Working As An Actor.
What Does It Really Mean?

I sometimes wonder how it’s possible to dabble at acting. I mean, working as an actor or working the beat, as I call it can be hard work. And if one isn’t fortunate enough to have his finances in order before starting to pursue acting and has to work at least part-time, how do you stay focused?

What I’ve learned so far in my young career is that this can be a full-time job itself, if you want it to be. When I’m hitting it hard day after day, my time is filled pretty much to the brim. What working as an actor really means is lots of drive and a lot of discipline, lots of stamina and a lot of energy.

Working As An Actor Means Working The Beat: A Typical Day

My days usually start around 8:15am with a good breakfast of cereal, toast, yogurt, a big bowl of mixed fruit and green or white tea. While I’m enjoying my favorite meal of the day, the computer is connected to the internet and I’m checking my email hoping that a casting director or someone has contacted me from one of my online submissions the day before and checking out the three casting websites I subscribed to, seeing if anything interesting in the way of roles for productions, films, tv shows or what have you, came throughthat I should submit myself for.

Working As An Actor Means: Mailings

If it is a day designated for mailings, I usually use the time to write cover letters to new contacts, casting directors and agents, producers, etc. and make packets together with my headshot and résumé. Since my headshot is horizontal with space on one side, I downsized my cover letter and stapled it to the front of the headshot. This way, whoever receives my materials, will have everything at the grasp of one hand, because in addition to the headshot and cover letter, the résumé is always cut to the size of the headshot and stapled to the back of it. That’s industry standard. Another reason why you should always staple them altogether is because if they get separated among all the mail that comes into those offices, they might not find their way back together again and you might lose out. Worse yet, you might not ever know it!

The downsizing of the cover letter was just one of the little tricks of the trade that I learned from Leslie Becker in my one on one consultation with her.

I also use this mailing time to write postcards to my existing contacts to keep in touch and report any jobs I’ve gotten recently or even close calls such as call-backs or on-holds since the last time I sent correspondence to them. On that note, in the many question and answer sessions I have participated in with casting directors and agents, one of the questions that frequently arises is, “How often should actors keep in touch with agents and casting directors?” Almost always, the answer is, whenever you have something to say. The best things to say, as far as I have learned are things about what you have done recently in the way of acting; shows you have been in, movies, tv programs, independent films, commercials, or whatever. I’ve been taught to make my communication count and not send cards or correspondence just to say hi!

So working as an actor also means keeping in touch. And keeping in touch this way is professional and has paid off in that even the close call reports have resulted in my being called personally by casting directors to come in and audition.

And how to keep in touch is something I learned from Brian O’Neil’s seminar and book. I completely transformed the way I approached my business of being an actor, after having taken several forums, during which I met with casting directors and agents. Brian O’Neil’s book Acting As A Business Brian O’Neil’s book Acting As A Business is full of tips and valuable info for working as an actor. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most read books in the Drama Book Shop in New York. I read it twice!

Working As An Actor Means: Auditioning!

After putting together my mail, it’s shower time and off to the first commercial audition of the day, which usually isn’t before 11 – 11:30am. The first could be an on-camera commercial audition at House Productions downtown. The next one is around 2pm, for an industrial at Don Case Casting and then another around 3:30pm for an on-camera commercial down at Liz Lewis Casting. There’s no rhyme or reason to what types of auditions. Could be three or four auditions usually either commercials, film, industrial or go-see (term used for commercial print auditions/castings) for print work.

In between all that, there is usually a buffet lunch, dropping off the mail I prepared that morning and the night before and a few phone calls from my agents checking my availability for auditions the following day or to tell me that I’ve been called back. Occasionally, there will also be a series of four, yes that’s right, four reminder text messages from Actors Access that I have been contacted by their CMAIL by a casting director or by someone who has responded to one of my submissions through their website. I have to check them when I get to a computer.

Working As An Actor Means Staying Informed

The rides on the subway up and downtown are dedicated to either reading the trade paper articles or a book about acting or to practicing a technique that I learned in class to help me get in touch with my emotions. Or it might just be to observe the different characters to get some more ammunition for my acting bag. It’s a great place to get ideas for acting.

By this time I’m starting to get tired of trapsing all around the city with a backpack and a trolley or one or the other, which contain clothes for my auditions. Gotta take the right clothes to dress the part. In addition, in the summertime, when it’s 90° outside, you must take a change of clothes, otherwise you arrive soaking wet and make a terrible impression. Gotta get there early, change and look fresh! Now I can’t wait to get rid of the bags for a while!

Working As An Actor Means: Keeping Fit And Going To Class

Now it’s off to the gym for an hour and a half workout: abs, cardio, weights and stretching. Then, back uptown to the apartment to drop off the gym clothes and the trolley, check my email, a quick check of the casting sites again, grab a quick bite to eat. After about forty-five minutes to an hour at home, it’s back to the subway to head downtown for class from 7 – 10pm. A drink and slice of pizza with some classmates and then back home again around midnight.

The days I don’t have class, I might take in a movie.

Working As An Actor Means Late Nights With...Myself!

But the day isn’t finished yet! Grab a beer, turn on the computer and check the casting sites one more time for the day to see if there has been any activity. A couple of submissions, prepare some mailings for the next day, recap the day’s activities, a little self analysis (what went well and what didn’t), go over my notes from class, look over my plan for the next day, get my clothes together for the auditions, an episode of Law & Order, a quick snack and then off to bed around 2am! Tired, but happy to be doing what I’m doing! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Working As An Actor Means Rest Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

See what it's like to get cast for and really be working as an actor.

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Hi Tony
I would like to thank you for helping me with the monologue question I asked in October 2007. I went to the auditions for a Drama course and I am happy to say that I have been accepted as a first-year student at the Tshwane University of Technology. Please keep on sending me those newsletters and let me know where I can find books that will help me in my acting career. Thank you once more. Have a blessed day.
Sincerely
Edward Thaba -South Africa

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Hi,
I was wondering if there is anything established like actingstartup.com in the U.K. because you are amazing and I have learned loads...
Thank You.
Nadine., Newcastle, UK

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Dear Anthony,
Just wanted to thank you for bringing me in to [audition for the video], meet you and chat this Saturday. I was really excited to hear about your working on actingcareerstartup.com and even took a look at it today - it's awesome! You are very well-spoken, knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and it shows through the work that you do! I hope our paths in the industry will cross again and really enjoyed meeting you. Thanks, again and best wishes with your very important work!
Warmly,
Gretchen, NY, NY

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Hey Tony, thanks for the info, yours by far is the most useful, I am 30 years old, and I myself always (secretly) wanted to be an actress, but I never knew where to begin, so thank you. You have given me hope!
Ana C., Tampa, FL

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Hi, I’m John.
You answered a question for me about two weeks ago about how to write my cover letters…I want you to know your advice was helpful. I got called in for a part as an extra in my first movie! It’s not big, but it’s my first one! Thanks for your help!
John, San Diego, CA