Dear Bonnie,
I am a very frustrated well-trained and good actor. I just got my MFA in theater and am teaching acting. I am an actor, singer, and comedian who has been unable to get an agent because I am no beauty or what ever and no I’m not SAG yet. I am also gay and although that really doesn’t matter I feel a little type cast.
Anyway, my questions are: 1. There is a new gay network starting with MTV and ShowTime and I have to get my info to the right people before programming is set. I have several wonderful characters that would be perfect as comedian hosts or main characters on new sitcoms etc. I also have a number of great ideas for killer show with several treatments. Is there anyway I could send you a tape to look at of my stuff and see if you thought that I had a product. I am really lost, but I am not being some diva, I am good, and my stuff is legit and real and sometimes funny. Anyway, write if you think you can offer any advice and would look my stuff over. Here comes another pilot season and there it goes. I’m 36 and I am a great character if I just had someone pushing me, I could make them a lot of money. Sorry if this sounds pathetic but it is.
Yours,
– KC
Dear KC,
Thanks for writing! Okay… where to begin?
1. Stay focused. Don’t get frustrated. There are SO many ways in… and so many more ways than anyone really knows. Don’t ever think you’ve exhausted all of your resources. Your energy just needs to be focused on one route at a time.
2. What’s that route, right now? You have the training. You are teaching, so you have the resources at your fingertips. You can do more than “just act” and, if you can do comedy, I suspect you can also write your own material and think on your feet. All good things.
3. Being SAG before you’re ready is a dangerous thing. Not being SAG at a certain age comes with a stigma. I know that’s the hard part, right now. If your primary goal is getting your SAG card, you should sign with some of those Extras Services and then go on every job you can, making nice with the AD, and mentioning that you’re looking for vouchers. You’ll get them. Just be persistent and flexible — and most of all, professional.
4. You don’t need to send a tape to me. While I’m sure I’d enjoy seeing it, it doesn’t really matter if I think you’re talented or not. You should send your work to people who have the power to hire you. That said, you really don’t want to send a tape that isn’t requested. CDs just don’t have time to view unsolicited tapes.
5. Create a great press kit. It should have your headshot and resume, any press that’s been written about you (reviews of shows you’ve been in, flyers from stand-up you’ve done, etc.). Send THAT to CDs and to the producers of the new gay network you’ve been reading about in the trades (I’m really excited about this, BTW). Ask, in your cover letter, if you may set up a meeting or send in a demo tape. If you have a show going, invite them to the show.
6. If you don’t have a show going… get in something. Take one of those great stand-up classes that ends in a performance at The Comedy Store or The Improv. Get in an improv show with a small theatre company, so that whenever someone asks, “Where can I see you?” you always have a quick response (and a flyer) handy.
7. Beauty or no beauty… there is a place for everyone in this town. Know how to market yourself. It’s not about being the best looking guy in your category. It’s about knowing what your category is and being the most prepared, most professional, most talented YOU you can be. I have a dear friend who makes a TON of money being “that weird guy” in a ton of shows and on commercials. Know your market.
8. Your being gay really shouldn’t have anything to do with how you are cast. If it does, then you need to decide if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Once you decide what your category is and how to best market yourself, if being gay gets in the way of how that formula works, start looking at ways to market yourself in the way that works best with being gay. To that end, finding a way to contact the producers of the new gay cable network will help quite a bit. But they aren’t the only game in town… just stay up on the trades.
9. Networking groups are wonderful. Not only will you have the resources you need, right at your fingertips, you’ll find that there are people right where you are, in terms of their experience in LA, and they can give you advice or at least be a friend to commiserate with, should you need that. I don’t know of any specifically gay-themed acting networks out there, but that doesn’t mean none exist. I would spend some time at Samuel French, browsing the racks, and see if any of the guides there include reference to groups you’d want to check into. I would also recommend that you visit a web-board called The Wolfesden and read the archives. This is a great board of working actors, managers, and writers who post about acting, the biz, specific questions about all different elements of the experience, etc. There are a bunch of boards, but this one is a personal favorite. Of course, you’ve found your way to The Actor’s Bone, so you’re already one step ahead of the game right there.
10. Stay focused. I know that was item number one as well… but really, just know that you’re not in this alone! It’s all a part of the journey.
Let me know how things go for you!
Good luck, and thanks again for writing!
– Bon