Day 30 - Monthly Reflection – What I did and learned in 30 days

Monthly Reflection – What Happened in 30 Days!

• I got an Agent.
  
• I've bought my website name. Now all I have to do is figure out how to fix it up and make it look pretty.
• I've tried to connect to at least one person a day. (I need to get more people)
• I got a twitter account - I'm going to post daily.
• Asked a friend to help me with headshots.
• Enrolled in a 6 week class at the Professional actors Lab
• I picked up a couple books of my own – and started reading them! Actors Survival Kit by Miriam Newhouse and Peter Messaline - Canadian resourse + Audition: Everything an actor needs to get the part by Michael Shurtleff
• Started applying to performer roles online at:

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  • www.castingworkbook.com  
  • www.mandy.com  
  • www.workinculture.com  
  • www.craigslist.com * I'll only go to open calls here or if I know the casting studio. 

• Got Headshots.
• Talked to Anna Velonis – PR guru about my brand
• Auditioned for a movie – got the part!!!!
• Learned how to improvise at an audition.
• Networking
• Going to the Gym 3 Times a week – This is still hard – lunges kill me.
• Working with a private coach once a week.
• Went to see a nutritionist
• Set short term goals
• Started doing research to figure out which industry professionals I should speak with.
• Gave Michael Damian my resume and headshot.
• Identified key influencers/stakeholders
• Working on how to breathe and visualize.
• Had a meeting with my agent to see how I’m doing.
• Reached out to 7 casting agents.
• Finally figured out on my own – if I was in a movie who I would be. 

  

What I Learned

1. Always bring your best, because you don't know what can happen - anyone and everyone is watching!
2. I got to get out there and start meeting people and networking.
3. This computer stuff is hard. I need to build on my skills. :)
4. Actors often are required to include a head shot, along with their resume, when applying for a job. A performer will often have head shots expressing different poses and expressions to give a potential employer an idea of the subject's range of appearances or expressions. Actor's headshots are always done in an 8×10 format. Unless they are being uploaded to a website like www.castingworkbook.com. (site that posts auditions - annual fee) The main purpose of an actor's head shot is identification. So the most important feature of an actor's headshot is that it looks like you.
5. Education is never a waste. Taking another class will only make me stronger.
6. Viewing and reading books about my craft will give me new ideas and perspectives on acting. By viewing films that showcase compelling actors, will expose me to different feelings that an actor must take on to be engaging on screen.
7. Until I see myself for who I am, I cannot properly represent myself. Think like a casting agent. What would you cast yourself in?
8. Auditions - Be prepared. Concentrate on the reading. No tricks, No tactics. Do what you have to do. Don't overstay your welcome - you are a guest in their office be on your best behaviour.
9. To set myself apart, I need to market myself and be the brand.
10. Block out all the bad thoughts, especially the thoughts that make you doubt yourself. Focus on the task on hand.
11. Not everything is going to go as planned, sometimes you got to improvise.
12. Always look for networking opportunities.
13. Don't make assumptions and don't doubt yourself. what you think might have been a bad audition, may not have been one at all.
14. Looks do matter + no wonder our perception is so messed up.
15. What is an actor, where did it the name/concept come from.
16. I need to workshop each piece before I go into an audition. I can tackle any character, nothing is out of my realm - I just need to work on it.
17. How to eat to be a better me.
18. Set Goals so that you have something to work towards.
19. I have a little voice in my head that sometimes is sabotaging. I need to acknowledge that the voice is there and turn the volume of that voice down, so that I can be an actor with no inhibitions.
20. There are people out there in places you want to be. Many are willing to speak with you - all you have to do is ask!
21. Gave Michael Damian my resume and headshot. Even if nothing comes out of this crazy thing I did, I did it and feel no regrets. I lost nothing and maybe have the potential of having this turn into something. When is the next time I’m going to meet Michael Damian – probably never – so I seized the opportunity.
22. Identified key stakeholders. I have to know the players in the game in order for them to feel comfortable in letting me play too!
23. I need to dig deep and find complicated compelling situations in my life in order to create complicated and compelling characters.
24. I may need to do more self promotion, in order to get my name out there as an actor.
25. I took a chance, I don't know yet if it worked or if it bothered some, but if even one meeting comes out of an email, then I know that I was successful.
26. I know what I can play. Knowing this will enable me to talk to casting agents about what I can play or what I see myself as.
27. Be prepared for anything, you never know what will happen. Say "yes" to all opportunities.
28. Knowledge from TIP Program Coordinator Tasso Lakas.
29. Knowledge from Emmy Award winning Cinematographer Thomas McKenny.

What I Learned

30. Through this reassessment, I’ve realized that by doing one thing each day you move closer to your goal.