https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/george-clooney-ai-zendaya-jay-kelly-awards-chatter-1236417466/
"And I said to all these actors, ‘Get the f**k off of it (Instagram). Get off of all of it. Because if you’re not on it, you have nothing to be compared to……..it’s diminishing your ability to be bigger than life" - so said George Clooney is the Awards Chatter Podcast not long ago.
What do you think? As someone who doesn't have many followers at all, if needing followers is necessary to get acting work then I"m screwed! Do you have try and grow your followers to improve your chances of getting a role?
Do you think posting a lot about yourself on Instagram potentially makes you too ordinary and over-exposed as opposed to bigger than life?
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I think using Instagram can help actors, writers, Alexandra Stevens. I post about Stage 32 blogs, events, etc. on IG, and I post pages of my scripts on IG, but I haven't really used it to network yet.
I think posting a lot about yourself on Instagram can make you too ordinary and over-exposed as opposed to bigger than life, but fans also like seeing a lot of posts, and fans like interacting with actors, filmmakers, etc.
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I half-agree. Like most everything else, social media is a tool, and it can be beneficial or detrimental depending on how it's used. If you're famous then obviously you're subject to a lot more scrutiny than if you weren't, meaning if you post something in bad taste then chances are people will report on and hold it against you.
But even outside of the fame factor, social media, particularly Instagram, has been known to have a negative impact on your mental health because the algorithm pushes content that advertises a false, idealised reality, which makes ordinary people feel less good about themselves (not to mention the sheer amount of AI content exacerbating that). Posting a lot on there can also ruin, if not outright kill your mystique, leading to you not being as interesting as an artist.
All this to say he's definitely not wrong. It's a tool, and should be used responsibly.
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I disagree with Clooney. Follower count doesn't matter if you are an actor. I was listening to a Casting Director podcast and they said that no one checks follower count. It doesn't matter to the studio. If they studio is relying on you to market their movie and counting on your followers to see it, they got problems.
BUT don't try to be an influencer if you want to be an actor. I know of non celebrities who post on IG and YT sketches, reels, absolutely make your own content.
I would be careful may be of what you say on a public forum. Some directors, etc may check what you post on X or Facebook to see what you might be like on set. I also heard that on the same podcast, which I have recommended before. They also recommend having two different accounts. Have an account you keep private for family and friends and have a public account for anything career related.
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Banafsheh Esmailzadeh thanks for sharing your point of view. I agree that social media can be potentially bad for mental health if we don't exercise discretion. How about you as a writer, do you think it is important for your career ?
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Maurice Vaughan curious if posting pages of your scripts has ever led to any interested parties following up with you?
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Suzanne Bronson it's reassuring to hear you don't think follower count matters.
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Not me Alexandra Stevens casting directors.
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Yeah, I've gotten script requests and made connections, Alexandra Stevens.
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You're welcome, Alexandra Stevens. As a writer, I definitely think it could be important for my career. So far the only business connections I've made are with some of my table read actors.