I love working with actors to help them move their careers forward. My long term goal is to one day end the cliche of "The Starving Artist." info@martinbentsen.com | (646) 504-6521 (scroll down) |
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How to Become an Actor?
Marketing yourself properly is crucial.
Did you know?
Needless to say, many actors struggle to make ends meet financially, and with limited opportunities to earn money and lots of expenses from headshots, classes, and more, it's more important than ever that actors learn how to get booked solid with paid work.
- The unemployment rate for actors typically hovers around 87%, which means most actors are only employed for 13% of the year, according to Actor's Equity Association.
- Actors typically borrow between $27,000 and $114,000 to pay for their formal education, according to FinAid.org.
- Actors pay union fees in excess of $3,000, lose between 10% and 30% in fees to agents and managers, and with the advent of the Affordable Care Act, they can be fined $6,000 per year if they don't have health coverage!
Needless to say, many actors struggle to make ends meet financially, and with limited opportunities to earn money and lots of expenses from headshots, classes, and more, it's more important than ever that actors learn how to get booked solid with paid work.
But there is good news!
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Did you know that there’s a big difference between just going through the motions & responding to every random casting call, and coming up with a specific goal, devising a carefully-planned strategy, and setting up reminders to ensure you consistently take action? Ensuring your marketing materials are up to date, finding a strong brand that resonates with who you are as a person, and connecting with high-level players in the industry are all vital to building an acting career full of consistent work. |
I've had the opportunity to interview successful actors, agents, filmmakers, and industry gatekeepers to find out what really works and what doesn't. As a filmmaker and headshot photographer who has spent over a decade studying business and marketing strategies, I've been able to develop a number of step by step programs you can follow to virtually guarantee your career moves forward.
I explain most of these detailed strategies to actors on my mailing list (and I even have some posted right here on my site). Why do I give so much content away for free? Because I'm driven by helping actors move their careers forward, and I really want to end the cliche of "The Starving Artist."
I explain most of these detailed strategies to actors on my mailing list (and I even have some posted right here on my site). Why do I give so much content away for free? Because I'm driven by helping actors move their careers forward, and I really want to end the cliche of "The Starving Artist."
Here are the five steps I recommend you follow:
Even if you don't look at another page on this site, just read the below steps so you have a general idea of how to become an actor and what most successful actors do to book themselves solid:
In case you can't tell, I love this whole marketing and branding thing. Making marketing fun and enjoyable for the actors I work with is my main priority, and helping them reach their goals is the number one objective. I recommend you sign up for my free mailing list where I'll take you through every step outlined above in great detail, giving you checklists and action items to focus on. If you follow through, I promise you'll love what happens.
- First, you'll want to check each of your Level 1 marketing materials. I call these "Level 1" because they are the most basic and simple things you'll need to be able to market yourself. Even brand new actors starting out need them: A professional headshot (that you ideally spend at least $400 on), a professional resume (that is formatted properly and shows you in the best light possible), and business cards (with your headshot and contact info).
- Next, you'll want to make sure your Level 2 marketing materials are up to date: These should be created by actors who have at least 3-6 months of experience behind them. Create a high-quality demo reel (under 2 minutes and engaging to watch, and include at least one professional-looking scene), write a great bio (which shows your personality so casting directors can connect with you as a person), and build a professional website (which can be made for free even if you have no web design experience).
- Then, you'll want to find your brand. As you begin booking work (by responding to casting calls online and performing in projects for free or low day-rates, you'll want to figure out your exact brand/type so you can refine your marketing materials to focus on those specific roles. The goal is that casting directors see you as the exact person they are looking for so you'll have a higher chance of being called in and booking the job.
- After discovering your brand, it will be time to start connecting with people in the industry. I recommend networking with successful actors, agents, managers, casting directors, filmmakers, and even teachers/professors. There are great free systems you can set up that will help you keep in touch with everyone automatically (without you having to remember to even send emails out), this way you'll stay on everyone's radar so they don't forget you.
- Finally, you'll want to set very specific goals and strategize on how to reach them. After you've begun networking and all your marketing materials are in place and you have a well-defined brand, you'll need to start setting goals for exactly what shows and projects you want to be in, and what roles you want. You'll then hyper-target your outreach to the exact casting directors and agents that can connect you with those projects so you can exponentially increase your chances of landing the role of your dreams, thereby taking your career to the next level.
In case you can't tell, I love this whole marketing and branding thing. Making marketing fun and enjoyable for the actors I work with is my main priority, and helping them reach their goals is the number one objective. I recommend you sign up for my free mailing list where I'll take you through every step outlined above in great detail, giving you checklists and action items to focus on. If you follow through, I promise you'll love what happens.
What you should know:
- Having started as a headshot photographer and filmmaker, I know exactly what casting directors are looking for. I've been on the other side of the casting table numerous times and have had the opportunity to work with over 15,000 people for headshots since 2009. Meeting all these people and having the opportunity to learn from them has given me a great body of knowledge I will use to help you in every way I can.
- My strategies are fun and really work. If you follow the tips in the emails I send and some of the free stuff on my site, I guarantee you'll move your acting career forward. If you ever feel like you're not getting value, you can simply unsubscribe and you won't have to hear from me again. But let's hope it doesn't come to that!
- You'll flip on your unconscious hunger! Studies have shown that when we start learning new things, the unconscious part of our brains turns on and gets us excited to work like crazy to make things happen. Helping actors get excited to move their careers forward is my favorite thing!
- I've got connections. Are you looking to meeting people in the industry to help you reach your goals? I have a huge network of people and companies in the industry that can help you with nearly anything you need, including website design, photography, video, and even free advice.
- It's completely free to sign up to my mailing list. I give away some great stuff on my website, but my mailing list is where it's really at. I'll walk you step by step through exactly what you need to do to become a working actor and I'll include links to free software and systems that will help you automate your to-do's so you have the time to network and build your career. And I'll ensure you still have enough free time to do what you love most: act.
- You'll love your experience. My number one priority is making sure you have a fun experience working with me, and that I give you the tools and strategies to start booking more paid work, all in a way that excites you so you actually spend the time doing what needs to get done.
- I know I can help you. Because I've had the opportunity to work with hundreds actors at all different stages of their career, I can promise you that regardless of where you are, I'll help you break through whatever plateau you might be stuck at.
So what to do next?
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I recommend you sign up to my mailing list. I will immediately send you a few awesome articles and I'll add you into the City Headshots monthly headshot giveaway, where one person wins a 3-Look Headshot Package with makeup every single month. If you're not sure about subscribing yet, take a look at my Free Tips page to start learning some great info you can use right away, and then you can subscribe to the list when you're ready. And don't worry, I keep everyone's email secure, and I only send out things I know you'll love. I'll never share your email address with third parties. or
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