How to Use Your Acting Skills On and Off Stage - by Robert Curtiss

Many years ago, a restaurant where I worked as a waiter hired a consultant to help train the wait staff in “upselling” techniques—that is, the ability to get people to buy more things—in order to increase revenues for the restaurant, and as a result, increase the tips earned by the staff.

I was really impressed by this consultant, Bob Brown. He had been a waiter himself and had learned through his own trial and error—as well as guidance from mentors along the way—how to increase his income and do it in a way that was not pushy or fake. I learned how my acting skills could be put to work to make money both on and off stage.

I recently had the pleasure of watching Bob in action as he conducted a day-long seminar, and I was struck at how universal his message is and I wanted to pass some of this message on to you.

Bob Brown uses an acronym to describe what he calls “star qualities” in successful people, and these qualities I find particularly suited for actors.

The acronym is KEEPER. Here is what it stands for:

1. Knowledge. We all continue to gather knowledge throughout our lives. Make sure you acquire the knowledge you need to accomplish a desired task or goal—whether that is in show business or your support job.

2. Enthusiasm. It is vital! Why do anything half-heartedly? Others pick up on your enthusiasm, and it gets them excited about what you are doing.

3. Empathy. Be aware of others, and try to understand where they are coming from. A little human kindness goes a long way. This will help you in all areas of your life, and you can tailor your approach to how your "audience" might be feeling.

4. Presentation. How do you present yourself? Ask yourself, “Would I buy from me? Would I cast me?” How neat and clean is your "uniform" or "costume"? How loudly and clearly do you speak? Always take care to present yourself as you want to be seen and heard. First impressions—and especially repeated impressions—can be lasting impressions!

5. Execution. How do you put your knowledge and skills into action? How are your technical skills? This is where rehearsal comes in—and I mean more than just your acting scenes. The more you practice how you speak, sell, greet people, interview, etc., the more you will feel prepared and relaxed, and the more your skills become ingrained into your natural behavior.

6. Reading Cues. We all communicate loudly even when we don't speak a word. Become a master at observing body language and behavioral cues. In his book "Emotional Intelligence," Bob Brown says that there are more than 20,000 gestures in our body language vocabulary. Watch and learn them. This skill is vital in everyday life, but it will also help you in the art of acting, where listening and observing are essential.

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How Following Industry Trends Can Get You The Part - by John Essay

There are trends in show business, just like in fashion. Certain types of action movies may be popular at the moment (“The Avengers,” “Thor,” “Spider-Man,” etc.), or there might be a surge of television or film projects featuring young singers and dancers (“Glee,” “Smash,” etc.). This means that certain types of actors will be cast more than others during these times.

Trends are important to recognize. Perhaps your "type" is hot right now or you might be able to adjust your image to fit a trend. There was a time when men with five o'clock shadows were everywhere.

I remember a time when one of my clients, who had previously done well commercially, had stopped getting callbacks. I thought this was so odd, since she had previously been so "popular." I watched TV for several days in a row and concentrated on those commercials that my client had auditioned for—I noticed that the women who landed the roles all had curly hair. Aha! I had spotted a new trend. I discussed this with my client, and she stopped straightening her hair. She soon began to get callbacks again. Now I know this might sound rather simple, but sometimes it IS simple—so simple that we fail to see what is there right in front of our eyes! The whole point is to always be aware of the current trends, and to see how you might fit into them. Sometimes it works!

If your type is not "in" right now, keep looking for the trends. They are always changing, and a trend for your type may not be far behind!

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3 Strategies for Staying Punctual and Professional - by Robert Curtiss

We live in a world where schedules conflict, where some auditions and appointments are tightly scheduled back to back, and though you may have plenty of time in your own schedule, the people who you are meeting, interviewing, or auditioning for may have little wiggle room to fit you in. Occasional lateness is undesirable but understandable—we all have been late some time in our lives, perhaps because of some last-minute snafu or bad traffic—and it is usually easily forgiven and forgotten by all involved. Chronic lateness, however, undermines your professionalism.

Here are a few strategies for being on time:

1. Leave 30 minutes early for every appointment, or add 15–30 minutes to your expected travel time. This means that if you ordinarily would leave home 15 minutes before your appointment, leave 30–45 minutes early. This will most likely get you there early; you can use the time to prepare yourself. If you run into delays on your route, hopefully the extra travel time will be sufficient to keep you on time.

2. Organize your life so you are not scrambling for misplaced items moments before leaving for the day. Keep a datebook calendar handy, and write down your daily schedule (of course, you have to actually look at it for this to be useful). There are smartphone apps for this.

3. It may be helpful to have an “audition survival bag” that you keep packed and ready to go. This could be a knapsack, purse, or briefcase. Here is a list of suggested items to keep in your bag: headshots and résumés, business cards, sheet music, a MetroCard, paper and a pen, makeup, a hairbrush, bottled water, breath mints, and an energy bar, and hide $10 or $20 inside just in case. This way you only have to remember your keys, cell phone, audition material, and any other audition/business needs, grab your audition bag, and out the door you go.

I hope these strategies help keep you on time and prepared for your appointments. If you still end up being late, by all means, acknowledge it and apologize for keeping them waiting. Break a leg!

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11 Pieces of an Actor's Budget - by John Essay

Actors frequently ask me, “How much money does it take to be an actor?” The short answer is every actor’s expenses will be different. However, use the list below as a guideline. Although I have tailored the costs for those pursuing the business in New York City, the general outline is applicable wherever you may be based.

1. Living expenses. This category includes rent, utilities, cable, telephone, and food. These may seem obvious, but I begin with this list because you cannot really pursue the business of acting if you cannot afford these things. Count on rent to be around $1000/month and up, depending on the neighborhood, building amenities—such as a doorman, elevator, gym, etc.—and whether or not you have a roommate. (For Manhattan, $1000/month is actually really cheap, and if you find an apartment for this rate, it will most likely be in a less accessible neighborhood). Utilities (gas, electric) are usually not included in the rent. These can average around $100-$150/month. For telephone service, you can get away with only having a cellphone, and this averages around $75/month. Cable averages around $100/month without the premium channels. You may want to forgo cable if you have Internet access, as you can watch many TV shows via Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, etc. Your job as an actor is to know what is going on in the world and also what shows are on the various channels. As for food, don't be lazy and rely on the fast food that is cheap and easily available. Many New Yorkers eat out a lot, and this zaps your income very quickly. Be smart, and eat at home. It is cheaper and healthier. Count on groceries costing you an average of $15-$20/day.

For the following expenses, consider opening a savings account where you deposit $20 a week, more or less. A separate savings account means “out of sight, out of mind,” and that is a good thing.

2. Headshots, including hair and makeup. Having your headshot photos taken and reproduced is generally the biggest expense you will incur. Good photographers run between $600-$1000. There is also hair and makeup, which is a separate expense. Yes, men, you may need makeup too! The camera lights play nasty tricks with your face, and makeup can help offset these unsightly occurrences. Be prepared to spend between $100-$150 for hair and makeup. 

3. Headshot reproductions/retouching. When your pictures are finished and you have selected the ones you'd like to use, you may need to have them retouched. Perhaps there is a stray hair, a blemish, soft circles under eyes, etc. Generally, retouching will be approximately $25-$60 per photo. Reproducing your picture can cost almost a dollar a print. There are cheaper reproduction houses, but many use cheap paper that tends to lack the crispness that you get from good quality paper. And others may use a printing technique that makes them impossible to fax and/or scan. So be careful, and remember your picture may be in a pile with hundreds of others. You want yours to stand out, not fade away. If you start working with a representative, make sure you always have enough money to pay for more reproductions. There is no excuse for saying "I can't afford it" if a representative needs more photos of you, and you have no money to comply. 

4. Resumes. First of all, don’t print them on the back of your pictures. Why? Because when you book a job and want to update your resume, you'd have to throw away these expensive prints or hand-write a credit in, which can look sloppy. Also, make sure your resumes fit your 8x10 photo. Most sheets of paper are 8.5"x11" and will need to be cut to fit and then stapled to your headshot. Resumes are generally about 5 cents to 8 cents a copy, unless you print them at home where the cost is minimal. 

5. Classes. Prices for classes are hard to list here as there are too many and the price ranges are vast. Audit classes to get a feel for the instructor, what they are teaching, and see what the class is like. I tell people to look for a class you have to audition to get into. This generally weeds out the novice teacher or "experimenting" actor, and hopefully leaves you with a class that is full of working actors. 

6. Online resources. This will vary but there are a number of worthwhile services out there. Some offer audition opportunities, some are resource oriented, and of course you don't want to forget Backstage, and The Actor’s Guide to Everything! You can get a subscription to Backstage for as little as $12/month.

7. Makeup and grooming. Yes, we must budget this in. Men, a barber runs around $20, and if you add a shave (one of my personal splurges) it would double the price. If you color your hair, just buy the home treatment kits and master the technique. This will save you a lot of money. Women, cuts usually start at around $60 and increase rapidly. Save some bucks by shampooing your hair at home before your salon visit. Also you might want to try in-home coloring if that is your thing, instead of having it done at a salon.

8. Clothing. It really is necessary to have your own business wardrobe for auditions. For several hundred dollars, you can achieve a lot of different looks that will help your auditions. You'll save money if you don't mix them with your personal clothes. They will stay fresher longer, and you'll have to launder them less frequently. 

9. Postage and supplies. You'll need to do follow-up mailings, and mailings to agents, managers, and casting directors. This will be a minimal expense, but a very important one. Count on around $20 per month. This will increase drastically if you are in a show or film or have something of significance to share with the above-mentioned agents, managers, and casting directors on your mailing list.

10. Transportation. You can't afford to take taxis everywhere (at least not yet), but you will probably use transportation every day. One round-trip per day on the subway or bus, at the standard $2.50 fare each way, adds up quickly. A monthly Metrocard costs $112, and a weekly Metrocard costs $30.

11. Entertainment. You will need to set some money aside to see theater and go to the movies. This will depend upon how much you can afford. Some theaters offer standing-room tickets for as little as $20. Other theaters offer $25 tickets to a certain number of people on any given day. Offering to usher is a way for many people of modest means to see a show. A movie ticket runs about $12, but if you don’t mind going in the morning, you can go to a show before noon for $6 at some theaters. Count on $50 to $100 per month to see theater and film.

I hope this basic expense outline is helpful for those starting out as an actor. Break a leg!

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Why You Need to Keep Growing as an Actor - by Robert Curtiss

“I'm too old to start now.” “It's too late for me.” “I'm too old to change.” How many times have you heard someone say these things? Have you ever said them yourself?

It’s sad how often we repeat these beliefs as if they are the unquestioned truth. The more we say something, the more we come to believe it is true. These beliefs limit us. When you say these things—when you really believe these things—it means you've stopped adapting to the world around you. It means you're stuck in the past and not adapting in the here-and-now. It is not a healthy mindset. I am often struck by how many people talk about dealing with their problems, yet they don't actually deal with them at all. They shun the idea of therapy by saying, “I can handle my own problems” or “I'm too old to change,” but they don't truly deal with their problems by talking about them. They don’t try to change their problematic behaviors and instead keep repeating the behaviors that cause the problems!

Older people also use the phrase “In my day” as a way to make the present inferior to the way “it used to be.” However, they use it as a way to excuse their non-participation in the present. Think about it—is today not your day?? Are you too old to learn something?? Of course not!

Sometimes we get complacent, and trying something different feels scary. However, remember that a flower in a small pot can only grow so far. An actor in Wichita, for example, who stays in Wichita, will only go as far as is possible in Wichita. That is fine for some people—being the big fish in the little pond can be satisfying. However, if you want to achieve greater things, you need to grow, to push your limits.

We all must keep growing until we die. It is the nature of all living things. It is never too late to start something that can enhance your life—be it piano lessons, or therapy, or quitting smoking.

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How to Know Which Showcases to Do as an Actor - by John Essay

I have been asked many times over the years what kinds of showcases actors should do. I have been to hundreds—if not thousands—of showcases in the nearly 30 years I have been a manager, and I can count on both hands those I actually enjoyed and benefited from. The rest were quickly forgotten—mainly because they were uninventive, un-stimulating, or downright BORING. If you are thinking of developing or participating in a showcase, make sure it is exciting, unique, and has a great selling point!

Showcases come in many "types"—scenes, monologues, one-acts—and "styles"—improve, acting, musical theatre—but the "type" or "style" is the least important thing to consider when thinking of developing or participating in a showcase. The most important element is the overall way the showcase is packaged, or the "wow factor."

Let me explain. You will draw more flies to the honey if your showcase has an interesting "gimmick." You could present your showcase in a fascinating venue—a park, an old gutted warehouse, an ice cream parlor, a bus, a train, even a theater—as long as the show is of interest. Try hiring a director of note to help add legitimacy and some industry “buzz” around your showcase. How about scenes interspersed with music from a well-known or up-and-coming composer? Or start a play contest by soliciting 10-minute plays from playwrights. Choose six of the best, cast them with great talent, and spread the word. People attending would not only benefit from seeing new talent but also the work of some new playwrights. You could even serve interesting snacks or beverages before or after the performance. How about a fondue party? Or frozen summer blender drinks? Be creative—the list of ideas is endless.

Above all, do not participate in a showcase for the sole reason of getting casting directors and agents to come to advance your career. Of course, you will invite industry folk to come and see it, but it should not be the only reason to participate in it. Your main reasons to do a showcase should be that you like and admire the other people involved; you want to perform in something sooner rather than later; you like the concept; it promises to be a learning experience; and, most importantly, it should be fun!

Putting on a great showcase only takes a group of talented people working together. I hope this article empowers you to collaborate with others and produce your own compelling showcase.

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What Actors Can Learn From Door-to-Door Salesmen - by Robert Curtiss

One summer, during my college years, I was a door-to-door book salesman. I truly hated it — I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone! However, one thing has stuck in my mind from the days I spent in training for that job. Our trainer used to always say: “Every ‘no’ gets you closer to a ‘yes.’ ” The trainer acknowledged that we would have many doors slammed in our faces, and we would probably be intimidated, fearful, and discouraged. He said, though, that you could keep your spirits up and keep going if you just remembered the odds: Most people would not buy the product, but some would. That meant that you would mostly hear “no” and occasionally hear a “yes.” Every time someone said “no” you were to thank them, for they brought you one “no” closer to that “yes” you were definitely going to hear!

This is a great life lesson, for you as an actor and as a person for anything you set out to do in life. When you interview a representative, and they are not interested in working with you; when you keep auditioning and still do not get cast; when you invite industry people to your show and no one comes — these are all versions of hearing “no.” If you are persistent, if you keep at it, and if you make sure you are good at what you do, sooner or later you will get that “yes.” You will get the job, get that representative, etc. When you do something, don’t get discouraged each time you hit a roadblock, or hear someone say “no.” Keep at it, and all those no’s will lead you closer to getting a “yes”! 

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