Acting : Ask Me Anything (AMA) Wednesday 9/18 to Thursday 9/19- Pursuing Opportunities As A Performer by Omari Washington

A few example questions are, what some ways you can stand out with casting or how can you obtain opportunities that aren't on casting sites?

Hey, Omari Washington. Congratulations on Back Burner being in post-production! Thanks for having this AMA! Should an actor pursue a career in the indie world and the studio world/network world or do one at a time?

Hey Omari Washington - good to see you on your own AMA! Very cool!! Question: how do you navigate between screenwriting, producing and acting? Is there one that stands as a priority? Thanks in advance!

Omari Washington Hi Omari! I saw you on LinkedIn, promoting this. Cool video.

I was just wondering how you as an actor prepare for harrowing scenes? Is there someone you can talk to about it, away from the set? And, how do you turn off afterwards?

And…Thanks for doing the AMA!

Hey Maurice! Thanks for the amazing feedback. To answer your question, I think it can beneficial for an actor to take the indie route as well as the studio route. I feel like you have more power creating your own content vs waiting for your agent or manager to call you for work. Plus it gives you bragging rights amongst your peers haha.

You're welcome, Omari Washington. Thanks for the answer!

Hi Geoff! Great question. When I'm prepping for a harrowing scene, I ask the director specific questions about my character so I can go as deep as the scenes calls for. The more I prep for heavy scenes the more I'm able to freefall in every moment. Also, once I'm done with the heavy scenes, I tend to meditate and listen to uplifing music to bring me out of that character. Sometimes it can be a hard process though, especially if you've lived as that character for weeks on end.

I hope that answers your questions

Omari Washington Hello! My name is Yehuda Siegal!! I'm almost 19, and have been mostly doing musical theatre since I was 8, but would absolutely LOVE to work professionally on film/TV whether as an actor or behind-the-scenes!! So...might you know of any opportunities? What's a day in the life on a set?

Omari Washington thanks, Omari. It’s great to hear that you have a meditation practice. Nice one! It certainly does ground you and brings equilibrium. Music? I’m hoping that by uplifting you don’t mean Abba!!! ;-)

Hi Leonardo! Good question. I navigate acting, producing and screenwriting based on what type of project I'm working on. Acting will always be my main priority. Ironically enough, I screenwrite and produce films that I want to star in and also to stand out with casting directors. I feel like if casting see's me producing my own shorts and feature films I'm more credible in their eyes. The ultimate goal is to not have to wear all these different hats and just pay professionals to get the job done, so I can solely focus on the craft of acting to become one of the greatest to ever do it.

Hi Yehuda . Thank you joining this conversation. I love your passion for acting. You're at a great age to transition from the stage to film and tv, I was around the same age when I transitioned. I'd suggest starting out with doing background work on tv and film sets so you're familiar with how things work on set vs on stage, it's a totally different world. Also, I'd suggest taking on camera classes like audition technique or scene study to prepare you to be on set for tv and film. Another thing I did was, audition for roles in student films. Once you get a good amount of experience reach out to agents or managers in your city for representation. You can also use the talent link service on the Www.ActorsAccess.Com website to find an agent or manager, as well as auditions for tv and film in your area. There's also Www.CastingNetworks.Com to find tv and film auditions in your area.

Hey Omari! Thanks for sharing this Chat Lounge with us all! What would you say are traits in fellow collaborators that are important for you in knowing that you would like to continue collaborating with someone again?

Thanks Omari Washington ! All the best in all you do.

Omari Washington, what are some paths that actors can take to pursue opportunities other than just casting websites?

Great question, Dylan Barton! I'll weigh in on that later, but first...

Omari Washington I love how you have built up your career as an actor first and as someone who creates opportunities for actors second. What a smart idea, and so empowering! My question for you is navigating the flipped approach - I'm a writer/producer, but also a director and I'd LOVE to do more acting to keep me in that writing/directing mindset. I was thinking to do more stand-up comedy to test out the comedy in my writing, but do you have any other suggestions for multi-hyphenates on what acting avenues would be advantageous?

Hey Dylan ! Thanks for joining the conversation. That was a really good question. I'd say some traits in collaborators that are important for me to know if I'd like to work with a creative again would be, showing up on time which is 5-10 minutes earlier than expected because if you're not early your late, showing up off book ready to work if the're an actor, being respectful to everyone and having a good attitude. Also having an open mind just in case things need to be adjusted to the project on the fly.

Hey Ashley, some paths actors can take to pursue opportunites outside of casting websites can look like, reaching out to friends they know who are filmmakers to pitch their headshots, resume and demo reel to them and express their interest in the project, going to open casting calls, also reaching out to producers or directors of independent films to pitch your material and express your interest in their project and what type of an impact you'll have on their project. Last but not least, networking in the T.V. and film industry can lead to good opportunities as well. One time I met a director at a networking event, fast forward a few years later she remembered me for a lead role in her short.

Ashley Renee Smith

Hi Karen "Kay" Ross , I'm inspired by your fearlessness to think outside the box of normalcy. I love how you're trying a new and fresh approach like doing standup to help with your writing and directing. To answer your question, for the multi- hyphenates out there I feel like it would be cool to see writers, directors and producers taking an improv or on camera class before the first day of shooting a project to understand how an actors mind and emotions work. Also, it would be cool to see actors try a directing class or shadow a director on set to understand a directors mind on a deeper level. I feel like this approach is similiar to your approach in the sense that, it can help talent and crew understand each others work language better so the process can become more seemless.

Omari Washington Thank you so much for your response! Great advice! All the best!

Aww, thank you, my friend Omari Washington! Great answer - I definitely want to do an improv class! LA Director's Lab is also on my "To Do List", too. Mmm - I would LOVE to shadow a director!