Confined to one single 8×10 piece of paper attached to your headshot (electronically or hard copy no matter), what and how much to put on your resume is a topic of consternation, frustration and/or mystery.

So how do you inform the reader of your resume “at a glance” (’cause that’s what it’s gonna get at best when submitting) that your are the RIGHT ACTOR for the job?

Most actors have been taught to list everything they’ve ever done on their resume…especially when just starting out. Then, when there are many credits to choose from, you can start eliminating some of them…but which ones?

I have news for you.  “They” are wrong.  When  looking for a guide, consider your resume to be road map.  Do you take out a map to see where you’ve been? (OK, there’s a few in every crowd!)  Or do you take out a map to see where you’re going?

The first thing to consider is that your resume is the road map to your success.  What kind of success?  YOU get to say, and that’s the beauty of  it.  Instead of putting every darned thing on it that you think someone might possibly be interested in who needs an actor for any given project of any and every kind, what are the projects that YOU want to be in?

How about being the designer of your future success, and creating the resume that reflects THAT instead of “confusing” the reader of your resume.  They are always  looking for a specific kind of actor for a specific role.  Honestly, you CAN’T be all things to all people as you’ll end up being NOTHING to NO ONE.

The first step is to cut out all of the things you’ve ever done that don’t reflect what you can currently do (get cast in).  Take off all of those roles that no longer support your “brand” or type you’re most likely going to be paid to play.  You do like that word PAID don’t you?

In show BUSINESS, your talent (the product) is purchased to fulfill a need (acting role) and this is NOT a one size fits all business.  What “size” are you?  You can’t be all of them (though your acting teacher told you you could – LIAR!)

Figure that out first – what you have defined as the type/product you’re going to market and then your resume (brochure) reflects that!  Actor that figure that one out make far greater strides faster than those who continue to insist on the ability to “be and do” anything.

To your success!  Lisa

In our acting community, I find indecision one of the reasons we don’t have what we say we want in our careers.  Why “choose” when it seems better to leave so many options open?

• Indecision brings delays – and you want it FAST, don’t you?
• Regrets usually come from what you DIDN’T do, not what you did do.
• When you are busy deciding, someone else already did, and now has an opportunity that you do not.

Much of what is taught at Act Outside the Box is around taking action and choosing.  I see a lot of actors doing just the opposite, thinking that if they leave the doors open, someone will invite them through and show them the proper or best pathway.  It really just doesn’t work that way.

Read this quote by Goethe and see if it resonates with you like it did with me.

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back– Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

I invite you to take action and make a commitment to yourself and your career RIGHT NOW in any area that you’ve been thinking…”hhhuuuumm, someday I’ll do that”.  Be BOLD (says GOLD!)

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage.  I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past.  I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.  I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.

A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.  Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.  I would promise to keep her safe.  I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.  I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors.  So many more to be saved.  At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Author – Janine Allen

Face it:

There are days when pursuing your career as an actor sucks. Here are a few simple steps to getting your mojo back, keep you motivated and staying in ACTion!

Life is like those signs that say “You Are Here”!  What you make of WHERE you are is up to you. Even if you weren’t an actor and no matter what you did/do for a living, the key to success is extraordinary performance, day after day after day.

And that’s only possible if you make optimism, expectancy, and enthusiasm part of your daily experience.

It’s easier if you’re pursuing your life’s dearest dreams.  But what if, like almost most of us in this crowded community, you’ve got an additional “side job” that’s not exactly your ideal. What if the pursuit of your dreams, faced with consistent rejection and doing the small stuff gets you down?

Here’s how to maintain a go-getter outlook, even when the going gets tough:

STEP #1: Realize That YOU Are in Control

Your attitude isn’t controlled by the outside world.  That’s an illusion, a fantasy that, if you believe it, you’re simply using to escape responsibility for managing this all-important part of your career.  REALLY, that’s your toughest job right there…not the acting career!

For example, if you run into snowstorm that’s making you late to an audition, you can get frustrated and start cussing…OR you can look forward to the appreciation that the casting director might feel because you were committed enough to fight the weather to make the casting call when others would bag it.

It’s all in how you see it!

STEP #2: Neutralize Negative Thoughts

Stop letting exterior events trigger negative thoughts.

Suppose you’re on your way to an important call back but are running late because of traffic and transportation situations out of your control. That IS a problem, but if you get flustered, you’ve got TWO problems: the fact that you’re late, and the fact that you’re flustered.

And if you walk into the call back flustered, the casting director might wonder if you’re moody and unreliable. So now you’ve got THREE problems.

To get a better result (and achieve a better attitude), modify your interpretation of the exterior events that tend to trigger the negative outlook. Once the events in your life take on a different, more useful meaning, they won’t trigger a bad attitude.

STEP #3: Reduce Your News Media Consumption (this is HUGE!)

Today’s mainstream news programming mostly consists of horrible stories of destruction, death and pain. This constant flow of negative images automatically creates a negative attitude about life, the world, and everything in it.  It definitely affects me, and I assert, you too.

If you want to maintain a positive attitude, you MUST reduce or even eliminate your exposure to broadcast news programming. Rather than waste time with that stuff, add material and content into your life that will help you become more successful in your acting career.  Study great actors, read the Hollywood Reporter as well as my blogs and Facebook posts. (Had to get that in there!)

Start and end each day reading something positive. If you’re on the move, rather than listening to negative, emotionally-charged talk radio in your car or harsh music on your iPod, listen to motivational CD’s or music that raises your spirits and inspires you. I LOVE listening to stuff that enhances and makes a difference in my life.  It makes me smile!

STEP #4: Avoid Negative People (even more HUGE!)

You probably have a few friends, relatives, or acquaintances who make you feel tired and drained. They always seem to have something bad to say; criticisms come far more often than compliments. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!

These folks are toxic to your attitude (and to your success) because, if they’re not actively tearing down your enthusiasm, they’re trying to get you to think the same way they do about the world. What a drag!  Seriously.

If you want to maintain a positive attitude, limit your daily exposure to these people. OK, I know some of them are your relatives…but don’t go to lunch with the “grouse and grumble” crowd. If you’ve got to “deal” with folks that don’t add value to YOUR world, let them go.  These are “crazy makers” according to Julia Cameron, author of “The Artists Way” and I agree 110%.

STEP #5: Adopt a Positive Vocabulary (HUGEST of all!)

The words that you use—both what you speak aloud and your internal thoughts—have an influence in how you perceive what’s happening in the world. Sometimes you’re aware, but mostly you are not.

All words carry a certain amount of emotional baggage, especially if you’ve been saying the same things for a LONG time and/or over and over again.

The words “can’t,” “don’t,” and “won’t” mean essentially the same thing…it’s not happening!  But they carry very different emotional baggage. If you “won’t” do something, but tell yourself that you “can’t” over and over and over, it will intensify the stubbornness to produce the action/result.  Both are a choice and one is a learned behavior.  The words you use CREATE your life and thus, your outcomes.  Want better outcomes? Start by observing your words.

Your life is a network of conversations and being AWARE of what comes out of your mouth and enters your ears is the first place to start.

These 5 ways to stay motivated are brought to you by me, Lisa Gold, and take them or leave them…I can assure you I use ALL of the above to keep me motivated on a daily basis.  I pass them lovingly on to you!

Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe, Alfred Hitchcock and Richard Burton never won an Oscar.  Babe Ruth was never named Most Valuable Player.  Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson all lost elections for the presidency before they won one.  Losers?  No. Legends.

Early in my career, when I was struggling actress, I made a list of all the roles in musical theater I wanted to perform.  Some, I admit, were far out of my reach, (to young, too old, not enough dance skills, wrong color, not the right chops, ugh!), and I wasted tons of time wishing and hoping it weren’t so.

If you’re in the acting game you better get used to hearing the word “no.” If thinking that becoming a successful, heck (really?), even wealthy and famous actor was easy, everyone would want in (ooops…sooooo many do! ). Rejection helps knock out the weak. In my case, those early rejections forced me to really listen to my potential in the marketplace and find out what I needed to do and change in order to transform the “no, thanks” to “where do I sign?”

You can’t escape rejection.  You can only let it go.  Here are some exercises that paid off for me big time:

• Dissect thoughts under the microscope. When faced with a challenge, what do you tell yourself?  “I’m no good . . . this is too hard . . . I’ll never make it . . .?”  Don’t let negative self-talk sabotage your attitude.
• Identify realistic fears. Whom do you fear?  What might go wrong?  Who has the power to reject you?  Why would that person say no?  The answers will help you prepare your best, and facing them will help you keep your composure.
• Focus on the moment. Keep your perspective.  Rejection lasts only a moment, and once it’s over, you’ll be able to move on to the next opportunity.
• Be more assertive. Most fears of rejection rest on the desire for approval from other people.  Don’t base your self-esteem on their opinions.  Learn to express your own needs (appropriately), and say no when you genuinely can’t be of value or when you know you can’t fulfill.
• Analyze every failure, but never wallow in one. Harry Truman once said, “As soon as I realize I’ve made one damned fool mistake, I rush out and make another one.”  Failure is a condition all of us experience.  It’s our reaction to our failures that distinguishes winners from losers.
• Don’t rationalize away the hurt. Turned down for the gig? Didn’t get the contract?  No call back, or even a call period?  Lost out to your biggest competition?  Don’t let your worth be defined by others.  Get back in the game.  It’s not a permanent condition; it’s a short-term setback.

Ten setbacks are the going price for any worthwhile win. I LOVE statistics so look at the major league baseball standings at the end of any season: Out of 30 teams, only eight make the playoffs, and only one winds up winning the World Series. Out of all of the guys on the team (by the way, no women!) how many can you name?  There are the players in the Major Leagues and then there are the STARS.  In the end, the annual standings show that there are 29 losing teams and thusly hundreds/thousands of losers?  Hardly.  Really?  Come on!  Are you in the GAME or not?  In my book the only way you’re not is quitting, and YOU’RE not a quitter, are you?

Lisa’s Moral of the Story:  Don’t get dejected if you’ve been rejected. Just get your skills perfected!

What a great time we had a February’s First Thursdays!  We had so many newbies show up and each one of them networked with the class and style our industry guests have come to expect.  The room was a buzz with news of the AFTRA/SAG merger and the upcoming Super Bowl (GO GIANTS!!!). I’d like to thank Elana Mugdan for bringing along the FABULOUS Bill Connington and of course Carson-Adler Agent, Shirley Faison, was as charming as always.  So…  Did you all meet Jim Manley?  Did he take your picture?  You can check them all out here.

I love sharing ways to end the “starving artist” conversation.  So if you want more money, take a good look at these 10 simple (not easy) actions that you can take today that will, in the end, make AND keep money in your pocket.

1. Reduce the number of opportunities you pursue. Focus, focus, focus.  What are your goals? The more opportunities you’ve got, the more likely you are to make mistakes with investing your time (time is money, right?)  If you can’t give ONE opportunity the attention it deserves, you’ll lose money in the end.  This is usually the case pursuing unpaid “opportunities”.

2. Increase the percentage of time you spend marketing yourself.  Let go of the “little” stuff that occupies your mind and efforts.  Reduce the time you spend on paperwork, trade some “craft” time for “marketing” time, and give up other busywork you’re seemingly always involved with. Use the extra time to get yourself in front of as many people possible that can hire you via direct mail, email, social media and in-person networking.

3. Stop buying technology and other on-line “hot” programs because they’re cool. Smartphones, tablets, PCs, apps, etc. can make it seem like you’re “investing” in your career and hey, some ARE important tools–but the learning curve and time it takes to set them up properly to serve YOU can drain your productivity. Only purchase devices and programs that actually help you do research, get the word out about what you do, and connect with industry.

4. Think about your acting as a solution to their “problem”. Suppose you were a casting director or producer/director and had the job of choosing an actor for a role.  You’ve got a problem…until it’s cast, you can’t move foward.  Sure there are tons of actors out there to choose from, but you need only ONE perfect person for the part.  As an actor, you create the solution by knowing exactly what you offer and give value by making it easy for the “other side of the table” folks to know, find and choose you.  In the end this WILL put dollars in your pocket.  Stop trying to be all things to all people…how’s that workin’ for ya?

5. Terminate weak engagements–politely but immediately. The moment you find out that someone really doesn’t need what you’re offering, point them in the right direction, then politely withdraw from the project. This advice is particularly for those of you still building your resume by offering your services as an actor for free in exchange for copy/meals/credit.  If it stinks and you know it…get out of it and quickly!

6. Don’t confuse telling and selling. Rather than talking to the agent, casting director, other actor or interested party about you, you, you – ask THEM intelligent questions so that the two of you can discover whether they can really use someone like you.  You’ll “close” the deal more efficiently and gain their respect -  and if you find it’s not a fit, that will also benefit you both!

7. Hone your efforts in building a database of contacts. Based upon your own experience, observe who’s just interested and who’s actually likely to hire you (maybe not NOW, but honestly – someday). You CAN tell the difference in an auditor who is just being polite and someone who is genuinely excited about you. Market heavily and consistently with your focused effort to THEM and continue to research and find more of the ones who are a fit for what you offer.

8. Don’t forget the gatekeepers. Many of today’s assistants are tomorrow’s CD’s and agents who just starting out in their careers.  Be kind, remember names, address them with respect just as you expect the same.  When tryng to get through to the current industry you want to create a relationship with, often the way is through the gatekeepers.  Make them your friends and they’ll be more likely to help you out, especially in the future.

9. Outflank your competition. Find out what other successful actors are doing.  The one’s who have a career that you emulate and desire know something that you don’t.  What is it? It wasn’t magic, luck or chance.  You’re just as talented, if not more so, so observe them and then take the actions that OUT market, OUT act and OUT do them!  Position yourself to be the next, fresh, great SOLUTION to the next casting problem.

10. Increase your average dollar value. Huh?  Here’s a thought – It takes just about as much effort to cut a $100 deal as it does to cut a $1000 or $10,000 deal. Meaning, the efforts are the SAME, but the payoff can be so much more…research, market yourself, then audition for and book ONLY the kind of work that’s WORTHY of your energy and, of course, talent.

So that’s it!  If you want a leg up on learning a GREAT money management system, guidelines on exactly who and how often to do mailings, and the most effective ways to market, then I’ve got just the seminar for you!  THIS is where you DO want to make an investment in time, energy, effort and money.  Lisa Gold