Casting Director Renee Godbout tells you how to put your career in motion
By Renee Godbout
When it comes to the entertainment industry, sometimes getting started is the hardest part. However, there are several things you can do to get a leg up when you're looking for work!
Include your acting classes on your resume.
This is especially important when pursuing principle roles. Casting directors will often ask whether you've taken classes and who you've taken them with. Not only will classes improve your acting skills, they show your dedication to your craft. People aren't discovered on the street very often anymore. You have to work to succeed!
"It's all about who you know."
This saying could not be more appropriate in the entertainment industry. However, "knowing people" doesn't mean you need to have an uncle who is a big Hollywood director. When an opportunity comes along to take part in workshops held by casting directors or to perform monologues for then, take advantage of it! If you stand out and perform well, he or she may remember you when a role you would be great in comes up!
When looking for extra work, be versatile.
Casting directors like actors who have a varied wardrobe and can be called on for all types of films. Picture cars are often needed, so having a car can be extremely helpful as well. TV shows are trying to diversify and focus on different cultures, which means having an ethnic look can be an advantage, especially when receiving SAG waivers. And sometimes, just having a bicycle or dog can be useful!
Be willing to change your appearance.
A flexible look will make you more marketable. Period films are shot all the time, and if you're not willing to get your hair cut, you might be out of a job! Men, don't grow too attached to your facial hair. If you are filming a Wall Street scene, a clean-shaven face is definitely the way to go.
Keep a flexible schedule.
If someone calls you at 5:00pm for an audition the next morning, you have to make it happen. There are many actors ready to work, and a production will not wait to fit into your schedule. Acting is not the most convenient career, but you must be willing to take chances if you want to succeed!
Above all, stay motivated!
If you don't have the motivation to go after your dreams, it won't matter what you look like or how many acting classes you've taken. So don't just attend classes to boost your resume. Really pay attention to what they teach. The more you learn, the more prepared you'll be for your next audition!
Renee Godbout - Freelance Casting Director. Renee Godbout recently worked on the first season of The CW's popular teen show Gossip Girl at Grant Wilfey Casting. Some past projects include 2 seasons of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, the pilot for Dirty Sexy Money, and the upcoming Jonathan Demme-directed Dancing with Shiva.
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