Quick, hopefully easy, question: How important is having an MFA in acting? Great question. And here’s the quick, but complicated, answer: An MFA in acting is important to the people to whom it’s important. Here’s…
Posts Published by Bonnie Gillespie
is living her dreams by helping others figure out how to live theirs. Wanna work with Bon? Start here. Thanks!
Demo Reels (Revisited)
Last month, I was a judge for the Inaugural Reel Actors Film Festival. I’d long been planning to revisit my two previous columns on demo reels, but the act of sitting down and making notes…
Taft-Hartley Yourself
Hi Bonnie, I’m an actress from Chicago, contemplating a move to LA, and I’ve been reading your articles for a while now and have found them very helpful. Thanks for writing them! I have a…
Headshots I Keep (Revisited)
Okay, so I wrote a column here a couple of years ago called Headshots I Keep. I had been casting for about a year and a half at that point and I had only ever…
Drop-Offs to Agents?
Hi Bonnie, I love your books and column on Showfax. I am wondering if all agents hate drop-offs as opposed to mailings. In the agency book some agents specifically state that they don’t take drop-offs….
When to Pack It In and Go Home
Not too long ago, my husband-the-actor and I were going for one of our nightly walks, discussing a recent wave of “I quit-itis” flowing through the acting community. Of course, for every actor we know…
I Wrote My Own Pilot!
I have been reading your column for four months since joining and becoming an active member of Breakdown Services. I have an addiction to the peer-to-peer board, and I can’t believe that such a wealth…
Waiting Room Games
Last week, I saw a post at the Showfax message board by a young actor named Jennie Roberson. She had experienced her first audition and was eager to share her thoughts with the world. Something…
Feedback on Risk Assessment
Two emails this week: I just read your most current Showfax article and loved it as usual. One thing really stuck with me because it makes good sense. I’m stuck in co-star mode for the…
Think Like a Producer
Many times, in speaking with actors, I find an appropriate answer to common questions is, “Think like a producer. Then that decision makes sense.” Actors want to know why one actor gets cast over another…