How To Keep Working
So you got this far, congratulations or you just want to see what is said about the actor work world. Well here are a couple of tidbits that have helped me as an actor and what I have taught to students.
1. The theatre world is very small, so it is important to stay on top of your game. 9 times out of 10, if you have landed a really good gig with a good company, it can help lead you to other work, either with that company or it's director or other staff. Always remember that every contact you make in the theatre world and film world for that matter, you must always maintain a professional work ethic. Most of the time if you performed your job as you were hired to do and were a pleasure with whom to work, you may find yourself getting calls to come and audition or calls offering you parts.
2. On the flip side be sure that you DO NOT BURN BRIDGES, unless of course you are at a status that you can choose any work you want, but most of us don't have that luxury and besides, you still want to always stay positive, there will always be gigs that you may not like as much, but need to pay bills. Think of it as any other job, but also you are your own business, product and PR and unless you are planning to go into reality shows or politics bad publicity can harm your future endeavors. Most actors forget that.
3. When you get a good job sell it to those you want to work with, for example if you have a show running invite producers, agents, friends anyone who you think needs to see your work. Keep you face out there, while a show is running or commercial send out e-mails, newsletters or blogs that keep those aware when your episode will be aired or show will run etc. If you have sample copies or demos and can send out to others do so via e-mail or snail-mail. Remember, when you get "hot" or are getting cast and working, producers sometimes may want you working for them or they know you are in the public "eye" and want a connection to you.
4. As artists we are told to ignore the reviews, but keep the good ones. No matter what at the end of the day theatres need to sell tickets and if they see the critics praising your work then that is what the public reads. Keep quotes forward out and/ or e-mail quotes with promotion packages while promoting your work, this shows you are serious and professional about your work and like a resume, shows off your talents.
5. Keep a good PR face. Do interviews stay positive, maintain your material and be that actor that everyone wants on their team. Remember that everyone is going to be talented and have the training and the credits, but we (directors) don't want to work with "everyone" we want those that have all of that and are also directable, flexible, kind, fun, focused, serious and passionate about their work. Leave any attitude at home, it can harm your chances.
6. If you have just started out, be ready to pay "dues" by that I mean take the jobs that you may not want so much. If you are really "green" then you may have to do some free work in order to showcase yourself and get noticed. The goal of any actor is to get to the point where you can choose and pick work and offers, but until that point we do have to accept things that we may not see as our ideal choice for work. In film this is especially true.
7. Do not leave a job or not renew a contract if you do not have a new job to go to. Sometimes if you get a steady run of a show or even a series on TV, be sure that you do not leave unless you have something else "cooking", no matter how bad you may want to leave a job. This causes undo pressure to get work and may land you in a gig that is worse off than the one before.
8. Also stay true to your union if you have affiliation. Pay your dues, working or not, and keep tabs on updating union rules and information. Something may affect a contract you have that may make things better or worse for you. If you cause yourself to lose membership because of your neglect or ignorance, it can be more difficult to get back in. This can affect your work because you would not have your union status and you could not get into auditions.
9. Stay connected to your network or friends and collegues, they can also be eyes and ears for other work that might come along for you. Stay connected to theatres and companies you have worked for in the past and theatres you want to work for, they usually have press releases or call boards announcing up coming auditions, sam goes for local film websites, stay connected.
10. Also take care of your product (YOU) so that it functional and presentable for who you sell yourself to be. Keep up with your health, physical and mental. You body is your tool to perform if it is messed up, you can't. Balance your rest and work, it is easy to get SO caught up and working that you wear yourself out. Pace yourself and protect yourself. Keep you mind focused and don't stress. There will always be work out there, if you don't get it, go to the next. There is a reason for everything. And of course take care and upate your materials. Make sure your headshot and resume are current and still sell the best you.
GOOD LUCK!