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by: Natalie Lipka & Wayne Frazier

When’s the last time you went on a trip and used a roadmap?

I (Natalie Lipka) believe mine was in 2004 as I was mapping out my drive from Savannah, GA to Los Angeles. I remember I opted for MapQuest directions and used the roadmap as a backup.

Mine, (Wayne Frazier) was back in 2005 when I was trying to finagle LA traffic with my trusty Thomas Guide on my way to an audition at 200 South. This was before GPS was really mainstream and the Waze App was just a glimmer in someone’s eye.

For us, social media has been a journey filled with many stops along the way, including finding our voices, learning the proper way to post on each platform, and balancing our time between connecting with our peers in the entertainment industry as well as being able to stay connected with friends and family.

For the longest time, we thought we needed to figure out all of this on our own.

Then, we met Heidi Dean of Marketing 4 Actors through Twitter.

She has basically created a “social media roadmap” for actors with her 21-Day Social Rockstar Challenge. The challenge provides actors an efficient way to get the most out of their social media in a short amount of time per day. This is one “map” Natalie will not opt out using.

After taking the challenge ourselves, we decided to sit down with the social media maven to ask her a few questions about why social media is so important and how actors can tackle it.

HCU: Why is social media important now, more than ever for actors?

Heidi Dean: The industry has changed so much in the last few years. Using social media used to be optional, but it’s really becoming part of your job as an actor. Posting requirements and live tweeting obligations are popping up in contracts all the time. Let’s face it! You don’t want to be calling me up when you book an awesome project to learn social media 101. You want to focus on being the best actor you can be.

HCU: How can Social Media help our acting career?

Heidi: Social media helps you build relationships with the people you’ve worked with AND the people you want to work with. It helps you connect with your fans and take back control of your career! If any of these are important to you, I invite you to start making your social media a priority.

HCU: What are your top three pieces of advice for actors in regards to social media?

Heidi:
1. Always put the ME in your social media! Your social media is an extension of who you are as an actor AND a human being. So, remember to give your fans and followers a backstage pass! A backstage pass not only #onset or #onstage, but also give them a backstage pass into who you are.
2. Listen more than you talk! Sometimes actors treat social media like a big megaphone “Look at my reel! Look at my headshots! Look at my video!” Before you ask people to look at your stuff, think about what you can do for them. Listen to their conversations and respond, share their content, and get to know them before you start asking for favors of your own.
3. Be Patient! Social media can be frustrating at first, but it’s a valuable skill that you can learn. The biggest career advantage it offers is in building relationships. That takes time. Remember the three P’s: Stay positive, patient and persistent!

HCU: Heidi, all of this is so great, but how do we actually achieve this?

Heidi: My 21-Day Social Rockstar Challenge gives you the step-by-step strategies you need to always know what to post, build a thriving fan base, and build real relationships to help you book more work! At the end of 21 days you’ll have a system so you can rock your social media in less than 10 minutes a day. You also have direct access to me in a private Facebook group where I’ll be hosting live Q&As and you’ll be surrounded by a super supportive group of actors.

To help you start rockin’ your social media, be sure to grab your free copy of Heidi’s Ultimate Social Media Guide for Actors HERE.

Photo by: Roderiques Photography

by: Natalie Lipka

I love giving gifts.  My favorite part is finding the perfect present for someone.  That hilarious t-shirt at Target, the witty coffee mug at Bed Bath & Beyond or the Groupon that literally says, “This would be perfect for so-and-so!”  But unfortunately this doesn’t always happen for everyone on our lists around the holidays.  Sometimes you may want to find the perfect present for someone, but you don’t have any ideas.  Wayne and I are two actors “talking our way to the top,” so we have a pretty clear sense of what your actor friends might want. Since they might be too modest to make a list for you, we have decided to help out.  

1.  Acting Workouts
Help your favorite actor friend brush up on his/her skills by gifting them classes.  Going to acting class is like going to the gym.  An actor needs to continuously workout and classes can be expensive, but we will pay the money to work with the teachers that are right for us.  Now, I’m not saying to spend $250-$500 on classes for your friends (Hey if you can, awesome), but instead find some reasonable drop-in classes that they can check out.  For instance, Keep It Real Acting has commercial workouts on Wednesday and theatrical ones on Thursday nights with some amazing teachers for just $35.  I know I would think it was super thoughtful if someone gifted me a class (hint, hint ?).

2.  Fitness Classes
Just as acting class is like going to the gym, so is going to the actual gym.  I talked about in “Caring for Your Acting Instrument” how important it is for an actor to take proper care of his or her body and mind.  One of the best ways to do this is through exercise. What better way to show your actor friends that you care than by helping them take care of themselves? There are many individual fitness classes you can purchase out there and there are also many studios that offer two weeks or so of unlimited classes for a flat rate.  For example, from Black Dog Yoga, you can buy two weeks of unlimited yoga for just $30! This would allow your gift recipients the opportunity to try out different kinds of yoga to see which style fits best for their body.  

3.  Movie Passes
This may seem like a cliché gift, but on the contrary, it’s not only thoughtful especially for actors, but is extremely generous. In the age of Netflix, there is still nothing like seeing a movie on the BIG screen and it is important for actors to study their craft from other performers.  Two movie passes go a long way.  If this idea still feels too common and you want to get fancy, iPic Theatre could really do the trick.  They have something they call “Premium Plus Seating,” which includes fully reclining plush leather chairs with a pillow and blanket, popcorn and in-cinema food and beverage service.  What?! Sounds like a perfect present to me.

4.  A Groupon
I’m sure you’ve heard your friend or relative say at one point or another that they would love to learn how to stand up paddle board, play guitar, try indoor rock climbing or salsa.  Well you can easily make this happen.  Thankfully there are online sites like Groupon or Living Social that really make this accessible and affordable.  This is also the gift that keeps on giving because it has the potential to lead to the actor eventually adding a new skill to his or her resume.  Or, at the very least, could lead to them being able to check the “novice button” next to the skill on LA Casting.  

5.  Headshot Reprints
As we’ve talked about on Hollywood Close-Up, headshots are vital for actors.  Once you get them taken, they need to be printed.  In “Are You Tired of Being an Overspent Actor?” we discussed how headshots can get really expensive. Between hiring a photographer and make-up artist and getting your pictures printed, it all adds up.  What better way to tell your actor friends you love them (and support what they are doing) than to give the gift of headshot reprints?  Our go-to place is The Actor’s Photo Lab because not only do they have the best prices in town, but they also provide something very important: personalized customer service.   Your actor friend will be truly happy that you introduced them to this place.  This is also another gift that keeps on giving.  Imagine it: the headshot you helped get printed ends up being the one the actor uses to book a leading role.  What a gift you would have given!  

So, don’t worry, we will totally keep this blog between us.  This way your gift recipients will be completely surprised at how thoughtful you are and just how much you are supporting their career.  Happy Shopping!  

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by: Natalie Lipka & Wayne Frazier

As actors, we have spent our fair share of money on our business. It seems like every time we turn around, we spend money on workshops, wardrobe and casting sites.  Then there is the gas to get to auditions, parking meters when we get there, and those unforeseen parking tickets when our auditions outlast the money put into the parking meter.  And let’s not forget headshots: the actor’s calling card. Good headshots are a must to make it in this business.  But headshots can get really expensive, between hiring a photographer and make-up artist and getting your pictures printed.

This is our business and we realize that putting money into it is a must, but there are ways to save money and time.  One way we’ve been be able to do this is by making The Actor’s Photo Lab our prime reprinting shop.  We love this place because not only do they have the best prices in town, but they also provide something very important: personalized customer service.  

Just one of the awesome people we work with over at The Actor’s Photo Lab is Beau Rutherford. We decided to sit down with him to ask him a few questions about how and why this photo lab exceeds all other reproduction houses.  

Why is human interaction important for good headshots?
?When someone comes into the lab and needs help with their print designs we sit down with them and take them step by step through the process. I deal with many actors and agents on a daily basis to find out what they need, including different set-up options for headshots, zed cards and business cards. You have a product (yourself) and you want people to buy it. So, it’s my job to help people get themselves out there and to pursue their careers. I hear from our clients all the time about how they have tried printing with the other “bigger places” and how little actual human interaction they receive during the entire order process. Often I see how surprised and happy our customers are with the one-on-one service they receive.

Is it hard to be competitive with other, bigger places around?
Actually, customers tell me all the time how great our prices are compared to other places. I did a little research on this and, I won’t name any names, but I checked out one of the other leading shops around. Their basic setup for a headshot costs 2.5 TIMES what we charge. FOR THE EXACT SAME THING.

This business is crazy/immediate sometimes. How do you handle it when actors need rush orders?
?We do not charge in any way for rush orders. We realize things come up like last-minute auditions, workshops, agent meetings, etc. Practically every day people request same-day prints and we can almost always deliver.

You seem like you really care about alleviating stress for actors. Why is that??
I know being an actor is tough. You give so much of yourself to pursue a career that every day gives you reason to question if you should keep going. Knowing how little your talent and preparation play in actually getting a role, knowing that you crushed your audition but the guy next to you booked the national simply because his hair was longer or because you weren’t fat enough or skinny enough. So to all of you out there I applaud you. Keep hanging in there. You never know, that perfect opportunity could be awaiting you around the next corner.  

by: Natalie Lipka

A successful actress friend of mine once gave me a valuable piece of advice for those times when I am feeling unproductive. She said one way to feel like you’ve gotten something done is to clean out your closet. I have tried it and it is true.  There are many times in this business where you feel like you are playing the waiting game. Sometimes you have already completed all your tasks and you still don’t feel like things are working. But this idea just keeps things moving especially in your mind. When you clean something that is messy or cluttered, it helps you to feel productive and organized, which can ultimately be very empowering in any given moment.

So lately, I have decided to take this metaphor a little further. I am not just cleaning up my closet, I am cleaning up my acting career.

Buffering the Balance Sheet
Thanks to past guests Brian Vermeire and Kristina Hughes, I have recently started using an amazing program called Performer Track.  This service that we talk about on Ep94 is the most organized way that I have been presented with to get your career finances and contacts in order.  I just got the breakdown of how to use it this week and will continue to keep you posted.  But I do know this is going to save me time when it gets to the dreaded April 15th.  Oh, and remember how I mentioned about keeping an audition journal in my social media moment a while back? It takes care of that too! This service is taking all the things I do separately to keep my business on track and puts them together in one organized place. My current learning curve about this organizational product is still pretty high, but I am looking forward to gaining more time to focus on my craft while Performer Track works it’s “magic.”

Spic-and-Span Your Social Media
I recently attempted to clean out my Twitter account by looking for the people that I followed that might be spam or that have been inactive for the last three years. I tested the online applications ManageFlitter and Crowdfire. It was a bit rough at first, but seemed to do the job and it felt good. Why should I be following people that don’t interact at all on Twitter? As I mentioned on HCU last week, the point of social media is to be social. It’s bad business not to be social.  

Clean Up Your Casting Sites
After signing with my new commercial agent, my first task was to update my LA Casting and Casting Frontier sites. I suggest, agent or not – DO THIS ASAP! Get any and all of the casting sites you are on up to date! This is so important. Would you take an old resume to an audition or a job interview? The answer should be no. We work WAY too hard to get those roles, why wouldn’t we want everyone to know about them? By the way, Performer Track makes it really easy to update these sites. Make sure your pictures are up to date. I know that it can be expensive to add all of your pictures, so you may not be able to do it all at once, but in the end it only helps you and shows casting directors that you are a professional. Let me tell you, if you are feeling unproductive, this office work will always make you feel accomplished.

Next up – the dishes! (LOL)

I would love to hear any tips you have for me.  How do you stay productive?

by
Wayne Frazier

One of the most beautiful things in the world to me is seeing someone happy. It’s both therapeutic and contagious in so many ways if you allow it to soak into your own body and soul. A smile, a hysterical laugh or even a nod to wish someone a good day can make a difference in someone’s world.

I have lived in three very different parts of the country: the East Coast, the Mid-South and finally Los Angeles. People are happy for different reasons in these locations. When I lived in Boston, I noticed happiness spikes from our sports teams winning championships or from the snow from a long winter finally melting. In Tennessee, Southerners are enjoying a day on the lake or spending family time grilling on the hibachi. Los Angeles…well, it’s a little tougher to physically see happiness, but it is there.

It’s not all broken dreams out in California, trust me. I have come across some of the most wonderful and loving people in my life out here. However, sometimes we get caught up in our own heads and forget that it is not healthy to be scowling and serious all the time. That is why it is important to remember to “let down your hair” as often as possible to live a happy, fuller life. These are a couple steps I try to follow each and every day.

Smile. I think a smile is worth a thousand encouraging words. It’s tough in our ever-changing fast-paced world sometimes to remember to do something that should be as natural as taking a drink of water. I think people seem to be overanxious, flustered or take life way too serious. Now I understand you can’t have a smile on your face 24/7 and circumstances beyond our control like death, bills or a bad break-up can put a frown on your face. But not everyone has a bad day every day, do they? So, next time you walk into a store, or down the street, try this easy step. Smile and say hello. You might just brighten someone’s mood with this simple gesture. Plain and simple, a smile feels good and looks great on your body.

Laugh. They say laughter is the best medicine! Laughing allows people to put their guard down for a moment, and that is a healthy emotion. Personally, if I am not making at least one person a day crack a smile or laugh that is just unacceptable. Not to say you have to be a stand-up comic at every turn, but if you tell a joke or quip from a funny news story…shocker, it can lighten up an otherwise awkward situation. Isn’t that what life is all about, finding joy and happiness in yourself and one another? If you think otherwise, test yourself. Watch your favorite comic, sitcom or comedic movie. Share some of those funny moments with a co-worker or friend. A good laugh can be quite euphoric, and that is good in my book.

Eat right and Exercise. I would be remiss if I didn’t end my blog with the obvious. Putting the right amounts of nutritious foods into your daily routine is a no brainer. Food is energy; your body needs the essential vitamins to function properly. How are you going to smile or laugh if your body is sluggish or full of processed crud? The truth is, you probably won’t. When your brain can’t think properly, there goes your sense of humor. That causes your smile to turn upside down, thus your confidence and self-esteem dip…You get the picture!

When you are eating healthy you will find you get a better workout. The domino effect is in full swing, meaning exercise and eating proper feeds the body and soul. When the body and soul are happy, you are happy! That can only lead to one thing! A happy, fuller life.

What are some ways you make a happy, fuller life for yourself?

Photo by: Roderiques Photography

by: Natalie Lipka

The entertainment industry is constantly changing.  It’s easy as an actor to get lost in this business. Unlike many other professions, there is no real rule book or road map that can guarantee that you will reach your destination. For me I am constantly re-routing: deciding if I should make a left or a right.  I hear a new piece of information about the business almost every day and have to determine whether it is something I agree with or not.  

Along this journey so far I have found something important to be true: the one and only real thing you can count on to get you to where you want to be is you.  You are your own road map.  This is your trip and you are the only one who can take it.  And with all of the choices I’ve had to make on my journey, I am thankful for the people and experiences who have guided me along the way as I have been making important decisions. I have been my road map, but they have helped give me the strength to stay on this path.  Those that have lent a hand, a listening ear or just let me cry in front of them until I figured something out, these people are important and a constant reminder that staying on my own path is exactly where I am supposed to be.  

I recently reconnected with my very first acting teacher.  He was the professor that I broke down to when I first realized I wanted to pursue acting “for real” requiring me to leave my home in Jersey and move to Los Angeles. This professor’s support in this business still means the world to me to this day. I can remember telling him I was going to move to LA. He never tried to talk me out of it.  He just encouraged me to follow my path.

Be Encouraged.
As an actor, I really enjoy getting feedback  and when I don’t get it, it’s hard.  In the audition room (which we all put ourselves in as often as possible) the feedback is sometimes scarce.  That is why it is so important to strengthen ourselves instead of constantly questioning ourselves.  We need to think back on the times when people, such as my professor, encouraged us and use that positive energy to move forward.   

Be Kind.
I find that occasionally I get really down on myself about an audition or a meeting.  It sometimes becomes self deprecating.  I say things to myself that I would never say to another human being.  Why do I do this? I have no idea.  So included on my road map on my path, I practice kindness as much as I can.  I start with myself, for if I’m not kind to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be?

Let It Go.
Some of the best advice I ever heard was at a SAG Foundation Conversations event. I believe it was Bryan Cranston who told us that after each audition, he throws his sides in the trash.  He doesn’t hold on to them.  He physically lets them go and he allows himself to move on.  This is something to remember.  The only way we can really get ourselves to move forward on our path is by letting go of the things that aren’t in our control.  We need to go in, do our best work in the audition and then we need to let it go.  Because the rest is not in our control.

What things help you to invent and stay on your own path?

by
Wayne Frazier

With so many new television programs coming out, I find myself constantly flipping channels and end up only watching a snippet of this show or that! Here we are in 2015 and I can’t keep up with all the choices. With the ever expanding cable networks pumping out original programs, it is tough to watch everything without your eyeballs popping out! So, what shows perk my curiosity enough to skip a dinner date or a day at the beach?

When I was a kid, I couldn’t wait for fall. I am not saying I didn’t enjoy swimming, playing baseball, barbecuing and no school! I am saying I have always been a television junky so the new fall TV lineup was always highly anticipated by yours truly!. Unfortunately, (here is where I date myself) there was not much on the tube unless you were catching up on reruns from the previous season. Cable only had a few channels (if you could afford it), otherwise you were stuck with the originals ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and eventually FOX. But it seems in recent years that TV is really stepping up it game! This is certainly not the case anymore because not only are the main networks giving us something new and fresh, so are Netflix, AMC, Hulu and others. So, without further ado, I present to you my three don’t miss shows so far this summer.

Mr. Robot: Coming in at number 3 is a series that follows Elliot Alderson, who resides in present day New York, spending his days as a cyber-security engineer and nights as a vigilante hacker. Elliot soon meets “Mr. Robot” of “fsociety” who asks him to join his team of hackers. Elliot is uncertain in joining “Mr. Robot’s” group of social-anarchists, that are attempting to take down the multinational CEOs running the world. *Mr. Robot follows the attempts to engage Elliot in his mission to destroy the corporation Elliot is paid to protect.

Sam Esmail both stars in and created the series and it’s a thinker! Each episode reemphasizes how easy our personal information can be compromised with the click of a button. USA network scored a big one with Sam and his excellent writing and provocative storytelling, which makes this a must see!

Humans: At number 2 for my favorite summer programs is the science fiction drama Humans, written by Sam Vincent and Jonathan Brackley. The series explores the emotional impact of the blurring of the lines between humans and machines.

The show premiered in late June and is sharply written, directed and very well acted. Let me tell you, as an actor it is not easy to play an android and these performers give Lt. Data from Star Trek Generations a run for the money. Though the show is only two episodes into it’s six-episode run, I can’t wait to see what happens next with these creepy synthetics.

Wayward Pines: Coming in at my favorite show of the summer, Wayward Pines is an eerie cross between LOST and The Walking Dead! This might seem like a bold statement but bear with me. Ethan Burke is a U.S. Secret Service agent (Matt Dillon) who is investigating the disappearance of two agents in the bizarre small town of Wayward Pines, Idaho. He wakes up after a car crash and is unable to contact the outside world and cannot leave the town. He later learns, the people of Wayward Pines cannot escape or they will be punished through public execution. Through further investigation, Ethan begins to uncover a truth that will change him forever.

The series is based on the book created by Blake Crouch, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan and it is fantastic. Each episode is as intriguing as it is well crafted. The acting is true to form, as you journey with them in the town of Wayward Pines. Set your DVR and catch up because Fox has a hit!
Turn on the air conditioner, turn on the TV and enjoy some amazing summer shows that will tide you over until the new fall TV guide issue comes out! What do you think about my summer choices? What do you like to watch?

*Wikepedia

Event – L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival – Photo by: Roderiques Photography

by: Natalie Lipka

I don’t get to talk about beauty as much as I would like on Hollywood Close-Up. I mean you’ve heard how Wayne gets when we just mention hair on the show! But it is actually a really important side of the business, especially for women. And it’s important to build your beauty team so that you are ready to navigate the sometimes very “last minute” nature of entertainment work and networking. Feeling good about yourself, beautiful on the inside, is vital for surviving in this biz. But what is also vital? Looking great! For me, this means having that go-to place to buy my make-up, get my hair done and find just the right wardrobe to wear for auditions, meetings and events. This blog is a shout out to my team of people that help me to feel beautiful on the outside.

Make-Up Go To
My mom is an Avon Lady, so she is the one that gave me my first make-up lesson and has supplied me for years with amazing Avon products. I enjoy doing my own makeup, but don’t always know which products to use. I’m also kind of a last minute person when it comes to getting ready for an event (Secret is out – I’m working on it). I don’t always have time to order something from her before my next headshot session or red carpet event, so this is where Sephora comes in. For the longest time, I stayed away from Sephora. I didn’t know where to look when I went in there. Thanks to a Sephora gift card I received last year for Christmas, I learned how to make Sephora work for me. When I was getting ready for the last L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival, I realized I needed new eyeliner, mascara and some serious red carpet lipstick. I walked into Sephora and it was magic. I walked right up to one of their sales people and asked for those three things. She suggested which ones I should use and in different price ranges. I got everything I needed in under 20 minutes. So, when I was getting ready for my new headshots, I thought I would try this out again. I walked up to a sales rep, told her I was taking new headshots and needed eye makeup. She suggested some amazing eye shadow, which she explained how to apply (twice because I had her repeat it) and eyeliner and I was on my way in under 15 minutes. I’m definitely keeping Sephora in my back pocket for my next event or shoot.

Hair
Top LA tip about hair: When you find a good hair stylist, don’t let them go! Follow your stylist to whatever salon they move to. I met my current hair stylist, Jenette, through a mutual friend and I am FOREVER grateful. I don’t know if she knows this, but I would not let her go without putting up a fight. After working as a red-headed hair model for awhile, Jenette was the one who brought me back to feeling like myself, giving me back my identity as a brunette. This was about seven years ago and I’ve been a loyal client ever since. Not only is she the only one I let touch my hair on a regular basis, but it just so happens that she works at the incredible Chaz Dean Studio in Hollywood. You know, the creator of the Wen products? Best of both worlds. Chaz Dean’s salon is like an oasis. Seriously, you have to walk through a beautiful garden just to get into it. They only use Wen products, which if you aren’t already familiar, Wen is all about cleansing your hair without using harsh ingredients. I’ll admit, I don’t use them as much as I should, but when I do, my hair looks the best it ever has. The products I am currently using are: spring honey lilac cleansing conditioner, replenishing treatment mist and treatment oil.

Wardrobe
I don’t really enjoy shopping. Maybe it’s because I grew up in Jersey and the stories are true, all we did was go to the mall. But these days, I only shop when I have to and only go to the stores that I know will provide me with what I need. Thankfully, I discovered 2bella. There is one in Pasadena, CA, which is the closest for me, but they have various locations on the West Coast as well as online (with free shipping!). This is my go-to place for wardrobe. Whether it is for a red carpet event or a meeting, I know that I can walk in there and find what I need. The store I go to is run by my dear friends Mary and Stacy. These ladies really know their clothes and before you can walk around the store once, you will have a dressing room full of clothes they handpicked for you and your style. They are incredibly honest and work with you to make you look and feel your best.

I am thankful for the teams I’ve created to make me feel outside beautiful, camera and red carpet ready.

What are some of your beauty secrets?

by
Wayne Frazier

An audition can be one of the most intimidating aspects for an actor! It can be quite daunting, and a complete mind f@#k if you allow yourself to succumb to its power. It’s kind of like the ‘dark side’ of the force (Star Wars) where it can play tricks on your mind and soul. But that is the result of a very powerful myth that many believe: actors think an audition can make or break their career. This belief is many people’s first mistake.

We tend to sabotage ourselves thinking, “If I screw this up I will never work as an actor.” Remember, there are tons of things that are out of your control when you finish an audition. You may ask yourself, “If I don’t get the part, am I doomed to be a full-time server for the rest of my natural born life?” The honest answer? Only if you succumb to the dark side of auditioning (insert spooky music here)!

You have the option to make the audition process as comfortable as sitting poolside at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas, or as awkward as burying your head in your own palms in frustration. I used to question every single audition for years. What did I do wrong? Did I mess it up? Why didn’t the casting director laugh? Try eliminating all the questions, and simply move on. Real professionals simply do the work. We research our parts, make strong choices and give it our all. Then we walk out and keep moving and learning and improving our craft. I researched my part, I made strong choices, and I gave it my all. By asking shoulda,, coulda, woulda, questions, we complicate our lives. Instead start saying, I did, I can and I will.

Here are some things I do to mentally and physically prepare for successful auditioning:

Confidence in yourself is essential as an actor. This is reality and not worth fighting. If you love your craft, be proud of it! Say it out loud, “I am an ACTOR.” Go ahead, I’ll wait…Felt good, didn’t it? I never understood why some actors shy away when asked what they do for a living. I have seen it time and time again, bowing your head in some kind of shame. Screw that! If you are ashamed of acting, then please stop doing it. However, if you love acting be proud and say it with confidence… “I am an Actor!”

Prepare yourself for the worst, but open yourself up for the best; this is hard but necessary. The worst is a horrible term, so let’s say prepare yourself for the truth. If you miss your mark, or make a blunder, well, that happens in life and that is the truth. If you miss your mark or blunder because you stayed up too late or didn’t prepare properly for your audition, that is also the truth.. An athlete stretches his body and mind before a game, why would you go into an audition without doing the same? That is how you open yourself up for the best, practice and prepare. Do this and more than half of your anxieties will dissipate before you even walk into the audition room.

Move on and set your mind for the next audition. When your audition is finished, pat yourself on the back. Use the audition as a learning tool. Know that you prepared properly, you have the confidence in yourself and you did all you could do. It’s over and it’s time to set yourself up for the next audition. Don’t ever focus on to the past, move forward. Remember, you did it, you got to act today!

Well, I hope some of these suggestions will help you get out of your head and into your artistic mindset! What are some things that help you nail that audition?

Photo by: RoderiquesPhoto.com

by: Natalie Lipka

When I was in seventh grade, I can remember leading the cheerleading squad in this cheer: “S-U-C-C-E-S-S. That’s the way you spell success.” What did that even mean and how was telling the basketball team how to spell success going to encourage them to win the game?

Meaning of Success
I’ve struggled with the meaning of the word success my entire life and especially over the course of my journey in the entertainment industry. According to Dictionary.com – SUCCESS is the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one’s goals. Prosperous termination of attempts doesn’t do much for me, but the accomplishment of one’s goals makes more sense. The key words being “one’s goals” as in, my own goals, no one else’s. As an actor, I started out in this business with my own goals. The main ones have always been:

1. to share my talents with others
2. to make people feel
3. to get paid to do what I love to do

But I have realized recently that, somewhere along the way, it got a little miscued. I have noticed that this amazing industry (and the society that it informs), which I have committed to being a part of, is trying to define success for me. Instead of letting me stick with what I want, it has been set on confusing me with a sort of bait and switch. My reasons for being an actress are all of the above. But society encourages me to want to be famous.

Famous
The definition of famous is having a widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature; renowned; celebrated. In my opinion, there are two kinds of famous; there is famous for being famous and famous for making an impact. The first really doesn’t make much sense to me and is not for me. Famous for being famous: Kim Kardashian. Famous for making an impact: Oprah. I honestly don’t understand why Kim Kardashian is actually famous. Sure, she came from a famous father, she was besties with Paris Hilton, she had a sex tape leaked, oh, and she is gorgeous. So how again is she a household name? Then there is Oprah – talk show host, philanthropist, producer, publisher and actress. From my perspective this is a state of fame as a result of other pursuits – other goals.

To witness these two worlds colliding, check out this interesting side note: through my research I came across this interview of Oprah interviewing Kim about the sex tape on her OWN network show – “Oprah’s Next Chapter.”

This distinction between fame as a result and fame as a pursuit is what I believe separates the “men from the boys” in this industry. The people that become “famous” and STAY famous are the ones that have poured their heart and souls into their work and are recognized for it. But if being famous is the sole purpose for going into the industry? This can only fade over time. Personally, I don’t see how this could be fulfilling for yourself or others. But, of course, this depends entirely on your goals.

Goals
Our goals can, will and should change. What you think you want in the beginning may not be what is best for you or your life. It’s like deciding what end you want to a movie before you even watch it. It needs to develop. That’s what life does. What you may think the “end result” is going to be may change on your journey. We need to know that this is OK. It doesn’t mean that you have given up or that you won’t end up in the place you originally thought you would. But you know how they say to enjoy the journey? Well, do that! We can’t be in the future so why not enjoy the present, be present in it and allow yourself to be happy. Allow the change because you never know where it may lead you. Staying true to yourself and growing as a person in this ever-changing industry and world, I believe is true success.

How do you measure success?