The following exchange came about due to my advice that actors always keep their direct contact information on their resumes, profiles, websites, etc. My experience shows that those agents who *require* actors not share their…
The Lottery Ticket
You’re walking down the street. There’s one of those “scratcher” lottery tickets there on the ground. It has not been scratched off. You keep walking. WHAT?!? You keep walking? You don’t reach down and pick…
Do You Love Your Marketing Tools?
So, for this week’s Your Turn, I’d like to ask you to show off your goods. OFTEN, I am asked to help actors upgrade their resumé, retool their reel, pick their best headshot, proof their…
15 Years of Columns
In 1999, as a young actress, I showed up for my first day of work as a “floater temp” at the offices for what was then called Back Stage West. I had decided — after…
Actor with Impostor Syndrome
Hi Bonnie! I’ve been a follower of the column for about two years, and I’ve always greatly appreciated your advice, and I thought it was time to finally write in with my question. This latest…
Plan Ahead
Have you ever had a convo with “future you”? I do this a lot. I push myself to consider what age 50 Bon is like and ask her where my current energy should be spent,…
How to Prioritize When You’re a Hyphenate
Hi Bonnie, I hope you’re having a great week! I really enjoy reading your perspectives in your emails and Actors Access articles. I was wondering if you have anything in your repertoire about managing and…
What an Agent Looks for in an Actor
So, last week, we looked at how “drop season” does not always mean bad news for the dropped actor. I got a lot of spectacular feedback from some of you fine folks, letting me know…
Actor Having a Nervous Breakdown
Hi Bon, I’m at a difficult point in my career/artistic journey, and I’m not sure what I should do. I’ve had relative success in theatre, and have even booked some TV and film roles. But…
When Your Agent Can’t Get You Out
So… here comes drop season. If you were your agent’s top pick for a tremendously successful pilot season and got nothing but crappy feedback from every audition, you may find yourself on a drop list…