Tag: non-union film

Film Festival Hacks: 5 Must-Know Tips for Actors | Ultimate Actor’s Guide

Secrets to thriving in the film industry. Whether you’re a budding filmmaker or an established professional, these insights will empower your journey. Exclusive video from Cannes, and the Beverley Hills Film Festival.

Ready to shine brighter than the spotlight at your next film festival?  Answers for Actors has the ultimate actor’s guide: Film Festival Hacks –  Five Must-Know Tips for Actors.

Read the brief overview. Better choice is the FULL In-Depth Video with exclusive footage from both Cannes, and The Beverly Hills Film Festival (recommended).

First up: know your material like the back of your hand. Whether it’s your film or another project, your passion about being able to speak confidently about your work is crucial. It’s a priceless skill that assures industry gatekeepers you’re an authentic pro who can dive deep into your art.

Second, networking is your best friend. And no, I don’t mean just adding people on LinkedIn. I’m talking about real, genuine connections. Share your stories. Listen to theirs. Make those interactions count. Remember, the film industry is all about who you know as much as what you know.

Hack number three: stay curious. Attend panels, ask questions and soak up all the knowledge you can. Film festivals are goldmines of insights from seasoned pros. Plus, asking thoughtful questions can make you memorable in the right way.

Moving on. Hack number four your digital garden.

Bulky postcards featuring your projects are cumbersome relics of the last century. Downsize to a business card with a QR code people can scan to access your real website or portfolio.

Have a copy of your reel or portfolio on your phone. You never know when you’ll bump into a future collaborator or a fan.

Have at least three red carpet outfits ready at an instant. At the Beverly Hills Film Festival. I endured more wardrobe malfunctions than Emily Blunt’s popped top button at the Oppenheimer premiere in London.

And here’s a bonus hack.

Enjoy the ride. Yes, you’re there to network, learn, and promote, but remember to have fun too. Film festivals are celebrations of art and creativity, after all. So laugh, cheer, and maybe even shed a tear. Just embrace the festival spirit.

Stick with these tips and you’re not just attending a film festival. You’re conquering it.

See you on the red carpet!

Besos,
Paul

Actor Email Addresses

This week: Actor Email Addresses Used in Addressing Entertainment Professionals

The pre-pubescent use of sexually suggestive, “personality expressive”, childish monikers misused and abused in e-mail addresses utilized for business correspondence has got to stop. Now. If you’ve read my book you know that I stress “this industry is all about image, image, image…” That’s not a mirror mantra for the narcissistic. It’s a reality of the entertainment industry.

Often as I go through the actor mail (hard copy and digital) I groan or sigh heavily in disbelief as I come across actors seeking professional work from a casting person or representation by an agent while utilizing e-mail addresses that are in no way professional.

Below is just a small sampling from the saturation of sophomoric e-mail addresses that I’ve found on actor resumes or spammed to my in-box. In order to spare these fools of flippant font further shame and protect the sillies from spam; the servers (Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc) have been removed.

dirtyprettyone2000 (The video prequel to nastynaughtyone2001?)

chinkychinese (Does this person have a severe case of self-loathing or are they utilizing  the addy as a dating advert to rice queens?)

AnnoyinActress

swishyfishy

foolishactor (Yes. Your e-mail address proves the message.)

instantactor (Just add bottled water!)

danceweasel (Shirtless, twitching twinks-with-drinks in hand comes to mind.)

puzled.one (If you can’t spell “puzzled”; yes… indeed, you are “puzled”.)

Grahammy_poo (Let’s not even envision to where this double entendre could lead.)

And….

pussylvr

Really? Are these people kidding or are they just insane, myopic morons? This is a business folks. A profession. If the e-mail address in use for your professional correspondence resembles a fifth grader’s ha-ha quotient (i.e. fart jokes and school yard nicknames) then I and others who hire will not take you seriously. Seriously.

For any professional, electronic correspondence an actor’s e-mail address should include the performer’s name or part of it. Such as:

NormaDesmond@whatever.com

N.Desmond@whatever.com

Norma_D@whatever.com

“IngénueForLife”, “MyManMax” or “IamBig” would not be appropriate, professional, e-mail address monikers for Ms. Desmond. (And if you’re wondering who Norma Desmond is… please hand in your acting and/or gay card. Now.)

Keep the silly and inane e-mail addys for friends and family who may be more forgiving than a business contact. Leverage your electronic loony-ness with them. Put a professional, digital image to your e-mail address when addressing professionals. Got it danceweasel? Good.

‘Nuff said.

Paul Russell’s career as a casting director, director, acting teacher and former actor has spanned nearly thirty years. He has worked on projects for major film studios, television networks, and Broadway. Paul has taught the business of acting and audition technique at NYU and has spoken at universities including Yale, Temple and the University of the Arts. He writes a column for Back Stage and is the author of ACTING: Make It Your Business – How to Avoid Mistakes and Achieve Success as a Working Actor. For more information, please visit www.PaulRussell.net.