Should actors have to “Pay-to-Play”?
Tough question, the answer isn’t really simple, it’s like they say about sex, you’re paying for it somehow.
Seriously though. If you do a play to hopefully get agents and managers there, you invest weeks if not months of prep and production to maybe possibly get seen. Your time isn’t free, so aren’t you still “Paying-to-Play”?
Now I understand why people get upset at this topic, because yes, a lot of people, not just casting directors, take advantage of actors in the industry, and yes some have taken advantage of actors using workshops to make money and not look for new talents. However…here it comes.
As I have said before being a Self Sustaining Actor requires you to take responsibility for yourself and your actions, which includes educating yourself and being strategic about where you focus your time, money and energy to get the most out of it.
This issue came to a head back in April of this year when The Hollywood Reporter did an artical on a casting director Scott David, which lead to not only him being let go from his job at Criminal Mind’s, but the whole town got gun shy about the casting director workshop idea. Understandable.
Actors were in an uproar about how it was a scam and couldn’t believe how we had been swindled, however actors forgot the role they played in it.
When I first moved to Hollywood, I like many jumped in head first to the workshops with the thinking, “If they just saw what I could do, it will launch my career!” Well it didn’t and I spent two years, thousands of dollars and a lot of time and energy doing these with no ROI. Or did I?
See I was approaching it all wrong. I realized this, finally. Workshops, like anything else, are a tool. Depending on how you use it, determines the results. So I adjusted my approach and got results immediately, because I knew what I was going to get out of them, and anything more than that was a bonus. I will share below how I do that.
If you implement strategy into what you do, you can determine the outcome by a higher percentage then by going into it blindly. Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith says, “Life by Design, Not By Default.”
I’m not saying Casting Director Workshops are the end all be all, but if you do decide to use them, use them wisely, use them to your advantage.
Here are some tips to help you keep from being scammed or swindled. (is that word still used?)
- Understand Workshops. Keep in mind this industry is like the mob. Every time someone suggests you to their bosses, they put their job and reputation on the line. So if you mess up, you go to another audition, they get fired or…whacked! Workshops are a place to;
- Build a relationship with the office over time, so they vouch for you one day, it’s like dating, you have to court them first.
- Always look at workshops like a acting class or the gym, you are there to learn and build your auditioning muscles.
- Do your Research. IMDb if you don’t know is where you can find out not only what they have cast in the past, but what they are currently casting. If they don’t currently have anything in the pipeline (IMDb Pro subscription tells you that) then you may choose not to do the workshop, however keep in mind if they do cast consistently and may not have anything posted, doesn’t mean they won’t soon.
- Aim at the Target. Create a list of the top 5 comedy and top 5 drama shows you belong on, not the ones you “wish” you were on, but you know you would fit on and there would be a roll for you. (if you’re 40 don’t expect to be on Nickelodeon show’s) Once you have this list research the Casting Director and all their assistants on CastingAbout.com. Put these names in a spreadsheet and then go to WorkshopGuru.com when either they or their associates are doing a workshop go! This way you focus your time, money and resources on a narrow group and get more traction rather than spreading yourself thin.
If you know someone who would benefit from this post please share with them, if you like it please comment below on what you liked.
Brent Harvey 