I was having dinner with an actor friend of mine I’ve known for four years. He and I have been buddies much longer than I’ve been in casting. He mentioned seeing a couple of breakdowns…
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!
Nonunion Actor: Okay to Submit on SAG Projects?
I have what may be a pretty dumb question. If you are not in SAG, can you submit to a SAG job and get some kind of permit? This is all new to me and…
Ya Gotta Have Tape!
So, last week, after callbacks for a film I’m casting, the director asked whether I would be able to get tape on the top few contenders for two roles. By now, he knew the actors’…
Hollywood Scouting Scams
I am an aspiring actress in the Washington, DC, area and I think I have submitted my headshot to just about every agency in our little market. I have had some luck with local work…
Covering the Cover Letter
In a recent column, I very casually mentioned the cover letter. “Hey, wait a second! Don’t be so casual about that, Bon. We have questions!” I heard you. I heard from a lot of you…
I Hate Being a Nonunion Actor
I wish more than anything on Earth that this were not me writing this right now. But lo and behold, here I am five years after arriving in this wonderful facade of a town, still…
Submitting on Everything
I’ve often heard actors say, “I submit on everything I’m right for — and even the stuff I’m not right for!” That statement gets a laugh, but it’s not the best submission policy to follow….
How Do I Get an Agent?
As a beginning actor, what is the best way to get an agent? Is it all in your headshots? Is it all in your cover letter? Your resumé? If you have experience in TV? Plays?…
When to Say NO
Actors become so accustomed to saying YES to every offer (that’s what happens when gigs are few and far between, starting out), that they often forget the importance of knowing when to say NO. Some…
Double Submissions
How do you feel about double submissions? Actors can submit themselves, as can their agent and/or manager. Since I don’t know when my agent is submitting me, it makes sense to try to get roles…