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Today is:
It is hopeless for the occasional visitor to try to keep up with Chicago-she outgrows his prophecies faster than he can make them. She is always a novelty; for she is never the Chicago you saw when you passed through the last time.
- - - Mark Twain "Life On The Mississsippi," 1883
The FAQ - Tips and Advice on Starting a Career in Chicago
Part 2!
- How do actors get started in Chi? How would a novice get to see you?
- What drives you nuts about would-be actors?
- What's the biggest mistake you see actors make?
- Do mailings work for you?
- What sort of training do you like to see. Does a degree from a college matter?
- Does creativity ever work for you? In terms of mailings or faxings or the like.....or is it just annoying?
6. How do actors get started in Chicago? How would a novice get to see you?
Mr. X:
Audition. See lots of shows. Intern at theatres. See lots of shows.
Send headshots. Go to generals. Audition! Audition!! Audition!!! Take a class.
Talk to people in companies...you can always get involved...just don't expect it to come to you.
Ms. X:
By sending their headshots and resumes out/ getting involved in theater and making sure agents and casting directors are involved/registering with a good agent who makes sure I meet them. Or of course they can always send expensive gifts!
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"Send headshots....go to generals. ...take a class....you can always get involved...just don't expect it to come to you!"
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7. What drives you nuts about would-be actors?
Mr. X:
Laziness. We've all worked hard (well...most of us) and so we're looking for hardworkers.
And be yourself...don't fake who you are...I've often cast actors because of their interpretation of the role...and because they're good people...i don't like hiring jerk-offs.
Ms. X:
What drives me nuts about would-be actors are people who doggedly persist on getting in to my office and come for an appointment unprepared, untrained, and uniformed about the business in general.
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8. What's the biggest mistake you see actors make?
Mr. X:
Being all "actor"y around people...it grosses them out and makes them not want to work with you.
It also gives you a reputation of being difficult or high-maintenance...who wants to hire that??
Ms. X:
NOT BEING PREPARED!!!!! Not having prepared material, not knowing what they are auditioning for, being late..... Not showering or shaving . (which is kind of gross in general)
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"If degrees mattered, Northwestern would be churning out 8 times as many talented kids as Columbia (College) does...but it doesn't."
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9. Do mailings work for you?
Mr. X:
Absolutely.
Bug me...some day i'll take you up on it and come.
Or my intern will and tell me about how I need to see you in it...and then we'll call you in for the next project you're right for.
I loooooove auditions and seeing new people...I really do...
Ms. X:
Sometimes mailings work for me. I look at everything, and sometimes call in interesting new faces, but for the most part rely on agents and going to theater to meet new actors.
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10. What sort of training do you like to see. Does a degree from a college matter?
Mr. X:
I like to see a comprehensive training..."i did a viewpoints workshop and once i took a voice class..." Boooring.
But did you study mask work for a year? Did you take an african dance class? Did you study south american playwrights? Did you try to write a play? Did you teach outward bound? Have you lived???
Degree...please. If degrees mattered, Northwestern would be churning out 8 times as many talented kids as Columbia (College) does...but it doesn't.
Ms. X:
Any kind of theater, on camera, acting training. I think a degree from college is a great thing just for your growth as a human being, but does it help make you a brilliant actor....not necessarily.
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11. Does creativity ever work for you? In terms of mailings or faxings or the like.....or is it just annoying... ?
Mr. X:
Creativity? I don't know. Like a pop-up headshot? That's a little odd.
No faxing. Just mailing.
Ms. X:
The mailings that are six hundred and thirty two pages long with multiple jokes, highlighted sections of the actors name and how badly they want to be an actor etc....... are kind of annoying. I love the letters that say "I want to act can I come over?" I always call those actors in, out of sheer gratitude.
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"I love the letters that say "I want to act can I come over?" I always call those actors in, out of sheer gratitude."
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