To make it as an actor, you have to have more than just experience and talent. You have to know how to market yourself successfully. Casting directors, agents, and other decision-makers need to know who you are, what you can do, and what you would bring to a project – and you have to know how to sell yourself as the one they’re looking for. Here are some tips to keep in mind when marketing yourself as an actor to help you get the audition you want.
Stay Up-To-Date
To market yourself as an actor, you need to keep your skills current. As would a hiring manager in any field, a casting director is far more likely to be impressed by someone who is up-to-date on the latest techniques and trends. Make sure to keep your resume up to date with current information, including any training or experience you’ve added recently. Likewise, photos and headshots should be recent; a casting director wants to know what you look like now, not what you looked like a number of years ago, or what you looked like before major changes such as drastic changes in weight or a dramatically different hairstyle.
You can keep yourself abreast of current information by reading trade publications. Better yet, get hands-on experience to keep your skills fresh and relevant by enrolling in acting classes. Having recent skills and experience is a fantastic selling point as you try to set yourself apart from the crowd as an actor.
Resume
You may have attended a wonderful acting school, performed in exciting productions, and have the latest industry skills in training – but if you don’t have a good, solid resume, you’re keeping all your qualifications to yourself. The goal is to let those who matter – agents, casting directors, and other influential industry figures – aware of what you have to offer as an actor.
Your resume needs to reflect your acting education and relevant experience; if you’re lacking in either area, now’s the time to remedy this by enrolling in acting lessons or taking on any available roles to get the experience your resume should show. A resume should also be professional – that is, free of spelling and grammar mistakes, well-formatted, and generally pleasing to the eye. A sloppy resume won’t make you look creative, but it can make you look careless and unprofessional. Along with a resume, include a recent headshot. Have the photo professionally taken, and make sure that it’s both flattering and accurate.
Network
Making it as an actor may rely on what you know, but who you know can help you find the parts you’re looking for. That isn’t to say that you must have big-shot connections in high places that will pull strings to get you hired. What it does mean is that the more people in the industry that you know and connect with, the more people you will have on your side for references, referrals, or to keep you in mind when they hear of an upcoming role. Build your network by building a rapport with fellow students and instructors, maintaining ties with people you’ve worked with, and introducing yourself to and connecting with others at industry functions.
Still Have More Questions?
KD Conservatory has acting, musical theatre, and film production programs to help prepare students for careers in the entertainment industry. Contact us with any of your questions, or check us out on Facebook for ongoing updates and information!
