ACTORS FORUM

Each month UPC Entertainment will present a new and refreshing perspective on the art of Acting. This forum is presented by Tammy Lier of the Tammy Lier Entertainment Group. We are always interested in hearing what you have to say. If interested please email us with any comments. Each issue will stay up for 12 months until the next year monthly replaces it.

January:

"Making It"

Show Business is a vernacular term for the business of entertainment. It tends to refer to the agents, managers, production and distribution companies that are in the business of entertainment; it can also include the artists and performers involved. It applies to all aspect of live 'shows', from cinema to television to theater to music.
(Source: Wikipedia.org)

The first Actor I saw at work long ago was a very dear pup (literally), Scooby Doo! Each weekday at 3:00 I planted myself in grandma's couch to watch the mysterious 30 minute episode of Scooby and the gang solve yet another mystery.

I thought, when I grow up, I want to be as smart as Velma and as hot as Daphne. I was a little girl with a big dream and a big goal, of one day attaining the same fame as Scooby and the Gang!

How could you blame me, that gang had it all!! The mystery, the fun and excitement of solving case after case; I thought, "I could do that!"

Chances are, you have had a similar experience as I, and you are the alias, and the X-files buff, and the Sniper, and the Desperate Housewife, the Transporter....and it looks so easy!!!

Reality check!  Show business is just that, a business in show, the business of entertainment, as it is stated above. In this day and age, we are mystified as I was when I was 7.

This is the bottom line, the world of acting is incredibly competitive and talent is talent, work ethic is another story. "Making It" is a journey. When will you ever really say that you have "made it" at something? This term seems so final. Well my friend, I am here to tell you the following:

Read next months issue on the 5 fundamentals of show business.

February:

"5 A Day Keeps the Confusion Away"

Show Business is a vernacular term for the business of entertainment. It tends to refer to the agents, managers, production and distribution companies that are in the business of entertainment; it can also include the artists and performers involved. It applies to all aspect of live 'shows', from cinema to television to theater to music.
(Source: Wikipedia.org)

Making every aspect of your career the most important aspect is what "show business" is really about. Last month I made reference to Scooby and the Gang and their mystery solving antics... This article was less than fun to write, simply because there is no mystery to it. The mystery has been solved! The real deal is this, whether you want to hone your craft and be the best YOU, or get to ultimate super stardom, one thing is for sure; you are not going to get there by accident.

The 5 fundamentals of Show Business:

Have a set absolute standards and stick to them!!   This one is simple. I was asked to pose nude for a photo shoot one time, and I refused the handsome compensation and chose to keep my clothes on. This is what I mean by standards. Get it? Really, there are so many sell outs; do yo want to be in the dizzy group of millions or the one in a million? You choose. Am I saying that it is wrong to pose nude? NO! It is just not for me, I set the standard early on in my career.

Get over your pretty face and great body!   I am the most famous person in my bathroom. And then... I step out into the world and there are plenty of other pretty faces and places. My point is this, you can be full of yourself or realize you are blessed with a set of attributes and you must master the art of utilizing your best attributes to launch your career to new heights. You think your pretty... you think your ugly? That is the most irrelevant part of the business. Get over yourself and focus on what matters.

Don't even think about stopping for a minute!   Do you realize how many people have thought about being famous and just could not quite master up the courage to stick with their plan in doing so? Listen, I have never heard anyone say that stepping into show business was easy, however, it is even harder to quit. Why? Because you have to listen to yourself on a daily basis, feeding yourself one excuse after another as to why the business was not meant for you. That is called a cop out. If you learned nothing else from the last forum, you probably get it that you have already arrived at the exact place that you need to be to continue your path. Seriously, GO FOR IT!!

Stop playing the compare game!   I laugh at times when I am in a public place, and watch the female species checking each other out. Or when I am in the gym and I see guys taking notes on each other. This is the deal... you are not them and they are not you. Got it? Yes, sometimes I wish I were 3'4 and maybe I would have been cast for one of Will Farrell's helpers in Elf! Do you get what I am saying? This may be the biggest time waster of all time. You are intelligent, I think you get my point!

Ask daily questions that will launch you career, not land it!   How many casting offices did I contact today? How many head shots did I send out? How many demo reels did I sent out? You see, you can get results or make excuses but doing both at one time is not an option, if success is what you are after.

Special Note:  This business is really an illusion, and whoever can perform the best magic, gets the gig. So go pull the rabbit out of the hat and work your magic!!!

Next months issue:  "Did you say rapport?"

March:

"Did you say, Rapport?"

Show Business is a vernacular term for the business of entertainment. It tends to refer to the agents, managers, production and distribution companies that are in the business of entertainment; it can also include the artists and performers involved. It applies to all aspect of live 'shows', from cinema to television to theater to music.
(Source: Wikipedia.org)

Okay, here we go, you fold your arms, I fold mine! You cross your legs, I cross mine! You tap your foot, I tap mine! Not so fast, you didn't say, "Simon says!"

Rapport doesn't need permission and in show business, every actor must access this powerful tool. Rapport is one of the most important features or characteristics of unconscious human interaction. It is the commonalty of perspective, being in "sync", being on the same wavelength as the person you are talking to.

HUH!! And you thought you just had to memorize lines and go to auditions. So, you are wondering, how does show business relate to rapport? WOW!!! This means, we have some distinctions to make:

3 Power Distinctions of Rapport and how they pertain to "show business"

Rapport or not rapport, that is the question!   And friend, if you have to ask yourself if you were in rapport with someone, then you were not. If you walk into an audition and meet the casting director, you are in rapport if you do NOT shake his hand!! Simple, oh yes, it's this simple. Do you want to break rapport? Shake his hand if he doesn't offer and just consider yourself branded during you whole audition. While you are spitting out your line, and putting your best performance forward, pretending to be on the top of a mountain, reciting how springy fresh you feel about using Scottish Spring soap, the casting director is thinking, "Wow, here's another new talent that hasn't learned rapport 101 with a casting director." Would you like to be cast for the part or be known as clammy hand number one hundred and twenty six? Do you get it? Rapport is a must in show business!

Talk slow, talk fast, shut up!   Please do not misinterpret the harsh tone of this month's article. You do understand this all comes from the desire to see you win and arm you with the tools for success in your show business career. O.K. this a a big one...you are in a meeting chatting with a production team, casting director, wardrobe, make-up, interviewing for a job at the local Coffee Bean for extra cash, and ready...this one is simple...Zip your trap if your not running the show, ask a question or answer a question. Remember in the Austin Power's movie when Dr. Evil retorted, "Zip, Zap, Ziplicious," and he went on and on? Well, this is what people want to say to us sometimes when we keep talking and talking. Sometimes you just have to be quiet. Get a feel for the tone of the meeting and make wise choices. Talk slow, if the tone of the meeting is slow, talk fast and to the point if the tone of the meeting is at a speedy place, shut up if you are feeling like talking just to hear yourself talk. Don't worry, you will call the shots one-day, until then, get smart about situations involving a team of people.

Milton did it, how about you!   A classic if unusual example of rapport can be found in the book "Uncommon Therapy" by Jay Haley (ISBN 0393310310), about the psychotherapeutic intervention techniques of Milton Erickson. Erickson developed the ability to enter the world view of his patients and from that vantage point (having established rapport); was able to make extremely effective interventions (to help his patients overcome life problems). Now, I am no psychotherapist and I don't expect you to be either! And...where does this example apply to the business of show? You see, acting is all about rapport. I do wish sometimes that the concept of acting were interpreted by others as being. Do what Mr. Erickson did, and as an actor enter into the world view of your character that you are studying. Don't wait until you have a script in your hand to do this. Do it now, with YOUR LIFE!!! Your daily existence allows you to play the character you most want to play out. With every day, you make strong character choices, you have conflict, you are the protagonist, or antagonist, you suffer with internal conflict, you compromise standards, you smile, laugh, this is life baby!!! Please start right now and master the art of rapport with yourself and others, and this will certainly steer your career into the right direction.

Next months issue: "But what if I don't"

April:

"But What if I Don't"

Written in 1948, with Waiting for Godot, and produced in Paris in 1952; one of the very important points in the play is the very point that we will appreciate in this months piece. In the opening of the play, which is set in the midst of nothingness, begins with a tramp attempting to pull off his boot which pinches him painfully. He murmurs "nothing to be done", to which Vladmir concurs, "I am beginning to come around to that opinion". But he adds more thoughtfully, "That is man all over for you, blaming on his boot the fault of his feet". Throughout the play there is an ever encompassing void in the absence of any meaningful event, each of the men are isolated with their own hurt; yet both feel in desperate need to cling together. They are simply waiting and waiting for some redeeming agent, a "Godot". The two tramps thrash about, they speak of going on but they don't move. "Let's do nothing, it's safer". They even contemplate suicide, but even this becomes a matter for ridicule. "Let's wait till we hear where we stand", they decide".

Have you ever felt this way? Wallowing in indecision! Have you been in that space of nothingness? There is a name for that and it is called "no man's land". It's the place where you are not happy with your current situation, yet you really don't know what to do about getting out of it. So what happens... you wait. Engage with me for just a moment and recall the times that you did not pursue an opportunity to it's fullest. You may be in this place right now.

Homework: Take a moment, look around and figure out who and what your resources are. Dig deeper for the opportunities that are right in front of your face. Stop waiting for Godot.

Often times I hear the same story when listening to people in relation to why they are not able to ultimately pursue their passions, goals and desires in their own mind. They are typically doing the following:

1. Asking the wrong questions: But what if I don't fit the part? But what if I don't have enough experience? But what if I don't have enough people helping me? But what if I don't have the resources or the cash to....?

2. Not seeing the big picture: Will this tie me over for the next month? What can possibly be the benefits of this now?

Listen folks, I must say, success is a NO EXCUSE business!! And the same goes for show business. You are either making things happen or you're not. Let me clue you in on two strategies for success that you can implement today to get your mind off to the right start.

1. Ask better questions: Am I prepared? What has to happen to be better prepared? Do I have all of my skill sets refined? How can I get the edge on this project? How will I pursue and push through even in the midst of hardship when I am faced with it?

2. See the big picture: This may not look like a big deal now, yet how can I make it a big deal? Learn to have vision and stick to the vision. So many people waffle through life and just exist in a world of nothingness. Go create and make things happen, thinking with the outcome in mind.

Take these strategies and run with them. You owe it to yourself to fully take advantage of all of your skills and talents and to maximize them effectively.

Next month's issue: "What if you do create your wildest dreams, goals and desires?"

May:

"What if I do?"

“The next intelligent man living cannot succeed in accumulating money nor in any other undertaking without plans which are practical.”

Napolean Hill

What if you focused on one aspect of your career and became not great yet, outstanding at it? What if you focused, and made a commitment to complete one task at a time? What if you did such a great job maximizing all of your success tools, that you created the complete package? A unique identity…something that separated you from every other actor out there; do you think this would assist in maximizing your career?

Let’s take one tool or component that can help your career such as your website: Bill Clinton once said, “When I took office, only high energy physicists had ever heard of what is called the World Wide Web…Now my cat even has its’ own page.”

Bill was being funny yet it’s true! Have you been procrastinating on your website? I understand you’re busy, just consider yourself in demand. Seriously, it is not cool to leave something such as your website to chance, especially in this competitive world. Even for a cat, there is some stiff competition. Did you know that you can search 7,160,000 cat websites with images? Meow!!! I say.

Imagine the numbers for actors and talent??? And you’re wondering if having a website is important?

Because of the internet, directors, casting directors, and production companies have the ability to simply get a window into how you represent yourself via your website.

**Your website allows you to tell your own story in the fashion that best suits you.

**Your potential work can come to you. When you meet someone and they hand you a business card, how often do you go back to your computer and immediately look them up online?

**People visiting your site often times want information and access to this information at their leisure. Yes, they want to know what you look like, however they want to see and find out what you’ve done with yourself.

Your website can be your greatest asset, if you get focused on how you want to be represented and work your plan. This is one example of focusing on one aspect of your business.

Something to think about: The Blair Witch Project was basically a home movie with a $40,000 budget that came out of nowhere, to become a box office smash. Much of its success came from the internet. The producers conducted an Internet Campaign on an eerie website and extensive online word of mouth. What started as a $40,000 project and because of a website, chats, discussion boards, and rave reviews- this low budget project turned into a 2 billion dollar property.

What if you did work on one aspect of your business at a time? Get focused and think big!!!

Tammy

Next Month: “Branding You”

June:

"Branding you!!"

No matter where I go no matter who talk to when ever I mention Coke not pop, Band-Aid not bandage, and Q-Tip ( and don’t even ask me what I would call it otherwise), inevitably, people know what I am talking about!! This is known as branding. Quite simple it seems, yet companies invest millions to leave the consumer with an imprint of their brand in the minds of the consumer. What happens when you hear the word model, actor, spokesperson, talk show host, motivational speaker, billionaire, or desperate housewife? Something to think about!

How about think about your career or your life and the brand you’ve created among those whom you are doing business with and those whom you’ve met for the very first time and consecutively. Many components create your brand. Who you are in the marketplace of talent is all determined by your brand, first and foremost and how you cement yourself in the minds of those around you. There is a publicity rule of thumb as it pertains to getting your information out to the media. The rule is to not wait to be asked when it comes to sending information to the media channels. Think about it, the media must pull from you in order to get great stories and information on what it is that you are talking about. How does this relate to you?

Well, thanks for asking, this relates to you in a very big way, you are in charge of imprinting your brand to everyone you meet and come into contact with. This is done through your head shot, website, business card and these are just to name a few.

Let’s discuss the first steps in branding you more effectively:

Step 1. Know you Image or someone else will: You have no idea, how many people let another person decide on what image they want to portray. If you want to portray someone with confidence and the “bad boy” look; than commit to that image. You don’t want to confuse you market. Know what you’re going to say about yourself and how you’re going to say it to the people that you come into contact with.

Step 2. Waste no time on comparing yourself to the brand next to you : Wow does this happen quite frequently. Often times, I see people who are just “wanna be” clones of each other. They look alike, sound alike and dress alike… seriously; this is bound to clump you into the category of average and ordinary really quickly. Even though this may sound like a more detailed aspect of your image, this is really you mentally setting yourself up to win. Capitalize on you attributes and not the things you wish you had because someone else has them.

Step 3. Think long term branding: This is quite simple. Don’t think the next job, think career. Don’t think days, months, years, think decades. Long-term thinking takes patience, foresight, aiond loyalty to your vision. So many people change who they are at the drop of a dime and think nothing of it. They cheapen who they are every time they fall into the trap.

Take the step today to brand yourself like never before and stop at nothing. Remember, this is your life and as long as you are on this earth, make the most of it.

TL

July:

"You’re probably looking at me!"

For some of you who are about to read this, I am warning you, this months article will force you to take a long hard look at yourself. Let me start by saying, that I am truly grateful for the opportunity to insightfully help you with your learning curve in the entertainment world and in your life for that matter.

My mentor and manager shared with me a simple yet profound piece of coaching in regard to my life. He said, “Tammy, you will never be as successful as you think you are until you learn to drop your ego down 20 notches, humble yourself, and shut up about what you’ve done, just take action and the world will know. Now I don’t know about you, but when I heard this, I was thinking, dude you need to be replaced with someone who knows how to make me feel better about myself. After all I am in the entertainment world and I have to have a healthy self-esteem to make it in this business.

He kindly shared with me the difference between a healthy self-esteem and a deadly ego. There is really a difference. Wow!!! I thought they were one in the same.

He then walked me through this simple exercise below and asked me which of the following words best described me most of the time within a given week and which words best described how I dealt with situations that came up. Yikes! Take this test for yourself. You may be in for a big surprise.

EGO VS. Healthy Self-Esteem

Whether we want to believe it or not, we are all driven by a certain amount of ego, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it is when our decisions are purely based on our ego and overwhelm our logical thinking process.

We can become addicted to the compliments and the excitement that we feel when we are being adored for our greatness, yet this alone will only lead us down what I like to call the “Marilyn Monroe” path. Look at any footage of Marilyn and she is looking at the cameras and the people as if she were saying, “You’re probably looking at me!”

This month I challenge you to make all of the distinctions that you have to make that will stimulate you to growth. I challenge you to take your career to a level that most don’t even have the courage to create for their lives. Develop the ability to utilize all of your resources and create the life you truly deserve in and outside of the business of entertainment. You will mature to a whole new level. So, go for it!

TL

August:

"Is that you in the photo?"

There are just rules of thumb when it comes to your headshots and one “biggy” is making sure the shot looks like you. This is just the beginning of what I am about to share with you regarding your headshots. I can understand that we have good days and we have bad days, but let’s not argue one point, when someone meets us, the proof is in the pudding. You either look like your photo or not. I mean seriously, when I am casting for a project, I make it mandatory to take a Polaroid of the talent, because this moment doesn’t lie. No touch ups, no make up artist on hand just a Polaroid of reality. I am not saying that the natural look is necessarily a great thing, I am saying that you better look like the person that is going to walk into the doors any moment to read for the role. Got it?

Here is what you do not want to do with your headshot:

*Have the photo significantly enhanced- we already went over this one. Please look like yourself as much as possible.

*Don’t look as if you came fresh out of your bathroom into the limo and off to the prom-seriously, keep the hair and make-up toned down. Remember you want to show versatility in your photo not scream “character” actor.

*Leave out the crazy font that only a web-designer is able to read; please keep the fancy work for something that doesn’t matter. You are looking for work as an actor, not a shot at the creative department.

*Spend too much money- come on, you are not there yet and until you are, learn to budget wisely and not get scammed in to arm and a leg headshot prices.

*Spend too little money- believe it or not, there is a happy medium. You really must understand somewhere in the middle is perfect. You get what you pay for. Think smart.

*Get a composite sheet- there is no need for this eclectic blend of different looks, such as you as a clown, a prairie dog, a character of sorts, this is for models. You are an actor. A headshot is a headshot.

Be smart about your headshots. This is your single most important representation of yourself. TL

September:

"Keeping it simple!"

Sanford Meisner, as an incredibly profound acting teacher had the goal of imparting to students an organized approach to the creation of the real and truthful behavior within the imaginary circumstances of the theater. Just like his contemporaries from the Group Theatre, he has changed his style and it has been articulated that his students have found Sandy’s approach by far the most simplest, most direct, least pretentious and most effective.

Said in his own words, Mr. Meisner states, “One can use standard principles and textbooks in educating people for law, medicine, architecture, chemistry or almost any other profession-but not for the theater. For, in most professions, every practitioner uses the same tools and techniques, while the actor’s chief instrument is himself. And since no two persons are alike, no universal rule is applicable to any two actors in exactly the same way.” Do you get his point?

Meisner believed that the foundation of acting is in the reality of doing! This is all very simple, so simple it is the difference between listening to someone and really listening to someone! If you haven’t figured out by now, because of my schooling, I marry the theatrical with the personal growth approach and my goal is that you bring this information to life in the world that you live in.

What in your life are you making difficult?

Is your approach to your career becoming so overwhelming that you just want to put your hands in the air and say, “forget it!”

What in your life are you really doing? Are you reading this right now, paying attention to every word with full intention of extracting the very best information out of this article or are you acting like an actor, who is acting like you are interested and hopefully looking for something that will grab your attention in this article? Which category do you fall into?

This is the deal, we have so many interesting happenings that go on in our lives in a given day, and we have the ability to perceive from those happenings a multitude of lessons and information from everyday occurrences, so how about pull from those once in a while to form and create who and what you really are as an actor. You will truly figure out that you are not acting at all; you are being and doing!

So take the very real circumstances in your life and simply make them building blocks to your next level of profound distinction in your life, in return they will materialize into a true life experience that you will continue to draw upon.

As Meisner stated, you are the instrument; and this is what I say if this is true, your experiences are the notes. Now play your song!

Read next month’s article on “Making Up Your Mind”

October:

"Make up your mind, your subconscious mind!"

This month I thought we would dig a little deeper and challenge the psyche a bit!! So sit back and enjoy this read, you will not be sorry. (This article may seem a bit choppy, it is choppy for a reason and I am confident you will figure out why after you’ve read it.) If I told you that you have the ability to create your own success and your own failure would you believe me? O.K. If I stated to you that every thought you have is all because of what you created in your mind and in essence is something that you made up? Are you following so far?

If you are asking what the heck this has to do with acting, well you failed!!! Sorry, you are thinking way too small. What we are talking about is the science of your life and blending the physical reality of our existence with your thoughts. Understand that we are all made up of energy and you my friend are either magnetized or demagnetized. How important is this distinction when you are attempting to step into the essence of a character. I learned long ago about memorizing a script vs. taking on the true essence of a character first and then reading the types of words that this character would retort.

Okay, let’s cover a couple of terms:

Subconscious Mind and your Conscious Mind- These are not two minds. They are merely two spheres of activity within the mind. Your conscious mind makes the choices, it chooses what to eat etc. Your subconscious mind accepts what you impress upon it through you conscious mind. Your subconscious mind is a bed of soil that will accept any kind of seed planted in it. Negative instructive towards your subconscious works just as equally as positive instruction. Your conscious mind is objective and your subconscious mind is subjective.

This is the deal, if you think you can you can. Yet if you say that you can and you really don’t believe it, your subconscious will reject it. So how much control do you really have over your mind? As much as you think you have. I know this sounds ambiguous and yet if you find this information interesting, read on. Here’s a strategy to help you make up your subconscious mind and create a greater realm of possibility:

Recite the following in the a.m. after you wake and in the evening before you go to sleep:

The infinite intelligence that gave me this desire leads, guides, and reveals to me the perfect plan for the unfolding of my desire. I know the deeper wisdom of my subconscious is now responding, and what I feel and claim within is expressed in the without. There is balance, equilibrium, and equanimity.

In closing, what if you took this information and simply applied it to your career as an entertainer. Perhaps you have bigger goals that you have never truly applied much thought to. Now you have realized that you have more control over your mind than ever.

Healthy thoughts equal successful outcomes!!!

November:

“Momentum”

You either have it or you don’t!

This is the time of year where some of you may be winding down and you may visit all of your showbiz aspirations January 1 st. You may have resolved that whatever happened in 2006 has happened and 2007 has so much in store. This is a two part article to gear you up for the New Year. Not so fast though…you have a couple of months left until you say audios to 2006. November is a great time to do some mental clean-up on your life. Let’s make sure that you don’t stack any mental clutter into the next year and the years to follow. This month we are making things short and sweet by sharing you 5 keys to clearing the cob webs from your mind and creating a clean foundation for brand new momentum.

Thus should gear you up for next month and the 8 steps to building momentum. Hopefully this has assisted in helping you clean out those mental cobwebs.

December: