Little-Known Secrets to an Effective Cover Letter
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There are often over 3,000 submissions per role, and most of them are from actors who are relatively qualified and have professional headshots. So how does a casting director decide which reels to watch? By looking at your credits and your cover letter. And since your credits can't be easily changed right now, it makes sense to focus on your cover letter. Did you know that making your cover letter stronger can have a major impact on how often you're called in? |
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How to Keep in Touch Without Seeming Needy
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Looking desperate or needy to casting directors is the worst. No one wants to be that overly self-promotional actor. But how do you network without coming off that way? Well, there are at least three techniques you can use to keep in touch that make networking with casting directors feel natural and easy. And best of all? These strategies will make casting directors feel COMPELLED to call you in. |
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The Only Five Steps to Book More Work
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Get clear on what you REALLY want and who you are as a person: What is your actual long term goal in this industry? Don't be afraid to dream big! Think about it and get hyper clear, and write it down. And after doing that, figure out your brand. Without a strong brand that defines who YOU are as a person, you'll always struggle to book work unless you get extremely lucky. Finally, realize that YOU are the leader in your career. And a great leader believes in those he or she leads. You MUST believe in yourself.
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Ensure your basic marketing materials are FANTASTIC. Actors at every level need a professional headshot (be prepared to spend at least $400), a professional resume formatted properly, and some sort of footage that shows their acting ability. Be sure each of these marketing materials is tailored to your brand AND your goals.
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Apply for roles and start networking. Now that you've figured out what you really want and have the materials to market yourself, it's time to start responding to casting calls and performing in projects for free or low pay. Create a simple spreadsheet to keep track of people you meet and be sure to write down everyone's contact info!
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Build a team to support you. In Step 4, you'll begin connecting with successful actors, agents, managers, casting directors, filmmakers, and even teachers & professors, as they will help you find more and more opportunities. You'll also sign with an agent and/or manager in this step. Building a team to support you is a critical part of becoming successful – especially in the acting industry.
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Start working on your social media presence and building a fan base. As you continue moving up in the industry and meeting new people, you'll be able to focus on larger and larger projects and negotiate higher and higher fees. Don't forget to stay focused on your long-term goal though! Staying focused is critical to continue moving to the next level.
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