Acting

Notes? Who are these people who get feedback from an audition? Just like a job interview, there's no notes. You get a second interview or you don't. CDs call you for a second audition. They don't email and tell you why you weren't selected. You're lucky if you get a "thank you for auditioning but we're going in a different direction" email.

I am not familiar with Olivia Coleman. It seems her reality is quite different from most others.

Nice post, Marsy Robinson. In a perfect world, in person would be the only way. But with global expansion as one, but certainly not the only, variable, self-taping isn't going away any time soon. Still, it points to the importance of networking. I've connected with hundreds of casting directors here through the years and have even collaborated with a few on films I've produced. The key is to continue to expand your networking circle and that comes back to treating networking and relationship building as a job.

Suzanne Bronson for sure dig into Olivia Coleman's work. you will not be disappointed. and i'm one of the people who gives notes - it is common to make suggestions to an actor you have interest in if you see something in them that warrants another take at a scene or a callback.

Suzanne Bronson you're right that you don't get notes or feedback on why it's a pass. However, casting directors or producers will give notes during an in-person casting session if they see something that they like in the audition but they want you to try the scene again with a different approach. When it comes to self-tapes, it's also not uncommon for casting to reach out and ask a performer to re-tape with specific notes, although the turnaround for a second tape like that is usually very quick. Sometimes that even happens ahead of an official call-back.

Most of the time not being cast has nothing to do with you, or your talent, so I fail to see the difference between in person or self tape. The advantage being self tape or web calls allow actors to audition outside their area.

In person auditions are recorded, self tape is saves a step. Yes, sometimes you are asked to make an adjustment, read it differently, I don't consider that notes or feedback really. In my experience, casting wants to see if you can take direction.

Hi all, I'll definitely watch it now as it comes so highly recommended by you all

Glenn Howerton's performance in BLACKBERRY was a standout for me.

I just recently watched All The Light We Cannot See on Netflix and I thought that Aria Mia Loberti's performance was incredible! She was truly captivating. In a cast with heavy-hitters like Hugh Laurie and Mark Ruffalo, she was the obvious standout.

You all have me in on PEARL and THE HOLDOVERS…gotta check those out.

“The Morning show” on Apple TV season one. Not a movie but such a strong performance. A scene with Jennifer Aniston talking with her daughter about getting divorced with the husband, the father of the daughter. Her performance in that scene was so real and liberating, and validating of what it is like for a parent getting divorced from a spouse with young adult children.

Niki H

I think knowing that the more the publicist knows about you and your story the better they can tell your story and target media that makes the most sense. I also think media training is super important so you can make the most of every interview opportunity. My favorite part is telling someone's story and being able to convince the press now is the time to cover this actor for a certain project. We help set-up photoshoots so we have great images during the campaign and ask for advice on social media posting (archive things when it is time LOL). If you run into a crisis PR situation do not wait to seek out advice from a publicist as timing and what you do next and say matters. Rushing to "release a statement" is not always the best solution and sometimes the best advice can be to ride something out depending on the situation and that is also advice although in the moment it doesn't always feel that way.

Leonardo Ramirez

I usually work with my clients for a specific projects so lots of times clients go on and off the books depending on timing of their various projects. If someone has a busy year with multiple projects then they might be on for PR for a long period of time but the payment schedule with me is a monthly retainer and usually a 2 to 3 month minum so you can see the efforts come together for your campaign and then we also put together an EPK (electronic press kit).

Dustin Richardson

I think there are a few things that differentiate Advantage from other firms---1.) I own the company and I do the pitching so I am using my relationships with the press from the last 20 years on a client's behalf, 2). I am from the Midwest (wish my Chicago Bears good luck in the NFL draft and that we get our QB pick) and I will always be honest about when I think timing is right to come on for PR and what I think we can accomplish (nothing is guaranteed but I use best efforts and lots of pitching to get results), 3.) I love telling client's stories and take your investment in PR serious...just like you have worked hard to build your career over many years so have I and I respect that hustle and hard work that we all do to reach out goals.

Yes I have done many non-profits and events over the years....my job is to find the story that will work with the media and if I can find that perfect pitch we can succeed! I handled the red carpets for many years for BeautyCon, Much Love Animal Rescue, Thirst Project galas, GirlUP to name a few xo

That makes total sense Laura Ackermann. Thanks so much! I'll have to check out your website!

Thank you, Laura Ackermann. Helpful answers!

Getting advice and insight from people who've done it is invaluable, Matthew Cornwell! These videos will save actors, writers, directors, etc. time, money, headaches, and so on because they're learning what to do and what not to do. Thanks for sharing and keep these coming!

Thanks for the comment, Maurice Vaughan! We have 2 more interviews coming. Next up: Costumes. Then a chat with a 1st A.D.

You're welcome, Matthew Cornwell. I'll keep an eye out for those videos. I'm subscribed to the channel and have the notifications turned on.

Incredible share, Ashley Renee Smith! It's helpful for screenwriters to know how successful actors analyze a screenplay. I added this to my Screenwriting Videos list to go back and watch again. Thanks for sharing!

I really felt the "eating the air steak" and the "stuck by an air bullet" - those are fun exercises to do at home, too, just to invoke your creativity chops as an actor.

I have worked with theatre in Taiwan and many actors here have mime, dance and different kinds of movement training. Once when I was a cow in a children's play, one Chinese Opera Mime Master spent many hours to teach me exactly how to move so that the cow's tail would move a certain way when I danced. Such an ancient, deep and exact knowledge! I admired the Master very much and felt very honoured to learn from him!

"A mime is a terrible thing to waste." Sorry, bad joke. But fully agree with this post, Tammy Hunt. In the TV/Film world, you often are handling empty props for safety reasons, requiring you to "mime" the perceived weight.

Also, I had an interesting VFX experience about 18 months ago on a movie. I was playing a character that will be enhanced in post. I won't be recognizable. Without violating my NDA, let's just say I'll have exaggerated facial features. A VFX guy showed me a "pre-vis" of what my character would look like, which informed me on how to mime certain gestures. That, in turn, will give the VFX team "something to play with" in post.

And then in commercial auditions, you're almost always having to mime certain props or other environmental factors.

Fantastic advice! Thanks for sharing, Tammy Hunt!

Great points, Tammy Hunt! Another great one to practice is drinking something that isn't there! The actual act of pretending to hold something in your mouth and then swallow naturally seems so simple but is so easy to do wrong if you're not being intentional. Also, holding something that is meant to be heavy or has some amount of heft to it.

Excellent advice, Aaron Marcus! "What took me years to realize is that there is nothing personal in the acting business." I'm not an actor, but I keep that in mind.

Thank you, Maurice. I really believe this way of thinking holds true for all of us involved in the arts.

You're welcome, Aaron Marcus. And you're right. Thanks for sharing.

I feel like people are hungry for original stories, Joseph Ghae, which is incredible! I don't think Superhero movies will go away. They make too much money. I like Superhero movies. I just want them to have better stories and character actions. I think if studios and companies focused on the stories and characters more, more people would watch the movies. Better Superhero movies for audiences, and more profit for studios and companies.

I agree with you that strong personal branding is essential to stand out for actors and actresses. It reminds me of Jean-Claude Van Damme in the 80s and 90s. Action star. And Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, etc. Action star was their brand.

Hope Artisti 7607 and Netflix reach a fair agreement for the artists, Richard "RB" Botto. Definitely something to keep an eye on. Thanks for sharing.

This is a big deal for sure and can set an international precedent. Will be watching.

Very interesting