I've been busy!"
	... I forgot my headshots, my pen, something to write on, used my last resumé.
	... I didn't check my email for a) 2 days b) a week c) I'm having computer issues d) and while I'm at it, life issues. Got any life skills classes?
	... I'm too busy to take down the information. Shoot me an email.
	... My headshot's still in black and white. a) I'm using them up b) I've been meaning to....
	... My gerbil passed. (this is not made up, when someone arrived for an audition in a black mourning cape, in the summer. {Passed? Passed what? Passed away? Passed gas?})
	... I didn't return your phone call. It's... a) the holidays b) really crazy out there c) my cell phone died d) I didn't know what it was about e) I left my phone at home f) I have only one bar left! g) my phone was stolen (four weeks ago) h) I didn't recognize the number i) my roommate erased it j) my house blew up (no kidding) k) I'm giving birth! (no kidding again)

Is it necessary to go on??

We find it amazing that most actors begin their conversations with "The Industry" with an "I'm sorry that..." and then insert one or more of the above. They may not be aware that this sends out a bad signal to those that could hire or represent them. We all hear these whiney excuses and sob stories not daily, but hourly. Why would anybody want to take a chance on somebody that just can't get their act together? Nobody cares how fabulous someone looks or how gifted an actor is if they show up and the first thing out of their mouth is a boatload of excuses of why they're not up to the job.

We recently conducted an unscientific study in our office: one day we recently kept track of a block of 15 consecutive phone calls and visits from actors. Of the 15, an astounding 12 started with the words, "I'm sorry...." The remainder of the sentences ended with a selection from the list above. But not astoundingly, the guilty 12 didn't have much of a career. The three who didn't have to have any excuses all seemed to have a healthy, active career. Coincidence or are we on to something?

In this business, you must remember, and this is something that successful actors have learned, if you want to pursue significant, well-paying work, there are no excuses. Period.

Here, as Casting Directors, the person who got the job convinced us they were worthy of being hired. They did not start off the hiring process with a lame "I'm sorry...." NO heavy booker starts off the hiring process with an "I'm sorry..."

Similarly, if you have a survival job, what would your boss think if you always came to them constantly apologizing for being late, missing that meeting, not returning a client's phone call, handing in a report late, blah, blah, blah. How long would you last at that job? And in OUR industry, you're doing this song and dance to someone who hasn't even hired or represented you yet?

Think how a simple but critical adjustment in your approach and in running your career could make all the difference in your success. Then how about starting right now?

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ABOUT SCOTT POWERS

SCOTT POWERS is the President of Scott Powers Studios, Inc. a facility located in mid-town Manhattan that has three divisions:

1) Casting Directors
2) Motion Picture Production
3) Professional Acting Academy

Scott Powers, in addition to his corporate responsibilities, is an actor, model, hand model, stand-up comic and is regularly seen in print ads and commercials. Mr. Powers is the author of the just published book, Here's Looking at You: The Actor's Guide to Commercial Print. Scott is a member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA. In each of these organizations he has held either elected or appointed positions, including the Board of Directors of AFTRA.

He is the former Vice President of the Professional Comedians Association, a voting member of the Academy Awards (The Emmys), the International Film & TV Festival and is listed in "Who's Who."

Scott is also President of CaribCom. Inc., an advertising agency specializing in hotel advertising/ representation in the Caribbean. Previously, Scott was a former "large agency man," having worked at Young & Rubicam; Foote, Cone & Belding, etc.

He has a B.S. degree in Communication Arts from Ithaca College and an M.B.A. degree in Marketing from Farleigh Dickinson University and is a member of Mensa.

A resident of Manhattan, in his spare moments, Scott enjoys skiing and is an avid international river runner.

Learn more at: www.ScottPowers.com