The Actor's Guide to Everything

I can't afford new PHOTOGRAPHS, what should I do?

I'm a BIG PERSON, do I need to LOSE WEIGHT to work in this business?

Should I go to an AUDITION if I'm sick?

How do I find a VOICE TEACHER?

How do I get into COMMERCIALS?

What is a FIRST REFUSAL in commercials?

How many different HEADSHOTS do I need?

What should I put on my RESUME, or leave off?

How do I choose a PHOTOGRAPHER?

How do deal with REJECTION?

Is it a good idea to go on TOUR?

What's an INDUSTRIAL?

Can I book a PILOT if I'm in NYC?

Should I go to LA for PILOT SEASON?

get new When should I PICTURES?

How do I get INDUSTRY PEOPLE to come to SHOWCASES?

Where do I find the best ACTING CLASSES?

What is PILOT SEASON?

How do I prepare for a MUSICAL THEATRE audition?

What kind of music is best for a MUSICAL THEATRE audition?

How do I break into VOICE OVERS?

What should I wear in my PHOTOS?

Should I do SHOWCASES?

How do I find a MONOLOGUE?

ACT I - GETTING HERE
ACT II - GETTING STARTED
THIS IS A BUSINESS - YOU ARE A PRODUCT
WHAT IS MY TYPE?
HOW SHOULD I LOOK?
SHOULD I CHANGE MY NAME?
WHAT KINDS OF WORK ARE OUT THERE FOR ME ?
LIVE THEATRE / LIVE INDUSTRIALS & TRADE SHOWS / CRUISE SHIPS / THEME PARKS
TV / COMMERCIALS / FILM / INDUSTRIALS / EXTRA WORK
GLOSSARY FOR TV & FILM
RADIO / VOICE-OVER / AUDIO BOOKS / ANIMATION
STUDENT FILMS / SHOWCASES / CABARET / MODELING & PRINT
RESEARCH THE MARKETPLACE
TOOLS I NEED TO SELL MY PRODUCT
ACT III - GETTING AHEAD

RADIO / VOICE-OVER / AUDIO BOOKS / ANIMATION

Radio, voice-overs, audio books and animation make up a small boutique niche of the entertainment industry. It is rather difficult to break into, because the same actors are constantly doing most of the work. Why is that, you ask? Since we don't see the actor's faces, we as the listeners don't become familiar with them and they rarely become overexposed. If you are determined to break into this specialized part of the entertainment industry, you must first have a reel (see below). I suggest doing a lot of research, going to different theatrical agencies' websites and listening to their voice-over clients' reels (and sending your reels to agencies that accept unsolicited tapes). Investigate the recording studios and advertising agencies that do their own casting and see which ones accept reels (don't ignore ones in NJ, CT or outside NYC, for these studios sometimes only employ non-union talent and are a great place to build a reel). Listen to commercials on the radio and TV to see what types of voices are used most, least, or not at all.

Voice-Over Reel - A voice-over reel is essential to break into voice-over work. These are expensive to make because you need someone to actually produce spots for you, complete with copy, music, sound effects - everything you would hear in an actual commercial or on the radio. CLASSES/Voice-Over

Audio Books - This is a growing area of the business. There are many publishing houses in the country that are in NYC, or come to NYC, and hire actors to record novels, children's books, Pulitzer Prize-winning books, you name it. You really need to have the technique for this, and reels are essential. CLASSES/Audio Books

Animated Voice-Over Work - Again, a small niche market, and you really need a voice that can do many characters and sounds. A reel is essential, as in all voice-over work. One way to sell yourself: you may want to investigate who casts animated features on IMDB and submit your reel to them.
CLASSES/Voice-Over