I am a union actor on the east coast jumping back into the business after a five-year hiatus. I want to go out as much as possible to rebuild my respectable but slightly musty film/TV…
Know Your Stuff
For the past few weeks, I’ve been casting some really specialized stuff. In addition to the reality show in which actors will team up with celebrity mentors (à la The Voice), I’m casting a series…
Agent Explains Why Actors Shouldn’t Put Their Phone Numbers on Their Resumes
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…