Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Emerson College's Hollywood Report Editor Caldwell Covers "The Business of Acting Live"


Much appreciation to Larry Caldwell, Editor of Emerson College L.A. Center's The Hollywood Report, for his coverage on our recent New Business of Acting seminar at AFTRA headquarters, in Los Angeles, in his article "The Business of Acting Live" in the new Spring 2011 issue.

Please check it out.

Thank you, Larry!

BL

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

An important win for Breakdown Services and the legitimate business of acting ...


Selling Breakdowns is illegal, yet some actors and others claiming to represent actors do it with regularity nonetheless. Chapter 6 in The New Business of Acting (“Self-Submitting: The Art of Selectivity in Pursuing Career Opportunities”) addresses this issue.


It is a no-win situation for both the actor who has paid hard-earned money for illegal access and for the shyster who has ignored both history and law and gone ahead and ripped off actors anyway.


Witness the most recent example: The case of Brian Burke.


If an actor wants an edge in the (new) business of acting, go out and earn it. There are no shortcuts. To the agent, manager or other industry-connected person who thinks it’s okay to make a profit by taking advantage of (usually) vulnerable actors, you harm the general reputations of all of us who work hard to do the right thing every day.


Case closed.


BL

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Back Stage article serves up important advice for those about to graduate ...


I am so happy to be included among the "experts" quoted in the terrific article in the new edition of Back Stage titled "Things They Don't Teach You in Acting School." For young actors about to make the transition from college to the real world, I think it's important reading.


As I see it, the greatest challenge for all of you, including the seniors currently in my Emerson College Business of Acting class who are soon to graduate, is to turn your degree and your training into marketable materials that can actually help get you a paying job -- and launch your career. I hope you will find some of my suggestions and advice in the BS article to be helpful.


I'm also happy to answer any questions on the topic that you might have.


Thanks and much appreciation to BS's Jessica Gardner for asking for my input.


BL