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