| Peechee's Burning Thoughts and Opinions |
| SAG Many people have been asking me if I have joined SAG since I got out here and since I got my 3 vouchers. The answer is no... and I DON'T plan to. Why you ask? I feel that I don't deserve to be in SAG yet. I don't want to get into SAG by fluke - which is the 3 vouchers. Those were extras jobs. They were not jobs that I landed on my own because of my talents and skills. I want to be invited into SAG because my acting skills are top notch that I deserve to be in it. If I am good enough, and I know I am, I will land that role and be invited to join SAG. But how do you get SAG auditions if you don't have an agent, and agents won't see you unless you are SAG? The realilty of it is that even if you are SAG, agents still probably won't see you. Most good agents already have their normal actors who are their money makers. Why would they invest their time in seeing you when they don't even know who you are? Agents get hundreds of headshots each day. Do you actually think they will go through each one and interview each person not knowing if this person is any good? They don't have time for that. They have their regular actors they need to keep working on. Then how do I get an agent? Personally, I wouldn't even bother. An agent's job is to pretty much negotiate contracts for you. Yes, they do get breakdowns but what are my chances they will send me, someone they don't know, to go audition for a part when their regulars have names already. When the time comes, and I know it will, agents will be fighting to represent me. However, if you are dead set on getting an agent, the BEST way is to know someone in the agency already. They would recommend you to the agent. That or a casting director. If you have neither of those, then your next bet is to do showcases and plays. Although that is not the easiest way, at least it is a way. Your best bet though is connections. When you hear from others that it's more who you know than what you know out here in CA, they are absolutely correct. Los Angeles is all about connections. WAKE-UP CALL Here's a thought: You're a producer working on million dollar project. Would you hire just anybody to help create that film or would hire people that you know are dependable, loyal, trustworthy? I think you'd pick the latter. So why would you ever expect a producer to even hire you for a big role if they don't know you or your work? They are gambling millions of dollars and they can't just give it to anyone they don't trust. Producers already don't trust actors. They have been burned too many times by other actors they didn't know that's why they use people they know, people they trust. Producers here watch each other's back. If you are committed to be on a non-paying indie film, and you stand that company up (no matter how small) for a large production with pay, you will be blacklisted. The producer from the small company will call and inform the larger one that you stood the little one up for and tell them what you did. The larger one will then black list you and probably spread the word if your name came up. So watch out. Be careful who you burn bridges with. But that's just one example why producers don't trust actors they don't know. Producers, however, also talk about the great actors. Mind you, I said great, not good. There is a difference. I have been talked about by one producer to other producers because of something that I did on their set. I was casted in a non-paying indie film where I had the starring role. We were set to film on Saturday at 10 am. On the Thursday before, I received a call saying that they wanted to use me on the Head of State set - Chris Rock's movie. I was told I had a high probability of being seen on film because I had a certain type of dress they needed on the shoot. I also knew that would be a paying gig. Well, darn... the answer was clear as to what I must do. I turned Chris Rock down. Why? I had a committment to the indie film already. Other actors, as well as crew people, have already put their time aside to make this film work. It is my duty and obligation to be on that set to help finish the film. See, it was about the making of the film. The completing of the project. It wasn't about me... it's about the film. And that is what makes a great actor to be talked about, and I was talked about. Now they know I am dependable, loyal, and reliable. 2 TYPES OF ACTORS - The Wanna-Be's and the Gonna-Be's The Wanna-Be's do nothing but talk about how they will go after their acting career. The Gonna-Be's go get it. The Wanna-Be's make excuses as to why they can't do it right now. The Gonna-Be's drop everything and go. The Wanna-Be's are scared to let go of their 9-5 jobs. The Gonna-Be's find jobs that go around filming times. The Wanna-Be's frown upon student, indie films. The Gonna-Be's see it as an opportunity. The Wanna-Be's stand up small co. for big ones. The Gonna-Be's stay committed and loyal to their craft. The Wanna-Be's believe it's about them. The Gonna-Be's know it's about the film project. So which one are you? THE POWER Acting is the ONLY job in this world where you can take people out of their own world and bring them into yours. For a moment in time, you have made them forget their worries. You may have made them laugh or even cry. You may have made them realize how lucky they are or how they need to change things in their life. Or maybe just brought a little fun and excitement into their lives. You have this power, this gift, to touch people in a way no other can. You have this power. You are an Actor. Be Proud of it!!!! |
| What you are about to read are my thoughts and opinions from things that I have learned in the entertainment industry. I am not giving advice as to how you should handle your career. |
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