Actress Confessions

Day 779 - 840 - It's Been a Long Time... Now Time to Set Some Goals

The months of December and January seem to be slower in my experience in the acting world. And with the holidays it's easy to get side tracked, but for me sometimes I just need to take a moment and evaluate where I've been, what's going on and what I want out of the future.

I've set some goals below and am going to try to stick to them as I continue my quest in becoming a leading lady. And here they are:

1. Book a gig in the next 3 months. This year I want my union credit.

2. Reach out to my networking of acting friends and develop a project.

3. Take a new acting class to continue working on my craft.

4. Finish writing a feature film.

5. Lose weight - feel healthier.

6. Take new acting photos.

7. Update my demo.

8. Send postcards and demo to casting agents.

9. Interview people in the industry.

10. Learn something new about the industry that I didn't know.

I was contacted by a reader about an article they had written about goal setting.  For the full article check out www.onlineeducation.net - See graphic below.

What I Learned

Step back, evaluate and move forward!

Day 778 - A Letter from a Reader....Stage Names

Hello Sofia,

Thanks for your blog, and thank you for being so honest! That blog of yours truly is inspiring to all of us (aspiring) actors 'en devenir'...

I'm in a very similar situation as well. Shifting from a -very- corporate job to acting, in Canada (Vancouver) and in my late twenties. I'm writing to you regarding stage names. Somehow I'm under the impression that Sofia Gian is a stage name. Am I right? Or perhaps you've explored the idea of having a stage name? In any case, do you know what that implies in Canada to have a stage name? Where do you have to register it? Is there any thing that needs to be done with the government or bank institutions in order to be working (and making money) under the stage name even though all your official info in under your real name?

I appreciate any comment you may have on this. If you're not using a stage name, then I apologize for this inquiry.

Anyhow keep up the good work, and I'm looking forward to hearing more from you, either through your blog or professional credits ;-)

Cheers. 

Julie

_____

Thanks Julie for writing in - here's some of my experiences:

My Name

Thanks for reading and writing in! Very much appreciated! Sofia Gian is a stage name for me - you are correct. My last name is authentically Greek and many individuals were having issues pronouncing it so I decided to shorten it which is why for acting purposes it is Gian now.(Gian is actually contained in my legal name but this way its much shorter!)

Also with having a corporate job, it's easier for me to have two separate names - one for my artistic side and one for the professional side. I find that this way it doesn't interfere with my "corporate" reputation and vice versa.

To change your name or not change your name?

Many actors have stage names. Elizabeth Banks was originally Elizabeth Mitchell, but she changed it to "Banks" to avoid confusion with another Elizabeth Mitchell that was starting to land TV roles. That may be another reason you decide to explore changing your name. Imagine being "Jennifer Lopez or Brad Pitt...."ummm in these cases you may want to change it.

Banking and Tax Purposes

Now, he's where is gets tricky, if you are using a stage name and you get hired the company that hires you they can not write you a cheque in your stage name - because any bank won't cash it unless you have a business account under that name. So another option is that your agent direct the company to write you a cheque in your real name. That's what I usually do, because I'm non-union. 

Now if you are a part of a union, you will provide them with your stage name and legal name - this will help them process your payments from your work. You will need to register your names with a union, many times a union will not take your name if someone else is registered with it - which is why sometimes actors choose to add a middle initial to their name so that they can keep it.

Now in terms of tax purposes, I have an accountant that takes care of the funds I make from my acting gigs. Check out this great article on Canadian Actor Online. http://www.canadianactor.com/actors/business/taxes.html - it talks about some key things you need to know about filing your taxes.

Again, these are just some of my experiences but if there is anyone else that would like to weigh in on this - please feel to comment below!

Thanks for Reading and Writing - Keep up the Hussle!!!!

Day 773 - So I didn't get it...But...

I really thought I'd get this one - I was even put on hold until the very last minute. I knew they were shooting on Friday and as of Thursday morning nothing had been decided yet - they were still making a decision.

Then late on Thursday my agent emails me : Sorry, but they have released you from the hold.

Boo, I did not get it...  I must have been swearing like a sailor at that moment but I knew that I had  to keep my head up and not let this industry get the best of me....

Then a couple of days later my agent emails me:

Agent: Mr. X casting director would like to bring you in for an audition in a couple of days for a commercial he is casting. Funny thing is that I didnt submit you for this project - He's gotten to know you and clearly thinks your good, so he's invited you in on his own! Here's the character description. Are you in?

Me: Ummmmm Ya! Of course I am!

Keep you posted! Gooooo Sofia Gian Gooooo!

Day 773 - Keep the hussle going!