In a world of intense competition, one of the best ways to get work as a performer – and keep it – is to have a great reputation off stage. The RESPONSIBLE PERFORMER is an asset to producers and directors. Talent will get your foot in the door. Work ethic will get the next job, often without an audition.
YOUR PROCESS – BE PREPARED
There are dozens of acting schools of thought. There are 100s and 1000s of interpretations. You will often run into actors bragging they trained in the Meisner Technique. “I am a method actor.” One of the keys to becoming a true artist is finding the one that works for you. If your current instructor is not clicking with you, find another. Once you are out of school and past the “showcase” stage of your training, your process becomes your own. You need to get yourself in the mind-set to work; you need to prepare your performer’s body to move; and you need to get your voice ready to speak and/or sing. In the REAL WORLD, you always need to show up to your first rehearsal OFF BOOK (Completely memorized). We all have different methods to memorize text. But you need to implement them as soon as you get the script. Chances are, if you have a major role you already worked with the director. If you have a small role, you are usually on your own. It is your job to BE PREPARED.
KEEP HEALTHY
So many artists get sick way too often. You work very closely with your fellow artists. Disease and germs get shared at work all the time. But so many run themselves ragged, working all day, partying all night. Beyond that, we are generally a lazy bunch. The focused artist is always watching dietary intake and at the gym. The competition is fierce.
PUNCTUALITY
Directors go crazy when actors are not ready for call times. In the REAL WORLD, “ONTIME” is actually “LATE”. The responsible performer is always early. Especially in a city like New York – or worse LA – both traffic and public transportation are unreliable. Being late due to traffic is not acceptable. Being thirty minutes early because traffic was great is much appreciated. Beyond that, in the REAL WORLD, it is the job of the performer to be prepared to perform. Physical, Vocal and Mental warm-ups prepare you to do your job. You are expected to do these before call times.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Even worse than being late, wasting time on set or at the theater. When the director yells, “cut,” FREEZE and wait for instructions. Beyond wasting time, the best performances come from being focused and in sync with the other actors and the director. Every time you flake out and start talking, commenting on the scene (“Man, that was whack”), – or worse, about totally irrelevant topics (what everyone is doing after rehearsal etc). Time is wasted, and focus is lost. Often time, actors ACT UP because they are uncomfortable with the previous work. Insecurities lead to disruptive behavior, hoping to minimize the effect of their work. Wasting DOWNTIME (Time between takes or rehearsal) on petty conversations takes away valuable time for you take in the good, bad and ugly of the previous moment. Take time to REFLECT. Maximize the rehearsal process. In a play you will learn the material much faster.
SCHEDULING
If all goes well, you will be in high demand for your talent. One of the worst mistakes of the young performer is to over commit. I see actors all the time taking on so many projects they provide second-rate work. Keep a journal and a detailed scheduler/calendar. Communicate with your producers (usually via stage manager or similar position) regard conflicts etc. detailed planning and good communication will keep you out of hot water.
THE REAL WORLD
Ever hear the phrase, “TIME IS MONEY?” In the professional world, time is very limited. Unions demand every second of the performers’ and technicians’ time is paid. As a result, the cost to run rehearsals, performances and tapings (TV/FILM) is very high and directors are given very little time with the performers. In TV and commercials, there is no rehearsal time. It is your job to be on time, prepared and at your best at all times. For every time you skip the gym, dance class, coaching session or voice lesson, there is someone out there taking that extra step to better their talents. THIS IS A BUSINESS. Learn you craft. Be the best you can be. Show the world you mean BUSINESS!
NOTE: Many artists are not responsible. Perhaps it is the nature of the arts. Many of us chose this BUSINESS because we did not want a desk job etc. However, this is a BUSINESS. You see stories in the media every day of a star getting into trouble. If you like to “PARTY,” the cardinal sin is to let that life style affect your work ethic. For every performer out there making headlines on TMZ, there are a dozen others working hard to create amazing work. The bad boys and girls are more interesting stories for the tabloids, but unsavory to the producer. Many have lost jobs or been denied opportunities due to bad reputations off-stage. Think of performers like Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears. These are amazing talented performers, but both have missed opportunities. They still get work because of their status, but they definitely work less they could or should. No take Robert Downey Jr and Mickey Rourke. Both were the best up and coming talent of their generation. Both wasted a lot of opportunities. Both had to clean up their act and beg for another chance before landing on top again. We love redemption stories. But there was a lot of dark time for these artists. Now think of all the artists that never redeemed themselves. The ones we remember are the ones that end up dead. The ones we don’t are out there pumping gas or at best selling real estate.
Mr. Frasier has appeared on film, TV, Commercials and the Live theaer and is currently the director of intruction for the COMEDY HALL OF FAME FOUNDATION (www.comedyhalloffame.com) See Walt Frasier live in Times Square and touring nationwide in Improv Comedy Troupe EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH. (www.eightimprov.biz)
Walt, this is pertinent and well-written. Good job!