Actor as Manager? Not a smart role to play.

When should actors team up to "manage" each other? Never!

My thanks to Jackie Apodaca for including me in her column in this week's Back Stage in answer to an inquiry she received from an actor on the question of whether actor friends acting as manager for each other was a good idea.

The New Business of Acting addresses this issue throughout the book -- and Jackie has nicely condensed this perspective into her response.

In short, it's not (just) about the submissions you make; it's (also) about the relationships you build and the choices you make, not just in the beginning, but throughout your career journey.

One of the mistakes many actors make is in believing that they are just one submission away from a career. This could not be further from the truth. It's about process, it's about commitment, it's about passion -- and it's about earning the opportunities you seek. Making business-smart decisions along the way is priority one.

Jackie's column is well worth the read.

BL

"Do you SAG take AFTRA to love, honor and cherish ... ?"

Chapter 7 in The New Business of Acting discusses the current state of AFTRA and SAG which has steadily moved forward together to shore up both the ability and the opportunity to jointly represent actors and broadcasters in this new landscape.

More good news from the union front was released on Friday and, as reported in the Los Angeles Times, spells out the very real possibility that both entities will soon merge to do the job better together than they can do apart or against each other.

Bravo to the leadership of both unions with this move and the public announcement of what appears to be an engagement; wedding date to be announced.

For those SAG actors who have voiced opposition and concern about the ability of a merged union to represent both actors and broadcasters under one banner, I say relax. This can easily be accomplished by establishing divisions within a new union with each division dedicated and devoted to representing the members who fall within those divisions. Don't forget, many actors/broadcasters are also members of both unions.

The biggest hurdle to be tackled is to figure out how a new, single union will approach membership matters. Currently, with SAG membership earned and AFTRA membership paid for, a system for how to fairly deal with the requirements of union membership should be top priority in the strategic plan to move forward.

Perhaps a variable membership plan is in order, whereby the division to which a new union member would belong would dictate the requirements of initiation and membership.

Let's hope the devil isn't in the details. All in all, this a great move.

Your thoughts?

BL

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

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

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

TheBusinessOfActing.com debuts a new, redesigned and improved website ...

Happy to announce that we have just launched our brand new Business of Acting website!

It's in support of the new book, or course, and the Resources page is packed with access to great information and free downloads (like resume, bio and head shot samples).

One of the most interesting links is the one to the California Department of Industrial Relations where you can read about challenges to the Talent Agencies Act by actors seeking to get out of paying management commissions. Chapter 4 in The New Business of Acting goes into this in great detail, but the opportunity to peek into the actual cases that are impacting the new landscape is quite eye opening.

Thanks to Trang Caos for her fabulous work on this complete redesign, also for the new landscape.

BL

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival workshop teaches actors how to approach the new business of acting after graduation ...

Thanks to all of the people who attended my New Business of Acting workshop last night at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Nice meeting all of you!

The transition from student of the performing arts to becoming a professional, working actor was the primary focus of our session. It can be rocky road at the beginning of this journey, unless you have clear, empowered perspective and a smart, strategic and realistic action plan in place.

Chapter 10 in The New Business of Acting: How to Build a Career in a Changing Landscape teaches you how to do it. For a sneak peek and a condensed overview, take a look at my recent Back Stage article on the topic.

In short, as I told the group of terrific, young actors last night:

Don't rush to find and secure representation (by an agent or manager).
Don't rush to join any of the unions (work to build your resume however you can first).
Start taking professional level classes and workshops taught by professionals.
Have a head shot session only when you can afford to do it right.

There was a wide range of questions that came up during our session. I will be addressing a lot these topics here in the weeks to come.

In the meantime, if you have a New Business of Acting-related question, post it or e-mail me directly at blemack@TheBusinessOfActing.com

BL