Actor Growth

While working on set I was speaking to an individual that was eager to start auditioning for film and TV roles. Apparently the studio we were at was also the office location of a local casting director. Therefore, he came prepared with a headshot and resume and asked me if I wanted to go with him. My first reaction was “Don’t do that”.

I knew that I had more experience than him and so my concern was that he wanted to do this impulsively as probably no one else had taught him the logistic business side of being an actor. To try and convince him to really think about it, I asked him to show me his headshot and resume. His headshot for the most part seemed fine. But the resume……oh dear.

The first thing I immediately noticed was that the format was all wrong. Basically, his entire resume was like a grocery shopping list where each sentence was something he worked on and when. So no categories, skill lists…….just point for point about various work. As well, a good 90% of what was listed was background work. Another no-no if you are specifically trying to get a principal casting director to notice you.

Fortunately, I was able to convince him not to go through with it as I offered to teach him what I learned and based on my experience. Another point I brought up to him was that just walking up to a casting director’s office will probably put you in their bad book as I’m sure they get tons of requests from actors who wish to meet them while trying all sorts of crazy things to do so.

So really think about it if you are like that person where you thought it would be a great idea just to drop in unexpectedly into their office to introduce yourself.