2024 was loaded with bruises, but optimism abounds for the new year ahead in the business of acting ...

 
2024 gave us, perhaps, the biggest shifts in the business of acting landscape than we have seen in decades ... and while the "newer" business of acting is upon us, it remains and will continue to be an industry in transition. Newer, but not necessarily better ... depending on who you are, what you do, what your union status is and where you live, among other factors. 

My number one 2025 survive and thrive tip is to stay informed; always be a smart actor, not just in the business of your personal career and career journey, but smarter, knowledgeable, about the industry itself.

My new year assignment for you: Do your homework. Keep up with the shifts, the changes, the challenges in the landscape. Have an opinion ... and let your opinion guide you, motive you and challenge you on your career-focused personal and professional goals in the year ahead and beyond. Let your opinions start and feed conversations you have with fellow actors and content creators in positive ways.

My contribution to this endeavor is a commitment to keep you informed on "the latest" by sharing information I find, sources I learn from ... and to provide some perspective along the way.

Let's start this endeavor with a reference to a recent article from the Los Angeles Times that reports on the downturn in the 2024 box office, but offers a positive and encouraging look at signs of optimism for 2025. Not a bad way to refresh the page, refresh your outlook and start both planning and implementing everything it will take for you to log your best year yet in the "newer" business of acting.

Happy new year! I wish for you all of the success you seek in 2025!

BL

Tax time could mean business of acting savings ...

We all want to take "home" as much of what we earn as possible -- and, often, your tax return is a great, yet often overlooked, vehicle for claiming legitimate business of acting expenses that you can deduct from your business of acting earned income earned. Well .. it's that time again ... and as you start preparing for your April tax filing, you might find my latest Backstage column helpful. 

Costs incurred for self-taping (light ring, back drop and microphone purchases), commissions to agents and/or managers, classes, workshops, coaches and other training, parking expenses when you go to an in-person audition, auto mileage (or Uber, Lyft, or bus fare) to get you to/from that audition, your Actors Access, Casting Networks or other subscription service that you use to submit yourself for auditions.

 

The list goes on ... and is detailed in my Backstage article.

 

Happy deducting!

BL
 

 

 

A personal Action Plan will absolutely keep you on track, keep you focused and keep you motivated all along your journey to earn opportunities in the new year ...

Every journey needs a map to guide you and, if ever there was ever both a real need and a real opportunity, 2022 it is.

I have an entire chapter in my book about Action Plans: How to create one, why you need to create one, how to follow yours and have to adapt and focus along the way. A person Action Plan is essential.

"Lights, Camera, Action Plan!" is the name of my brand new workshop that I am debuting at Sol Acting Studios, in Albuquerque, this Saturday. I love New Mexico, I love Sol and I love the passion and the potential in every person I have met and come to know through my classes and seminars there. I am really excited about this one!

For those of you who can't join us there, remember this: Action Plans are made up of what you want to achieve and the tasks you will undertake and implement to achieve those goals.

All goals you have targeted and all tasks to be committed to to achieve those goals have to be activities and results that you can achieve on your own. An Action Plan to get you cast in a series regular role this coming network pilot season isn't something that you, alone, can make happen. But, there are steps you can take to getting you better prepared and ready for this opportunity when you arrive at that doorstep.

Often, it takes representation by an agent or a manager to get you in the room for the big stuff. So, an Action Plan to get you prepared and ready to seek and get signed for representation is a big deal ... and certainly a goal you can set and achieve on your on.

Start by creating evidence of your potential to submit to and attract the attention of a talent rep. That begins with content creation. That also begins with a commitment to professional-level classes and training. Proof of your commitment to the career you seek and your ability to create that evidence that

can convince an agent or manager that you are worth the investment of both their time and talent will go a long way towards getting you that representation and the relevant, professional experience that you will

absolutely need to get in the room for the big things every actor dreams of.

Dreams can become reality. It just requires that you a) apply patience, b) do the work and c) create, launch and implement a solid Action Plan that can, step by step, get you to the next stop on your career journey.

You can do it!

All best, keep safe ...

BL

A great self-tape that gets you to step 2 is all about your slate first and your acting audition second ...

Getting back to work in the new landscape means the need to instantly grab the attention of a casting director who requests a self-tape audition from you ... and it's not about your audition. Here's the big secret: It's all about your slate. That's the topic of my new column in Backstage, out today. 

The excitement over getting a self-tape audition request can really make your day. It's an opportunity to show a bit of your career potential evidence to an industry pro who is, potentially, in a position to hire you to do what you most love to do. But the excitement ... the preparation ... to have your self-tape audition be spot-on has your focus 100 percent of nailing that audition. But that's potentially big mistake.

The casting director has to see your audition before she can be impressed by it ... and if your self-tape slate doesn't first establish, right up front, your readiness for the job, that self-tape audition you worked so hard to get right might never get seen.

Make a great first impression first. Give a personable, confident, approachable, friendly slate to both introduce you, your brand and your readiness for the role. Then hit the ball out of the park with the perfect self-tape audition that checks off all of the right boxes to get you to the next step.

I know you are great actors! But where do you rank on the "slate scale"? It's time to A+ that!

BL

How to nail a virtual showcase and leave a lasting, positive impression ...

It's great to see the pandemic thaw continuing ...

But as we continue to emerge, some of the changes COVID brought us in the business of acting will be here for a while, like virtual showcases. 

Rather than a limited number of performances and a cap on venue seats, the potential global industry audience waiting to see what you might bring to the table is unlimited-- and that's great news. But that opportunity also comes with some critical challenges.

Here's hint: audio quality, visual images, content selection and acting for the camera vs. acting for stage.

All of this is the topic of my new Backstage column, just out today. 

Now, let's get you working!

BL

https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/a-talent-manager-on-how-to-nail-a-virtual-college-showcase-73261/

Thinking about a career as a talent rep? Signing talent isn't the first priority ...

I am often asked by actors about how about to find an agent or a manager to represent them ... 

Recently, however, I was asked by several soon-to-graduate college seniors about the journey to opening your own talent agency or talent management firm. It was an interesting conversation that reminded me that, while many things have indeed changed in the last nearly four decades since I launched my own talent management firm, one thing has remained a constant: Signing talent is not the first task at hand.

My latest Backstage column, which is out today ... address the hoops to be jumped through for that brave entrepreneur (or group of entrepreneurs) who want to set out on their own as a talent agent or talent manager owning and running their own firm in the new business of acting.

It also explains why those of us who embark on that journey turn gray so young ... :)

Stay safe, keep positive ...

BL

Repping actors, artists and content creators is a business of acting career path option many are considering ...

Ever considered a career as a talent manager? Maybe thinking about that now? The pandemic and the resulting shift in the business of acting landscaping has many, particularly young people, considering career options in the industry other acting. 

My friends at Backstage asked me to focus my next column on what pursuing a career as a talent manager is like – and what it takes to score great clients, build a great reputation and earn a living. And even it's an acting career you remain intent on pursuing, I hope this article might give you a bit of perspective on what to expect from you representative, whether agent or manager. The more you as an actor know about what it is we do -- and how and why we do it -- the better client you become and the better team we make together

That new column is out today ...

All best, keep safe, stay positive ...

BL

Ready to get back to work? Been offered an acting gig? What you need to know before you say "yes" in a new business of acting COVID landscape ...

It's been a long eight months and we're all eager to get back to work in the new business of acting. But a lot has changed during those six months, setting the stage (or the set) for everything that now follows in a COVID work landscape.

In many regions, production has returned. Content creators are creating. Actors are acting, directors are directing, producers are producing and all kinds of platforms are preparing to and presenting new content across the board. This is all great news, but it comes with a "however."

The new COVID compliance rules and regulations are supposed to ensure -- or better ensure -- everyone's safety back at work. But is that enough?

My new column in Backstage, out today, talks about what you need to know before you say "yes" to any job or opportunity in this new landscape.

Indeed we are all eager to get back to it. But primary among those desires also needs to the requirement and the protocol to keep you safe ... and the primary decision maker on that front should always be you.

Stay safe, keep positive ...

BL

New "Inside the Business of Acting" YouTube series episodes explore how actors can get back to business and stay COVID-safe ...

In support of my COVID Update book supplement to The Business of Acting: The Next Edition (that was published earlier this month), we have released a new collection of episodes of our Inside the Business of Acting YouTube series that features conversations with industry leaders talking about the new COVID landscape and how both actors and the content creators they work for can get back to business and stay COVID-safe and be COVID-compliant. 

There is a lot to talk about. So I hope you will check out these new episodes as you begin to step back into the "new normal" and adjust to the new rhythm in the new business of acting.

New episodes are being released each week. Here is a guide to the segments released in the last few weeks:

Episode #3.1

Amanda Richards, Director, Talent and Casting, Sony Pictures Television.

Episode #3.2:

Adam Ginivisian, Agent and Partner, ICM Partners.

Episode #3.3:

A Panel of Working Actors: Pamela Roylance, Eric Rollins, Ron Weisberg and Chris Ranney.

Episode #3.4

Gary Marsh, Breakdown Services and Actors Access founder, President and CEO.

Episode #3.5:

Brianna Ancel, Vice President, Adult Theatrical Department, Clear Talent Group.

Stay informed, be safe, keep positive ...

BL

"COVID Update" book supplement designed to guide your career journey back on track in the new landscape ...

The COVID pandemic stopped all of us in our tracks. But as the industry slowly begins a gradual ramp up, it’s time to get a handle on how the pandemic has change the business of acting. It’s also time to carve out and create a smart, strategic, COVID-proof action plan to get back to work and to thrive in this new landscape. 

 

I hope I can help with that. I have written a “COVID Update” supplement to “The New Business of Acting: The Next Edition,” which will be released on August 12^th.

The supplement offers a perspective on the new landscape and guides readers through the creation of a COVID-proof action plan that will get you refocused, motivated anew and back on track with the journey of your career.

Three take-away pieces of advice from "COVID Update:"

1. If you are not yet represented, do not seek representation at this time. Until agents and managers have a clear understanding of what the casting needs of the new landscape with be, we're not yet able to assess our rosters against those needs.

2. If you are represented, get reacquainted with your agent and/or manager. Check in with him or her or them to see what they might need from you -- and what you can do for them -- as we all slowly begin to get back to work.

3. Be 100 percent certain that any set, stage, performance venue or any location where you are hired to work is 100 percent COVID-compliant. The supplement offer up details ... but no job is worth accepting if there are any safety risks of any kind for you while at work.

Keep safe, stay positive ...

BL

We want you to work, but that doesn't always mean booking the job ...

Agents get jobs; managers focus on the global view and progression of a client's career ... and, of course, we want you to work as an actor. But getting to work doesn't always mean booking the job. You have to book the room first.

It's part of a bigger conversation in this new landscape that I was thrilled to have with Benjamin Lindsay, Managing Editor at Backstage. His article about our chat is out today.

There are a lot of professional-level classes, schools, teachers and coaches who offer up critical lessons in the development of one's art and craft. But more focus needs to be put on how to audition ... and a special focus on how to audition to book a room, not necessarily a job.

There is an entire chapter about this in my book (The New Business of Acting: The Next Edition). Want a career and not just a job? Do as much audition prep work for your time on the way to, at and out of your audition and you will score potentially much more than just an acting job. You will have an opportunity to create, build and nurture an important business relationship.

My thanks to Benjamin for the opportunity to chat with him about an important "How to" in the business of acting.

BL

Back to work also means "pack a lunch" ...

No mask, no work. Want a snack? Bring your own!

Getting ready to for your close-up comes with a whole new set of rules and regulations to keep you and your fellow artists safe in this COVID-19 landscape. That's the topic of my newest article for Backstage, out today ...

I predict that there will quickly be more opportunities to work than ever before for actors (and other craftspeople in the business of acting) as the tremendous need for content meets the lifting of restrictions and important protections that are now in place. But it's a return that is going require preparation that far exceeds just memorizing your lines.

There has been a shift, too, in how we who represent actors are now involved with their actual audition process in ways we have never been able to before.

It's all good news! Time to read up, get ready and be a part of the great return to work!

As always, stay safe ...

BL

Self-tape auditions can allow more actors in. But opportunity needs to be matched with preparedness ...

There is an entire chapter in my booked devoted to the topic of self-tape auditions ... and, in this coronavirus and eventually post-coronavirus landscape, we will see more, not less, of this movement -- and it's here to stay. That is both great and potentially not-so-great news, unless you are prepared for the unique challenges that come with the proliferation of this opportunity.

When self-taping, just because you can record as many takes of an audition as you want, you shouldn't. Aim to get it right the first time. It is as important to be as prepped and camera-ready for your self-tape as you should expect yourself to be in a casting director's office, where you're not guaranteed a second shot at it.

I love how wide the doors are opening for actors because of self-tape auditions. This potentially creates more opportunity for more actors to be seen for each role. But beyond the technical challenges of getting it right, the performance challenges require a level of focus, commitment and readiness that can take some time to get comfortable with and thrive at. But it is essential work that needs to be done -- and the end results are always more than worth effort.

BL

The Career Spring Cleaning You Should Do While Stuck at Home ...

My latest Backstage column is out today with a few suggestions about spring cleaning in preparation for the back-to-work, post-"hiatus" landscape that we all can't wait for.

We can and should use this unexpected time out to get prepped and ready fo both the opportunities and the work that will be in abundance when the industry gets up-and-running again -- and that includes sprucing up all of the support materials you use and every piece of evidence of your career potential that you rely on for audition submissions.

The future looks bright -- and it will soon be here. So let's get ready for it!

BL

Financial assistance now available for actors, artists and others in the business of acting from Coronavirus outbreak ...

There is an important article in today's Los Angeles Times about financial resources that are available for artists and others in the entertainment industry who have been hard-hit as a result as the coronavirus epidemic. Also, be sure to explore financial assistance from unemployment departments in states around the country that is now available for self-employed people and those of you who work as independent contractors.

Usually these categories of workers are exempt from this kind of assistance. But it's a whole new world now, so don't overlook some relief that might be available to you now that may not have been accessible to you before this outbreak.

I hope you are safe and well and getting ready for both your figurative and literal close-ups when all of this is behind us.

BL

New Mexico actors begin to make their mark in a big way as opportunity flourishes in the Land of Enchantment ...

New Mexico has become a  thriving and growing market for film and television production ... and that means work for both "above the line" and "below the line" artists there.

That point was brought home in a news report by Grace Reader, of KOB-TV, the NBC-TV affiliate in Albuquerque, who covered our sold-out Business of Acting Career Clinic this past week at Sol Acting Studios.

Thank you, Grace for your coverage and thank you Sol mates for work well done this weekend in class!

BL

As the year-end approaches, make time for a year-end career audit. But don't let income define your journey ...

As we approach the end of the year, it's a great opportunity to run a "forensic" audit on your career journey. 

As you review the acting work you did, the opportunities you earned and the new relationships you began to development, take stock of those wins. 

But as my just-out, year-end column in Backstage addresses, do not make the mistake of judging your career progress this past year by the amount of money (if any) that your acting work may have generated for you in 2019. 

It will be a great new year ahead! :)

BL

https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/why-you-shouldnt-let-income-define-your-career-69700/

Merry, Happy & "Why Aren't You a Star Yet?" Holiday Visits Home Often Require Patience and a Bit of Pre-Planning ...

Heading home for the holidays can stir both joy and anxiety ... particularly when family members start quizzing you about why you're not a star yet. My Backstage column last year at this time is worth reading again.

Squeeze all of the joy you can out of this holiday season by being prepared with the right answers to those questions that inevitably will get asked from well-meaning loved ones.

I hope this helps!

Wishing you a tolerable holiday ... :)

BL

https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/how-to-handle-awkward-family-holiday-questions-about-your-acting-66055/

TV Pilot Season is now a year-round event ...

My latest Backstage column addresses the new pilot season landscape. In short, it's not really a "season" any more. Now, it is pilot season all of the time ... and that now requires year-round preparation and readiness for both actors and those of us who represent them. It also means potential access to greater opportunity without actually having to be in Los Angeles, at least for the initial part of the process.

As television networks struggle with how to maintain and grow a shrinking audience base, slivercasters are hitting the mark with shows, series and projects that speak to specific, targeted demographics on countless new media platforms, rather than to just one mainstream, "global" audience.

This is great news for all of us in the business of acting ...

BL

Thank you, Betty White for showing producers, casting directors, networks and production companies "the way" ...

Older actors are hot properties these days ... and we all have Betty White to thank for the shift in perspective.

It's never too late to embark on a new adventure or a "next chapter" career -- and if it's the new business of acting you have set your sites on, then I hope you will take a few minutes to read my latest column in Backstage. 

There is some helpful advice there, too, for actors of any age. But if you're a bit older and new to the business (or want to be), this one is for you! :)

https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/talent-manager-betty-white-factor-musts-actors-later-in-life-68774/

BL