May 18th, 2020

May 18th, 2020

Thanks for joining me today! Watch the video, and the meeting notes are below it.

• What are your Pride Words and how do you find them?
  • Most actors feel boxed in by the industry, unhappy with their brand because they think it pigeonholes them.
  • A Brand and a Type are two very different things.
  • Type is what you look like, how the industry sees you.
  • Brand is when you combine that Type with your personality.
  • Your Pride Words are the three words that describe you and you’re most proud of unconsciously.
  • Even if the industry tends to box you into playing characters that are something you normally don’t like, you can find a way to enjoy them by using your Pride Words.
  • An example of three pride words could be Giving, Loving, and Strong.
  • Now let’s say the industry sees you as a hardened criminal, but you don’t like playing those types of characters.
  • Well, if you combine that character with your Pride Words, you could say, “Deep down, this hardened street thug I’m playing is someone who’s giving, loving and strong.
  • Perhaps the environment or something changed him and made him have to become this hardened street thug.
  • But deep down, they’re a good person.
  • Now knowing that, it becomes way easier to play the character and to like them more and identify with them.
  • And once you identify with a character, it becomes WAY easier to do a great job in your performance.
  • I highly recommend you read this short article to not only learn more about Pride Words and how to use them, but exactly how to find yours.

• How do I set up a self-tape studio at home with no money?
  • All you need is a camera, a window, tape, and a white, blue, or gray sheet. Ideally if possible, you’d use a big piece of styrofoam or cardboard so there’s no wrinkles, but even if there are some slight wrinkles, it’s not the end of the world.
    • Here are two links – if you’re open to spending money to get even better results, I’m including a backdrop I recommend and Gaffer's Tape.
      
  • Hang the sheet or board about 6 get away from the window so all the window light falls onto it.
  • If you don’t have a tripod, use some gaffers tape ($15/roll on Amazon) to tape your phone to the window.
    • I recommend gaffers tape because it doesn’t leave residue on things, and you’re going to be using it to tape your phone to the window
    • But you’re welcome to use any tape you want
  • Reverse the screen on the phone so it’s pointing at you, and sit in front of the window with the backdrop behind you.
  • Check the framing to make sure it looks good and the backdrop is filling in the frame behind you.
  • The lighting on your face should be fairly soft.
  • Try doing a quick test recording with your phone to ensure the audio is good.
  • If there is too much echo, lay a sheet or something soft on the floor beneath you to absorb some sound.
  • Between the backdrop, window light, and clean sound, your setup should be professional and good so you can record as many self tapes as you want!

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• How do I stop feeling nervous before auditions?
  • I’ll be putting together an in-depth course on this in a few months, but for now, I’m going to lay out two quick tricks you can do:
  • First is to give to someone in need right before you go in for your audition.
    • Find someone homeless or in need, and give them $5-10 dollars.
    • They’ll appreciate it, and you’ll feel really good about yourself, which helps relax you and make your audition performance a lot better.
  • The second trick is to use your Pride Words. Once you know the three words that describe you at the deepest level and you’re most proud of, you can say them to yourself right before any audition.
    • Close your eyes, and really feel each one. Strength, Compassion, Love, etc.
    • If you do that and really feel them right before going into your audition, it will ground you and your nervousness will evaporate, and you’ll do a much better job!

• ​A note on Virtual Headshots
  • As of today we now have technology to do better quality ones, and are happy to do them for actors.
  • You'll just need a friend to help you out.