Acting : Advice wanted by Sandra Weston

I can't offer anything from the actors POV but I can say that as a producer it isn't only about doing good work in the room or being impressive. We need to take many things into consideration. We often see excellent actors that just don't fit what our needs or vision.

Have you thought of putting out a show reel here, to attract more auditions?

Funny you suggest that Debbie. We are shooting my new demo reel on Monday. Thanks for thinking about it. I think it's a perfect storm of reasons. I'm seeking work in the most competitive area of entertainment. There's less work around, always less for women, double that for middle aged women, it just goes on, but so far so am I. I'll be putting the new reel up everywhere once it's complete.

Good news!

You can see my current reel http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4016199/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 The new one will be more focused.

Fun to watch!

Thanks, maybe I'm just hard to cast. I really don't fit into a simple slot. Share some of your work?

Hi I'm putting out a new showreel here winter, containing shorts I'm working on in London. Most of my stuff in the past was Theatre/Art House, not TV/Cinema. Right now I'm tied in with learning cinematography and touching the bases in preparation for an Indie Spain/UK. Watch this space!

An idea for you to attract more auditions, is to get on the main Indie festival circuits. Make a short and get it in front of more people in the industry. I notice some of the cameos were tongue in cheek/dry humour. I try to make most of the festivals, and these roles are not uncommon. One that springs to mind is last years Raindance film festival London. One of the films shown was of this type, a film called "Lucky Stiff". (That's the last one I remember of this ilk). Sundance London also had a couple of films like this. The beauty of Indie is a lot of the material is atypical, unconventional, and nobody need worry about ageism etc.

Definitely keep me in the loop, your new direction is exciting. I'm a writing snob, there I admit it. I sit here without work because I won't take on poorly written material. It's has to be sharp, with continuity and characters I can care about or I decline. Also since the distances here in LA are large they need to cover my travel expenses. It seems like having these prejudices is keeping me from festival type work. I do pursue the writer/directors whose work I admire. I lost my last effort to an academy award nominated actress. I didn't realize the competition was that tough. I did work on 50 Kisses, I played Beryl in a version that made it to the trailer with our kiss. I'm always looking for interesting material to read for and I agree it's a good way gain visibility by working on shorts for good festivals.

I would say to keep trying, go for any and every audition you can. Even considering doing free work in short films or films that look interesting. A lot of actors have no marketability until they are in something where there is a marketable actor or the project hits big. Once people get to know your face, and who you are, your marketability goes up. And take acting classes, you can network and find out about work opportunities. We hired all our cast out of mandy.com have you checked it out? You can see our project here if you're curious: http://www.cinecoup.com/theories/

Mike thanks for taking your time to comment. I watched your trailer and it seems like a very professional project you have put together. I do know about Mandy although in my area it's used more for crew. I've got profiles up on tons of casting sites. I spent my first five years as an actor working a lot for free. I also did back ground for some studio and network shows. I worked in local theatre. I've done indie films no one has ever seen. I've been taking classes for almost twenty years. I've been really fortunate. I'm now a union actor with great representation in both commercial and theatrical. I spent time last year taking on camera audition classes and adjusting to reading in the bigger offices. It was intimidating at first. Now I realize I can just bring myself into the room, the best me I've got that day is what I offer. I'm not sure if casting just needs to keep seeing me or if I really don't fit into the roles they have. I'm a quirky, comedic actor. In drama I tend to underplay, it's very real life character I offer there. I continue to study, to tape myself and go deeper. You can see my reel at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4016199/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 I'm still out here trying, but there are a lot of better known faces in my category. My current strategy is to out live the competition.

Hi Sandra, checked out your demo's you are awesome, talk about comedy! If you lived closer I'd be casting you all the time - I could totally see you in a few of the sitcoms on tv. I hope you find something, I think you're great.

Wow! Mike, thanks! Either you have bad taste or someday I'll get a part with the visibility I think I deserve. If we wait long enough you will be able to hire me and I'll be a name actor who will contribute to your projects. Keep me posted on what your up to please.

I don't think I have bad taste, lol! I think you have great character actor energy, that would be good on a sitcom or comedy. I say keep plugging away, that's what I'm doing! :-) and loving every minute of it!

Sandra, you're in California and I have been told there are some theatres there (though not nearly as many as in NYC). Why not audition for STAGE WORK? Then you'll always work -- and you'll be seen live.

LindaAnn, you are right there actually quite a few theaters in the LA area. the problem with that for me is I live about 30 miles form the city and the traffic here can be just too much. I've done a bit of local theatre, it's very fun. I can't bring myself to tackle that commute for rehearsals plus performance though so I don't audition in LA. I was fortunate to be part of a staged reading at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. I'm interested in TV and film which has limited days per project so that's what I audition for.

Yes, I've heard about the traffic in Los Angeles. Fortunately, it's very much easier to get around in New York City, so I encourage all good actresses to relocate. Good luck with your career.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knsFk8P9B_8 This is my 2015 show reel 1:26 opinions, advice, whatever, all welcome.

I thought it was ok but you will have to keep at it until one day you are the person they are looking for. Join an actor's workshop, stage plays and do Indie projects, just keep going. I have the same issues but I just keep going!

Gloria Joy, You are right on all counts, this is a big boat we sail in.

Yes Jeffrey, I've been involved in local theatre casting. I'm aware that I offer something unique and limited, also that there are many choices for casting to work with. However I've also seen that in the non paying and small payment area I get cast often. There's an invisible barrier to union work. That's what I'm concentrating on breaking through.