It’s something you hear a lot these days—from other actors, coaches, friends, your mother, possibly—to take some control of your career into your own hands. But is it truly worth your time and creative energy as an actor to merge into producing, as well? Per a number of industry experts, yes, it is; here’s why.
Just put pen to page.
“By writing. Get your hands on books like ‘Story’ by Robert McKee and ‘Save the Cat’ by Blake Snyder. Research how to format your screenplay, then sit down and write it.”
“Above all, keep it simple. This is the hardest part for me; my favorite genres are fantasy and sci-fi but it can be difficult to find a story that’s simple enough to produce on a limited—or no budget. But it is possible. Look at the subtle sci-fi in ‘About Time.’ ”
—Charis Joy Jackson, actor, casting director, director, producer.
“Something new has happened recently because of the Internet and social media. Actors can now establish themselves (no need to be a movie star to get a primetime series) by creating their own material (i.e. webisodes, short films, creative videos and even standup comedy) which can be posted on YouTube, Vimeo, and their websites.”
“In the old days, a triple threat was a singer/dancer/actor. Agents were thrilled to sign a performer who could work all the time in one media or another. Now they’re delighted if their clients are super proactive, creating their own products. That means really owning your career.”
“I began my career as an actor, then started writing. I wasn’t getting as much acting work as I wanted. Extra creative energy, a love of writing, and performing in a play together brought me and my writing partner together. (Pro tip: If you can find a writing partner, it can make the adventure more fun.)
“This leads me to my main advice to actors: This is your life. You cannot wait for your reps to make the moves for you. Take control. Explore all your contacts—and their contacts. Meet whomever you can, work as much as you can, and keep in contact with everyone you’ve met on the way.”
—Catherine Schreiber, actor and Tony-winning producer
#actor #filmmaker #director #writer #producer
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Rachel Bloom is a powerhouse talent! I loved Crazy Ex-Girlfriend!