How to use Agent and Casting Director 'Meet-and-Greets.'
Last week I posted my thoughts on the various resources in NYC that facilitate agent and casting director "Meet-and-Greets:" Hopes and Dreams and Goals. Auditioning at The Actors Alliance.
Like most beginning actors, those who are trying to find professional opportunities with the initial goal of creating a professional network of casting agents and directors who know, like, and support you, I felt (and still feel) surprisingly lost, but -- the best way to get past that lost (and sometimes even "stuck" [I'm not going anywhere] feeling) is to just start moving forward and believe you'll find your way as you go along.
And -- follow the leaders! Find people who are successful at doing what you want to do, and 1) ask their advice and 2) do what they're doing. This is a terrific tried-and-true strategy, and it makes me feel less scared and unsure about just simply starting. Auditioning and gaining membership with The Actors Alliance and One-on-One is part of this strategy.
Another component of my strategy has been to ask advice from people who are doing what I want to do, so I contacted Christopher Stadulis, a part time contributor to this blog, and I asked him this:
I wanted to ask your advice about meet and greets, i.e., meeting casting directors and agents, at places like actors connection. I know many actors who do not believe in paying to meet casting director's and agents, or they just don't know how to evaluate the opportunity. I do believe in the value of these meet and greets, but I confess I've had cold feet because I'm not sure how to take advantage of the opportunity they offer. I guess the basic question I have is: how do I best prepare myself? I know my audition skills have to be good, and I continually work on those, but beyond that, is their anything else. The meet and greets do cost some $$, so I want to make sure my time and $$ (as well as the casting director's agent's time) are well spent.
He wrote back with some great advice about "Meet-and-Greets" in general, how to approach them, and how to audition:
Hi Christopher, I have been going to Breakthrough Studios and have had very good success. Also, the setting is very comfortable. I have heard One on One is also good.
I have heard not so great things about Actors connection. The biggest reason being is that they allow 30-40 actors attend and you don't get the one on one attention, critique, advice from the agents, managers and CD's that you'd like. Breakthrough allows anywhere from 10-15 actors to meet with an industry professional.
In regards to preparing yourself, BE YOURSELF! Some industry professionals ask that you do a monologue and others have you do a scene which Breakthrough sends 2-3 days prior to meeting. Don't try to give them what you think they want or are looking for. I used to always do that and that's a huge mistake. They have seen the scene performed a thousand times so they want to see a fresh version and since everyone person is different and unique, if you simply bring YOU to the character, it will be different.
I also recently learned that a monologue is not a performance. Doing a scene is. A monologue is simply an extension of you. So you don't have to feel like you're performing. Just speak as if you are having a conversation.
Lastly, meet and greets are just that. You are meeting industry professionals and greeting them by showing them your work, your personality and your mind set as an actor and business person. So many people are afraid to let their true personality show when they are auditioning but that's what they are looking for.
Actors should not have expectations because they meet with an agent, manager or CD. It is simply like going on a date. It is your first step in building a relationship with this particular person you are meeting with. Don't think about it afterward. Just move on to the next person you can meet.
And make sure you know your type so you can meet people who cast for your type or for shows, films, theatre that use your type. Basically you are focusing your time, energy and money where you see yourself best. Mind you, it [Breakthrough Studio] can be costly but they have a $599 special where you can meet with as many industry professionals you'd like within 1 month. I added up all of the ppl I meet with and if I saw each other them individually, it would have cost me $2,000 if I paid for each one separately. That's a big savings. And make sure after you meet with someone you keep a log of the meeting, what you wore, if you did a scene or monologue, their likes and dislikes, etc. And constantly keep them updated with your career so you are in the forefront of their mind. (Christopher Stadulis).
Further Reading . . .
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