I’ve recently been working quite a bit with a filmmaker I’ve known for just under three years. In showbiz, that’s both a very short time and a lifetime. We’ve now worked as director (she) and casting director (me) on five projects (and another couple of projects on which we each had different jobs). Basically, at this point, she’s my Ron Howard and I’m her Jane and Janet. And we’re both really fine with the seed that relationship comparison plants.

During casting meetings on the most recent couple of projects we’ve done together, I noticed something really cool happening. Now, we always enjoy collaborating. We always have a blast working together (which is why we continue to do so). And now that we have this history of projects on which we’ve teamed up, we have created this sort of shorthand that we can use, when discussing options on our current projects.

“Y’know who she reminds me of?”
“Yes! I thought so too!”
“That was such a good call. She worked out great for the role, even though she was younger than we initially wanted to go.”
“Wonder if we should go younger with this role too.”
“We could. But only if we find the right actor.”
“Yeah, because we learned the hard way that a non-pro can eat up way too much time on set and we don’t have a lot of it, when working with minors.”
“Right. So let’s be open to going younger if someone with the right level of credits walks in and wows us.”
“Like she did, when we first met her.”
“Exactly.”

And on we go with our day. And this sort of conversation continues to happen several times over about all sorts of different issues, people, and experiences we’ve shared. Further, when we’re not even in the same city, we’ll have email exchanges, phone conferences, and instant messages flying back and forth in which we use the shorthand we’ve created on previous jobs to get us moving along faster and more efficiently in our current ones.

That, in short, is why people who like to work together like to work together. Call it favoritism. Call it nepotism. Call it a closed network. What it is is an efficient, familiar, easier way of doing business when every second counts (and costs a bundle).

Think about it. Don’t you prefer working with people you know? Isn’t it nice to show up to set and be greeted by folks with whom you’ve worked before? Doesn’t it rock to really get into an amazing performance groove with fellow actors whose moves you know, first-hand? Most people find that sort of shorthand really opens everyone up to discovering new levels of magic in their work. And it saves a lot of time.

Sure, there might be times you wince when you see a certain person’s name on the call sheet. I’m not suggesting that “having work history together” automatically equals a positive experience or a happier set. Certainly, there are folks you’d be just fine never seeing again, let alone sharing time on set with (or worse, having another love scene with). But in a way, that’s a bit of shorthand too. Now you know what to expect. You, hopefully, know how to navigate away from any pitfalls you hit last time you worked together. And you know how to better prepare yourself for what you’re about to get into this time.

But what if you’re reading this column thinking, “I’m way low on shorthand in this industry. Now what?” Ah, well that’s where your acting skills really do offer a distinct advantage.

You know that feeling you get when you meet someone for the first time, but can’t get over how very comfortable you feel together? It’s this wonderful chemistry that — if you’re both feeling it — launches your relationship forward to “instant connection” territory. (Of course, if only you feel it, that could leave you wondering why you two aren’t clicking; the other party wondering why you were so chummy with a stranger.) Well, you can often create that feeling of familiarity by doing a bit of prep work and a lot of listening.

Research

Before you’re in the company of someone with whom you’d like to work, you should’ve done a bit of research. No, don’t stalk people! Just find out a bit about a particular director. What projects has he done before? What sort of scripts does he gravitate to? Who are his mentors? Which actors are his favorites? You can learn this sort of stuff by doing a little Googling, asking the people who will be getting you in contact with one another (at the networking event, screening, audition, festival, panel discussion, etc.), even visiting the person’s MySpace page (See that “heroes” and “interests” section? That could be useful info).

If you find yourself in front of someone you’ve not had the opportunity to research ahead of time, just ask your host (or friend in common) to give you the scoop. “What are his influences? What’s his directorial style? What films are his films most often compared to?” Answers to those questions will get you started.

Active Listening

Once you’re in a conversation with the director you’re targeting, get really clear about who he is and what he’s into. Listen. Listen well. Repeat key phrases back to yourself so that you have information to rely on later, when you follow up. Review my previous column on How To Work the Room for more general tips in this area. These tips will all help you build relationships, but what about developing that instant chemistry? How do you begin to create shorthand?

Discover what kind of communicator this other person is. Does he speak in “visuals,” “sounds,” or “feelings” when he describes concepts? If you can match your descriptions to the same type of language, you’ll have a little shortcut to hitting it off, even if you disagree on the concept itself. Just speaking the same “language” can be very helpful.

Heck, even trying some physical mirroring can be a great shortcut to feeling on “familiar” terms with a stranger. If he’s standing with his arms crossed, subtly do the same thing. Then try to lead your “partner” into opening up a little bit by changing your posture slightly. If he follows, you’ve been given a lovely nonverbal cue that you’re already making headway.

Chemistry

Sometimes chemistry is natural. Heck, not “sometimes.” Most of the time. So, what is the recipe for that? I’ve found it involves confidence, authenticity, invested interest, and charm.

Confidence, of course, is one of those “easier said than done” sort of things. Some people just live in a confident, self-assured state. Others have to fake it. Whatever it takes, get to a “vibe” of confidence when you’re approaching someone with whom you want to work. This projects a sense of “everything is right with the world,” and people want to surround themselves with others who vibe that way. Especially on sets, where so many factors feel “risky.” That “low-risk, okay with himself” person is always going to be an asset.

Authenticity is hugely important simply because if it’s not in you to develop chemistry with this particular filmmaker or casting director or agent, then why would you want to force it? Not everyone is going to click with everyone else. And turning yourself into someone you find repulsive is a really bad idea in the long run. So, before you go through major contortions to become appealing to someone with whom you want to work, ask yourself whether there’s another someone out there whose style is more like your own. You may just need a better-matched target!

Projecting a sense of invested interest is one of the coolest things you can do, as a participant in any conversation. It indicates that you find the other person’s topics potentially fascinating and at a level that really draws you in. Note: this is not the time to do that annoyingly fake, “Oooh! Ahhh!” thing. Instead, think about how you feel when you read a book, see a movie, or engage in a conversation with someone and you really, truly care about “how it turns out.” You’re into the story’s twists and turns because you’re interested. And it shows because you’re invested. Again, go heavy on the authenticity here. If you’re not really into it, don’t fake it. That shows.

Charm is essential, in creating chemistry. It’s a major reason that relationship shorthand works so well. I’m not talking about “charm” as a means of becoming physically attractive to another person, bringing out seductive qualities. I’m talking about “charm” as a type of magic, a sense of spirit, a really fun and charismatic personality trait. Again, authenticity is a must. If you’re not the type who is instantly captivating and fun to be around, don’t try to fake it. That’s ugly! But if you’re an expert at the non-sexual professional flirtation thing, go for it. Everyone enjoys getting a laugh. Everyone loves feeling like his or her stories are captivating and meaningful. And your genuine reaction to another’s conversation is usually welcome.

Why We Like Chemistry

Well, it’s pretty basic. We’re pretty simple creatures at our core. And we like to be around people who make us feel good. Even if we don’t know why. And what makes us feel better than being understood? Being appreciated? Having a shorthand in our conversations and getting the most out of our every encounter? Not a lot! So, it’s not because Hollywood is filled with closed doors that you might struggle with getting “in.” It’s because we (humans) all tend to find “similar” to be comforting and “dissimilar” to be threatening. It’s in our makeup.

So, build upon the ways in which you can remove the (perceived) dissimilarities and you’ll find yourself clicking with more people… and that will lead to more work. Because we all like that shorthand! Manipulative? Nah. It’s just another way to shorten the already long road between you and the career you’re steadily building toward. Remember, it’s not the one thing you do. It’s all the things you do, over lots and lots of time.

Bonnie Gillespie is living her dreams by helping others figure out how to live theirs. Wanna work with Bon? Start here. Thanks!

Originally published by Actors Access at http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/000760.html. Please support the many wonderful resources provided by the Breakdown Services family. This posting is the author’s personal archive.