Don't wait ...Go After It! 4 Ways I Help Myself!

The entertainment industry has a chain of command like most industries. Singers have managers/agents, and so do actors. Let's specifically focus on the actor for the sake of this blog. For actors to be considered a professional, they need to have an agent. It's the agent's job to help them find potential work, so the agents will submit their clients to casting directors for specific roles in projects. The casting directors are hired by the production companies, who are sometimes hired by networks if the projects are studio projects. The networks always have the last say on who gets hired or not. As an actor, we have to sit, and wait for our agents to call us, wait to audition, wait for the job. How do we stop waiting and start doing? Here are 4 ways I help move my career along, so that I am not dependent on my agent:

1. Network - Networking is so important in the entertainment industry. The best way to network, is to attend industry events, but if this is not your cup of tea, then that's okay. I have met all sorts of individuals in the most random places, who are very well connected, just by talking. You never know who's around you, so don't be shy and speak up. Be interested in people; they just might be able to help you.

2. Find a site where you are able to submit yourself for roles. If there are no such sites, then I suggest you do your research, and find out what's casting in your town. Once you have done this, find out who the casting directors are, and email them with your CV and showreel.

3. Attend workshops. This ties in with networking, but will also be a great way to share your talent with others and build experience on your CV.

4. Believe in yourself enough to promote yourself.

The other day, I was looking through casting breakdowns, and came across a role that I felt suited me, for a film being cast and shot in Bulgaria, starring Nicolas Cage. My agent didn't call me about it, so I emailed the casting director my showreel. The very next day I received a reply, with an attached scene and a request for a self tape.

If I waited around, I would never have had the opportunity to introduce myself to this casting director.

We work in a tough, tumultuous industry, but it's also an industry that can change your life in an instant. There is something exciting about the unknown when you are fighting for your dreams. Anything can happen, so keep putting yourself out there and don't wait anymore...go after it!