Be yourself!

IN MY OPINION;

WILLIAM REYNOLDS

QUOTE FROM....'ME'

“Why do you pretend, when you can make it real? We like pretending to be someone else but the truth we just want to be ourselves.” 

But Janet suggested we post Brad Pitt's photo instead of mine.

Handling Rejection

IN MY OPINION:

WILLIAM REYNOLDS

HANDLING REJECTION;

No matter what the business is, rejection is a bad road to go down.

Don't start putting yourself down. Nothing could be more harmful to an actor.

Learn from the experience. PLUS it might not be 'you' at all.

You're too young, you're too old, you're the wrong gender or ethnicity. too big,

too small etc. etc..

The Casting Director doesn't think  you are a despicable person that they never

hope to see again.

I can tell you on a personal note from both sides of the camera>>>>

IT'S GONNA HAPPEN" more times than you'll get picked. It's all part of the business,

the 'process'>>>> Just go out and prepare for the next one.

Success!

IN MY OPINION;

   WILLIAM REYNOLDS

SUCCESS:

There is no elevator to success>>>

You will have to take the stairs>>>

YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT, BETTER STILL, 

YOU''D BEST BELIEVE THAT!!!!!!!!!!

Animals and acting!

IN MY OPINION;

WILLIAM REYNOLDS

HOW DO YOU TEACH AN ANIMAL HOW TO ACT?

Well first thing is,

They have to read and learn the script.

Know it All!

IN MY OPINION;

WILLIAM REYNOLDS

ACTUALLY JUST A QUOTE FROM SOMEONE WE  ALL KNOW:

If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it? 

ALBERT EINSTEIN

Do you need Training?

IN MY OPINION;

WILLIAM REYNOLDS;

DO YOU REALLY NEED ACTING TRAINING?

Backstage Magazine asked several prominent actors to talk about where and why they

studied acting, and took classes. All but one agreed that it was well worth the time

effort and costs invested.  But each one, 'all' has appreciated and has used something from every lesson learned. The cross-section of actors interviewed were selected by the writers and editors of the Magazine.

YOU CAN COUNT THE 'NATURAL ACTORS' YOU MEET IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFETIME ON LESS THAN

ONE HAND. PERSONALLY, I'VE NEVER MET ONE.

Do you want to Act?

IN MY OPINION;

HOW CAN ONE TELL THAT THEY REALLY WANT TO ACT?

BY YOUR ACTIONS REGARDING THE SUBJECT;

How do you know you want to be an actress? Have you ever acted in school plays? Have you ever taken acting classes? Have you ever auditioned for local community theater? Because most people who REALLY want to be actors are trying to act whenever and wherever they can - whether it's school drama club, a play your church youth group is putting on, classes at a local acting school, acting in every school play, etc 

Your physical appearance has nothing to do with whether or not you are going to be a good actress - there are actresses like Salma Hayek who are 5' and actresses like Tilda Swinton who are 6' and everything in between so your height and your coloring is irrelevant. What matters is your innate talent combined with your experience and training.  Far too many aspiring actors think that have it, or conversely don't have it, and many times both of these assumptions are dead wrong. It does not matter what kind or how much innate talent you may have, it still needs to be polished and improved into a marketable asset.

DON'T FOOL YOURSELF.

Gossiping

                                                              PHOTO ON THE WAY

IN MY OPINION;

WILLIAM REYNOLDS

'SPEND LESS TIME 'GOSSIPING'

And more time working on your script. Beginners many times spend their beginning career gossiping with yet another beginner about....'my photos', 'what have you been doing', 'this is what you should do', and the list goes on and on and on. Then, and sometimes quickly, they get an audition for a speaking role, and sometimes only after a few days or a week. Then guess what? They don't remember what to do. Why? Because their scene partner in acting classes and themselves were blabbing as opposed to listening and practicing and learning. Then of course they completely blow the chance they've been waiting for. Does not happen to those that actually apply themselves and do what just about everyone in every business does to get ahead. Then maybe (just maybe) you will have something positive to talk about.

Can you take Direction?

WILLIAM REYNOLDS;

IN MY OPINION;

YOUR AUDITION FOR CASTING DIRECTORS AND DIRECTORS;

Your work makes 'them' look good and helps gets the role cast. On the other hand your loosely connected, tentative, muddled work does nothing for anyone, just takes up precious time while you are turning a normal audition or script into a cheap horror movie.

Then throw in 'late', 'didn't show up at all', and then have a chip on your fast fading shoulder (for some totally unknown reason) equals a big OH NO, NOT AGAIN. 

ALSO; Can they take directions?>>>>Are they flexible?>>>>Are they reliable?>>>>(their resume should give an indication of that one) ACTORS ARE AT LEAST 50% OF THE MOVIE, EVERY THING ELSE MAKES UP THE REST, AND DIRECTORS AND THEIR BOSSES, THE PRODUCERS ARE NOT KIDDING AROUND. IN FACT THEY HAVE VERY LITTLE PATIENCE. BE A PROFESSIONAL, AND SEE WHAT CAN HAPPEN.

WILLIAM REYNOLDS

IN MY OPINION

STAYING THE COURSE;

Any time you think about your current job or career, and you question the decisions you've made that caused you to arrive at this particular point, it may be easy to let self-doubt and negativity take over your thoughts. If this pattern of thinking is allowed to continue for any length of time you will likely find that it can cause you to lose sight of the control you have over your career, regardless of the present circumstances that may seem to be beyond your immediate power to change for the better. A mindset like that can easily become a self-defeating attitude, which will lead to further frustration and stall your developmental plans.

There is a common phrase that would be helpful to keep in mind as you reflect on your career and it is known as "stay the course" – and this refers to maintaining a forward focus without becoming distracted. However, any time you question yourself or the decisions made that now cause you doubt, it is an indicator that you may not really know what path you are on and you may not have specific career goals. This phrase is not meant to imply that you need to develop one path and stay rigidly fixed on that course without ever adapting when needed. However, it does remind you that your career progress is incremental and you are always learning and acquiring both knowledge and skills with every job – and your career is a journey that is defined by specific goals and a purpose or vision.

And then there is the other blog I posted recently 'being prepared'. Do not forget this important element into any career choice.DON'T LET THE CASTING OPPORTUNITY THAT COULD HAVE CHANGED YOUR LIFE GO BY BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE READY, WHEN IN REALITY YOU WERE NOT.

IT HAPPENS EVERYDAY.

Casting Directors/Agents

IN MY OPINION;

William Reynolds

CASTING DIRECTORS/AGENTS

Gigi Garner---LA based acting workshop advocate:

"Everything in this business is based on relationships. If it's the only way to make an impression, then you've got to use what you've got to use."

This comment came after Casting Director Scott David of Criminal Minds was fired by the studio for his connection with THE ACTORS LINK, an LA based casting workshop business that he owns. Why? Because actors were paying him for casting and acting workshops

mostly because he was, is, a major Casting Director in a major market like LA. How else, or what better way to get seen and get in front of someone that can possibly launch your career. GET SEEN! GET NOTICED!

"Personally, I agree with Gigi" >>>>WR

Motivation!

IN MY OPINION;

STAYING MOTIVATED;

William Reynolds

Motivation--Are you?  Motivation is like a fuel (energy) that fuels success. The spark that gets it all going, and 'hopefully' keeps you going. If you kind of 'slack off' in a short period of time, and I've seen this happen in as little as one single day, or one week. Then you probably are not motivated enough, or at all. Showing up late for an audition or a rehearsal, (a big no-no) not returning calls, or getting side-tracked with your 'other life' too easily are not positive signs. If this is you, then you might entertain thoughts of re-thinking your original intentions. Cause that ain't gonna cut it.

If this is certainly 'not' you, or even close then you are probably on track regardless of occasional setbacks. Keep you nose pointed in the positive direction.

BE PREPARED!

IN MY OPINION;

William Reynolds

NAILING YOUR AUDITION;

Before you go in:  Attitude and the behavior of the character are vital. GO IN PREPARED, auditioning is the opportunity to act. Exactly what you want to do,correct? Don't worry about the job before you get it. Don't worry about the pay. Concentrate on giving a good performance. If you can do that effectively that's half the battle. Casting directors absolutely want you to do well. It's their job to find you, or someone just like you. AND THEY WILL.

After the audition, you can ask the casting director if he/she has any tips If it's 'no' just say thank you and leave. If the answer is 'yes' then listen and listen closely. DO NOT ASK IF YOU CAN TRY AGAIN...EVER. DON'T DO THAT. Then after you leave, mentally review your audition, review tips that were given and try to implement them.

If you are just starting your career, many, if not most of the time you will be looking for work (just about all actors, save the stars) than actually working. This is 'exactly' why you need to be prepared for such opportunities. Don't mess with this chance to move up the ladder.

Lucky to be an actor

Hang in there

IN MY OPINION;

William Reynolds

Hang in there and don't quit, right before your break happens.

Getting along

IN MY OPINION;

William Reynolds;

DON'T THINK PRODUCERS CAN'T GET ALONG WITHOUT 'YOU'.

So many actors have been fired by Directors and/or Producers, and for a variety of reasons. Mostly attitude.  Megan Fox was fired by Steven Spielberg from TRANSFORMERS 3 due to some comments about the great film director Michael Bay (comparing him to Hitler). She was fired immediately and has not fully recovered, as far as career's go. If they will fire Fox, they will fire just about anyone.

We just had an actor that has been here about one year, and got the lead role in a cable tv show, paid a few thousand per episode (we work on commissions) Janet is NOT an employee but a commissioned casting director. So, why was he dumped? Attitude. Not wanting to rehearse. Not taking the part seriously. Showing up late. He was fired after only a few weeks.  

Another thing. When a relative newbie gets an opportunity for something that could turn out to be a 'life changing event' it should be relished, cared for etc. And definitely taken seriously. It's ok to turn a part down, if you don't like it, or you don't think you can do what is required. But don't begin and then quit. At least tell the agent or someone. Don't leave us with pie on our face. We are working for YOU>