The Show Biz

When I was in high school (we’re talking now about a time before zip codes, area codes or the internal combustion engine), everyone I knew had a dream of succeeding in some field of endeavor.

Some wanted to be doctors, others pictured a career in the law, and some hardy souls still clung to that childhood fantasy of becoming a fireman or nurse.

And then there were the few, the proud, the dysfunctional – who longed to be in the movies or under the lights of the Broadway stage. I, of course, was in this latter group. Perhaps you were too.

Well, the incipient doctors, lawyers and firemen had a pretty well defined path to follow. More school. And, eventually, their training and certification led directly to the fulfillment of their dreams.

We drama-philes, on the other hand, were sent out into the world without a road map, left to our own devices, and frequently troubled by the number of well-wishers who assured us that we “didn’t stand a chance in hell.”

But our dreams were ours, grandiose as they might have been, and we were bound and determined to see them through. So – despite the warnings of failure, frustration and futility – we eventually made our way to the ‘big city’ in pursuit of that fabled ‘red carpet’ and riches beyond compare. It was on the mean streets of Hollywood and Broadway that our dreams were tested and tried.

Now and then you’ll meet an actor who insists that the dream has died – or is, at the very least, on life support.

That’s not really the truth. The truth is that dreams rarely die.

But, oh how they change.

For instance, it’s a well-known fact that many directors, producers, casting directors and (God help us) DMV employees, came to Tinseltown to act. Along the way they discovered that the rejection (which is inherent part of a professional acting career) was just too much to handle.

I’m sure we all understand that feeling.

So, they adjusted their dream to conform with reality.

Casting directors came to realize that they loved actors as much as acting. They found that discovering a wonderful actor was almost as good as their original dream and so, they re-tuned their desires and plans.

Almost every director originally started the journey as an actor, then found out that bossing actors around was pretty good too. And let’s face it … “auteur” sounds much better than “thesp.”

Many producers got ‘the bug’ under the greasepaint – but discovered that putting on a show had some of the same pleasures and rewards as emoting in front of the camera. They zigged instead of zagging.

Not to mention the numberless prop people, electricians, carpenters, special effects wizards and camera folks whose original goal was a career on the boards.

In fact, I’d be willing to bet you a cheap lunch that if you scratch the surface of anyone working in the business today, in almost any capacity, you will find a dreamer who started with an itch to perform. But we humans are an adaptable lot, and when whimsy meets the grocery bill - we tend to accept ‘reality’ and (dare I say it) settle.

The funny thing is that you will also find many successful actors whose original dreams had nothing to do with acting.

For instance, Denzel Washington studied journalism, Doris Day longed to be a veterinarian, Robert Redford wanted to be a painter, and John Wayne was just looking for a summer job to pay for college, so he could continue to play football.

All Julia Roberts wanted to do was live in New York City. And although she had the height for modeling, when Seventh Avenue rejected her, she turned to acting. (Mainly because her brother was an actor.) Clint Eastwood’s dream was to become a jazz musician - a dream that only came to fruition after he became a movie star and award winning director.

In fact, my extensive reading of actors’ biographies has led me to the conclusion that many of the actors, who started with other goals on their minds, were often more successful than those of us who spent our every waking moment plotting, planning and pursuing the dream of stardom with the persistence of Sysyphus.

What does all of this mean?

Hell, I don’t know.

I’ve never really gotten a handle on things like destiny, karma, psychology, fate, or the Bernoulli effect. I do have some vague notion that no matter what you dream, life will eventually force you to DO something – and when you start to DO things… well, life takes on a life of its own.

Above all, it seems crystal clear that our dreams never really die - they simply mutate.

In other words, worrying about your dream is probably futile.

And it’s probably a good idea to keep in mind the words of Douglas Adams … “Don’t Panic.”

Popularity: 24% [?]

As you know, if you’ve stumbled upon my musings before, I am a big advocate of actors having their own professional website. That’s because it is one of the most effective (and inexpensive) ways of advertising and marketing your acting services.

I believe that, in the not too distant future, the website will replace most of the marketing methods used by actors today.

Of course I always try to point out that it’s not one of those “if you build it they will come” deals. You really must ‘hand it out’ – on business cards, résumés, postcards, headshots, etc.

But the most important message I have for you, about your website, is this: It must be designed to SELL.

Most actors have only one product to sell, a unique human being - and most actually provide a unique character to a production. If your website doesn’t make it clear what that unique character is – well, it’s back to the drawing board.

As a result of my website ‘advocacy’ I am often asked to look at actor’s websites and give my opinion. And, while it’s an honor to be nominated for that little chore, I frequently have to deliver bad news – after reviewing said sites.

This first problem is almost always the picture on the landing page. This is a crucial element of an actor’s website and many actors do not pay enough attention to it. They simply paste up their headshot and let it go at that.

The web is a great medium for several reasons – the main one being that there are no particular size restrictions. That means that you could use a full-length picture of yourself. This is a big advantage in communicating your physicality (something that all casting directors are interested in knowing, up front).

Not that you shouldn’t use your headshot – you should – but you should also keep in mind that you have the space to include much more than one simple picture – or several headshot ‘looks.’

The second issue is usually the ‘reel.’

Again, let me stress that your website is a sales tool – not a place to prove that you’ve actually appeared (however briefly) in some sort of film or video.

Most reels are too long, not focused on selling the unique character of the actor, and a lot of times contain amateurish footage.

These are all mistakes – from a marketing point of view.

If you don’t have top-notch footage that shows you to your best advantage, it’s better to show no footage at all. Use stills and short descriptive paragraphs. Or build a slide show of your past roles.

Always keep in mind that the main job of your website is to convey your unique character and your professionalism.

Speaking of professionalism, this next element is generally so badly accomplished that it has quickly become one of my pet peeves …

About Me.

This is the section of almost every website I see, where actors come across as needy, clueless, confused, or simply unprofessional.

Example one: “Jill was born in Phoenix, loving the theatre. Her first appearance on stage was in the title role in her third grade production of Mother Goose On The Loose. From that triumphant debut she went on to …”

Example two: “Jack is the only son of a school teacher and a police captain. His love of movies goes back to when he first saw Mary Poppins, in his hometown of Keokuk, where Jack was a member of the high school glee club, chess club, vice-president of the Junior class, and a frequent visitor to Iowa City …”

Example three: “Jane is a fully accredited life coach, attorney and family planner. A graduate of Seymour Technical Institute, Jane spent 15 years as an arbitrator for the state of Wisconsin. After realizing that she was in the wrong profession she moved to Hollywood to pursue her passion for acting.”

The fourth example is the worst: The poor attempt at humor.

“James is a spirit medium with opposable thumbs and a fondness for Twix. His acting career has been spent waiting tables and begging for coins at freeway off-ramps … etc.”

This ‘humor’ idea is a very bad tactic. In fact, unless what you write is truly humorous – you will come across as a loser.

If you insist on using humor – check out this college application letter I came across on the web. If your ‘About Me’ section is not at least as amusing as this … try again.

“I am an expert in stucco, a veteran in love, and an outlaw in Peru. I write award-winning operas, I manage time efficiently and I woo women with my sensuous and god-like trombone solos. I also play bluegrass cello, and I’m the subject of numerous documentaries. On Wednesdays, after school, I repair electrical appliances for nuns, free of charge.

“I am an abstract artist, a concrete analyst, and a ruthless bookie. I once read Paradise Lost, Moby Dick, and David Copperfield in one day and still had time to play Guitar Hero all evening. I have gone on covert operations in San Francisco for the CIA.

“I balance, I weave, I dodge, I frolic, my bills are all paid, and I don’t perspire overmuch.

“I have performed both Hamlet and open-heart surgery. I was also honored to be caller number nine – winning a pass to see Britney’s custody case.”

By the way, this guy got into the college of his choice – without the requisite grades. So humor works … if it’s humorous.

Okay, back to the point: The purpose of your ‘About Me’ section is the same as the purpose of the rest of your website … SELLING.

Take the time to read the ‘About Me’s’ on stars’ sites … they are generally written by professional public relations folks who understand the purpose of their written words.

Next – emulate, copy, appropriate, steal, get help – just do whatever you have to do to make sure that every element of your website is focused on that one important goal … selling your services.

*     *     *     *     *

About Bob: In the long history of network television, only a handful of people have been multi-hyphenates… writing, directing, producing and playing a role in the same series. Bob Fraser has done it twice. First with the classic television series, Benson - where he was the writer/director/show-runner & played Benson’s nemesis, Senator Leonard Tyler for 6 seasons … then again in a show he created for NBC – Marblehead Manor – where he co-starred with Michael Richards (before Seinfeld).

Starting as an actor more than 50 years ago, Bob has scores of credits in theatre, film and television - including the role of Snoopy in the original Off-Broadway hit, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” as Michael in the New York premiere of “Lady Chatterly’s Lover,” as Big Jack in “The March March” and as one of the founders of The Fourth Wall. He’s also been a magician, disk jockey, daytime television host and an early member of The Groundlings in LA.

Bob has been the writer and producer on many series including, Benson, Full House, The Love Boat, Harry & The Hendersons, Condo, The Dictator, Hard Knocks, Phyl & Mikhy, Columbo and others.

As a director, he has guided Oscar, Emmy and Tony winning performers in both theatre and television - not to mention hiring a ton of actors in his role as a producer.

His acting career courses - You Must Act! - Nail It! - Headshot Secrets Revealed – Action! – and The Agent Code, can be found on the Web and have been utilized by 1000’s of actors - in 60 countries all over the world.

*     *     *     *     *

Get it? Got it. Good.

Popularity: 33% [?]

No matter how much you spend to get your headshot, no matter how skilled the photographer, the money is wasted if you don’t know what you are doing.

One of the chief causes (if not THE chief cause) of most actors’ career problems can be directly related to the headshot. If you do not have a headshot that “works,” (gets you called in) all your other skills will not be seen by casting directors.

The casting people are looking at photographs all day, every day. Why do they pick one over 25 others? To generally quote every casting director I’ve ever worked with, (dozens and dozens) “There was just something about the look in her eyes.” “I don’t know, his expression just grabbed me.” “I needed dangerous and that picture just said, “dangerous.”

Starting an acting career, sustaining an acting career, resuscitating an acting career… whatever you are trying to do, your headshot is the key. It’s the first step through the door.

Did you happen to see Zoolander?

Even if you only saw the ads for this movie, you saw Ben Stiller doing something that may give you a clue as to how to consistently get a “working” headshot.

Ben Stiller spent most of the movie “posing.” And in every instance he came out looking like Zoolander.

He did not look so much like Ben Stiller, as he did that amusing, empty headed, male model.  Even the stills from the movie look like the character. (Go ahead do a google and check it out for yourself.) This was not only a marvelous bit of acting satire, but a perfect realization of a principle skill needed by all actors.

See, YOU ARE IN CONTROL of how it comes out.

You.

Not the photographer.

In fact, once you master the skill of “posing,” you’ll get better results using almost any reasonably professional photographer.

The proof that this is true is in front of you every time you check out at the grocery store. Look at the magazines at the check-out. Notice that some of these rags go out of their way to find unflattering pictures of stars. Why?

Because unflattering pictures of stars are RARE and so, therefore, intriguing.

I’m sure you’ve noticed that those unflattering pictures in the tabloids are rarely gotten at the red carpet ceremonies or other public outings.

The photographers who specialize in this kind of junk, have to stalk the star and use a telephoto lens, to catch them coming out of the dry cleaners or pumping gas.

It’s the only way they can get those kind of shots. If the star knows he or she is being photographed, there is almost no way to get that unflattering shot.

Watch the actors at an awards ceremony, walking down the red carpet. Watch their behavior very closely. Notice that there are HUNDREDS of photographers standing there clicking away - and the actors know it. That is why you see them “posing.”

Because the person being photographed has almost complete control over how the picture turns out.

This is a BASIC skill in our business.

If you don’t know how to do this, it’s time to learn.

Believe me, once you master this skill, all your other efforts will improve. This is because skills improve with practice and the only way to practice auditioning is by actually auditioning – and the headshot is what gets you in the door.

So, how do you learn this BASIC skill?

First you have to get in front of a mirror. (For those of you who hate this, get over it, or you will not learn - and not learning is sure path to frustration and anger.)

Watch yourself in the mirror for a reasonable amount of time. Try to “pose” without looking goofy. Check out different “looks.” Get an idea how you “feel” when you look a certain way. (By the way this is an excellent way to work on some of your acting skills, as well. The ability to look “natural” when you are thinking of so many other things, is an actor’s stock-in-trade. Don’t skimp on this.)

So that’s the first step: Mirror work. 10 minutes a day is a good start. (I don’t care if it’s painful, you MUST have this skill to succeed as an actor.)

When you’ve discovered a few “looks” that don’t make you look goofy (unless goofy is your product, but that’s another discussion), something that resembles the “character” you are planning to sell – it’s time to take the next step.

There’s a great old joke that goes like this:

“How do you get to the Metropolitan Opera?”

“Practice.”

That’s right, you have to practice.

“Practice what?” you may ask.

Practice getting your picture taken.

Enlist the help of a friend (not a photographer) and using either a few of the cheap ‘throw-away’ cameras or a digital, do a PRACTICE photo session. Pose. Take notes. Number the shots. Take your time. Practice. Check the results. Adjust as necessary. Repeat.

(Again, I know getting your picture taken is painful for some - but I don’t have to tell you, do I, that movies are made up of pictures? Your job involves people looking at you, remember?)

Anyway, this is a very inexpensive way to practice. And practice will save you lots of money when you get to the point of hiring a professional photographer. Saving money is important… because of what comes later.

If you know what you are doing and you know what you want to achieve in your headshot, believe me, most professional photographers will deliver exactly what you’re looking for – very quickly. They KNOW when to take the picture.

You must KNOW how to “pose.”

Practice.

This is either DO or DO NOT. As Yoda warns us, “There is no try.”

Pose. Click.

And guess what? If THAT headshot you get doesn’t work - you have to get another one, and another, and another — until you find one that gets you in the door.

This will cost money. Hopefully you’ve been saving money. You need capital to invest in your business. If you are not willing and eager to invest in your business, what makes you think someone else will?

But properly funding your small business is another discussion for another time…

Today we have to try and get that “Zoolander” look off our face, while we are trying to brush our teeth and simultaneously  figure out how to come up with the cash to get new headshots.

Popularity: 59% [?]