My daughter is an actress, singer and dancer, her name is Shoniqua Shandai Williams, her name is considered ghetto. The funny thing is my daughter is the total opposite of her name. My moms seems to think she should use her middle name Shandai. My daughter fels as though her talent will speak for itself. Can you please share what your experience has been as far as your name in the business.

EVERY SINGLE ASPECT OF YOUR CAREER IS IMPORTANT, INCLUDING YOUR NAME.

Names are a small and often overlooked aspect of your overall career game plan, albeit an important one. Names have power and vibrational energy that can induce various emotional responses in others, and I don't believe have been given the thought and care that other aspects of self promotion have. One of my favorite hobbies is finding proper names for my clients, and I have re-named well over 400 of my clients over the years. When doing so, I try to evaluate each actors' temperament, look, type and ethnicity before I create a new one for them.

As you have already pointed out, your child's name is pretty general, as common as "John Smith." That's one of the first thing I try to avoid -- names that tend to "blend into the woodwork." I also like to incorporate an actual name into a new stage name, so your idea of using her middle name as her first is a wonderful idea. Another thing I do is find out what a lady's maiden name (or maiden name of the mother) is, so I can utilize an actual famial surname in the mix. Often times I try to avoid extremely ethic sounding names as well, which I believe can actually typecast an actor to limiting or unsuitable roles.

Some actors' real names would surprise you -- John Wayne's first name is actually 'Francis' (would you believe?) and Charles Bronson's is really 'Brochinski' (if you can find a vintage copy of Vincent Price's "House of Wax," you 'll find him actually listed that way!). Wynona Ryder's real last name is HOROWITZ. While still in acting school, she determined that this was no name for a movie star, and when a Ryder truck happened to drive by... Voila! WYNONA RYDER.

What's in a name? You'd be surprised.

"Whatever works."

www.robertkim.com

Thank you for your reponse, you gave me something to think about. My daughter is still in acting school. she will be graduating in Dec. I will give some serious thought to the name. Her personality is nothing like her name. When people hear shoniqua (they think ghetto) and then when they meet her they are shocked because she carries herself like a Queen.

This is an interesting topic. Does anyone know at what point you would make the switch? (I mean, as soon as you're with an agent, or as early as training?)

Good question Watermelon. I was thinking when i get my daughter headshots done this summer we might make the switch then.

If this is your stage name would you legally change it or would you use it as a business name?

I'd say if you are going to change your name, change it NOW. There is no point in working to create name recognition, and then changing it later on. And any benefit you might reap from having a "better" name might as well start now too.

Dear watermellon seed,

To make the transition easier, I would suggest making the change as soon as you begin formal training, long before considering representation. Later in a successful career you may wish to permanently change it, however you are not legally changing your name -- these are stage names ONLY.

When I was working with Mel Gibson in "Payback," I worked with an actor by the name of Dominic PANTONE. Eventually I did his headshots and renamed him Dominic CAPONE, using his mother's maiden name. She was a direct descendant of Al Capone and was actually part of his extended family in Chicago where we shot the entire film. This simple name change had dramatic and totally unexpected results, literally taking his struggling career to an entirely different level.. shortly thereafter, he booked two, hour-long Al Capone docudramas for both the Discovery and the History Channels, all directly as a result of his headshot and new name. While on the set, the entire crew began calling him "Capone," and a few years later he had his name permanently and legally changed.

"Whatever works."

www.robertkim.com

Wow, good to know, thank you! I'll make the change as soon as I get my new head shots.

DaughterofZion, I heard it doesn't have to be legally changed, however it can get confusing when you're dealing with pay and contracts if you're using two different names.

I wouldn't worry too much about the "confusion factor". I've been working with a professional name that's different than my legal name for nearly 20 years and while it takes an explanation up-front to employers, it's never been a problem.

I'd say the bigger confusion in my case is that the name everyone knows me by doesn't match my kids names... I get all kinds of confused looks in the conservative community where I live.

~T

interesting topic everyone.

how do you know if you should change your name? i feel like i have a pretty good name, but how can i "test" it out?

I changed my name to be used for auditioning.

(I used my middle name as the first and my first name as my last name. I didn't want my last name to be used.)

Anyway, it works out ok. BUT when I called back the casting director I introduced myself as my real name (as I forgot I submitted using the "stage name".)

This caused confusion as they said "we didn't call you", and then I remembered that I had submitted with the new name. Whew!

It gave me a little trouble on the set. When they called me to the set I wouldn't recognize my name right away.

The contracts I signed were easy. They ask you how you want to be credited on screen and use your real name to pay you.

quote:

Originally posted by Prospective:
interesting topic everyone.

how do you know if you should change your name? i feel like i have a pretty good name, but how can i "test" it out?



The very first thing I ask an actor is, are you HAPPY with your name?

This business is all about confidence, and if you're not confident about any single aspect of your acting career, simply change it. That's one reason I always end my posts with, "WHATEVER WORKS." When you're content with your name, it usually follows that others will be, too. If it suits you and it doesn't hamper or distract from you, by all means keep it. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

I believe that first and foremost a name should FIT. Let me offer an example. Many years ago in LA, a young man named "Tony Benanati" came to me for a headshot. He was blonde-haired and blue-eyed and in spite of his Italian background looked like a California surfer boy. He was complaining that all he was being submitted for were "Fonzi" Italian parts, which he was totally inappropriate for. He couldn't book a thing, and the reason was obvious to me... his name simply didn't suit his image. I re-shot and rechristened him "Anthony Patrick" (utilizing both his actual first name and middle name), and he IMMEDIATELY began booking leading man roles in every soap in town, his immediate goal. The transformation was immediate and dramatic -- and he hadn't changed any other single aspect of his game plan, just his name. That's when I began my lifelong hobby of creating new names to go along with my client's new headshots. Some have had fantastic results with a different name, others saw no obvious change. But there are so many contributing factors to consider in a successful career that sometimes it's impossible to know.

Your name is probably the smallest and most overlooked aspect of your overall marketing stategy. But I have personally witnessed such major results brought on by such minor changes that I can no longer doubt the transformational power of such a seemingly insignificant thing as a name. As far as a "test" to determine the effectiveness of a new moniker, the only advice I can offer is just to do it, then wait and see. That's always the hardest part.

"Whatever works."

www.robertkim.com

As Robert said, small things can and do matter. In my experience, it's better to change your name (or decide on a 'stage' name) sooner than later. It's a serious question though, and one that isn't always easy to answer. My name is probably one that many people would consider wacko--APODACA??!! But it has actually served me well. It usually provides an opportunity for discussion, and since it's of an unusual heritage (it's Basque) I often end up getting to have a nice chat with casting people--and they never forget my name.
I recently covered the story of another actor considering a name change--we even did an online poll to help her decide which name to use. In the end, she discovered it was important for HER to make the choice, and she ignored what most of the readers/online community suggested. If you want to read the story, search for "Antalek" in the Backstage archives and read in order of dates.
Also,
Here's something I wrote for the column in 2005. Perhaps there's something here of value to you. And by the way, without knowing your daughter or how fitting this is to her acting persona, I have to say I love "Shandai Williams"...
Good luck!

Dear Jackie:

I've decided that my stage name is to be different from my real name. However I'm confused as to the appropriate time to actually use it. If I put it on my headshots and resumes, do I introduce myself to acting teachers with it? Do I use it when I'm interviewing with a potential agent or talking with others in the business? I just fear people will perceive me as dishonest somehow. I guess it feels unnatural because the name I've chosen isn't a nickname or anything I grew up with, just a brand new one I liked.

Signed,
Sybina
Via the Internet


Dear Sybina:

Not only is what you call yourself your decision, when to use that name is also completely up to you. The only boundary I see is that you don’t want to confuse your contacts. You have to be sure that you won’t miss out on opportunities because of name mix-ups. So, though it may feel weird, you should probably use your stage name with your business contacts, including your agent and acting teacher, at all times. Not to say you can’t tell them your real name if asked – after all, your agent and employers will see your legal name on your payroll forms - but make the name you choose the name you are known by.

A classmate of mine named Jennifer changed her name when we were halfway through grad school. We all thought she was crazy at the time. It was surprising, almost disconcerting that she could just up and take control of her identity that way. But now, I think of her entirely as Emma and admire her chutzpah. I asked for her input on your dilemma.

“Let's face it, the life of an actor is networking in nearly every public moment,” she says. “Don't change (your name) unless that's who you want to become all the time. I think it's really hard to take ownership of a name if it doesn't become a part of you. I say go all the way, or don't bother. If you can't own your new name, no one else is going to buy it either.”

FWIW--Jackie--I think your last name is great!

I had to change my name. My stage name is Nick Scott. My real name is the same as a famous actor...think "48 hours" and "down and out in beverly hills". So I go with my middle name instead. You should also look on IMDb because you may share a name with someone already listed in the unions. If so, you HAVE to change it if you want to be in the union. Many movie stars use stage names. Its perfectly normal. Great information Robert!