by Mandisa Johnson
I started doing background work in, spring of 2006 in the film, Stomp The Yard. It was easy, and it was a lot of fun! I met a lot of people and got paid to stand around while watching a Greek step show.
A lot of people who start as background talent go on set and try to get discovered. Nine times out of ten, that probably WILL NOT happen!
Working as a background actor is a great learning experience. Such as on-set etiquette and terms so when you submit for a role, the casting company will have a positive memory of you!
That leads me to this. So many people, who work as background actors in the entertainment industry, see the lights, glitz, and glamour, which will lead people to ask, how can I get a lead or feature role? I am not saying it is not okay to want to move your career forward. However, success does not happen overnight. It requires a ton of patience, and unless you can make it work, you might have to eliminate doing background work altogether.
9 Steps to go from the Background to the Foreground
Honesty is Key!
1. Be honest with yourself. Think about if this is something that you can see yourself doing for the long run.
2. Time is of the essence.
Be sure that you can put in the time commitment. Sure, working as a background actor is a lot of time commitment, but working as a full-time actor can be a tad bit more.
3. Take a Professional Headshot.
Search for professional photographers who specialize in headshots. Be sure the photographer you choose is relevant in your area, and others who work as actors are knowledgeable about them first.
4. Get Educated.
Learning is an essential part of taking your career (in any industry) to the next level. Search for acting classes and workshops in your area, and you may even find that you can audit a class free of charge to determine if a specific acting class works for you!
5. Network
Networking is an essential part of working within any industry because you never know who you will meet!
6. Attend Film Festivals
There are many film festivals throughout Atlanta. Such as The Atlanta Film Festival, The BronzeLens Film Festival, and the Atlanta Shortsfest, Just to name a few. Attending film festivals, you can view short films and documentaries and network with film directors and producers.
7. Work For Free
Working for free is one way you can not only get a speaking role, but you can also either get a lead or feature role. Working for free is a sure way to showcase your talent as an actor and a way for you to gain footage for your demo reel.
8. Create an Actors resume
An actor's resume is formatted differently than a regular resume. Here is a step-by-step tutorial on creating one.
9. Shop Around for Talent Agents
Shop around for legitimate talent agents who can assist with taking your career to the next level. Legitimate talent agencies WILL NOT charge an upfront fee but will sign you based on your experience, headshots, actors' resume, and demo reel.
For more information and tips, please stay tuned for the next blog post!