So, already this year I’ve done some more casting on the first-ever live, interactive, scripted hybrid series for Twitch, Artificial.
Getting to cast for my FWEs (friends with Emmys) is such a blast!
And, as always, when I pop on my casting hat, I get lessons to share with you!
I didn’t plan to turn this particular tweet into a BonBlast, but it got a lot of attention so let’s strip away the lessons, shall we?
Here’s what I said in the tweet:
UGH! It’s so frustrating when I have the PERFECT actor for a role I’m casting but her website shows NOTHING that aligns w/ her in-room vibe.
Okay, so let’s take advantage of this non-Twitter environment and let me share a little more info for context.
When I got the specs for the role, a few actors immediately popped into my mind. I went to their websites to pull two or three to send to the team, basically to do the, “Like THIS?!?” question, knowing that a quick glance at any of these actors’ websites should confirm that I was on the right track for the vibe and look we’re going for in this particular role.
These were all actors I’ve met — either they’ve auditioned for me over the years or they’ve taken my Self-Management for Actors courses — and I know in the room they bring the right-fit energy to this project. The websites *should* back that up, right?
Welp… when I landed on one of the sites, I stopped short and realized I certainly couldn’t send this link to the team. This didn’t represent the “Like this?” question I wanted to confirm with these links.
Moved forward with confirming I was on the right track and went about inviting a handful of actors to self-tape an audition for the team.
Then I went back to this actor’s website to see if there’s ANYWHERE on the site this actor is helping me show my boss that she’s right for this kind of role.
Nope. Nothin’.
So, here’s an actor whose type and brand I know well — not just because I’ve seen her work but because she’s been in the room for a Self-Management for Actors course in which establishing her type and brand was a component of the course itself — and she’s actively pushing against what the data revealed.
Now, I’m all about teaching buyers how to cast you with the image you put out into the world, but — assuming she hasn’t strategically chosen to no longer go in the direction that just a year or so ago she was slam-dunk showing up as — I’m not sure this actor realizes what it is that she’s done with this website.
She just handed me her NO.
See, in casting (and in agents considering repping actors too), we need NOs. We can’t say yes to every actor who submits on every role. We can’t sign every actor who seeks representation. We need the ability to say NO to the majority of the people in the mix… and when you as an actor walk in handing us your NO, that’s the one we’ll go with.
~ Not showcasing in your footage that you’re capable of something we need you to do in this role? Your lack of footage is your NO.
~ Feeling as though you’re too old to be an actor? Your anxiety over hoping I don’t feel that way is your NO.
~ Marketing your brand in a way that is actually not your brand at all? That disconnect is your NO.
And when you hand buyers your NO, we don’t have to go looking for any other ones. We don’t need to give you a stopper. We’ll just use what you gave us.
Where this becomes a big problem is, if the NO you handed me is one you carry around out of fear (like the “I’m too old” thing), it just got confirmed for you. And NOT because it’s true… but because it was the easy NO you handed me.
Take a moment to reflect upon NOs you may be giving out like Halloween candy in Mayberry. Spotting any that need addressing?
Scroll down and pop your list in the comments and let’s jam about this! Ooh, and also plan to join me over here for a Facebook Live on Wednesday at 1pm pacific called: Are You Too Old to Be an Actor? Let’s dispel some myths and of course have a blast as always.
(Can’t make it live? No worries! I always post my replays at my YouTube channel. Not subscribed? Fix that with a click right here!)
All right you beautiful people, stay awesome! We’ve got big things coming here at Team Cricket Feet and I’m so excited to share them with you! All in due time. 😉
Much love,
Bonnie Gillespie is living her dreams by helping others figure out how to live theirs. Wanna work with Bon? Start here. Thanks!
i really now see how this can work more clearly than ever before, and how often i am handing the No out myself , or have handed it..i hope this will change..
hmmm, made me think… is this me eek. I realise i havent yet sectioned in my website to include my slam dunk branding images from all the work we have done. Being a hyph, I realise i better pull my finger out and add in the theatrical side of my branding work and not just the tv hosting side.
Great reminder Bon! Reading this, I thought… if this wasnt you, in this email, you are actually guilty of the same oversight… oops!
off to add some slam dunk branding to my site 🙂
Well, this is definitely me giving no’s without thinking it through. Great wake up note/reminder. As always, your perspective and experience is so spot on. Thank you. Off to revamp and rethink. Xo
Being aware of it is the first step toward making the change, Janet! You’re on your way! <3
So glad this inspired you into action, Sonia! 🙂 Can't wait to see how you include your theatrical branding!
Happy revamping, Elizabeth! 😀
Yikes! My heart hit the floor when I read the BonBlast that linked to this awesome information! I’m right there with ya Sonia… The first thing I thought was, “Oh my gosh is it me?” LOL
It’s so weird too because I feel like I’m doing the work, revamping everything, trying to line everything up with my brand, but the “brand” situation has always been a struggle, and even as I use the amazing tools and invaluable information I’ve learned in GIGFTNT and the retreat, I still struggle with being absolutely and completely sure I’ve got it all lined up correctly because the data constantly says one thing, but I can’t help seeing something else (cue fascinate advantage! Lol Or maybe it could even be an “enough-ness” issue…gotta do a dive on this one) 🤔 *sigh* I’ll figure it out eventually 😂 Until then, let the work continue!
Thanks for the reminder to get back to (and keep up to date on) this important info Bonnie!
Xoxo
La Trice — there’s nothing wrong with seeing something different in yourself than what the data tells you (in fact, I’d be surprised if you didn’t). The data is simply how *other* people see you. For me, I like to think of my brand as my “highlights reel” versus what *I* see, which is the “behind the scenes”. You know how when you watch a trailer, it’s literally all the parts of the movie that the studio wants to use to SELL the movie? It’s the same thing! Doesn’t mean there’s not a whole ‘nother 2 hours of movie to watch (plus hours of deleted scenes, blooper reels, etc.). 🙂
Hope that helps! Keep on rockin’! <3
Omgosh totally! Great analogy! Thanks Erin!
xoxo
YAAASSS! I too was like, sh*t! I need to update my site now that I have some new shots and have a MUCH better handle on my branding, thanks to you Bonnie and the SMFA Ninja’s! This is finally something I can say is less of a work in progress and more progress at work! I tried using sites with flash, fancy set-up’s etc. but what I was really missing was WHO I AM.
Just updated my site and can’t recommend them more to artists in this community. Here’s my talentboom page, would love to check all your sites out too!
http://www.burgandiphoenix.com
XO,
~Burgandi