Actor Growth

So something interesting happened recently where I saw that a person whom I have worked with in the past where I volunteered as an actor was again shooting another film. As usual he posted a breakdown of the type of actors he was looking for as well as wanting the headshots and resume.

I figured I would just pop him a message to say that I would be willing to help him if he needed while specifically saying I assumed that he knows me enough not to need my package. Sure enough he told me that he would contact me if another person couldn’t do it as he had already cast the part.

Interestingly enough the original person couldn’t be used and so I got the phone call to play a part in his film. This almost reminds of like a casting director who would simply cast people based straight up on past experiences. I guess it is less likely to happen in the more professional realm of work but I guess when you are at a certain level things like this are bound to happen.

Oh wow. Just shows you how small this world and industry is. I’m surprised at all the people I have been reacquainting with in the most unusual places where they are also interested in creating their own projects/films too. Everywhere from auditions, being on set and even this site.

That would be cool if something works out as it would be great to work with people that I already know in some form. Wouldn’t that be great if a team of dedicated individuals in each of their respective fields from writing to acting got together to try and create something viable for the long term.

I have been getting quite a few project notifications recently from a particular film school here which happens to be the largest one in Vancouver. I volunteered to act in a film for them a few weeks back as it was one of the instructors who was requesting for the talent. So, I thought that if an instructor was requesting for the talent that the project would be professional to work on.

Interestingly enough, I guess as a result of this I have been getting audition notices that aren’t being advertised first. Obviously these are student films and not professional acting gigs, but it sure shows me how this is what is like with real casting directors too. Example, once the person works with you they try to use people that they know first.

Recently while working on set it was a pretty small group of people. One thing that happened was that the scene was potentially a physically demanding one where the performer could possibly get an upgrade as a result of it. Usually in these types of situations the director would say randomly pick someone on the spot.

It was interesting as the person that was in charge of managing us was saying quietly with another group of people on how she wanted to strategically place them in the scene in certain spots in hopes that they would get a better chance of being upgraded. That just made me think how it’s all about who you know many times as like in this case it wasn’t so much about who is more qualified or has the more ideal look but rather who the person in charge liked more personally.

In many ways you can say that’s just business too as this type of thing happens in virtually every industry. I thinking the film business it plays even a larger role.

Since I only have two sessions left with the current place I am taking acting workshops from I am already in the hunt for a different one. I actually see one that looks pretty good and have already sent an inquiry about it.

It is located in the Vancouver area too which seems great. One of my criteria this time around was to find a coach that also focuses in trying to help their students actually get auditions such as advice on networking, how to market themselves, types of places to find auditions, etc.

I personally have found this lacking thus far with the current place I attend.

Been working on the same movie set for awhile and am back again today. I had an interesting conversation with a gentlemen on how he got out of the industry for a few years. However, after working on set again he noticed that he still recognized so many people.

He then asked me which film school I went to and his eyes lit up as he mentioned his niece went there too but that I probably wouldn’t know her. Turns out she was actually my classmate. lol. That just kind of shows how small the film community really is here and that word can get around fast if people do good or bad things.