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- Do It Yourself Acting Career From: Bob Fraser
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Do It Yourself Acting Career
Posted by: "Bob Fraser" bobfraser@youmustact.com bob_fraser_2000
Thu Feb 7, 2008 5:24 am (PST)
Do It Yourself Acting Career
by
Bob Fraser
A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of speaking
to the participants at the SAG Conservatory/AFI 3-day
event at the very nice AFI campus. I say "the pleasure"
because I got a lot of laughs.
I'm still a slut for laughs.
But – about half way through the proceedings there was
a question that really put me in the 'hot' seat.
Here's the question:
"What do you think actors should do about the constant
'not getting it' thing? We almost never 'get it' – yet
our whole lives are centered around this 'getting' thing.
I mean, How are we supposed to handle it?"
Here's my honest answer:
"Don't wait for THEM!
"THEY, really, truly – sadly and unfortunately – don't
know diddly squat about "putting on a show." They're
Philistines – people. You could wait forever!
"Do it yourself! Technology has provided you with the
tools to successfully supply the public with entertainment
– without the mind-numbing downside of having to deal with
friggin' idiots."
Laugh. (No, seriously ... a very nice laugh.)
I continued:
"For about the cost of used Toyota, you can PURCHASE a
movie studio! A hi-def camera is about 2 grand, a fully
loaded Mac is about twenty five hundred, lights will run
you about 800 dollars, software is about a grand.
Total cost for movie studio - 63 hundred dollars."
Much "hmm hmming."
"Of course, the actors are free."
Huge laugh. (At least we actors still have great a sense of
humor.)
I was on a roll – "There are 8 million stories in the public
domain. You could produce – oh, let's say – Long Day's
Journey Into Night. 4 characters, one set. Burn it to DVD
... sell it on the internet ... and suddenly, you're an
independent!"
A few chuckles and a lot of head nodding.
"Look around. The audience has moved on to other activities.
More people are scrap-booking and bowling, than are watching
the latest network offerings or going to the multiplex.
Calling it an "extra special episode" or "a cinematic
triumph" – isn't fooling anybody anymore.
A nice chortle.
"Here's the point. THEY cannot do it without you!
Actors and writers are the only people who are REALLY needed
to put on a show. (I apologized to the director on my left.
He said that one of the actors would become a director –
inevitably.)
"The people in charge of our industry are not actors or
writers … and the business is on the ropes. Could there
be a connection?"
The place was quieting down. I think I had accidentally
struck a chord.
"Stop competing with each other – to win the favor of the
Philistines – and start collaborating with your natural
allies. Become friends with writers. Do what you want to
do – which is tell stories. Above all, stop wasting your
time – waiting to 'get' something from THEM. THEY have
nothing to give you. THEY are takers."
The auditorium actually became deathly silent.
It was the sound of about 150 actors thinking.
My timing was impeccable (if I do say so myself).
"Or you could just put out for the A.D."
Gigantic laugh.
If only I could stay serious for a minute, I might actually
be able to help.
But, like I said, Nothing cheers me up faster than a cheap
laugh. I can't help it.
Don't worry though, Bev makes me go to a twelve-step program...
Agitators Anonymous.
* * * * *
Bob's an actor, writer, director and executive
producer (show runner) on such series as Full
House, Benson, The Love Boat - and more.
He has also been a lecturer at AFI, UCLA, USC,
SAG Conservatory, Denver University, Equity
Library, Film Industry Network, Women In Film,
Actors Creative Network, Actors Site, Universal
Studios, and other venues
His Acting Career Courses are being used by
1000's of actors all over the world.
You Must Act - The Virtual Acting Career Course
http://www.youmustact.com
Nail It! Delivering The Hypnotic Audition
http://www.hypnoticaudition. com
Headshot Secrets Revealed - Marketing Your Career
in Pictures
http://www.headshotsecrets.com
Action! The Professional Actor's Workbook & Planner
Get Your Career On Track in 2008
http://www.showbizhowto.com/ action.html
Subscribe to Bob's FREE E-zine for performers ...
Show Biz How-To - by going here:
http://www.showbizhowto.com
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