Tools of the Trade

Okay, here’s your homework, folks…when you have an audition or a booking for a product you’ve never heard of  or barely know, I strongly urge you to ‘Google it’! (What’s the point of having the Internet at our fingertips, if we  don’t access it? Go to www.google.com.

Make a habit of becoming familiar with what the product is, the direction of the current ad campaign and show some interest in the subject. It will certainly reflect in your read! If you are interested, you are interesting.

And if we’re recording your demo here at Sound Advice, we expect you to take responsibility for making
yourself familiar with not only the script, but the subject of each script by ‘Googling it’ so you know what you’re talking about at the session. This is a great way to better familiarize yourself with the product and overall concept. After all, you’re never selling the product you’re selling the concept.

Additionally, use www.imdb.com (‘imdb’ stands for Internet Movie Data Base) when you’re given a reference such as “this character should be a cross between David Morse and David Strathairn”, especially if you have no idea who they are referring to! If you do you’ll know precisely the feel those auditioning you are aiming for and be more prepared to deliver.

In fact, check out the two actors I just mentioned on imdb.  They’re pretty remarkable and so are their
careers. Also, look up actresses, Lili Taylor and Amanda Plumber, director Spike Jonze and screenwriter, Robin Swicord.

You’ll only BROADEN your industry vocabulary and knowledge by doing so!  Besides, it’s fun.

A Good Problem to Have

You may, at first blush, consider “good problems” to be something of an oxymoron. Okay, you’re right! It is.

But, consider what would be a good problem to have.

How about:

• Having too many auditions.
• Or having so many jobs you have to quit the day job and focus on being a professional talent full-time.
  You’re getting so many gigs–you have to hire a whole staff of people to handle promotion, finances, scheduling–the works.
• How about being so book-able, you set a trend in the industry and the client has to consider the fact whether you might be a bit over-exposed. That would be a very good problem.
• Or how about having a handful of truly outstanding talent agents and managers vying to rep you.
• How about delivering so many great reads at every session, the director/client can’t decide which one to use as the ‘keeper’. (“Man, they’re ALL awesome. Tough call.”)
• How about having too much work you couldn’t possibly take on even one more gig. (I mean there are only so many hours in the day.)
• How about being too smart, too good-looking, too articulate, too sane, too happy, too pleasant, too fun, too patient, too decent, too popular, too desirable, too savvy, too cool, too talented, too insightful, too intuitive, too playful, too clever, too buoyant, too considerate, too “right”, too thoughtful, too appreciative, too able, too sought-after, too healthy, too clear-headed, too rested, too young…too young. (How old would you have to be to be too young?)
• And, of course, (it’s almost too cliche to mention it…but) having more so much money, you couldn’t possible use even…one…more…penny. (Please…get it away from me! Ugh!)
• Or how about having too much time to pursue your deepest dreams and most heart-felt wishes.
• Well, there you have it…all of them very good problems to have.

We wish you all of them…and all at once. We will very happily assist you the best we can when they arise.
We’ll be here for the not-so-good-problems, too, of course. But never hope for ‘no-problems’ at all. You’re not in the game if you haven’t got a single problem. In fact, it would be doubtful you’d be alive at all.

Instead, check your pulse. Pinch yourself. Know you’re awake and kicking. And roll the dice again when your turn comes around.

Play for keeps. Play for fun. But just…play! You’re in very good company. And it is YOUR turn.

“Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.” —Edgar Allan Poe