Recently in Christopher Stadulis Category

My day job is as a NYC Firefighter, which allows me the flexibility within my schedule to pursue this craft. I have studied the martial art of Taekwon-Do for 20 yrs, which enables me the discipline, strength, integrity and perseverance to continuously work hard at my career as an Actor.

Rejection doesn't prevent me from moving forward; it only strengthens me to work harder and smarter. I am passionate and dedicated about my craft and career. I don't believe in waiting for my BIG break, I believe in creating it! I have a responsibility in telling a good story. Having an audience connect, relate, feel various emotions as I take them on my journey, are very gratifying for me.

To me, that is success. If I accomplish that, then I have done my job.

In addition to being a Firefighter & Actor, I am a Father, Husband & caretaker for my disabled mother who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. People always ask me how have I accomplished so much in being an Actor for only 4 years and having so much on my plate. I tell them it's about having a balance, staying focused, dedicated and very hungry towards becoming a TRUE Actor.

I am a firm believer in doing something productive everyday towards my career, shaking as many hands as possible, always maintain a professional positive attitude and understand that this is a business. I am the CEO of my own business and should always showcase myself in the best possible light.

I have been meeting as many CD's, Agents & Managers as possible to show them my work, personality & build as well as maintain relationships via career updates. I understand this business and my type/product well & focus my time, energy & money in areas that I am best suited. Also, I have have registered the treatement for my full-length screenplay entitled, "FORBIDDEN", which is based on a true story. It's compelling subject matter is relevant to today's world & will provoke thought worldwide. Soon, I will be writing, producing, directing and starring in a documentary style short that I will look to pitch to various networks, especially HBO.

Lastly, I not only enjoy being a part of projects that have great messages that need to create awareness to the public but also feel a need to get involved as a human being. I believe it is my duty as a person to help anyone I can that maybe can't help themselves, do not know where to go for help or simply do not have the ability for their voice to be heard for reasons beyond their control.

Some of the many topics that intrigue me:

Whenever I get called to audition for something, I read the scene and visualize what it would look like as I'm reading it. Like moving images in my head. Like I'm watching a movie.

Of course I factor in the genre and medium when doing this. I don't look to put on a performance. I simply bring myself to the character (be myself). When an actor tries to give the CD what they think they are looking for, it comes across as bad acting.

I make the best choice I could make in my opening line/moment and use internal pause. I also make sure my instrument is free.

Before I went to audition, I read the scene and it was hilarious! The show is a straight comedy. Most actors would play it very comical but you have to be realistic and logical. My character is not part of Alec Baldwin & Tina Fey's little click. My character is a police officer so I should play it straight and real, which makes the scene even funnier.

A few weeks ago, Christopher Stadulis wrote a post about why actors need be meeting agents and casting directors at network houses, commonly called "meet-and-greets."

I thought it was a great example about why actors should be doing this, but then it led the question about how does actor go about doing "meet-and-greets?" What's a good strategy or plan? I asked Christopher the follow questions based on his experience as an actor who is just starting to break into the business at a professional level:

How much $$ can one expect to pay for meet and greets? (This is an important question because it has to do with ROI, something all actors with professional ambitions should be doing (because producers calculate ROI) -- even though when you're just starting out, it can be painful calculation because numerator is probably low if not zero. Yet tracking costs is a great habit to get into -- and an essential habit if you are or want to be a professional actor. In fact, a simple way to do this with mailings and meet-and-greet is to use this Marketing ROI Calculator. For meet-and-greets, just enter the number of meetings you've been having instead of the number of pieces of mailings you've been doing). So, the question again: How much $$ can one expect to pay for meet and greets?

It all depends on a persons budget, but I would recommend to do a package deal since you will see a good amount of industry professionals and will save money by going that route.[At Breakthrough Studios] it usually costs $32 per meet with a CD, Agent or Manager of your choice. I recently signed up for the $599 special at Breakthrough Studios, which I love, to meet with as many industry professionals as I can within 1 month. I met with 35 total. A combination of CD's, Agents and Managers. If I were to see each other and pay individually, it would have cost me $2,000. So I saved $1,400 which is huge! (Christopher Stadulis).

Lately I have been asked by many actor friends and acquaintances if they should pay to meet CD's, Agents and Managers.

My answer is simple- YES, ABSOLUTLEY. Actors should attend what are called MEET & GREETS. This is where you pay to meet a CD, Agent or Manager of your choice to show them your work and personality.

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:

Hello all,

I have been acting now for 3 1/2 years and have learned a great deal from working with several industry professionals and books which I have read.

My approach to my craft and business has changed dramatically. I understand that this is a business and I am the CEO of my own company and must always showcase myself in the best possible light. I shake as many hands as possible, always remain professional and positive, be open to change and most importantly, BE MYSELF! I submit for every project I can but focus my time, energy and money on areas that are geared towards my type. And it's extremely important to know your type/product. Meaning if a CD, Agent or Manager ask you, "Who's getting your work?" What they are trying to find out is if you were auditioning for roles in the BIG leagues, which Actors are getting the roles that you'd be perfect for based on your type. This is part of knowing your business.