How to Approach A Callback - with Jack McGee

The brilliant actor Jack McGee spoke at length to my Advanced Callback Class this past month. Here's just a snippet of what he had to say.

Actor Jack McGee talks about his goal in a callback

Judy Kain

Judy Kain has been a professional actress now for 37 years, showcasing her skills and talents in over 350 commercials and in over 80 roles for film and television.  Some of her more well-known credits include a Television Series Regular on The Jackie Thomas Show

and a Recurring role on the Emmy-winning show Mad Men, a role which won her a SAG Award.  Her other favorite recurring credits include Married with Children, For Your Love, Grosse Pointe, and Manhattan, AZ with Chad Everett.  She has done numerous guest appearances on the hit shows Modern Family, The Middle, Bones, Castle, Scrubs, Desperate Housewives, ER, Seinfeld, The District, The West Wing, NYPD Blue, Friends, and The Drew Carey Show just to name a few.   Her teaching career has also lead to immense success, being voted BACKSTAGE WEST'S FAVORITE ON-CAMERA COMMERCIAL TEACHER IN LA in 2010 and 2011.  Her other acting classes have won BACKSTAGE WEST'S FAVORITE IN LA as well, and continue to produce amazing results for her students. She teaches Advanced Callback, Commercial A to Z and Commercial Wednesday Workouts.

Consider this when looking for a Commercial Rep

One of my favorite things about teaching the Advanced Callback Commercial Class is learning from all of the amazing industry guests that visit class each week to provide feedback and insight. We have a playlist on youtube where snippets from our guests are continually added, but its best to perform for and learn from our guests firsthand in class. We hope to see you there!

Commercial Agent Melissa Mangum of Minc Talent Agency speaks to Keep it Real Acting's Advanced Callback Class

Judy Kain

Judy Kain has been a professional actress now for 37 years, showcasing her skills and talents in over 350 commercials and in over 80 roles for film and television.

Some of her more well-known credits include a Television Series Regular on The Jackie Thomas Show and a Recurring role on the Emmy-winning show Mad Men, a role which won her a SAG Award.  Her other favorite recurring credits include Married with Children, For Your Love, Grosse Pointe, and Manhattan, AZ with Chad Everett.  She has done numerous guest appearances on the hit shows Modern Family,The Middle, Bones, Castle, Scrubs, Desperate Housewives, ER, Seinfeld, The District, The West Wing, NYPD Blue, Friends,and The Drew Carey Show just to name a few.   Her teaching career has also lead to immense success, being voted BACKSTAGE WEST'S FAVORITE ON-CAMERA COMMERCIAL TEACHER IN LA in 2010 and 2011.  Her other acting classes have won BACKSTAGE WEST'S FAVORITE IN LA as well, and continue to produce amazing results for her students. She teaches Advanced Callback, Commercial A to Z and Commercial Wednesday Workouts.

What makes some Actors so Hireable

Once, while attending a holiday party , I was cornered by an actor who had auditioned for me earlier that year. He was relatively new to the business and wanted to know the secret to booking commercials.

At first, I told him that if he figured it out, please let me know. No one knows of one thing or combination of things that will always get you booked.

But, he said, there are actors who consistently book commercials and work more than others. What do they do that makes them so hireable?

I had to think about that one.

It’s true, I know a handful of actors of different descriptions who book a lot of commercials and they have some traits in common.

1. They are a “type.” Americans relate to people they can recognize and categorize in their minds. We call them “types.” By their looks and what we see on TV, we expect a certain behavior from them. For instance, blue collar types are usually lovable, not that smart, hardworking and honest. You’ll see them in family restaurant and truck commercials. Slacker types are unshaven, often college students or stoners, have messy hair and clothes, and are generally irresponsible. They populate nearly every beer commercial and some computer as well as fast food spots. Because commercials are only 30 seconds long, types must be instantly recognizable. These actors have that quality.

2. They are good actors. Yes, commercials generally aren’t as demanding of acting skills as theatrical productions. But good acting is good acting, and just as if I were going to have minor surgery somewhere, I would want an overqualified surgeon to perform it, directors want an actor who is capable of much more than just the role you’ve hired them for.

3. They are professional and prepared. They’ve done their homework. They know all about the spot, the copy, look and wardrobe and they’re ready to work as soon as they arrive for the audition.

4. They are not thrown by change. They can roll with whatever changes are made, and shift gears without batting an eye. Often in callbacks, I see directors ask for a different interpretation of a script. Not because they think it will be shot that way, but just to see if the actor can do it. Usually these actors have a background in improv.

5. They are confident. They know they can do they job and they project that confidence to the agency and production company. They are not intimidated by the process. Think about it. If I were going to have the above mentioned surgery, do I want a surgeon who behaves as if they’re not really sure this is a good idea or can be done? Or do I want someone who is on board with the diagnosis and makes me believe that it’s a piece of cake?

6. They get it. Oftentimes I see actors come in and give an audition without understanding the spot. If it’s comedy, they don’t know why it’s funny. Actors who book get it. They watch commercials and know the tone of the advertiser and commercials in general. And if they don’t understand, they ask to have it explained.

7. They are consistent. If you call them in, they will consistently give a good, believable performance. And they tend to be level headed, neither blinded by success nor defeated by failure. They know the game and they know how to play it.

Most of the things I’ve described come from training and experience. Okay, that’s not true of your looks, sex or ethnicity, but training and experience should dictate the audition choices you make. You can learn a lot taking classes and just watching commercials. Watch the performances. Note the economy of words and images. Watch how they’re edited. See how different companies have their own style or message regardless of the spot. Then remember that when you audition for their ads.

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Doug Traer Commercial Wednesday Workout, Kids Commercial Class
Doug has been working in film, television, theatre, and commercials for the past 26 years.  His film credits include Robert Miller’s Brenda Starr, the critically acclaimed Speak of the Devil and the black comedy Dead Giveaway.  He has had multiple roles on General Hospital, appeared in America’s Most Wanted and Saved by the Bell, among others.

He has made a number of national TV commercials for products such as Mercedes-Benz, Sony Playstation, Sprint, Blue Cross Insurance, Baskin Robbins Ice Cream and Hardee’s Restaurants.

In addition to his acting gigs, he works as a commercial casting director and session director as well as teaching and providing career guidance to young actors or those just getting into the business.  He also directs theatrical and industrial video productions through his own independent production company.

Doug studied acting with master teacher Cliff Osmond for 15 years and improv with the LA Connection. He began teaching commercial classes 12 years ago and theatrical classes in 2003.  He has also taught in San Francisco, Chicago, Oakland, Phoenix and Santa Barbara and recently returned from Tokyo where he taught American acting to Japanese students.

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Creating Your Team: 4 Things for Actors to Remember

Often, we as actors feel very alone in the entertainment industry.  You didn't get the part, forgot your  lines or you feel duped because the wrong people scammed you for money.  These things and more weigh on our artistic minds more often than not.  How do I make sure I am slating properly, or making the right decisions for a cold read?  Are my head shots working for me?  How do I find the right instructors, agents, managers, etc?   Help is right under your nose.  There are so many assets out there, utilize them!  The entertainment business works when you surround yourself with a “team” you can trust, that will help make your career flourish. 

Coaching and practice.  A good actor can make incredible moments created by the tiniest emotional nuances look easy.  But these moments are executed by actors who have honed their craft.  They utilize the tools they have studied for years to give the “performance of a lifetime.”  And, although an actor might be by themselves in a scene, it’s important to ask: how did they get there?

Reading your lines in front of a mirror does not make you a great actor.  You must learn from a mentor or coach.  Throughout the history of acting, instructors like Stella Adler or Lee Strasburg crafted the art by the actors workinh in front of an audience.  Whether it is a peer, friend or mentor it is important that we speak our lines out loud.  So many actors in class or, God forbid at an audition, do the silent read.  If it is a cold read and you don’t have someone to read lines with, don’t stay silent.   Find a space in the hallway or outside and talk your lines in the voice you plan to use.  You will be surprised how different your choices and decisions for the part will come to fruition when reading in front of someone.  This is the beginning of your team creation.

Research. Putting the proper team together can be as simple as starting with your instructor, and as hard as picking the right accountant.  In the beginning, you should be focused on the right teacher or mentor.  Research is the key.  As an actor, researching a role is part of the job.  You don't buy a car without a test drive, or learn to ride a bike without Dad holding the handle bars while you gain your balance.  So, why would you create your team without proper knowledge of the people who can help make or break your career? 

Rules to live by.  It is important to have a good rapport with your instructor, manager, agent and even your photographer.  If your instructor is demeaning or makes you uncomfortable, get away from them!  Most acting teachers offer an audit of their class. This lets you see for yourself how the class is taught and if it is a proper fit.  Agents and managers work much the same way; you are interviewing them for the best representation.  Remember, it is a business and your success is their success.

As your career begins to blossom, the team becomes bigger and the stakes get higher. You will need a lawyer, an accountant and probably a personal assistant because the business moves fast and you must be prepared.  Are all these people necessary?  Can't I take care of things on my own?  Not likely, as you grow and opportunities continue to rise, going it alone is not advised.  Talk to your peers, be inquisitive about how others have built their teams.  At whatever level you find yourself now, it is important to start practicing good team building.  These essential skills will follow you throughout your career as you find your puzzle pieces starting to fall into place.

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Wayne Frazier (“Transparent,” “Kroll Show”) is an actor, writer,producer and host. Wayne currently hosts Hollywood Close-Up with Natalie Lipka (“Criminal Minds,” “Kroll Show”), an audio podcast that focuses on creating your own career in the entertainment industry. On the show, we discuss the latest in the entertainment world and trending topics in social media, and provide insight to those pursuing a career in “the biz.” Each episode includes a close-up interview with one of Hollywood’s finest working actors, directors, producers, writers and other industry professionals.

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No matter what age, you DO have something to put on your child's resume

As a Children’s Acting Instructor and Coach, I often work with kids who don’t have any “credits” yet in the business.  For this reason, parents have not put anything but their child’s name, age and contact information on the back of their child’s headshot or picture.  This doesn’t give a potential Agent, Manager or Casting Director much to go on when considering whether to see your child.   With all of the competition out there, there are things you can put on your child’s resume to give them every advantage.

First, if your child does not have traditional credits, that’s ok.  Everyone begins somewhere. You want the person looking at your child’s resume to learn something about your child. What does your child like to do outside of acting? For very young children, this can be simple things such as loves to swing, rides  a tricycle, scooter, swims with floaties (or without), loves to sing children’s songs, likes to do somersaults. Don’t forget unique characteristics such as has a cute belly laugh, dances in a funny way to music, or has a cute lisp that’s still understandable.

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For school aged children, it can be any school performances in which they’ve performed, music lessons, karate, gymnastics,  sports teams, skateboarding, choir, expert at video games, competes in Science Fairs, loves to run, Scouting, dirt biking, water skis, snorkels, etc…  And for all ages, list ANY acting classes they have taken, including the instructor’s name and the studio’s name if applicable.

The more a person can get to know your child, the better your chances are that they may get called in for an audition or Agent meeting.  The most important thing is to make sure your kids are having fun at whatever they do.

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Donna Rusch Kids Classes

Donna has more than 20 years experience as a professional actress and broadcaster.  She is a former TV News Anchor and Television Show Host and has been seen in more than 100 commercials and Industrial films, most recently for clients such as Sara Lee, Suave, Curves, Farmers and Merchants Bank of California and Reliant Energy.  Donna can be seen in the Ben Affleck thriller “Gone Girl” and has a lead role in “The Periphery” now winning awards at film festivals.  Recent television credits include Criminal Minds, Revenge and the new ABC series “How to Get Away With Murder”. 

Donna has extensive experience working as an acting coach for kids and teens.  She says “I so enjoy my career and find it both a thrill and privilege to mentor the next generation as they reach for their dreams. “

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Acting Tips from CalArts Professor & Actress Suanne Spoke

One of my favorite things about teaching the Advanced Commercial Callback Class is having brilliant and talented industry guests come every class to provide feedback on student performance and answer questions.

(Click here to see past guests)

This past month we had the pleasure ofCal Arts Professor and longtime actress friend of mine, Suanne Spoke come share valuable insights with our class. She was so good that I couldn't resist sharing here as well.

Enjoy! 
- Judy

Judy Kain has been a professional actress now for 37 years, showcasing her skills and talents in over 350 commercials and in over 80 roles for film and television.  

Some of her more well-known credits include a Television Series Regular on The Jackie Thomas Show and a Recurring role on the Emmy-winning show Mad Men, a role which won her a SAG Award.  Her other favorite recurring credits include Married with Children, For Your Love, Grosse Pointe, and Manhattan, AZ with Chad Everett.  She has done numerous guest appearances on the hit shows Modern Family, The Middle, Bones, Castle, Scrubs, Desperate Housewives, ER, Seinfeld, The District, The West Wing, NYPD Blue, Friends, and The Drew Carey Show just to name a few.   Her teaching career has also lead to immense success, being voted BACKSTAGE WEST'S FAVORITE ON-CAMERA COMMERCIAL TEACHER IN LA in 2010 and 2011.  Her other acting classes have won BACKSTAGE WEST'S FAVORITE IN LA as well, and continue to produce amazing results for her students. She teaches Advanced Callback, Commercial A to Z and Commercial Wednesday Workouts.

Social Media for The Actor

Most people are familiar with the popular social media sites: Facebook and Twitter. As a professional actor, I use these as my main marketing tools.  They are important pages, but finding the time to manage them can seem daunting. And then, every day, someone is telling me about another social media platform that I must join – the newest, latest or greatest.  Often when I feel overwhelmed by something, I stay away. So I’ve decided to take you on this journey with me to take a look at some social media sites that I would like to better understand.

Social media marketing fascinates me, so much so that I have created a segment called “Natalie’s Social Media Moment” on Hollywood Close-Up. This all started because although I’ve never taken an official “marketing” class, I’ve taken several workshops about taking your acting career to the next level.  Recently, I wrote about the importance of self-promotion

 and how these essentially free social networking sites can help.  Vine (https://vine.co)  I mentioned Vine a couple of times in my social media moment.  Most recently, on EP78 (http://natalieandwayne.com/2015/03/18/ep78-erick-chavarria) when talking about a panel with casting directors at SXSW (http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/14/sxsw-film-casting-directors-say-acting-talent-counts-for-7-in-their-decisions) who said they are finding new talent on Vine.  Basically, Vine is a place to share six-second videos. When you get the app, you can film an all-in-one take or separate shorter moments and Vine will put them together as a six-second video. Then the video plays on a loop.

Why it’s good for actors — As actors, we want to be on camera and we want people to see our talents. What better way than on Vine? Whether you want to just show your acting chops or just your personality, I think Vine should definitely be an option to consider.  We are being told to make videos shorter and you can’t get much shorter than six seconds! 

Instagram (https://instagram.com)

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”  I enjoy sharing pictures on social media, but for the longest time, did not feel it was necessary to be on Instagram. After countless people telling me to join, I decided to check it out.  Instagram is an app that can be downloaded on most smart phones that allows you to share pictures and videos, instantly.  Before posting, you have the option to change up the tone of the picture or video by adding a filter.  Instagram also gives you the opportunity to share to Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms.

Why it’s good for actors - Instagram gives you a place to tell your story through photos and videos and share it with others.  In this business, we are constantly running around and may not catch up with friends and family as much as we would like.  This is a quick and easy way to stay in touch, until you can make that next phone call or trip back home.  You can keep your loved ones up to date with what is going on in your world and they can do the same.  Also, Instagram allows videos up to fifteen seconds.  That’s nine more seconds than Vine.  Just think of what story you can tell with the additional time!  Actors are creating short web series and uploading them to Instagram.  A perfect example of this are Hollywood Close-Up’s past guests, Heather Lee Moss and Anna Borchert (http://natalieandwayne.com/2014/10/01/ep57-heather-lee-moss-and-anna-borchert), who are the creators and stars of the faux Instagram reality show, Daughters of POP (https://instagram.com/therealdaughtersofpop).

Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com)

My best girlfriend from college talked me into joining Pinterst and since I was the one who talked her into getting on Facebook, I knew that I had to build a profile. But that’s all I did. Sorry, BFF, the truth comes out! Of course, she knows I’ve done nothing on there because she can see my profile. Well the good news is, once I logged in and went to my profile, a little box popped up on the bottom right saying “learn about your profile and how to use it.” Sweet! So, what is Pinterest? A pin is a visual bookmark. You create online bulletin boards, name them and then pin your interests to them. It’s completely visual. It says goodbye to the days of bookmarking on your computer and definitely to printing things out and thumb-tacking them to a corkboard.  

Why it’s good for actors — This all sounds simple enough and fun, but how might this help me with my social media marketing for my acting career? We are constantly being told to have a life outside of acting and I think this is a pretty quick and easy way to share that part of your life with others.  It’s another way to connect and share your interests and be a resource for others. 

Google+ (https://plus.google.com)

Seems to be an exclusive online club for people with a google account. Google+ works with circles. I like this because it seems like a clear way to manage your friends list. You can add people to your circles or follow them as you would on Twitter and now on Facebook. The main draw for me in this one is Google hangouts. These video chats can be private or public and you can chat via text or by video with up to ten people.

Why it’s good for actors — Imagine what you can do with these hangouts when you are trying to do a crowd-funding project!  I can see how Google+ can work for larger businesses, but would be great for actor groups who work together that cannot get together that often in person. Late night discussions about the biz on Google+ can help with accountability. Also, I noticed that if you post a video to your YouTube account, it goes onto your Google+ profile. Just another way for industry professionals and friends to easily see your work.

As an actor, what social media sites do you find most helpful?

Natalie Lipka (“Criminal Minds,” “Kroll Show”) is an actor, writer, and producer.  She currently hosts Hollywood Close-Up with Wayne Frazier (“Transparent,” “Kroll Show”), an audio podcast that focuses on creating your own career in the entertainment industry.  On the show, Natalie and Wayne discuss the latest in the entertainment world and trending topics in social media, and provide insight to those pursuing a career in “the biz.”  Each episode includes a close-up interview with one of Hollywood’s finest working actors, directors, producers, writers and other industry professionals.

Casting Director Ross Lacy: How some actors shoot themselves in the foot

Some actors can shoot themselves in the foot before they even read for the part. They come in and talk way too much. Or the kiss of death is to talk about how great the real product is, like, “oh Man I really do drink Budweiser.”

Some of it comes down to the fact that the agency and the director are  all going to be hanging out with you for 12 hours a day when your shooting and if there are 2 people and one of them is friendly and nice and the one of them  is annoying - and they both can do the job-then definitely the friendly nice one is going to get the job. Because it comes down to "who do I want to spend my day with?"

So personality does come into play. You don’t want to overstep your bounds, you don't know these people that well, and they are not your friends in that moment. Remember you're in the audition room to do a good job. That doesn't mean you can't be personal and get a laugh out of them or something but read the room and act accordingly. Keep it professional.  

Ross Lacy is a Casting Director who, over the course of almost 20 years, has worked with every major advertising agency & production company worldwide. He's been responsible for casting seminal spots and launching unforgettable campaigns. He has cast over 3,000 commercials, many of which have won Clios, Cannes Lions, and have been featured in the pages and on the cover of Adweek.

Ross sees the final takes for a number of Keep it Real Acting's classes including Advanced Callback Class and the Kids & Teens Classes.

Sedona Film Festival Review

The 21st Annual Sedona Film Festival is over but lives on in my mind with the memory of such stimulating, thought provoking films! Not only was the quality of the films beyond my expectations, but the splendor and staggering beauty of Sedona made the long weekend the hottest show in town!  Something for everyone from features to shorts, documentaries to animation and foreign films to student films.

Directors Choice Award for best Comedy Feature went to Frank vs God, a comedy that raises questions about faith and religion with a light-hearted tone and an open mind. The film is an uplifting story of one man’s search for answers, by taking them to a higher court. I found the script clever and anything but cliche, with outstanding performances by Ever Carradine & Henry Ian Cusick.

My personal favorite which did not win any awards was Little Accidents. Its a heartfelt story shot in a small American town still living in the shadow of a terrible coal mine accident, the disappearance of a teenage boy draws together a surviving miner, the lonely wife of a mine executive, and a local boy in a web of secrets. The simplicity of the performances by the cast was riveting.

Elizabeth Banks, Diane Doyle, Boyd Holbrook, Amos Jenkins, Jacob Lofland ...Owen Josh Lucas, Bill Doyle

I also saw some great short films - Hands of Flame won the best Student  short film and well deserve! Based on a true story, Hands of Flame is a thesis film by Steven Markowitz from the School of Film and Animation at the Rochester Institute of Technology, told entirely in silhouettes and featuring a unique blend of 3D computer animation and traditional 2D watercolor animation. I was moved by this simple, gripping, true film about the holocaust.

The films were fantastic and the Parties were even better with the exuberant social interaction and networking between film makers and audience members. It is an event not to be missed.  Hope to see you there next year.

Judy Kain has been a professional actress now for 37 years, showcasing her skills and talents in over 350 commercials and in over 80 roles for film and television. 

Some of her more well-known credits include a Television Series Regular on The Jackie Thomas Show and a Recurring role on the Emmy-winning show Mad Men, a role which won her a SAG Award.  Her other favorite recurring credits include Married with Children, For Your Love, Grosse Pointe, and Manhattan, AZ with Chad Everett.  She has done numerous guest appearances on the hit shows Modern Family, The Middle, Bones, Castle, Scrubs, Desperate Housewives, ER, Seinfeld, The District, The West Wing, NYPD Blue, Friends, and The Drew Carey Show just to name a few.   Her teaching career has also lead to immense success, being voted BACKSTAGE WEST'S FAVORITE ON-CAMERA COMMERCIAL TEACHER IN LA in 2010 and 2011.  Her other acting classes have won BACKSTAGE WEST'S FAVORITE IN LA as well, and continue to produce amazing results for her students. She teaches Advanced Callback, Commercial A to Z and Commercial Wednesday Workouts.

The Biggest Roadblock Actors Face

Theatrical Teachers Stacy Edwards & Suzanne Schmidt share what they believe to be the biggest roadblocks actors face. Join them in class at www.keepitrealact...

Stacy Edwards has been a working actor for 28 years.  In television she was a series regular on Chicago Hope, has appeared in the TNT movie, Houdini, and was on HBO's Vietnam War Stories.  She has guest starred on numerous series, including CSI, CSI: New York, NCIS, Shameless and Grey's Anatomy to name a few.  In film she was nominated for an INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD for her role in In The Company Of Men.  You can also see her in Primary Colors, Super Bad, and The Bling Ring. At Keep it Real Acting, she teaches Advanced Scene Study and Theatrical Thursdays - a cold reading drop in class.

Suzanne Schmidt has spent her recent years acquiring a Masters in Acting while simultaneously teaching and coaching acting at Northern Illinois University.  She has a background as an actress, director, singer, theatre company co-founder and producer.  Before moving to Illinois, Suzanne spent years as a working actress in Los Angeles and you can see her in the upcoming season of Sons of Anarchy.

Suzanne is trained in and thus her coaching is inspired by the methods of Constantine Stanislavsky, Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, Michael Chekhov, Catherine Fitzmaurice and Lloyd Williamson.  Suzanne's goal is to help her students establish the truth within their character’s given circumstances while realizing the inevitability of the words and actions of their character.

Suzanne teaches Theatrical Technique/Scene Study and Theatrical Thursdays at Keep it Real Acting.