Category: Tips for the Biz

by Chris Agos All actors need reels. The question is how to build an acting reel that works. In Part 1, we talked about the reasons for having an acting reel (showreel), covered the hierarchy of reel footage sources, and highlighted the importance of building an actor’s credibility through a reel. By the way, notice I’m not calling them “actor demos” or “demo reels”. Demos are for voice over. Anyway….

by Chris Agos If you’re an actor and you don’t have an acting reel showcasing your work, you’re doing it VERY wrong. I don’t care how much or little experience you have if you’re pursuing an acting career, a reel (or showreel for non-US readers) can be the first step in getting work you’ll be able to book again and again. Why?  The number one question casting directors have about actors…

by Mandy Walsh Being an understudy is a crazy ride, but I think it’s important for every actor to do it at least once during their career. Being an understudy is a unique opportunity to learn about your own personal process since so much of the work must be done on your own. Plus you have the different perspective of creating a performance from the outside in. You get the…

Check out ASC’s 2023 Online Acting and Voice Over Classes! If you have visible tattoos and you book a commercial or TV show, know that an actor’s tattoos will either need to be covered OR you must provide a release from your tattoo artist(s) before you can appear on camera. Even if the images on your body have not been copyrighted by the artist, production companies and their clients are…

For the past five years, I have been fortunate enough to work steadily as a commercial director. I have worked with all manner of clients from fortune 500 companies to small start-ups. It’s as challenging as it is fun. Now when I’m able to teach an on-camera class with acting students, I like to draw a comparison between life here on Earth and this place I have come to know…

Zoom auditions, virtual callbacks, and remote digital projects are a few of the many new normals brought on by 2020.  As the world continues to transition to being as online as possible, having a digital presence as an actor and artist is more important now than ever before. So, if you find yourself with a bit more time on your hands in the next few days…weeks…or months, why not consider…

Grind and hustle….  Hustle and grind. Those are the classic actions of the Chicago actor, are they not? Bouncing from one audition, show, set to the next. All the while, trying to maintain a sense of control over the uncontrollable fluster of your creative life. Have you ever thought about creating your own work? At the end of the day, we are each in control of our preparation, choices, and…

Learning to navigate the “business” and demystify the actor-agent relationship is much of what I teach every Winter to BFA Seniors at the Theatre School at DePaul University. This year the students were assigned to interview the agents. Two students visited each Chicago SAG-AFTRA franchised agency and asked them questions about their agencies, audition advice and marketing for actors.  Not only were the agents generous with their time, they also…

Oh, the day job. Most of us need one in order to survive, but as actors, we need flexibility in our work schedule. This can be a challenge because it means the typical 9-5 job isn’t going to work for us. So what do we do? It means that most of us need to be resourceful and flexible to create a stable income while we audition for that guest-starring role…

You went to the initial audition. You were energetic and focused. You looked great, you felt great and you know you killed it. Then, you get the callback and you really want to land this part because you’re excited about it and you know you’re perfect for the role. So how do you insure that you give the best possible callback you can? So much of casting and auditioning is…