Rebecca Kopec
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Lessons Learned 

7/17/2012

1 Comment

 
Once upon a time, I decided I was tired of waiting for my dream role to fall at my feet so I collected some crazy talented friends and together we CREATED that dream role.  Slowly, but surely, that dream is starting to become a reality.  Just last week we posted our first casting notice and the emails started rolling in.  In fact, they're STILL rolling in.  To tell the truth, it was a  bit overwhelming at first, but it's proving to be an incredibly educational experience.  Here are some things I've learned so far.  Actors, take notice.  These little tips could easily make you stand out the next time you submit for a project.

1) HAVE A WEBSITE.  I can not stress enough how important this is.  Your headshot and resume don't tell me anything about you.  Yes, I kind of sort of see how you look and what you've done, but I need to know who you are.  I need to know we'll work well together.  I'd like to see some other pictures of you that are more than just your headshot! And speaking of more...

2) GET YOURSELF A REEL.  I know, I know.  You're just starting out, you haven't worked that much, you don't have anything that's good quality, the director of the student film you did never gave you a copy, excuses excuses excuses.  Guess what!  I don't care!  Grab a friend with a camera and film a scene! I just need to see what you look like and what you can do.  It doesn't need to be perfect and polished, it just needs to be.

3) WRITE A COVER LETTER.  If your email is just blank with nothing but a headshot and resume, I'm gonna pass right over you.  It goes back to the first point- I want to see something of your personality.  Why do you think you're right for this role? 

4) BE GOOGLEABLE. (shhh it's totally a word)  Say I have a friend who says to me "Oh! I know an actor that would be perfect for this!" so I go to look you up and....nothing.  No website.  No IMDB.  Maybe facebook, but it's completely protected.  I want to know who you are before I reach out to you. 

5) HAVE A PROFESSIONAL RESUME.  To be honest, I was surprised how little looking at someone's resume meant to me.  The first thing I looked at was the headshot.  Then, if it was the right look (or on the fence) I checked out the website and reels.  The last thing I looked at was the resume and for this particular project, only glanced to see if you had worked with anyone I knew.  For the most part, I didn't care how much was on it or how important your roles were.  Everyone has to start somewhere.  That being said, please make it presentable.  You would be surprised at how many resumes looked like they were slapped together at the last minute- things not lining up, weird fonts, etc.  That equaled an almost immediate no for me.

6) LOOK AT THE BREAKDOWN.  I'm not talking about JUST the physical requirements for the role.  Obviously if you don't meet the characteristics described in the breakdown, chances are, you're not going to get called in, but that's your own business.  No, what I"m talking about is looking at the dates and times of auditions.  Please, don't submit for something if you know for a fact you are busy or out of town during those times!  They're in the breakdown for a reason!  If you see something you're right for but you can't make it, send your materials and write in your cover letter letting us know you are unable to make those particular auditions but would like to be considered if any dates/times change. 

8) RESPOND ASAP.  After finally agreeing on 18 lovely women to see...even MORE people submitted.  Some of them we really liked and would have loved to have seen, but the emails had already gone out.  Perhaps we'll have a second night of auditions, and if so, they'll be at the top of our list.  But for now, unfortunately, we just don't have the time to see them.  Which is a shame because they could've rocked our socks off!

That's all I've got for now.  The auditions are on Wednesday and I can not WAIT.  I've never been on this end of things!! I'm sure I will have plenty to share with you regarding my thoughts from the Other Side of the Table. 

Have you had any Actor Ah-Ha moments in your life recently?
1 Comment

Finding the Joy in Auditioning

3/12/2012

2 Comments

 
_ Auditioning.  Bleah.  The bane of every actor’s existence.  You get all of 2 minutes to prove that you’re the best one for the role.  Sometimes you have to do a monologue that you’ve done and done and done 100 million times and yet somehow have to manage to keep it fresh and new and find new moments and discoveries.  Other times, you read from sides you received 5 minutes prior and are trying not to stumble over the words while your shaking hands become quite obvious as the paper in them starts making rustling noises. 

Last year I was really lucky.  I didn’t have to audition much at all.  Every show I did was through references.  I felt so powerful because I was constantly working.  However, I was also incredibly LAZY.  Yes, I was doing shows.  But they were all on the same level.  I didn’t challenge myself.  I didn’t try anything new.  Sure, there were a few surprises/exceptions, but even those seemed to fall into my lap.  I didn’t work for anything.   While this may sound pretty freaking awesome…I felt cheap.  I know what I want, and I know I’m not going to get it just waiting for things to miraculously come to me. 

Since it had been so long since I last really auditioned, I was definitely out of my element.  My brain wasn’t in it.  It was time to seek help.    A producer I had recently worked with along with a woman I had taken a class with once upon a time both independently recommended an upcoming class to me.  It was called Audition Psych 101 taught by Michael Kostroff.  Now, Mr. Kostroff has quite a few credits to his name, many of them well known.  I, however, knew him from Veronica Mars.  If you know anything about me, you will know that I was (am) mildly (wildly) obsessed with that show.  And Logan Echolls (note: Mr. Kostroff did not play Logan Echolls.  Logan was played by the deliciously talented Jason Dohring who will someday fall madly in love with me after he is no longer married.  I am no home wrecker).  Plus, the class was Pay What You Can, so I figured what the hell? 

Man, this class…it really helped put me in the proper mindset.  It lasted about 4 hours, but the time flew.  I took so many ideas with me and ways to really get in the proper head space for an audition.  The most important lesson I took from it, however, was the idea that those 2 minutes in the room may be your only shot to play that particular role that you’re reading for- so perform the hell out of it.  Make it count.  You may never get the opportunity again. 

Last week, I was given the chance to audition for an incredible character.  I prepared those sides like nobody’s business.  I went into that room ready to read that scene like I was up for a Tony.  And you know what?  It worked.  I got the call back.  The next day, I went in and again and made sure I was doing it for me.  I was in the moment.  I was connecting with my partner.  I was feeling all sorts of emotions coming out of nowhere.  It was as if it was only my scene partner and I in that room; everyone else fell away.  It felt so AMAZING.  It was so FREEING.  At that moment, I didn’t care if I booked the show or not.  For those 2 minutes, I got to be Kris.  I got to be disgusted and upset and hurt and angry.  And when I finished reading the scene?   I was still shaking and holding back tears.  I was truly an actor, not just an insecure girl begging to be cast.  I was reminded of why I do this, any of it.

Sadly, I did not get the role.  I’d like to say it doesn’t matter, but, well, unfortunately that feeling was so good I wanted to get the chance to perform the other scenes that character is in.  As easier as auditioning is becoming, I’m still finding it hard to leave the audition in the room and not take it with me after.  The better the audition, the harder it is for me to leave behind.  If any fellow actors are reading this and have advice on how to do this, please share! I do know, however, that while I may not have booked the show, I booked the room.  If I don’t get this role, it’s not because I wasn’t good enough, it’s because it wasn’t the right fit.  Some days it’s easier than others.  With this all in mind, I know I’m on the right path.  When even auditioning becomes a joy, you know you’ve found the thing you were meant to do your entire life. 

Thanks, Michael Kostroff.

Call me, Jason Dohring. 

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    RebeccaKopec   

    Actor, Singer, Merry Maker.  A "Fearless Sparkling Surprise"

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