How do I stand out when I'm just starting?

You’re an amateur actor, just starting out in the business, but you don’t have to look like one. This is your chance to stand out from the rest in your field and look like a PRO!

  How do you stand out from all the other actors just starting? At the beginning, you’ll be submitting yourself for auditions for short films, student films, industrial videos, and music videos, mostly nonunion work. Most of your competition will either be brand new, or still new to the industry and making their way. Here’s your chance to stand out from the very beginning.

Have a PROFESSIONAL looking resume and headshots.

You have to look like a professional. When all of your marketing materials scream PRO, the eyes of the casting director will be on you. That means your headshots pop and your resume looks like the industry standard, with a professional take on your experience, skills and training. Before they know anything about you, you now have their attention.

The best advice for any new actor is to learn as fast as you can. The more you know, the less mistakes you’ll make. The more you know, the better first impression you will make as you meet people in the industry. This’ll give you more opportunities immediately versus hoping for a second meeting and having to prove yourself. There’s not too many second chances in this industry.

Casting an amateur versus a professional - Would you hire you?

And why do casting directors want to work with professionals versus amateurs? Amateurs bring a lot of risk. Even if they are the best person for the role, they might make costly mistakes on set, or accidentally screw something up because they don’t know any better. 

So in protecting themselves and their producers, casting directors might go with the person who’s good for the role, but also appears more professional. A casting director wants to look good to producers. So they would much rather present a professional actor versus a brand new one. It gives casting directors confidence when you present yourself as a committed, professional actor.

 We’re the same way when it comes to hiring people to work with us. Would you hire a first time plumber who shows up with a wrench and a plunger? Or a plumber in a uniform, with a name tag, a tool bag, and confidence to back up his experience?

So understand that presenting yourself as a professional is important to get in the audition room and to get a talent agent. Be honest, do your marketing materials represent a pro or an amateur? If money is on the line, would you hire you?

How do I know who to trust to help?

So how do you look like a professional, amongst amateurs, when you are an amateur? Know more than they do. Here’s where good coaches come in. But how do you find the right one for you? How do you know if the person you’re entrusting is who they say they are?

 In our business, my first resource is IMDb.com (Internet Movie Database). This website shows every film and TV show that exists on TV, in theaters, or on YouTube, and then some. It shows you who directed, produced, cast, acted, the crew, and anything else you might want to know about that film. BTW, it doesn’t list commercials.

So when someone claims they are in this industry, go search them there. See if their claims match their experience. And just because they’re not on IMDb doesn’t mean they’re a fraud, but check it against their claims. That’s just one way to check, but it’s the easiest first clue.

What does a good coach do?

A good coach can guide your steps in the industry, show you where to go next, or to go back and improve what you’ve already done. A coach helps you get things right the first time, teaches you the dos and don’ts in the industry, warns you of red flags, and keeps you steered in the right direction. A coach helps you bypass common mistakes, scams, and teaches you the all-important, unspoken rules of the business (there's a lot!).

Don't miss opportunities in front of you.

Since films and TV shows are being cast every day, the longer it takes you to learn how to get into those auditions, the more opportunities pass you by. However, this also means that when you are finally ready to enter the audition field, there will always be more opportunities. So fast or slow, when you’re ready, there will be an opportunity open to you.

 But why go slow, when you can go fast? And when you take the slow road, that’s usually the one with all the bumps, potholes, detours, and U-turns, because you got lost along the way. The fun part about having a chauffeur is that you don’t need to know how to get there,

Set yourself up for success.

So when you’re new in this business, and you want to set yourself up for success, the best thing you can do is learn as much as possible. It will still take time to make a name for yourself, and establish a good reputation. It will still take years of acting class to begin to reach your full potential in the craft of acting. The amount of heartache, disappointment and frustration you experience will be minimized when you have a coach. So if you want to stand out to casting directors, the best way is to look like a professional actor, not the newbie or someone just giving it a try.

Most people who quit acting, do so because they aren’t getting where they want to go. But I’m pretty sure they would have continued if they were getting auditions and booking projects.

 Set yourself up as a professional from the beginning. Get a coach.

Be committed 100%.

If you’re going to go for something, be all in. One foot on each side of the fence is painful. You’ll never know if something would’ve worked out unless you go at it 100%. If you’re preparing for failure, you’ll fail. If you’re preparing to succeed, you’ll find ways to win. Your actions will reflect your attitude. And people invest in those who are dedicated and determined.

 When you have a professional headshot, a professional résumé, even with zero experience, and you know how things work in the industry, you’ll be in a much better position than someone without your knowledge.

Lots of free industry how-to's and information!

Click on the link below to watch my free workshop on how to become a working actor. It’s all the steps you need to take to become an actor, how the industry works with actors, red flags and much more. And remember, it’s free. So, if you’re new or wanting to look like a pro, watch the free workshop. You’ll be way ahead of where you are right now.

Watch Free Workshop - How To Become A Working Actor

 Ok, remember that first impressions are everything in this industry. Make it a good one!

 Break a leg!

-Nancy