No matter what level of success they’ve achieved, all actors want more. You might be at your wit’s end, and for you I say you’ve got to get back on the horse, dude. The greats don’t quit after one bad day. I mean did Babe Ruth quit after his sex tape was criticized? No, he went right back out and made another sex tape.I received a question from a guy named Kevin: “What are some helpful ways to learn to market yourself, etc.?”
If your career doesn’t have heat, it’s mainly because you’re not doing enough PR. Sure, work begets work, but more importantly, marketing begets work. You’ve got to let casting directors know what you’ve been up to on a regular basis.
And the go-to guy to help you do this is my friend Rich Montague. Rich heads up 80D Creative, which specializes in everything an actor needs to separate himself from the herd: postcards, flyers, he’ll even create your demo and voiceover reels. Rich is an outstanding actor in his own right, and he’s got strong showbiz genes – his uncle is Matt Riedy, a recurring cast member on “Big Time Rush,” in addition to booking dozens of other guest-starring roles each year. (Plus a part in Oliver Stone’s new film.) That kickass postcard above was designed by Rich.
But what do you have to announce to casting directors if you’re not booking the big stuff like Matt? Plenty. Even if you’re in a short film or a student film, send a postcard. You don’t have to get specific – just include the title of the project and CDs will assume this is a feature film. Is this a little sketchy? Sure. But your career isn’t going anywhere if you don’t have the balls of Babe Ruth. (I apologize for that mental image.)
The key is to remind casting directors about you often, so that when roles pop up that are good fits for you, they’ll say, “That Kevin guy, he’s always working. Let’s bring him in.” Ultimately, if you bump into any casting directors on the street, they should know you by name, and if they don’t, you aren’t marketing yourself well enough. And you’re too talented an actor to stay on the canvas for long. This is a process, designed to build lasting relationships with important people.
Check out 80dcreative.com and get your face out there. Or don’t, if you’re not really into the whole success thing, or if your definition of success is being huge in the abandoned gas station circuit. Up to you.
