It was good to hear from Mark Gantt. Mark not only has a Streamy "Best Actor in a Drama" Award but is also co-creator (with Jesse Warren), Executive Producer and co-writer on the hit series - The Bannen Way - that is getting him so much attention. The series is distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
The appearance of these really remarkable web series reminds me of a critical issue in acting. The film industry is risk averse. Every new industry, new company, new political movement, new research field, you name it, starts out with one goal - trying to win. Over time, as organizations and patterns of doing business become more established, as more money is involved, as people get an idea (or think they have an idea) of what works and what doesn't, the goal changes to trying not to lose. Bad development all around.
Today Web entertainment is the new industry and without gatekeepers saying "it can't be done," creativity is through the roof. Talented people are getting a chance to experiment and show what they can do. Everyone benefits. These are exciting times.
By the way, Mark's comment reminded me of something I left out of my last post. Once you've done everything you can to get your résumé and photo where those in the business can find them, set up a search engine alert (Google Alert is one) on your name and the title of your most recent (or most important) acting gigs. You'll get an email every time anyone posts a comment on the Web about you or your films and that gives you a chance to respond and make a new connection. It also gives the person who posted the comment a chance to say more nice things (as I just did with Mark!) That's how you create "buzz," and you don't need a publicist to do that.
Producer and Casting Director Bonnie Gillespie has an online course called Your Actor MBA that covers career promotion and more. Worth considering. You might also take a peek at her book Self-Management for Actors: Getting Down to (Show) Business. I own it and find that it's an enormous help.
Thanks Kay - Yep Google Alerts are great. So is just creating something and not waiting for permission as you've said. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteA Google Alert led me here! :) Congrats on your success, Kay and thanks for the shout-out. I'm so glad to know my book has been helpful to you. (And hey, Mark. You rock!) *waves*
ReplyDeleteJust to follow up, many acting advice books tend to be a lot of padding on a three-sentence idea. That's NOT Bonnie Gillespie's book - Self Management for Actors. Hers is packed with information. Plus the actors she's chosen to provide anecdotes and commentary add insight and even more useful advice. This is my go-to reference for getting - and keeping - my career on track.
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