Owning your Casting & Brand: The “Becoming a Working Actor” Process
Core Homework – GDP Actor Session Prep
This is the first piece of guidance that my clients receive when they book a session…. the nucleus of my process of converting your headshots, into your bookings.
What are the principal character types you are most easily cast as in film & television, right now, tomorrow?
Gorillas in the Mist, National Treasure, Yellowstone etc., as created by actor/Producer Amanda Serra
This is not about what you want to play, not what could you play, but rather how do you think you’re most likely to be perceived by others in the context of walking into an audition room?
Make a list please, like this… “Casual, friendly, blue collar Mom, ““Intimidating, high-powered, East Coast attorney,” “Intellectual, empathetic college professor, or “physicist, high-level CEO corporate millionaire,” “the victim who gets away, world weary, street smart, survivor, undaunted,” “The career East Coast Vice Detective who is on the take…”Keep it real. If you have representation, it’s valuable if not essential, to have them weigh in on this process.
Really invest some time on this work, even if you know the answers from years of experience. Pick your adjectives carefully, get as specific as you can. Use that horrible but informative phrase, and “typecast” yourself.
What working actors or film or television star(s) are playing the types of roles you see yourself in? Big star, little star, doesn’t matter, who comes to mind? (currently working, or historically) If you were asked to tell a Casting Director what known actors you were most like, what combination would you come up with? Make a list please, even if it’s embarrassing “You know, the sweater wearing lady who runs the library on…” Better to have actor or character names, but any clue is helpful.
What kinds of projects do you see yourself most likely being cast in? Are you a sit-com actor, or do you see yourself on a dark, gritty cable series? Are you a narrative television actor, C.S.I., Grey’s Anatomy, or more of a major studio feature film type, perhaps more off-beat indie-film performer? What does your personal style and energy bias you most towards? I think of this process as “knowing which lunch table you sit at in school.” The cool kids, the bullies, the brooding outsiders, the smart geeks… know your table accurately, and then claim your seat take ownership of it.
Who are your career role models? Whose career do you most admire, seek to emulate or draw insight from, create your own version of? (1 or more, ideally 2-4 individuals)
The more thought you put into this process BEFORE your session, the more likely we are to create shots that manifest new opportunities!