http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2010/jan/24/artists-day-jobs
This is a very interesting article about each of us that's trying to make a living as an artist.
It discusses how essential is a part time job for an artist and how it can affect your career.
Can you have a family as well as a career? Unpaid work- the elephant in the room.
At least two-thirds of actors are out of work at any time, according to the most recent survey by performers' union Equity.
What are the official numbers of what an artist earns?
Reading this article made me question if I made the right choice entering this career; but performing is what makes me truly happy, just because I'm not a doctor or a banker doesn't mean I can't make a living out of it. This is what my inquiry will be focused on. How can we as artist have a stable, successful career in the Performing Arts, that we can make a living out of it without having to do part time jobs.
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
Monday, 25 November 2013
How to Network
http://spotlightuk.podomatic.com/entry/2013-08-12T08_23_21-07_00
Holby City star and TriForce Promotions Creative Associate, Chizzy Akudolu, talks about how to get ahead in the performance industry by networking.
Holby City star and TriForce Promotions Creative Associate, Chizzy Akudolu, talks about how to get ahead in the performance industry by networking.
An interview with New York casting director, Scott Wojcik
Spotlight's Emma spoke to Scott to demystify the casting process for actors, and what he looks for in a performer.
1. Emma
Dyson (2013) An interview with New York casting director Scott Wojcik, London,
The Spotlight Podcast Link
Scott Wojcik started
out as an actor; he was working as a freelance assistant for some Casting
Directors whilst he was trying to do his own acting work. After a while it
became a full time job and now he’s been working as a Casting Director for 5
years.
What Scott is
looking for in performers is a ‘Package talent’; someone who has a physical
appearance that matches the energy that they present when they are on stage and
together those things crystallise character.
Considering
audition pieces, he’s advice is to choose short, comedy pieces delivered with a
lively, focused, defined energy.
Photos are
very important, he’s opinion is to keep them simple with bright eyes and smile
but also have a question behind the eyes with a thought process in mind. Full
body shots are important too; a casting director has to be able to see the
proportions of the actor. Stylistically outdoor and natural, sometimes more
urban backgrounds with the use of brick work great.
A showreel has
to be short, around 1-2 minutes. I casting director or agent want to see you
speak; they want to see you in something recent. The long length showreel
belongs on your website.
A website is
great for your representation as a performer. It’s packaged and you can use it
to promote yourself directly.
He’s advice for
graduates, is to do their research and remember that they have to be smart
consumers in a Business environment. ‘‘Be proactive, ask around other
performers in auditions; ‘’Where do you go for classes?’’, ‘’Where did you get
your headshots from?’’. Know what’s
happening right now in the Business by watching TV, seeing shows and reading
articles and magazines. You should be researching your type; if anyone compares
you to an existing working actor/performer do some research to their past and
see what got them started to being that famous person that they are now.’’
In regard to
auditions, Scott mentioned that you should know your craft and have already
researched the roles that you are suitable for, so that if you have a last
minute audition call you are prepared. ‘‘At auditions you should always take
ownership of your talent and the product that you are presenting. Have your
material ready, be honest and real, figure out who you really are and be polite
to everyone. If you didn’t get the job don’t take it too personally, you did
your best for the day and you are putting a seed on the ground for a job in the
future. A last advice would be to understand that you are auditioning for your
career and to make sure that you shine brightly when you are given a chance in
the Industry.’’
Is there a reason for having Plan B when there is Plan A?
Some would say yes there is, what if Plan A doesn't work?
Have a look at Augusto Pinaud's blog http://augustopinaud.com/%E2%80%9Cthere%E2%80%99s-no-reason-to-have-a-plan-b-because-it-distracts-you-from-plan-a-%E2%80%9D/
Augusto's Plan A was to become a Writer. He left Plan A to the side and decided to go with Plan B, but what did he discover? Plan B might have given him a secure income but there was no deeper satisfaction about it because it simply wasn't Plan A, it wasn't his dream.
Plan B distracted him for some time until he felt the need to fulfil Plan A. He is now living his dream and he is a Writer, he has goals and he is fully focused on his dream because this dream is what he wants to die for.
Are you living Plan A right now or are you settled with Plan B?
If you are living Plan A do you have a Plan B in mind? If yes Why?
My inquiry somehow links with Augusto's blog and here is why. When you have just graduated as a Performer some of the thoughts that run through your mind are; Am I going to be successful? Will I find a job in the business? How am I going to support myself financially? Shall I have a Plan B in mind just in case?
Recent graduates tend to be optimistic and work hard towards their dream. They didn't have as much taste of failure as the more experienced Performers in the business. My goal is to keep that fire lightened up in their mind before they change Plan A to Plan B with the first, second, or tenth 'No' that they hear.
I recently did an interview with Tom who works as a banker. We met at the Actors Temple were we did an acting class together.
He expressed how sad he feels at work and that working in a bank isn't something that fulfils him. He said; ''This job is not what I want to do, is just a way of paying the rent and bills; what I really want to do is to be an actor!''. I could feel how passionate he was about acting and how hard he worked in the class to improve his skills.
When I asked him ''So do you have any further plans about acting in the future?'' he answered ''Yes! I decided to quit my job and become a full time actor! I realised that unless I commit to it 100% I'll never reach the standard of actor I want to be.''
Tom chose to commit to his passion knowing that he has to face some concequences. He wasn't afraid to leave his daily job and fulfil his dream! Now he doesn't have Plan B distracting his Plan A but do you think leaving his daily job was a mistake, knowing that he is not an actor with experience in the Industry?
Have a look at Augusto Pinaud's blog http://augustopinaud.com/%E2%80%9Cthere%E2%80%99s-no-reason-to-have-a-plan-b-because-it-distracts-you-from-plan-a-%E2%80%9D/
Augusto's Plan A was to become a Writer. He left Plan A to the side and decided to go with Plan B, but what did he discover? Plan B might have given him a secure income but there was no deeper satisfaction about it because it simply wasn't Plan A, it wasn't his dream.
Plan B distracted him for some time until he felt the need to fulfil Plan A. He is now living his dream and he is a Writer, he has goals and he is fully focused on his dream because this dream is what he wants to die for.
Are you living Plan A right now or are you settled with Plan B?
If you are living Plan A do you have a Plan B in mind? If yes Why?
My inquiry somehow links with Augusto's blog and here is why. When you have just graduated as a Performer some of the thoughts that run through your mind are; Am I going to be successful? Will I find a job in the business? How am I going to support myself financially? Shall I have a Plan B in mind just in case?
Recent graduates tend to be optimistic and work hard towards their dream. They didn't have as much taste of failure as the more experienced Performers in the business. My goal is to keep that fire lightened up in their mind before they change Plan A to Plan B with the first, second, or tenth 'No' that they hear.
I recently did an interview with Tom who works as a banker. We met at the Actors Temple were we did an acting class together.
He expressed how sad he feels at work and that working in a bank isn't something that fulfils him. He said; ''This job is not what I want to do, is just a way of paying the rent and bills; what I really want to do is to be an actor!''. I could feel how passionate he was about acting and how hard he worked in the class to improve his skills.
When I asked him ''So do you have any further plans about acting in the future?'' he answered ''Yes! I decided to quit my job and become a full time actor! I realised that unless I commit to it 100% I'll never reach the standard of actor I want to be.''
Tom chose to commit to his passion knowing that he has to face some concequences. He wasn't afraid to leave his daily job and fulfil his dream! Now he doesn't have Plan B distracting his Plan A but do you think leaving his daily job was a mistake, knowing that he is not an actor with experience in the Industry?
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
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