I had an audition this Sunday and the only reason I managed to drag myself there in the rain was I could hear Bill Murray’s words ringing in my ears. It was the ‘COMMIT’ that got me out of the front door. Like he had a giant cattle prod and was yelling ‘giiiiit, go on, keep moving, stop being lazy, or thinking its pointless, gotta get out there’
As creatives we are always told to ‘network’ and certainly as actors, to keep writing to directors and casting directors. I actually had done some research on this one Casting Director last week and actually written her a ‘you dont know me but you should..’ email (obviously not couched like that!!). I discovered at the audition that if I get through the next stage (it’s like a showcase), that the very same CD will be on the panel.
Not sure if that is synchronicity or a timely reminder saying ‘yes you do need to know more about your industry” and ‘yes we do make our own luck’.. The mere fact I had done some research and written in the first place was a miracle, I set myself a 5 letters a week target and manage 5 every 6 months IF I am lucky. That’s what this blog is supposed to change.. and the ship’s course is definitely heading in the right direction.
13 minute task of the day
Set your timer for 13 minutes. You will do this much easier if you know you can stop at 13 minutes (or then choose to carry on)
*Compose a letter to one person/company/institute you want to get to know better or want them to know you. Maybe you admire their work and would like to work with them. So perhaps a director, casting director, an agent, a publisher, a gallery or another creative in a different field where you think there could be some real synergy.
*Do some online research on if they doing any forthcoming projects and what their last few projects were. If you can, watch clips, trailers, read reviews or see images of any recent work. Spend a few minutes having a look – that way you can do the next step better.
**Write a letter with specific knowledge of their work, i.e ‘I saw your show and loved it’. ‘I heard you were casting for…’ ‘I know you are curating a show at …’
* Email or post the letter with your CV or links to current work. Emails are more easily overlooked so if you can a hard copy is better.
*Record who you wrote to, date and what they said. This will be the subject of a future blog
*Then have treat yourself for a job well done, maybe have a slice of pizza 😉
*If you didn’t get to finish the letter have the piece of pizza anyway (NOT the whole thing) and then set your timer for 13 minutes tomorrow to finish it
You deserve it!
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