Tag: acting tips

Seda Stepanyan

March 9, 2020

10 Tips on Actors’ Career in Los Angeles

I am sure each day you listen or read a lot of advice on how to create a successful career. Me, being a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I also heard a lot of useful and important advice. But also in my career, I understood that being talented is never enough. Yes, if you are talented, then you will be noticed by many people. But besides talent, one of the most important things are the habits that you have as a professional, and how you develop them during your life. Habits can be a crucial part of any professional’s career, and more important is how you use and develop them step-by-step to become successful. I am sure every person has their own set of rules which are tested over time. As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles who does affordable headshots for many young actors, I want to share the ten most important habits that can improve actors’ career in Los Angeles.

1. Start Developing Your Listening Skills Right Now

Sometimes listening is better than talking. Knowing how to listen carefully is an essential skill, which helps you to orientate in many situations. It is not important what your profession is, if you are not a good listener, then I would advise you to dedicate time each day to master that skill. Because if you don’t know how to listen, then you will never become advanced as a professional. If you think that you are not a good listener, or you get distracted easily, then don’t panic, because it is possible to develop that skill. Have a goal to listen more and get as much information and knowledge as you can. Try to listen very carefully and keep eye contact, because it always helps. If you tell yourself that in front of you stands a person who can transform a huge amount of knowledge to you even in 10 minutes, then I am sure you will be able to listen and master your listening skills in a very short time.

2. Read More Books

Books develop the imagination of a person. As we grow older, we become busier in this quick life and don’t provide enough time for reading. But even if we read for ten pages in a day, it will make a great difference. If you read books, it will not only help you to become more developed and educated but also will help to understand how to create the character better. You can share your book with other actors, and they might also recommend you the new ones. This will help to develop networking with others and discuss the book with each other. If you are going to play a fictional character from the book, then it would be more useful to read the book rather than the script. Reading books will also master your language skills and will help you to express yourself more beautifully. And in addition to this, reading books is one of the most interesting and enjoyable things in the world. The one who reads books always stands out from the crowd.

3. New Mentors

It is hard to reach any success if you don’t have someone who will guide you and help during the journey. Each of us has at least someone in our life who motivates us and helps to move forward. Teachers and mentors are one of them. They help us to learn something new and acquire new information. And most importantly, it is always a pleasure to know that there is someone who wants to spend their time educating us. They may give very valuable advice which can be crucial in your career. But if you understand that you are not growing anymore with them and that there are no challenges for you, then you can always try to find new people who will create new challenges for you, and help you to develop. Being among the headshot photographers in Los Angeles, I also have important people in my life who play a very crucial role. But in addition to that, I always try to get to know new people who may bring something new with them, and I can learn many new things from them.

4. Follow the News

Our generation is lucky enough because we live in the 21st century, where many sources have been created for us to get more information. In one minute we can be informed about something new which happened on the other end of the world. In such a fast-developing industry, every actor must be informed about what happens in the world. It doesn’t mean that you must be an expert in every aspect, but being aware will never hurt. For example, it will help you with networking. You will always find a topic to speak to someone who is not from your industry. And this will help you to be a developed and interesting person. Successful actors’ career in Los Angeles is very much connected with the trends, so remember to be aware of them always. As I am one of the headshot photographers in Los Angeles, I always try to be aware of not only what happens in my industry but also all over the world. For example, in order to take affordable headshots, I examine what the new trends are, how to do something new, and create one-of-a-kind pictures.

5. Decrease the Time Spent on Your Phones

Yes, I know what you may think. Above I have mentioned that you must follow the news every day. And most of us mostly do it with the help of our phones. But there are many other ways to get useful information. They become one of the most important parts of our daily life, and we can’t imagine our lives without them. Actually, the reality is that most of the time, we are just killing time with our phones. And the majority of the information that we get may be useless. And that distracts us from the important things. If you want to have a successful actors’ career in Los Angeles, you must know that your time is the most valuable thing, and you should take care of it. When I do affordable headshots for many actors In Los Angeles, I understand how they value their time, and they are very careful about how much time they spend daily on their phones.

6. Learn From the Best

If you are a beginner actor, it is important to make sure that you learn from the giants in the industry. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should do exactly what they do. But when you watch a movie with a famous and talented actor in it, try to analyze and learn something from their acting. I am sure there are many techniques which can be useful for you and will help you to develop your techniques. In order to have a successful actors’ career in Los Angeles, you should learn as much as you can. And I am sure there are many people who can help you with their own experience and with their acting style. Headshot photographers in Los Angeles, also always try to learn. Because there are many people who have passed a tough and valuable road, and we can learn a lot from their journey. I highly recommend you to watch this fascinating and motivating TED talk by Adam Driver.

7. Network

I have a separate article for this important topic, because it is too important. I’m not tired of saying that networking skill is the most essential skill in the actor’s life. And not only in an actor’s life but also in every professional’s career. You should always try to get to know different people. Try to attend events, classes or other places where you can meet interesting people. As I am a headshot photographer in Los Angeles who takes affordable headshots for actors with low photoshoot rates, I know many cases, when because of a certain person, an actor becomes successful. Of course, talent always plays a huge role, but imagine if you get to know a famous director who tries to find a new and fresh actor for his or her movies. Wouldn’t it be great if he would suggest that role to you? Of course, it would. So start mastering your networking skills, and be ready to meet new people. Here are a couple of networking dos and don’ts about which every actor must know.

8. Explore Hobbies

Being in love with what you do is one of the best gifts that one can have. But dedicate time on doing something completely different than acting. Find new hobbies, and try to explore them. This will help to relax and clear your mind, and eventually, you’ll notice that your acting becomes better and better. I am sure there are many activities which might interest you. You can attend painting classes or do some sports etc. The most important thing is that it has to be different from your profession. Don’t be afraid of trying new things and experimenting with your abilities. For the actors’ career in Los Angeles, this is very important. Being a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I also have my favorite hobbies, which help me to turn off my mind and fully relax. And that helps to become more creative and create one-of-a-kind affordable headshots with low photoshoot rates in Los Angeles.

9. Don’t Compare Yourself with Others

As I have already mentioned above, it is important to take an example from other successful and talented people. But today, in such a fast-developing industry, it is crucial to understand that you must have your individuality. So, don’t try to compare yourself to anyone, and more importantly, don’t try to be like someone else. This may lead to jealousy, and eventually, you will easily lose your uniqueness. Many actors may face such a problem, especially when it seems that nothing goes right. In every profession, each person has his or her path, which is built over time. Sometimes it may seem that for others, the road is more effortless. But believe me, it’s not. And it is always interesting how everyone is creating their road to success. Work hard, and don’t let jealousy take over you.

10. Become Confident

If you are an actor, then being confident is one of the most important things for a successful actors’ career in Los Angeles. You should be confident enough to present yourself, to talk with other people, to create roles, etc. If you are not confident, then people will notice it, and it will affect your acting. Of course, at first, it may not seem simple, but in time you will already feel comfortable in most of the situations, and hence you will feel confident. As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, while taking affordable headshots of actors, I always understand when the actor is confident and when not. And I always try to create an atmosphere where it would be comfortable for them to pose for the camera. So, in every situation, you must be calm and try to feel and behave confidently.

To become successful, at first, you must have a clear and focused mindset. You should develop habits, which will guide you through your acting career. As I have already said in the beginning, there is no specific rule for this, and each of us can develop our own set of habits. I am sure these habits will only help you to become a better version of yourself and be more powerful day by day. We have read many success stories of how people reached significant heights, and if we explore their journey, we will notice that most of it are because of the habits that they have. So in order to have a successful actors’ career in Los Angeles, develop your own sets of habits with the help of this list, which I have shared with you.

Learn more about headshot pricing in Los Angeles.

Click here to book a headshot session in Downtown Los Angeles.

You can view more Professional Headshots | Los Angeles Headshot Photographer on our home page.

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Seda Stepanyan

December 26, 2019

8 Common Mistakes on Actors' Websites

The resume, the headshot, and the demo reel are an essential part of the marketing of emerging actors. However, as online casting has become a popular concept today, actors have to take specific measures to adapt to this situation. In the fast-moving era of technologies, neither a terrific resume nor a headshot made by the best Los Angeles headshot photographer can guarantee you success. Having a website is no longer a luxury but a necessity for an acting career in Los Angeles. You may say, “OK, what’s the deal? Let’s create one.” Do not rush; it is not as easy as it seems. There are numerous nuances you should take into consideration when you create a website for yourself. The following are the 10 common mistakes of the actor’s website that you should try to avoid making.

1. Too many Headshots

The fact that you have a website does not mean that you can post every single photo or headshot you have taken so far. Let’s set a basic rule. The site has to reflect your professionalism primarily. The opportunity of having multiple galleries on your website makes it possible for you to post headshots, set photos, and red carpet photos. However, your job is to choose only the best pictures.

As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I understand that you have difficulties with choice. That is natural. However, remember that you are an actor and not a model. Casting directors are looking for one or two headshots at most. They don’t want to see every single look you have done but rather the best headshots that demonstrate you as a professional actor.

Do not make casting directors waste their time when they get to your website. Make it easy for them by providing your best headshot that just shows who you are. This way, you will seem professional and concerned about your career rather than your appearance. Be modest, and that will be appreciated.

2. Outdated Content

One of the common mistakes of an actor’s website is keeping old information. If you have relocated to Los Angeles, your website should not state that you live in New York. We live in a modern world right now, remember? This means that with every new day, yesterday’s information gets old and becomes unnecessary. Therefore, you should follow this principle on your website to help your acting career in Los Angeles proper.

Your website should contain your latest credits, including the most recent resume and a fresh headshot by a skilled headshot photographer in Los Angeles. It would be a failure if the last update on your website if from 2015 today. Casting directors will immediately consider you unprofessional.

Instead, you should take the time to keep your website up to date. Don’t forget that your website is an excellent tool for your development as an actor. Show the casting directors that you are active in your job and that you are always looking for new opportunities. No agency will cast you if they see that you are not engaged in your professional domain.

Even if you have gone through a period with no new roles, never leave your website without updates. You can post content about your personal life, or you can write blogs to keep your website updated. If one sees a gradual stop in your updates, they will think you quit acting.

According to Backstage magazine,

“If you can’t update your website with new photos, videos, bios, and/or news on your own, you’re going to have a heart attack .”

So, take care of your own future.

3. Auto-Playing Video

It is indescribably annoying when you visit a website, and a video starts to play without your command. This is an essential point for you to consider in order not to make one of the most common mistakes of an actor’s website.

This point mostly refers to the videos or the demo reel page. Make sure to embed any videos you upload on your page so that they do not start playing automatically. Just check the default option.

For you to understand why this is extremely important, let’s get into a casting director’s shoes. Imagine a casting director reading your resume when suddenly a video starts playing. The director will be annoyed by the function and may decide to leave your website as he/she has many other candidates for the role.

About the quantity of the videos: keep in mind the same as we discussed the headshots. Even if made by a professional headshot photographer in Los Angeles, many headshots are excessive and even give low quality to your website. For the videos, however, the quality is something more actual. If you have many videos on your page, it may start loading slowly. This is one more source for the casting directors’ annoyment and the potential to leave your webpage. So, try to keep it simple and don’t do risky things.

4. Inconsistent Navigation & Design

Any website loves easy navigation. People love it when everything is clear on a website, and it does not require much effort to find the necessary page.

Make all the pages of your website similar. If each new page is entirely different from the previous one, it will be very confusing for your visitors. They may need to take time to find specific sections, and they may essentially get lost on your website. But what if one does not have that time and what if your visitor is a very busy casting director? The answer is obvious: he/she will leave your page immediately.

Therefore, give an easy organization and a logical sequence to the sections of your website so that your visitors are not frustrated.

Make the front page with a brief description of you. Afterwards, give a logical follow to the section about the first steps of your acting career in Los Angeles. Then, get them to your resume, headshots, and demo reel section. Leave the video sections to the final part of your website.

Not following these standards is one of the most common mistakes of an actor’s website that you may wish to avoid. It is not enough to have a website; it should be attractive for the vie as well!

5. Where is your contact information?

Many actors get fantastic websites for developing their acting career in Los Angeles using great tools and systems such as WordPress. Their websites have beautiful designs and look very professional. However, surprisingly, having all of this, they forget about the most important thing. That is the contact information. Believe it or not, people do not pay attention to how their contact information page looks like.

You should provide all the conditions so that it takes a little time and effort to contact you. Therefore, link to all your social media profiles so that people can access them immediately. Also, try to make your telephone number clickable as well. This way, the ones who visit your website with a smartphone are able to call you just by one click.

The contact information of your agent and manager should be easily accessible to the visitors of your website. Make their social media page link clickable so that people can find them fast. As a reminder, agents are the most critical people for actors. Agents and managers are the ones who look for opportunities for you to build your acting career in Los Angeles. They are the ones who organize photo sessions with Los Angeles headshot photographers and book auditions for you. When casting agencies to consider you for a particular role, they first find out whether you have a manager, and if you do, they look for his/her contact information. Therefore, don’t make one of the most common mistakes of an actor’s website: don’t forget about contact information.

6. Paying too much or too little

Today, there exists a common opinion that a good website is something very expensive. You may think that you should hire a specialist and pay him a lot of money to get a terrific website. However, that is absolutely not necessary. Furthermore, excessive investment in a website may seem an unnecessary luxury. An essential function of a website is just serving as a tool for building an acting career in Los Angeles. Therefore, your website should first and foremost care about providing quality information about yourself.

On the other hand, paying too little is also a common mistake on the actor’s website. Spending just a few dollars will give you low quality and poorly composed website. It will be noticeable that you decided to save money. Your mission is to seem as professional as it is possible, so it is not a solution to pay very little. Your marketing shows casting directors how serious you are in relation to your future acting career in Los Angeles.

Taking all of this into consideration, your primary goal should be having a simple, quality website and nothing more. The finances you allocate for this purpose should be neither too big nor too little. A perfect solution would be paying monthly services such as Squarespace for creating your own quality website.

7. Mixed-up Purpose

This is probably the worst among the common mistakes of actor’s websites. Since the second person enters your website, it should be clear to him or her what is your website for. Is it a website with information about a professional actor, or is it just a personal site that has some information about acting as well? There should be no mixed-up purpose if you plan to have a successful acting career in Los Angeles.

If the purpose of your website is to promote you as an actor, you should include only the information corresponding to that purpose.

As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I always ask my clients what the purpose of their headshot is. Where is it going to be used? Depending on the answer, the headshot will have specific characteristics. Moving on, the videos you post should have merely acting content. This way, the casting directors who visit your website will know for sure who you are and what your purpose it and most importantly, they will consider you a serious candidate for their project.

8. Boring design

The final common mistake of actor’s websites is their boring design. As mentioned before, it is not obligatory to pay tons of money for a website. You can use the available templates on the internet. However, make sure to edit the premade templates. Your website should not look like any other. It is your professional territory where you are free to express yourself.

You are an actor! Therefore, the words cliche, default, and template should have no connection to you. When visiting your website, casting directors can evaluate your creativity and individuality by the external look of your website.

You can change the fonts and the colors to make it characterize yourself. You can insert any backgrounds and shapes that will make your website unique, among others. However, do not forget to stay in the scopes of professionalism. The design of your website should communicate to the visitors and make them remember you as a persona with no similarities.

Pay close attention to the design of your website. Try to make it memorable so that after reviewing the website of other actors, the casting directors memorize yours and return to it.

And Finally…

A website is an essential tool for the development of your acting career in Los Angeles. Having a quality website, however, has many nuances, and there are many mistakes many actors make. Focus on the purpose and the content of your website. Include only necessary information and take good care of its appearance. Don’t forget to post the details that casting directors look for: a resume, a headshot made by a professional Los Angeles headshot photographer, videos, and a demo reel. Take the information of this article into consideration and don’t make the common mistakes of the actor’s website.

Learn more about headshot pricing in Los Angeles.

Click here to book a headshot session in Downtown Los Angeles.

You can view more Professional Headshots | Los Angeles Headshot Photographer on our home page.

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Seda Stepanyan

October 1, 2019

How should Actors Build their Brand - LA Tips

When your lips are dry, you can catch yourself thinking where you put your Chapstick, right? Well, Chapstick is the brand of a product which has become a generic term, even when you aren’t explicitly using that brand. This example represents the power of branding. Most Los Angeles agents believe, that successful actors should build themselves a brand, so casting agencies and agents know what to expect when they choose you. Digital Branding is one of the essential key tools in today’s world to go forward as an actor. As a headshot photographer living in Los Angeles (the heart of the acting industry) I can give you a few tips to better your digital branding.

Find your Brand First

As an actor, how you see yourself as a performer and how the audience sees you is your brand. Finding you own brand sounds complicated; however it’s much simpler than you imagine. Here are some of the first steps to building your brand and solidifying it.

Step 1: How do you see yourself?

To get started, you have to understand your core personality and values. Ask yourself, “What am I?” and “What am I not?”

These questions should outline your viewpoint, attitude, and general manner. Try to limit your answer to three words. Such as “I am ambitious, passionate, reliable. I am not aloof, grumpy, impatient.”

Comprehending these qualities is the basis of your brand. It must describe you no matter the situation, whether you’re at home, working, getting a headshot, or doing something you don’t like.

Step 2: How do others see you?

Gather Information

How others perceive you is critical, as at the end of the day they will be the ones hiring you or looking at your work. To understand that, you must first look for references from past coworkers, teachers, facebook posts from friends and family about you and such.

For a more direct method, you can create a quick survey and send it to 15 people in your inner circle and see what they say. Additionally, you can make a short post on your social media asking your acquaintances to describe you in 3 words (good and bad!).

Look for Patterns

Try to notice patterns in these references and answers. Look for the words that continue to pop up in the feedback. Even though you may not agree, you must consider all the responses for the next step.

Step 3: What’s your brand ethos?

Combine your adjectives

Take the time to mix the adjectives you formed for yourself and the descriptions of others to find your personal brand ethos. Your brand ethos should be unique to yourself and should build a complete image.

Self-reflect

Now, ask yourself if it feels like you. Ask yourself if this is the picture you’re looking for. You can even ask your closest friends to look it over and see what they say. If you realize that something is off, you can always go back to the previous steps and look over your results. Don’t lose your patience if it takes you more than one try to get it right.

What should be in your toolbox for building a digital brand?

Social Media Presence

In the 21st century, social media platforms are one of the most vital tools for actors. Your presence on social media should be significant and can be highly beneficial.

Nowadays, it’s impossible to be a successful actor without being active on social media.

Twitter

Twitter is a platform used to share opinions, thoughts and observations with a limit of 140 characters for your followers. It is the most convenient means of communication with others in the same industry, such as fellow actors, agents, headshot photographers, and such. It is also the best platform for fans to be able to reach out and interact with you.

Many job opportunities may be presented to you through twitter. For example Los Angeles based account Actor Access maintains a database of profiles for casting directors to look through.

Twitter allows actors to speak out on controversial opinions such as politics and share their views. My favorite actor Chris Evans has many times criticized Donald Trump’s proceedings on Twitter. This has solidified his fan base and even gained him more views from like-minded non-fans. His political actions have become a part of his digital brand, and have helped him become more popular.

Instagram

Instagram is a picture-oriented app where you can post photos, videos, and “stories.” It is a great way to let your followers know what you’re up to during the day. This makes fans feel as if they’re involved in your life. You can also share highlights of your life and earn comments which feels very personal for fans.

It’s a great way to tease upcoming projects and movies. Another popular way of using Instagram is taking fans behind-the-scenes of projects and offer them a closer view on filming, hair and makeup, editing, and so on. This is highly valuable to your followers and makes them feel appreciated. In addition, it is a fantastic way to generate hype about a movie and portray the brand you’ve built. Here’s my brand as a headshot photographer.

Facebook

Facebook is the oldest and most well-known platform as well as the most essential for actors. This platform is highly comprehensive and has many options for building your page so that it can be 100% to your liking. Through your facebook, your fans can be directed to your site, and agents can find your phone number and contact you. Your page can also help you highlight your achievements, so it’s the first thing visitors see.

Website

A website is basically your portfolio digitized and is easy to find for casting directors. Here, you can put your résumé, headshots, project clips, as well as your cinematic history. Your website should also include a brief “about me” section, which should describe you, your life as an actor, your professional and non-professional achievements. This will allow for prospective agents or casting directors to understand who you are and if you match their requirements.

On the most prominent part of the website, you should place the contact details of your representation, along with links to your social media. As the website is your face, it should be very professional and pleasing to look at. This will be the first thing casting directors find when they Google you, so make sure not to put them off before they’ve even looked at your headshots.

Don’t forget about the quality, speed, SEO optimization for your website. Most of them will cost you some money. Read more on how to invest on your website in our upcoming posts.

Podcasts

Podcasts aren’t a recent technological outbreak, but they have become trendy recently due to HQ audio tools becoming more affordable and accessible, and the simplicity of editing software. Podcasts are the perfect place to gain tips on acting, auditioning, getting perfect headshots, and everything you need to know about building you career. With podcasts such as the “Hollywood Close-Up” actors Natalie Lipka and Wayne Frazier show you how to create a career in the entertainment industry. However, they also provide a great platform to gain new followers and discuss all types of work and non-work related topics. People listen to podcasts when they’re driving, cooking, and doing day-to-day activities, so if you portray your brand, you are sure to gain long-time listeners.

Can digital branding actually get me jobs?

The answer is YES! There are different ways in which digital branding can help you get gigs, some straightforward, others more indirect. You have to work on networking and visibility, and the more thoroughly branded you are in the digital scene, the more connections you will make. Along with the links, you will also be able to build your fanbase. The more people you know even online, the more projects and open slots you will know about.

Here are 5 ways that actors can find and create serious acting relationships using social media.

1. Be Outgoing

Twitter and Instagram are like a big gathering of people where you don’t know anyone. To meet new people, you will need to engage! You can introduce yourself and make yourself known by liking or commenting and following others. This might give you a follow-back, and that can lead to many new possibilities. Social media is an open door to access professionals without making an appointment at their office. You should not wait for them to make a move, be the first one to do it and take advantage of this opportunity.

Social media is an open door to access professionals without making an appointment at their office.

Always try to use hashtags on Instagram and Twitter to find people with similar outlooks and experiences. Look for the trending hashtags in the acting community and join in!

2. Be active

Only opening an account on social media is never enough. To build effective relationships, you must keep a steady presence online. Check your notifications on a regular basis and reply to anyone who interacts with your posts. Thank your fans and the people who retweet and share your posts, especially if they do it multiple times. It shows your humility and appreciation.

3. Ask a Lot of Questions

This is the perfect way to start conversations with other professionals in the industry. If you’re on Twitter, use hashtags often as they will bring people to your account who don’t follow you (yet). Many of my clients find me through online recommendations when someone asks “Do you know any headshot photographer in Los Angeles?” And most of my previous clients or facebook friends tag me in the comments. Answer questions you find on platforms and people who agree might click on your profile. Then you will get on their radar as an interested member, a fan, a coworker or colleague.

4. Be Open

Listen. Just like any normal relationship, a meaningful conversation online involves speaking and listening. When you join a discussion, always read the whole text and understand the context, don’t skim. Always express your point of view and try to understand those who disagree. Be sure your opinions are insightful, well-thought-out, and not self-centered.

How can I get more followers?

Once your headshots have been uploaded, your podcasts episodes are up, and you have laid the base of your digital brand you will want to grow your online following. In order not to overdo it and lose your current followers, you must be tasteful and subtle. Excessive hashtags, robotic commenting, and empty compliments will be immediately recognized and will stick to and harm your brand. The line between being genuine and being annoying is very thin, and most people will see through your actions.

Thus far, we have talked about how to build your brand, and now it’s time to discuss how to make your following without being obvious and tormenting everyone.

1. Be Consistent

Use your headshot as your profile photo on all social media platforms, so you are instantly recognizable to people looking for you. Furthermore, try to pick the same username on all platforms. Be strategic in your header photos; they should describe you but not be overdone. Try to update your page frequently, so it always looks fresh and up-to-date. Always put the same link to your website across your social media and always encourage fans to click on it. Connect your contact details (email and phone number), so your acquaintances can find you.

2. Do some Spring Cleaning

The more professional and know you appear, the more people will trust your page and follow you. Keep your ratio small, follow fewer people than those following you, so the gap seems large. This ratio will give people the impression that you have many fans. Unfollow those who aren’t engaging with you after some time. Try to get verified on Twitter and Instagram to increase your credibility. It’s easy to get verified on Twitter, and you can find more information here.

3. Post strategically

Once you have done some of these steps, your followers will start to increase, and you will need to be more cautious. Twitter and Instagram Analytics will tell you which times of the day your followers are most active, and you must use that information to your advantage. Once again, hashtags are your primary friend on these social media platforms, and they are fundamental. Find the hashtags that are popular and apply to you, but be careful not to overdo it.

4. Engage!!!

Invest time in finding like-minded people in the industry and interact with them every day. Moreover reply, retweet, repost, quote, react, and even private message to their inbox! Don’t be shy, as other professionals are also there in hopes of making new connections. Make a great first impression, and the rest will come on its own.

Of course, creating your digital brand isn’t going to be an easy task. It involves many steps, careful planning, and detailed posting. Not to mention how much time it may take up. However, once you sit down and start to perfect your brand and your online presence, it is only going to benefit you and your career. So, what are you waiting for, use this as a guide towards taking the first step to being well-known in the industry.

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Seda Stepanyan

September 28, 2019

Actor’s Resume - Everything You Need to Know

Every job requires a resume. The resume is your image in the eyes of your employer regardless of the job type you are applying for. That is why people always spend time and efforts to create a great resume that will help them get the job of their dreams. If you are an actor, the resume is a very special and important thing for your acting career in Hollywood. You need to have a good resume with a professional headshot for auditions in Los Angeles casting agencies. So, do not panic, concentrate, as here you will find everything you need to know for creating an outstanding resume.

First Steps

If you have just graduated from an acting school and these are your first steps for an acting career in LA, you should start looking for auditions in Los Angeles casting agencies. Even if you think that the particular role does not speak to you that much, still go for it. Remember that any kind of acting is right for a start. Even if the work is not paid, you should absolutely apply! After doing a certain amount of auditions in LA, you will become a more established actor. The more auditions you have in your resume, the higher are your chances to start a professional acting career in Hollywood.

Components

An actor’s resume, just as the one of other professions, has particular musts that should be completed. Some of them may seem logical and even ridiculous, but we assure you that there have been cases when people forgot to include the most essential ones. Down here, you can find the absolute must elements that need to be included in your professional actor’s resume.

Your Name

Yes, the presence of this point up here is really necessary. Some people do forget to put their name in the resume. In LA casting agencies, the casting group comes across wonderful resumes, which lack the name of the actor. You may say, “I am not that dull,” but still, please be attentive.

Contact Information

Your resume should absolutely contain your email and a working telephone number. These are the means by which Los Angeles casting agencies contact you when they when consider you for the role you applied for. In case you have an agent, his or her contact information should also be listed in your professional resume. Your agent is your representative, and if you have them, the casting group will contact you through him/her. Sometimes actors do not even include their personal email address, but rather write the one of their agents.

Union Partnership

If you have an affiliation to any union in both the acting sphere and others, it should be mentioned in your resume. You should write about your union affiliations below your name. This information is especially important for the Los Angeles casting agencies, as your membership gives you some kind of recognition. For instance, if you are a member of Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), Actor Federal Credit Union (AFCU) or Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the casting agency may be interested in it and consider you accordingly.

No Personal Address

Acting is a job that deals with some amount of fame and recognition. At some point of actor’s life, you will begin being identified for your roles, may those be movie, theatre or commercial ones. For that reason, you may want people not to know where you live. Once you put the information about your residence in your resume, it will become public. There are stalkers in every sphere, and acting is not an exception. What is more, actors deal with stalking really much. Your email address and phone number are more than enough for the Los Angeles casting agencies. So, save yourself from stalkers and never ever put your home address in your resume.

No Age, No Birthdate

There is absolutely no need to state your age or the date of your birth in your resume. That is considered a piece of excessive information for the casting personnel. Do not forget that the people who you send your resume to are the ones to either give or not to give you the part. If they have not seen you yet, they may look at your resume, learn about your age, and decide not to hire you because you are too young or too old. They may assume that your age does not match the one of the offered characters. Yes, it is unfair, but it is also the truth. However, if your age is not written in your resume, you may go to auditions in LA, impress the casting personnel, and they will give you the part regardless of your age. Besides, if you want something to signal about your age, let it be your headshot.

Headshot

Here we arrived! The headshot is the most essential thing in the actors’ resume. If you are in the process of writing a resume for your acting career in Hollywood, the very first thing you should do is to get a headshot. If you are new in the acting domain, you may want to start by looking for affordable headshots for your first auditions in LA. However, as mentioned, headshots are the most important element of your resume; that is why they should be made by a professional photographer in the Los Angeles area. Your headshot is the first thing casting agencies notice in your portfolio. The reality is that images do talk about people. Images are the things that create the first impression, which, as we know is the most significant one. So, make sure your headshot is a really good one and by all means. You can find some headshot tips here. Besides, take some time to choose the best outfit for your studio headshot. The best suggestions for a headshot wardrobe are listed here.

Your Acting Credits

The toughest one has come. You are required to mention your actual acting credits in your resume. Are you a newly developing actor? If yes, then list every single part you played throughout your academic life. Start out with secondary roles of plays you made in your acting school. Have you played Benvolio in “Romeo and Juliet” or Cassio in “Othello,” Olivia in “Twelfth Night” or any other Shakespearean staff that any actor plays at school? Do not hesitate to include those. If you had a chance to play a more leading role such as “Hamlet” either professionally or no, it should absolutely be in your resume. The size of your part really does not matter. If you are just starting your acting career in Hollywood, list every single thing you have done so far.

If you are already a little experienced and you have more professional parts left behind, you can be selective in your acting credits. You may want to remove your high school acting experiences as those may seem to be too amateur. After that, when you gain even more qualified, you can also consider removing some of your small parts of college. Even if you have played smaller roles professionally, they may seem unnecessary in your resume. When you are more mature and more acknowledged, your post-graduation part is more relevant.

How to List Acting Credits?

When listing your acting experience in your resume, it is not only important to know what to list, but also how to list. It is not enough to write the title of your performance. That will tell nothing to the Los Angeles casting agencies who consider you for a particular role. Here you can see what information makes the acting credits section of your resume complete and relevant.

Role

Who do you play? If you list a theatre role, you should write where the character you play belongs to. Is the character taken from a famous play? Is it a new personage from a modern play? Include both the title of the play and the author.

Institution

Where did you play the role? Is it a theatre role? Write the name of the theatre and its location.

Is it a movie character? In that case, write down the film studio who produced the movie you played in. For your roles in commercials, there is also a lot of information to put in. You should write the name of the company which produces that commercial. If it is an advertisement, you also have to write the name of the product. Do not forget about the location.

Production

Who produced the content you played in? This is probably the central thing that defines the quality of your acting experience. You may have played a 5-minute long part that appeared only once on the theater stage. However, if that role had been in Broadway Theater, it would be considered a huge plus in your resume. On the other hand, if you played “Hamlet” but did it in a middle school, it would obviously not seem to be a big thing.

Director

Director is the person who makes the play or movie or a commercial. Not listing the director means a lack of information and appreciation. You may have made a one-minute appearance in a movie and pronounced one line that did not have much significance in the whole movie; however, that may have been a Tarantino movie. So, if you forget to mention the director’s name, you may not be adequately appreciated and vice versa. Do not forget that the casting agencies in Los Angeles know names very well. They want to know what directors you have had the experience to work with. Listing directors is not only absolutely required, but it can also be beneficial for you.

An acting experience contains a lot of information about its place and the people involved in it. All of these should be listed appropriately in your resume so that your credits are considered countable.

Special Skills

The special skills section is vital in an actor’s resume. This section should include all the skills you possess that may be useful at any moment of an acting career in Hollywood. As you can understand, these skills refer not only to acting abilities. They can range from singing to biathlon skiing.

The special skills section is principally important when you apply for commercial roles. You can revise your resume when you are about to audition for commercials and include every single thing you are good at. Literally, anything you do well or are somehow experienced at will be a huge plus in your resume. Here is a list of things you can surely consider for adding to your resume, in case you can do that, of course.

Foreign languages/dialects

An outstanding skill which can make you compatible not only in Los Angeles acting agencies but in other countries as well.

Vocal Abilities

Vocal abilities are essential in commercial ads. Companies usually hire special people to do voice acting. If you already have those abilities, you are one step ahead of your competitors.

Sports, Dancing

This is especially important. If you are good at any sport, list it in your resume immediately. You will have an advantage over other actors, as no stuntman will be needed. Therefore, hiring you will be beneficial for your employers as well.

Playing a Musical Instrument

Why not? At least, it will never be worthless. And there are many other skills like this that may seem irrelevant at the moment but are in fact very important and valuable for casting agencies in LA.

The resume is the identity of an actor. All the information about your acting skills, and most importantly, your experience as an actor is listed there. Your resume is what the casting personnel looks at to consider you for a particular role. A professional resume with all its components and a good headshot is an absolute requirement for auditions in Los Angeles. You now know how to write a resume for your future acting career in Hollywood. You are ready to go and rock at your auditions.

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Seda Stepanyan

September 26, 2019

How to Book Auditions in Los Angeles

Auditioning is a necessary and unavoidable process for the beginning of your acting career, especially in Los Angeles. However, you should not consider auditions as a job interview, but rather a chance to start doing what you love the most, to begin creating new characters and to get used to performing in front of the audience. Still, auditioning, especially in Los Angeles, may be a tense and stressful process as a group of casting directors will gather in a small room watching your performance. For this reason, here are some tips for you to gain an insight on how to audition for a role in Los Angeles.

What do you need for an audition?

The first thing you need for an audition is to arrive not less than 15 minutes earlier to enter the casting room. However, there are several things you should prepare before the audition:

Role Preparation

As Konstantin Stanislavski’s method of acting dictates, “The actors’ job is to inhabit the characters they play.” This quote applies not only to confirmed roles but also to auditions. In fact, it is far more essential to have that task completed for the audition to have more chances to get the part. Having done the character research, you will build a reputation of a professional actor for yourself.

Know the plot of the play/movie/commercial

If the casting director does not consider you for the role you auditioned for, you may get another one if you know the script and the whole plot well. Your knowledge will make an impression on the casting crew, and you will have a chance to demonstrate yourself as another character. Tom Hiddleston, for example, first auditioned for the role of Thor in Marvel’s “Thor.” However, the casting director did not see the Thor in Hiddleston and suggested him to play Loki, as he knew the plot very well. So, follow the example of Tom Hiddleston, and go to the audition maximally aware.

Memorize your lines

Los Angeles auditions are tough. They are even tougher if you are going there without memorizing the lines of your character. Moreover, it is a complete waste of time. They expect you to learn your lines before entering the audition room so that you can demonstrate your acting skills and not your reading skills. The professional casting crew may put you in various situations to test your body language skills, your posture, eye contact, etc. If you need to have a paper with your lines in your hands, you will surely fail all the task you may be assigned to do. Some Los Angeles casting agencies will immediately kick you out in case you do not know your lines by heart.

Who auditions you?

You are already in the room where you have to perform in the best way you can to get the role you are dying for. Forget about yourself for a moment and look at the people sitting in front of you. Who are those people? Obviously, they are the ones who decide whether you will receive the part or not. So, it is worth knowing them well, isn’t it? So, just Google them as much as you can.

Casting Directors

These are the first people who see the actors in the auditioning room. The job of casting directors is not only to look at the actors and consider them for roles but also to take those talents and lead them to become distinguished actors. We say that directors “have an eye on the talent.” Hence, the casting director is the person who you should impress first of all, even if you are not chosen for the role. Casting directors not only look for an actor for that particular role, but they look for talents for the future. If you impress them with your performance, they will be likely to remember you and help you to grow as an actor.

Remember, it’s all about connections in Hollywood.

Casting Associates

Casting associates are the casting directors’ right hand. They “filter” the actors. Out of thousands of candidates for a specific role in a movie, they pick a maximum of hundred. Therefore, you may need to impress them to get the chance to impress the casting director as well. In reference to the final audition, the association takes care of contacting the agents and schedule your audition. Casting associates know everything about you and sometimes even present you to the casting director. So, make sure the casting associates like you.

The Reader

Even if compared to the casting director and the associate, the reader may seem to be a secondary persona; they are more influential than you can imagine. Basically, the reader is the person who reads the lines of the other characters of the story. However, your interaction with the reader is extremely important for the casting director. The reader is considered to be your partner, and your interaction with him/her is a test of your ability to interact with your real acting partners.

The Creative Team

All of the movie industry professionals mentioned above are important, right? However, the creative team is probably the most essential out of everyone. The group includes the director, producer and the writers. These are the people who are going to make the final decision whether you will play the part or not. In other words, if you impress the casting associate and the casting director, you are on the final line of your audition. This team meets the final candidates for the role. If this team finally chooses you for the role, it will also match you with your future co-stars and the crew.

What to bring to an audition in Los Angeles?

Now, when you are already registered for an audition, and you have done your preparation, it is time to think about what you are going to take there with yourself.

A Headshot and a Resume

These are the two things that are undoubtedly the most important for your presence in a casting room. Even if the casting director knows you very well, you have to have a detailed resume and a headshot by a professional photographer in your hands. These 2 items serve as a passport for an actor. What is more, it is essential that your headshot and your resume are stapled together. The headshot is the first thing Los Angeles casting agencies look at when considering an actor. If you wonder how much it costs to hire a Los Angeles headshot photographer, click here. It is vital for them to have your resume together to be able to form an opinion.

The day before the audition

You have done preparation for your character, researched, learned your lines, and read the script. Now is the last day before your audition that will give a start to your acting career in Hollywood. There are a couple of things left for you to do. You should:

Revise your lines

Yes, we said that you have already learned them. Repeat them once again. It will not take too long, but “repetition is the mother of learning.” Make sure you know everything well, and if you forget your lines, you will most probably fail your audition.

Put an extra copy of your headshot into your bag

If you forget your headshot or something happens to it on the way, it will be hard to find a headshot photographer in Los Angeles in a couple of minutes to get a new headshot. Remember, the headshot is your entrance ticket to the Los Angeles audition room, so take care of it.

Choose your outfit carefully

Never ever leave this task to the day of the audition. Choosing clothes is a source of panic, which you need to avoid by all means. You should not load your mind with the difficult task of picking an outfit. The last day before the audition is a perfect time to decide what you are going to wear at the audition. The only thing you will have to do on the day of the audition will be just putting those clothes on and leaving the house. Audition clothing rules are similar to those of headshot sessions. Here is information on wardrobe rules and restrictions.

Make a morning checklist

Does it sound an obvious thing? Well, most people forget about this and run in the house in the morning of the audition, and when they finally get out, there is an impression that the house has been under a nuclear attack. The audition is a key event in every actor’s life and your future acting career in Hollywood. That is why everything should go smoothly on the day of your audition. So, take a moment to write down a morning schedule for the audition day.

Set 3 alarms

Childish? No, it is extremely efficient. Most of the auditions start early in the morning. You need to make sure to get up on time on the day of the audition. Try to wake up from the sound of the first alarm, but if you accidentally don’t, no trouble as you have 2 more alarms set.

What’s happening after leave the audition room

The audition process generally takes from a couple of weeks to several months. You may have to wait very long until you get final decision. If you do not receive an answer for months, do not worry! The audition may still be in process. You may be interested in what actually happens when you leave that room to wait for the life-changing decision.

Basically, after you leave the audition room, other candidates walk in and out. In the end, the casting team starts narrowing down the list. It happens very rarely when one candidate takes the role immediately. Usually, the casting team makes a shortlist of candidates and calls them back for new tests. It is necessary to note that in this whole process, the final decision is not made by a single person. A whole team works on choosing the best candidate. Therefore, after you leave the audition room, a whole discussion about you and your performance may take place.

Los Angeles Actors’ Common Mistakes

You may be perfectly prepared for your audition in LA; however, there exist a certain amount of common mistakes. Even the most experienced and talented Hollywood actors can make those mistakes you would like to avoid. Here are the main mines actors tend to step in:

Rehearse, rehearse and rehearse

It is always evident for the casting director whether the actor has rehearsed his part or no. If you have not rehearsed, you only waste your time during the audition. If you do not rehearse, it means you do not take the audition seriously. It also means that you are not very passionate about the role you are auditioning for. More practically, if you have not rehearsed, you will not be able to have a natural conversational rhythm.

Learn your part every day

Do not leave the rehearsals to the last day. You need time to get used to your role so that you can perform in the most natural way. Do not say that you got the script a day ago. Everybody can say that. You may want to look above the other contestants. So, if you really want to have the role, take some time, and prepare. The casting directors notice everything. They will understand that you have spent a couple of days to prepare for the audition; hence, you have a serious approach to your role, and they will pay special attention to yourself.

Don’t ask to perform once more

Casting directors hate when the contestants stop in the middle of their performance and ask to start over. Never pronounce the phrase “Sorry, can I please restart?.” It makes the casting directors nervous. They prefer confidence in actors. That is why, if you feel that you did not start well, just say, “I will start once more” and do it. The casting directors will appreciate that. They do not like vulnerability but prefer courage and certainty. In one of our previous articles we offer 3 tips to emerging actors.

You, as an actor, should know that you will need to participate in several auditions in Los Angeles to build an acting career in Hollywood for yourself. Auditions require serious preparation, professional headshots, and there are numerous things you will have to do before the audition date so that you leave the room successfully gone through the audition process.

Finally, if you would like to get information on casting calls in Los Angeles register yourself in some top casting agencies. If you are not sure which ones to trust, ask Yelp.

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Seda Stepanyan

August 10, 2019

3 Tips for Emerging Actors!

Acting has become one of the toughest, most challenging, and competitive industries. Nowadays, with so many acting opportunities and various media platforms it is harder to get noticed as a professional actor. Here are a few useful tips for emerging actors who are struggling to get through auditions.

1. Be confident!

Whether you are a teacher, a lawyer, or a president you need maximum confidence to get the job done. Otherwise, the directors and the production crews would not trust you to be part of their project. If you do not believe in yourself, why would they believe in you? But, don’t forget that confidence comes with knowledge, skills and having your homework done. You can’t just stand there and feel confident without knowing the lines. As a headshot photographer, I can state that there are no good or bad looking people. There are just confident and less confident ones. As headshots mostly focus on eyes, they easily give away what’s in your mind and how you feel about yourself. Just work on yourself on a daily basis and confidence will come with intelligence and experience.

2. Keep improving!

Los Angeles is full of acting opportunities. Every day thousands of actors make it through auditions. What about you? Your agent hasn’t responded to your calls for a while? No auditions fit for you? What do you do? Keep busy! Take acting classes. Collaborate with other actors, photographers, directors. Finally, shoot a short film, web-series, or a vlog. Besides keeping you busy they will keep you in shape, add to your acting portfolio, keep your social media accounts active. Nobody wants to go to an audition after months of pause and look out of shape.

3. Update your headshots!

Haven’t had any success in auditions for a while? Maybe, it’s time to get new headshots. Usually, you should update your headshots every one or two years if you’re an adult. For kid actors, it is recommended to get new headshots done every six months. We also advise getting new headshots if you have gained or lost weight, changed the hairstyle, or got rhinoplasty done (especially if you’re an Armenian, like me). Another reason why to get new headshots is adding new character looks to your existing headshots. I understand that headshots in Los Angeles can be a bit too pricey. But, believe me, it is worth it. If you are not sure how much it makes sense to spend on a headshot consider how much a day you make as an actor. Don’t save on hair and makeup, as well. Wearing the right makeup is crucially important. Some photographers offer headshot packages that include hair and makeup as well. Check out this page for our headshot pricing and packages in Los Angeles. Check out our future posts for more tips for actors.

To get more information on how to get ready for the photoshoot and how to avoid the most common mistakes read our blog.

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Seda Stepanyan

March 5, 2019

5 Tips for Actors to Survive Long Work Days

1. Be on Time!

If you are pursuing acting career in Los Angeles you should know how important it is to be on time. This is the most important tips for actors. Being late weakens your position as you get stressed and lose your confidence. On the other hand, being on time is a great way to feel calm and collected, to make an impression and show respect to agents, casting directors, photographers, makeup artists or the film crew by valuing their time. How to be on time? I’ll write about it in my next blog post.

2. Learn how to Keep Energy for a Long Time!

The second tip for actors is to watch what you eat and drink. Avoid meals in large portions. Drink a lot of water. Besides, eat healthy snacks like yogurt with nuts and berries, dried fruits, dark chocolate, cheese, baby carrots with hummus, dates and pistachios throughout the day.

3. Get Enough Sleep!

Start getting ready for a long-day shoot a day or even a night before. This is the third most important tips for actors. There are a couple of proven tips that will help you sleep better. Firstly, avoid caffeinated drinks late in the day. Secondly, avoid long daytime naps. And finally, avoid alcohol and heavy food in the evening. Instead, take a relaxing bath or shower before sleep, exercise regularly but not before the bedtime and try to stay calm. Photographers recommend to start getting ready for the headshot session days before to have your skin perfectly ready. You can read our recommendations here.

4. Go Outside!

If there’s a chance take a 20-minute walk, do it. Fresh air and sunlight will make you feel alive and boost your energy.

5. Laugh and Socialize!

Laugh is a proven way to boost your energy. The best way is get social. This final tips for actors is chatting with people, telling funny stories or listening to theirs and laughing will help you feel awake. Socializing is also vital for making connections as people prefer working with the ones they know and trust. However, if you are shy and you still want to laugh, youtube is always there for you.

“Goals on the road to achievement cannot be achieved without discipline and consistency.” – Denzel Washington

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