We had an interesting workshop last night. As usual, much of what we discussed revolved around how to get work. Not as a waiter, by the way, as an actor.
I have a small, select group of actors, all of whom have agents and managers and careers in one condition or another. One of the most devoted to getting work (and one of the most gifted actors I've ever trained) is just at the start of building a career I have no doubt will happen. It is not only his ability that guarantees his success, though it is certainly a factor. He's trained steadily and intently for over four years and has improved continuously. But it is also his savvy, his ability to understand where the industry may be headed and to use that knowledge to his own advantage.
You probably know what the breakdowns are. For the few who do not, they are a list of roles that casting agents want to see actors audition for on that day. It used to be that they were messengered and hand-delivered to agents and managers every morning in hard copies, but that was pre-Internet. Now, they are on the Internet.
You, the actor, are not supposed to see the breakdowns. You will be told that they are for the eyes of agents and managers only who, like ancient priests gifted with "knowledge above mere mortals", may look upon the sacred breakdowns without the wrath of the acting gods descending mand making their eyes to runneth with blood and tears. (Okay, sorry.)
Don't listen. Find a way to get a look at the breakdowns every day!
This is very important, actors! Agents and managers almo0st always have multiple clients. Some have many clients, too many to service well. They do not have the time to really scope through the breakdowns and place all their clients into the correct auditions that day. If you are a relatively inexperienced actor, one with few pro credits, then you may well be at the end of your agent's list of clients to send out each day.
You need to find ways to help your agent help you. Looking over the breakdowns over your morning coffee, though taboo (the breakdowns, not the coffee), will let YOU see what is auditioning that day. Just scan them, focusing on the age range and type required for each part. You're only interested in roles that you could play. In a future post we''ll discuss exactly how to determine your "type" or "types" for the purpose of head shots and casting, but for now, please keep it real. If you're a tall white guy, the center of your High school Basketball team, you are not going to be cast as a short Asian woman of age 60. Sorry, you can't get every roll.
Credibility in this process is key. You will find roles that you truly could be cast in, and then contact your agent or manager and POLITELY REQUEST that they send you out for that role. DO NOT INUNDATE THEM WITH REQUESTS! Pick your battle, one or two a week, tops. Pick the best bets. Maintain your credibility with your representatives at all cost. They also must consider their own credibility. If they send you out for roles you're dead wrong for, they look like fools and casting agents will stop accepting their submissions. It's all about keeping it real and credible.
Your agent may well ask how you knew about the available role. Just tell them that a friend told you about it. You keep your ear to the ground. Anything like that. DO NOT TELL THEM THAT YOU LOOKED AT THE BREAKDOWNS. They will angrily inform you that is their job and not yours.
This is a very tough and competitive field, and you do need every edge. The breakdowns can cost as little as $3 a month - I know people who pay that for access. They can cost as much as $40 per month or more, and are (yawn) only made available to agents, etc. Most actors in L.A. who are serious get the breakdowns, and I'm talking tens of thousands of actors! As sports commentator Jim Rome flippantly says, "If you're not cheating - you're not trying". I do NOT, however, see you getting the breakdowns as cheating, folks. I see it as you democratizing the process of casting.
That's it for this week. Have a good weekend!
Steven
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