Last week I attended a business of acting seminar led by a once-child-actor turned manager and casting director. He offers these very reasonably priced classes ($25 for 3 hours) several times a year because he has been in the shoes of a struggling actor and says he now enjoys "giving back."
He also thinks your headshots are hideous, and endorses the services of one particular headshot photographer in NYC (tell her you were referred by him, s'il vous plait). You know. . . as a manager, he sends all of his signed clients to her. She's affordable, reliable, knows what an actor needs in a headshot. . . and no doubt gives him a sweet kickback.
Not cool, once-child-actor casting director/management guy. Not cool.
Just for the record, there is an art to choosing a headshot photographer. You should *always* meet a photographer before paying a deposit . . . get a feel for how you would work together, ask any questions you might have and take a look at their portfolio. There are tons of fabulous photographers here in NYC, but not one who categorically fits the needs of every actor. There are simply too may variables to take into consideration. Anyone who tells you otherwise does not have your best interest at heart.
He scrutinized the headshot of every actor in the room, one by one, deeming it "honest" or "dishonest" -- never once reminding "this is just my opinion." I guess that goes without saying, but nonetheless, it was pretty gross. In a room of 50 people, I'd say he stamped his seal of approval on 5 photos. It was a laughable situation until I noticed so many faces drooping with despair while scrambling to write down the contact information for his miracle photographer.
Now, in all fairness I do think it is our responsibility as actors (and as people, one could argue) to be cautious about imbuing others with power. We also have to develop a strong enough sense of self to take everything coming towards us (praise, criticism, rejection or acceptance) without believing too much in it one way or another. But I also believe it is the responsibility of casting directors, managers and agents to wield what influence they do have with integrity.
Ahem. Climbing down from my soapbox.
His advice to drop doing mailings, never send cover letters and forget thank you notes -- I'll definitely leave behind. No thank yous? Really?! Not my kind of advice. . . but in addition to the negativity he spouted, he offered two gems I'll be using at some point. And another positive? While I had hoped to walk away from the evening with a refined focus, I clearly needed reminding that there is no new secret or magic pill that will propel my career further along. I'm on the path I need to be, and I know what I need to do.
And duh! I will never again fork over cash to someone simply because he is a casting director and offering a cheap-ish business class, prior to doing some homework on the situation.
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