Hello you beautiful people and happy BonBlast!
I hope the new moon has brought some clear intentions and a wee bit of magic into your life.
Today, I developed a theory that — if you can help confirm it — I’m gonna turn into a whole lot of free training for you.
And of course, if it turns out the theory is wrong, I’ll turn THAT into the free training. 😉 So, all feedback is useful. Scroll down and share in the comments, please.
Okay, here’s my theory.
In order to MAKE IT, there are five areas in which you need to focus your energy as a creative storyteller. Well, actually, I believe there are SEVEN, but I think there are five — individually — that have to be checked off by you before there’s any chance you’ll make it.
So, here’s what I want to test out with your help.
Will you please comment below to tell me what ONE thing would make your life better as an actor?
Here’s what I’m imagining we’ll see:
~ if I had an agent
~ if I understood my most castable brand
~ if I had more footage
~ if I did better in auditions
~ if I were in the unions
~ if I had better headshots
~ if I were more natural with improv
~ if I lived in a major market
~ if I could just believe in myself more
…stuff like that.
In creating this MONTH of free training (oh, man… stay tuned. It’s gonna be SUCH a celebration and I cannot *wait* to share this theory with you), I want to be sure I’m providing exactly what you most need, and I want to test out my theory about there being FIVE things that you actually *can* check off, surrounded by those other two things of course.
Heck, if you wanna guess about what the 5 and 2 things ARE, have at it! 😉
But the big favor you could do for me — and this awesome series I’m creating for actors and other creative storytellers everywhere — is just scroll down and share in the comments what would make the biggest difference for YOU right now.
(Please leave out things like winning the lottery, instantly being 20 pounds thinner, or suddenly transporting in time to be 10 years younger. Let’s actually look at things that DO tend to happen every day in our business and then I’ll start digging in on this month-long free series I’m creating for you.)
Okay, that’s it, lovely! It’s a super busy time over here for Team Cricket Feet as we plan for celebrating 20 years of my sharing advice with actors all over the world, bring back my podcast “The Work” for season 10, and launch something brand new that has hatched from my own deeply personal mind-body healing journey. Ooh… 2019 is incredible!
Did you miss my Facebook Live — “Am I Too Old to Be an Actor?” Catch up with this goodness here at YouTube or with comments open over at the Facebook replay. Thank you so much for joining me for these sessions. It’s so good to connect with you all!
Okay, your turn. Pop in the comments your answer to my question: When it comes to making it in show business, what would make the biggest difference for YOU right now?
I can’t wait to see what you share!
Wanna be sure your tools *and* your mindset are in peak form before you meet your next casting director? Let us get you in gear with some FREE training right now!
All my love and appreciation,
Bonnie Gillespie is living her dreams by helping others figure out how to live theirs. Wanna work with Bon? Start here. Thanks!
If I knew my most castable brand.
Things would be perfect if I had an awesome legit agent and a manager to team up with me so I could get in the rooms to do the work I’m capable of.
Being able to get in the room. That would make a huge difference. I’ve trained, I’ve worked on my branding, I know the do’s and don’t’s… now I just need to be seen so i can at least book the room.
THISSSSSS!!!!
Getting more auditions.
If I did better at auditions.
I feel I do well at auditions and then never hear back. So that means, maybe I’m not doing as well as I think?
I have a two-part challenge currently:
1. Understanding my brand (and differentiating between who I AM versus who I want to be perceived as, which will lead to…
2. Building relationships.
Finding my tribe. I would love to find a great group to collaborate with.
There’s a file in the SMFA Facebook group that lists ninjas in different areas of the US… Maybe someone is near you?
https://m.facebook.com/groups/60616358688?view=permalink&id=10155641952593689
There are other files for international ninjas and those in New York or LA
Maybe a bit of a different spin on the question: The One thing that I feel would make the biggest difference for me right now, is passive income. So that ‘thrival job’ time can be refocused.
I think I would be successful and feel better about my career if I had a better agent.
Footage for my reel… I feel like getting more auditions, finding an agent, getting
more name recognition in my market, all that would be easier with a clean, catchy, on-brand reel.
1. Having and agent that pushed for me and believed in me
2. Had better footage
More opportunities to be in the room.
Honestly, it’s having simple financial security with a survival job that also gives me flexibility. That security, for me, will free up so much energy that I can then use to focus on my creative career pursuit.
YES. This 100%. One thrival job that wouldn’t add stress, deplete my energy nor leave me mentally exhausted after a shift.
💓💓💓💓
Yes, this.
For me it is getting in the room, and getting my hell yes! Agent is a step towards that.
Increasing my exposure to decision makers
Having financial freedom (meaning income that is covering all my needs) to give me the time to work on craft, showbibling and planning career moves, at the time when no one knows me and I’m not getting income from showbiz work.
2nd would be finding a group of creatives to make things with.
Taking the leap into the unknown and just creating my own work. Just writing the thing down , getting it out of my head , onto a page and into my mouth.
Me too 🙂
If I nailed American accent…
Being able to build strong business relationships and understand who I should be building the relationships with and being able to know when I’m building a relationship just for ‘busy work’. I would also love to know who it is I should be contacting and how do I find/know who the casting directors, directors etc that I want to work with are? And finally, committing and actually carrying through with my show bible.
Second that! Building relationships with the RIGHT people so that the relationships that are nurtured don’t turn into actor busy work…yas
If I nailed American accent… that would open a lot of doors.
A little more gratitude for the work I’m doing. It’s hard to appreciate what you have when you’re occupied with what’s around the corner.
Having an agent to help me get in the room for the upleveling projects I’m looking to book.
My belief, or lack thereof, that I can reach the highest tier.
For me, it’s two fold … one, getting in the room with the decision makers and one there … mastering myself (nerves in check and skills on display).
I’m with you as well Yolanda! Mastering my nerves and anxiety for sure!
If I had a SOLID agent, I’d be able to take my career to the next level by getting into casting rooms and nailing auditions.
To learn techniques to lesson my anxiety in general
Better footage
My One Thing is definitely getting an agent (or developing such good relationships with casting directors that I can get in the room without one).
OMG so excited to hear what the five and two things are!
Fully believing in myself and my talents to not let me down, having a larger/hell-yes support system of creative friends.
I too fall into the financial freedom category. Second, is getting into more rooms to show CDs my acting chops.
The survival job that would allow me the flexibility to leave for an audition or shooting a project but the funds to live my life.
More opportunities to be in the room, Bonnie
If I lived in a bigger market with more comedy.
yes, I agree with Michael, more opportunites to be in the room
Definitely getting better at auditioning would be my main one – which I am working on as one of my main goals for this year 🙂
The castable brand one is everything. I think it is hard for a lot of us to figure out.
If I could believe in myself more.
Doing better in auditions and in CD workshops and financial freedom. 🙂
Somethings that would help me right now:
-Having better (at no additional cost) access to auditions (with jobs that pay— specifically for non-commercial work-) And so that I wouldn’t HAVE to sift through hundreds of FB auditions and only find out its unpaid after I’ve done my self tape)
-Having affordable access to classes and community events where I can network and connect with fellow actors/ storytellers
-Getting established as a mentor/ coach/ teaching artist in my new market— because it really fuels my work as an actor and allows for financial freedom
For me right now higher quality footage, both in terms of shooting quality and the quality of material (script, role). I also feel financial freedom is a big one. I’m currently at a survival job where if I book time off for a gig, it always seems I’m “punished” on the following schedule with fewer hours, adding unnecessary stress.
Higher quality footage, both in terms of the shooting quality and the quality of the material (script, role, etc). I also feel financial freedom and passive income would be a big help! I currently work at a survival job where if I book time off for a gig, it always seems I’m being “punished” with the following schedule by having my hours cut, which adds a lot of unnecessary stress!
(Tried posting earlier but it didn’t show up so my apologies if this ends up here twice!)
I always find myself wishing for more money or more time. I think that means a better sense of priorities and a lot more Gratitude. ❤️
If I could get in the room for the kind of shows I want to be auditioning for.
Finding a “survival job” that makes enough money to sustain me without sucking all of my energy! Finding a survival job that actually adds value to my career rather than being an obstacle.
Casting away self doubt and comparison.
Developing a relationship with my agent once I already have one. How to promote myself so my agent can advocate for me more effectively, especially in a large agency setting.
If I had an agent!
I’m in a smaller market and have an agent in a different region. My main two would be market and agent.
The single biggest game-changer for me would be the funds to make the stuff I want!
If I believed in myself more, loved the bubbly self I am, and were confident in what I can do, I believe I’ll be more successful!
Thanks, Bonnie!
I think that right now, what would make the biggest difference for me, is getting a team of “hell yes” agents. I have a manager and that’s a big help, but having an agent would be great. I’m also looking into agents in other markets, particularly ATL and Chicago, that work with out of state talent.
I just need to find the right manager and agent for me. I’m on it, so it’s just a matter of time.
Living near a major market. I am literally 250 miles from NYC and Philadelphia and very capable of traveling to either location, but it seems like casting directors and agents are mainly interested in local hires in major cities for substantial roles.
A champion. I have an awesome agent. I have a large body of work. I’mnworkong my way in to TV and films.
I’d love to have a person who can champion me, personally, to various industry peeps to pit me on their radar.
(I’ve looked at publicists but they mostly say it’s not a good use of money unless I have a project to promote.)
Thanks, B!
Not living in Denver. I’m stuck here for at least a few years because hubby has an infirm relative. Literally nothing shoots here, no good training or workshops. It’s really a wasteland. It’s hard getting motivated when you’re surrounded by cows. :)))
Have you looked into the Denver theatre scene? If you’re stuck there for the time being you might consider a different medium, CO has AMAZING theatre being produced. 🙂
Sorry, I should have said, not to take anything away from your comment about your one thing, you’re totally right about the film in Denver! I just figured as long as you are stuck, you might not know about the theatre!
yes to the theatre and improv scene in Denver. You are a drive away from NM that has a BUNCH going on. Branch out to that market. I’m from Denver and know how you feel about the market there…..
The MO for me is that when I do get called in, ( primarily for Co- or guest star episodics being shot in Chicago and I’m Chicago based), 75% of the time I’m called back, put on hold, etc. but they end up booking an actress from NY or LA, and one who did not take time off to raise their children. Been back in the biz for 8 yrs, Union, have Fab agent, know my brand…
Great one, Bonnie….But the pressure is really on to just pick the ONE thing!!! I going to go with “My
most castable brand”. I seem to slowly be getting better at the other things. 🙂
Thank you, jim
I feel I’m right where I need to be. I Just need to keep going. A mental shift, a focal change and doing the work, is leading to my career path changing. Since September 25th of 2018, I’ve booked four VO jobs, had 5 self-submitted self-taped audishes, 1 in person audish w/callback for a ULB feature lead and booked my first job of this year Mo-capping for a major studio feature, with more work coming in May. I am shooting headshots with my dream photog (after saving for a year- I’ve got kids) this Friday. I’ve got my target buyers spreadsheet and am gearing up for Add/Drop.
Sorry so long, I’m just so excited to see the work working, that I wanted you to know, because your the Ninja Master!
Creatively yours,
cK
Hey Christopher, who is your dream photographer? Always looking for good ones to put on my list!
Narrowed it down to 2:
– money to invest in my career
– more next-tier auditions (to practice, pin, and book)
Right now I believe it’s understanding my most castable brand as it’s evolved over the last year and matching my tools to market myself accordingly.
I think it comes down to having a good agent. I’m freelancing with an agent right now, but he freelances with everyone. And I know he doesn’t go to bat for his clients and try to get them in rooms. I’ve studied, I’ve done audition classes. I’m in Improv classes. I’m still non union, so maybe that has something to do with it as well. But I know I’d kill it if I could get those coveted Co-star auditions.
Feeling like I had more control over my career? Or, learning the ways in which I can control my career or move it forward in tandem with the work my agents are doing for me.
It would make a huge difference if I had a better understanding of why I’m not booking. I’m auditioning regularly, I’ve booked the room, feedback (when given) is always good, but still not booking.
This is me, too
~ if I could be more relaxed prior to and in the very beginning of my audition. Once I’m rolling I’m fine,
but I can’t help but think that the initial 5 – 10 seconds of the exchange is probably more critical to the CD’s evaluation of me and my work.
1. If I had an Agent
2. If I were in the unions.
I find myself stuck in a non-union loop. I am ready for SAG, been working SAG-E it for 5 years now. I feel like going SAG goes hand in hand with signing a strong agent.
Better relationships with casting directors—so many positive pay to play experiences, still no appointments
Even one person to say “I wanna give this girl a shot.”
Having more relationships.
Better footage.
If I had a plan to follow to get started
I’d say getting connected and starting relationships with “buyers” (directors, producers, even casting directors) who create projects that need my type/brand. Get on their radar and start establishing trust.
Having that hell-yes agent who can open doors for me that I cannot open on my own.
If I lived in a bigger market and If I could believe in myself more.
First, believe in yourself more.
That way, you will understand your most castable brand and you can create a good headshot, which is what will get you in the door; in the door to see an agent, in the door for an audition.
If you train on being more natural with Improv, you will do better in auditions. More training is what an agent looks at on your resume.
When you do better at auditions, you will get cast and have more footage. When you have more footage, you can then approach an agent.
When you join the union, you may consider moving to a major market.
If I could get out of yhia day job rut that drains every ounce
I feel this in my soul.
If I had an agent.
More time. Kids will be at ages requiring less constant supervision in a few relatively short years, but my Secure Day Job (TM) situation will remain the same for as long as I can foresee. I know it’s a false dichotomy, but it really does feel like a Financial Security OR Creative Freedom choice, and I’ve been picking the former for 10+ years.
If I had that killer agent/manager combination to get into those bullseye rooms.
If I believe in myself more and stop comparing myself to other actors.
AND to celebrate my accomplishments, ESPECIALLY when they may seem small.
Being able to get in more rooms to be seen. I’ve never auditioned on a studio lot. Just having that opportunity would help a lot I think.
Make a plan (and for me, do that with God) with an ultimate goal, follow the plan and celebrate the steps along the way. And don’t be afraid to revise the plan along the way when necessary.
If I could get better at targeting casting and understanding the problem I solve for them. I’m really getting so much of that from SMFA! I know that’s where I need to focus my energy so I can stop going round the merry-go-round. Thanks Bonnie! <3
If I did better in auditions
having an agent/manager pitching hard for me so I can get in the room.
If I had more/better connections
If I were far better at meeting people and maintaining relationships, that would help me across the board!
If I could just get in the room! I have a reel, descent headshots and a fair understanding of my brand. I need to get in the room.
What would make the biggest difference for me right now is 1) patience. Finding joy in each moment instead of whizzing through. Also 2) transforming my fear. Because nothing on this journey is terrifying (not mom passing away, going into a wheelchair, none of it) if fear—flipped into faith in myself and my life’s path—is on my team.
Thank you for all of this amazing feedback, everyone! Keep it comin’! <3 <3 <3
Getting in the room, auditioning regularly.
Two key elements for me: Understanding how to research CD’s who primarily cast commercials; of course researching ALL CD’s is important – but I’m aware of what tier I’m currently on 😉 The other: Time management! I have one million ideas, a couple of scripts, loads of bits (I do stand up as well), 2 kids and two day-jobs! How to efficiently stay “on point”?!?!
Footage and financial security!
I’m working a fairly flexible job and have been making progress financially, but it’s still such a mental roadblock for me.
Footage-wise, I sit to write and just become so self-conscious. It’s also difficult to find people in my area that really want to collaborate. Plenty say yes, and so far none have followed-through. I’ve been working on writing more and feeling my enoughness.
I think the best I can narrow it down to is:
1. Better footage
2. Higher belief in my enoughness, especially in regards to believing that there is a place for my “look” in this medium.
Can’t wait to hear about all you have planned! 🙂
Representation in the market I live and work in!
I work as talent and director full-time and have for decades. I have a great agent in NYC, a great agent in Chicago, but in LA, no rep of clout will respond to my submissions. I work a lot, too! Seems like someone would see value in the commission share:-) I know I would see value in being submitted on and seen for residuals-paying gigs!
Getting clear on the story I want to tell and having the motivation and confidence to produce that story on my own, vs waiting to get cast.
I love this, Alison! 🙂
Thanks, Kate!
I think the very biggest thing would be getting out to L.A., as I’ve been saying for years, because I act AND write, but I can only take things so far from this distance, over a thousand miles away. So have a plan to get there AND to hit the ground running once there.
For me I feel like if I lived in LA.
For me it would be believing in myself more and trusting.
Because that person would show up and book every room.
Yes! Big ‘ol 5. Same here.
Getting in the room. I’ve had a couple of large audition last year, and even put on avail for a national commercial and booked the room every. single. time. But these auditions are rare. How do I get in the room more often if at all?!
Not knowing/being comfortable with my most castable brand.
An increased number of auditions. I’m super thrilled with everything else, and get equally thrilled when an audition comes in…they’re just few and far between.
If I had more confidence.
Knowing my most cartable brand. Treating every audition as an acting opportunity and knowing that the people in the room just want to be entertained. The perseverance to keep my confidence and centeredness in between auditions.
More opportunities to audition. More story makers who see women as 3 dimensional humans and put women in throughout their stories, not just into limited stereotypes categories.
I wish I had more time in the day to work on it and didn’t have to work this unrelated job to pay bills while also doing this other job.
Believing in myself with more certainty; having an agent in larger market. Aha! Maybe I need to have the former before I get the latter>
IF I lived in a larger market! I’m in Oklahoma. It’s tough digs here, few opportunities presented. I feel like I’m at the bottom of a very dry well with no rope to escape and no water to drink.
Cait B. — I am on Oklahoma, too. Tulsa, to be specific. I’m eager to get outta here primarily for the same reasons as you: not a lot of professional acting opportunity. 😕
Getting auditions for bigger projects and actually booking them.
Getting into the room, Lack of auditions is hurting me massively.
Honestly, addressing the mental health issues that prevent me from living my best life as a creative. There’s a lot of amazing information from you and other experts about how to succeed in this industry, but depression, self-doubt, anxiety and perfectionism sometimes keep me from moving forward.
If I knew my most castable brand and if I lived in a major market.
1. Know my most castable brand
2. If I lived in a major market
3. How to be more confident when talking to Casting Directors
4. How to keep in contact with Casting Directors, Producers, and Directors with seeming annoying.
5. Know the kind of relationship I should have with my agent. Not have them run my career instead learning how to work with them, and knowing when and how I should take charge.
Not having to worry about (and continue working at) a survival job!
Honestly, the agent thing. But I think that if I had some more footage that could help with the first thing. But mainly, the rooms I get into on my own, I book, either the room or the actual role. I’m confident and prepared and ready to do this, I would just looooove some backup in my corner. In the meantime, I’m writing some scenes that I can shoot on my own for some new, killer footage that will hopefully help me with the rep thing.
….IF I knew how to get good auditions. I’ve been doing student and independent no budget films forever.
A theatrical agent. Someone to help get me in the rooms of next tier CDs. (Basically more opportunities to share my thang!)
I wish I could banish anxiety!
I’m definitely doing the inside work, making good headway toward the day when I’ll meet NTL! But anxiety seems to be a constant passenger along for the ride. I’ve mastered pushing it to the back seat when I need to, but it would be nice to find a way to give him the boot altogether!
I’m *anxiously* 🙂 looking forward to all the cool stuff to come! Thanks Bonnie!
If I believed in myself so much more.
What would make the biggest difference is if I truly believed in myself and a possible success as an actress; ie freedom from a negative belief system. In short, a self-loving mindset.
~ if I had an agent
If I had more auditions – which may be related to needing a better demo reel as all I have right now are student films (that look like them)
I used to feel that being in a bigger market with more opportunity for my brand is what would help me succeed but I’ve seen actors around me that are my same brand getting cast in film and TV so now I’m doing an overhaul, getting all my casting sites updated and seeing if any of that bears fruit. Here’s hoping to a very FRUITFUL 2019!
I think having more Equity play contracts would help because Work begets work and I wouldn’t feel like I’m working so hard to get cast in the theatre union. Having better relationships with big casting directors in the Nyc tv/film market.
Getting in the room. It’s all I need.
Understanding and embracing my castable brand to help find the right agent for me. I’ve managed to get in the room and book indie films and theater but my characters are allover the place though the thread that connects them is confidence – quiet or loud. But now it’s getting the agent…which I think I have a mental block about and come up with all sorts of things I need to do 1st (update everything!) before looking.
If I could get more appointments- agreed. It’s so frustrating when you know you could do the work if given the chance!
Confidence , with more of that I could pull all of the other things I would need to move myself forward.
Increased Confidence would increase my ability and belief that I could /should be Manifesting at a much stronger level than I have been.
Financial Stability or at least feeling confident in having enough income to cover my regular expenses. I feel like I’m using a lot of energy on dealing with the anxiety and worry over how to balance financial responsibility and working a thrival/survival job (or multiple), that I don’t always feel free to leave time to devote to unpaid work on my craft (or feel guilty or setting that time aside, when I need the income).
Hi Bon!
Thank you, as always, to the opportunities you present us.
I’m currently writing, and I believe the biggest challenge I have is finding an agent. I wouldn’t even know where to start.
Thanks!
Helen S.
Wow. I don’t think I have seen this many responses to something you have recently put up. Guess you struck a nerve, yeah? Anyway, for my part at least, thanks for asking this question! Looking forward to the content you build out of this.
If I lived in a larger market. I’ve been making the trips back and forth to LA and now …we (boyfriend and fur babies) are making the move and looking for a place. Dallas has not been kind to my type and I’m not getting in the door. I’ve started making my own content to makeup for lack of footage but it is what it is. So I keep writing and training in improv and scene study and saving. We are moving in May
Lisa, that is interesting. What is your type? I might be having similar problems here in Tulsa
If I could get more auditions for major projects.
I think that if i had some more good footage that did me justice, i would have more chance of finding a good agent, and of being seen , and of feeling more confident to write more to people and move forward,
A cover letter to a theatrical agent, that gets you an interview. Also knowing what to do when theatrical reps state on their agency site “no unsolicited material”, and you finally have a reel in hand. Breaking through “talent with references only” for theatrical agents. That’s not one, is it… 😉
I think for me, it would be believing in myself. I feel like I’ve done so much work laying down a solid foundation. I spent three months studying my target shows and on-brand characters. I looked at their clothing, hair, and makeup. I did this for ten target shows. Then I got my wardrobe together and booked my headshots! I’m waiting one more week for them to come in, so I know I’m just getting eager and anxious. But I want some sort of validation. Feedback that I’m on the right track. Or if there isn’t something I can adjust. I know this is a marathon and I have faith I’m rocking it, but it would be nice to receive some feedback. I’m writing a bio and cover letter in the meantime so I can submit my materials and establish a relationship with an agent (especially with these awesome new headshots!). I guess it’s just believing in myself and keep that momentum going.