Ever want to be on TV or in Film? Here's a few tips for you:

 

"And, I'm so-in-so and I'm STANDING in front of. . ."

"AND here we are . . . "

"Ever been to Philly and . . ."

Acting classes are a hoot and a half. Everyone has a different take on the same material and it is fun to see what each person brings to a script. I attended last Saturday's TV hosting auditions workshop taught by NYC casting director Barbara Barna down at Heery Casting in Philadelphia. It was offered through a partnership with TVi Actors Studio out of LA and NY. It was great.

We were all there trying to answer that age ole question - Can I really do this? I like, I love it, I want some more of it - you know the song. Only one thing, we learned that six people are the TYPES the networks and producers are looking for RIGHT NOW (Could be different in next month):

Mike Rowe - Funny, snarky, loveable, knows when to joke and when to hold back. WILL DO ANYTHING - as evidenced by his show Dirty Jobs

Gordon Ramsay - the famous chef, known for his delicious recipes and excellence in the kitchen AND good personality. The man is an EXPERT.

Jon Stewart - Energetic, hilarious, intelligent, totally comedic and very talented at hitting the mark.

Simon Cowell - rhymes with Scowl for a good reason (Think American Idol, people, if you can possibly live in this world and not have heard of this man) and definitely someone who has to have the guts to speak his mind.

{Can we get some ladies in here, please?}

Kelly Ripa - Fun loving, willing to try most anything, can talk to anyone, and INCREDIBLY SKINNY and beautiful. She knows how to keep up appearances and still be natural - not so easy.

Rachael Ray - Down to earth, fun loving, easy with people and willing to try new things. We ALL love Rachel Ray - because what's not to love. The woman is amazing and again, knows how to look good on the Red Carpet and in the kitchen - every man's dream come true.

Okay, so you are seeing a trend here - for the most part, fun loving, willing to laugh with others and at oneself, willing to do a variety of things, intelligent and witty and JUST PLAIN SUPERHUMAN. (Oh, and via my own observations - not one endorsed in class - if you are a man, you can look like hell with the right personality but as a woman, hmmm  . . . )

Dang.

I'm not superhuman but I do love people. I'm also a bit of a ham - not sure what kind of ham - hot dog, pork chop, rear rump. I can be shy, sure. But, I LOVE meeting and being around highly creative people WHICH means learning to be one myself to hang with the big dogs (especially tough if I'm only cut out for the hot dog role) and I DON'T know if I have what it takes but there is only ONE way to find out.

So, back to class. We were told all sorts of wonderful things (and I won't give away the whole class b/c you really do have to go experience it yourself -- I paid - so can you) and then we were given lines to read - a real script used in a show where one stood in front of a place and introduced it. Simple lines that you can put your own personality into.

Sounds easy, right. BWAHAHAHA. You sit reading the script. Everyone takes a break and you practice in front of a blank wall just like any "cold read." You sit watching others - bend their knees too much, read the paper too much, make hilariously over exaggerated faces - all the while, saying to yourself - I'm going to learn here - I'm not going to do those things.

And then it's your turn. And, you choke in front of a whole room full of people staring at you - studying what you are doing wrong - hoping they will get it right next.

I added all sorts of things to my script in my head and what comes out? Just the copy - the plain copy. It was okay, I guess but I could have said more. But, you only get two reads. And for most TV on any given day, let's say you get a job on TV - you want to get it right in the first take. That's not always realistic (various things going on around you) but with experience, you should come pretty close.

The good ones in the crowd were definitely the ones with experience. One girl really knew how to "fill the space" around her.

If you have ever taken a class like this, you know that the written stuff coming from the teacher is good but you could probably read it in a book or on the Internet somewhere. The golden moments are the networking opportunities in the line to the bathroom and in the lobby before and after class, AND giving your headshot to a REAL casting director and having that same casting director give you and everyone else REAL feedback from his or her experiences working with a multitude of individuals -some of whom are highly successful. They know what it takes and they are watching you from the moment you come in the door. They have clients to please and sure, you could be the next one. You also could very likely never be the next one if you come in sloutching, thinking - "oh, this is just another class" or I don't need to take this seriously.

If you are serious about TV or film, take classes from the professionals. Care about your appearance (and yes - I am pointing FIVE fingers back at me on this and I AM on way to the gym right now), know what is out there, watch the movies or TV shows of actors you could see yourself playing, be informed, and be curious!

Set some goals, get your ACT together. Use Social Media to get your foot in the door and network, network, network.

I enjoyed the class because I have done some vlogging (video-blogging) lately and by just getting out there and doing it - I see plenty I need to work on (like hand movements and not laughing at people's jokes when I am holding the FLIP camera near MY mouth as I film) but the key is just DOING it and then watching and self-editing. Get feedback. Learn from your mistakes.

Most of all - have fun but you gotta be honest with yourself if you want to learn and grow!

Comments

[Musings of a Housewife]

You're hilarious. I'm so glad you're my friend. You keep me entertained! ;-)

[Miriam]

Great article and advice! Even if we aren't trying out for acting - just promoting our own business's with fun and flair.