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Q: Can an 11 year old be a famous actor?

Nicole

A: The answer…Yes. 

With the right training and commitment absolutely!

Q: At what point of an actors career should they look for a manager?

Billy

A: Hi Billy. Good question.

Without knowing you and your background I can’t answer this specifically for you. However managers and agents want to be bowled over. A good very short DVD of your work (for film), or excellent reviews, or a solid work history all helps. And always have a couple of very solid monologues in your back pocket in case they want to see your work. In my classes we, from time to time, work on monologues constantly honing them to perfection. We also offer monologue workshops and if you know you are going to be asked to perform a monologue, private coaching is sometimes valuable and worthwhile. And also an actor’s business card is his headshot so make sure you have a good photographer and get the “money” shot. It’s a shame but in this competitive business an artist has to be a self marketing expert as well as a great artist.  Wishing you well- Sande

Q: I get so nervous before an audition that I sometimes blow a well prepared audition. Any advice on how to get my nerves under control?

Phil

A: Iconic question, Phil, so thanks for asking.

Nerves are a necessary thrust into handling things that need attention. The underlying emotion, FEAR, is what you need to be with and work out. Just know excitement is the other side of fear. Expect to feel fear when you are in unfamiliar territory. And this unfamiliar territory is the place growth takes place in. So fear is not such a bad place to be.

Here are some ways of dealing with the fear:

1) Prepare for the role.
2) “Have” the nerves and move ahead anyway.
3) Challenge the voice in your head and become unstoppable.

Nerves will dissipate as you learn to take action.

Now for some technical ways of using the fear:

1) Breathe…holding your breath creates more fear.
2) Give the fear to your character by using one of the circumstances of the script to justify them. (Referring to the classic “Streetcar Named Desire”. Blanche is nervous being with lower class Stanley. Stanley is nervous that Stella will turn Blanche against him. You can absolutely use this technique for any character for any medium.)
3) Keep your attention on what your character is going for, their action, needs, wants, desires and objective.
4) Be connected to yourself and what the moment and the other characters trigger in you.

Thanks for the question, it is truly Universal.

Good thoughts and bright times, Sande

Click Here to ask Sande your question
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