We've had two threads on networking here recently, so I thought it might be good to have a thread where people could suggest places and ways to this productively. But first I wanted to give my own idea of what ISN'T networking and what is.

Networking is NOT handing out business cards and/or headshots to a bunch of people who either won't think of you twice after they file them or (if you're attractive) will think of you for the wrong reason. That is, if anything, marketing.

Networking is NOT trying to connect with people who have more power than you in your field in hopes they'll give you a job, or some other benefit. That is, if anything, job-hunting.

Networking IS interacting as an equal with someone you have a point of connection with. They may not be your peer professionally - for example, you may share a love of classic cars with a well-known director and get to know them through that. The fact that they might, somewhere down the road, think of you for a job doesn't mean you're any less equals on the point of connection you share: classic cars. On the other hand, if you suddenly decide to slip them a headshot, then you're acting as a job applicant, not a networker.

To take some specific examples from my own life:

Years ago I was a singer-songwriter and got to know other musicians through the small clubs around Boston. One day, one invited me to be on a radio show he was running. A while later, I asked him about the show and he said he was giving it up: "But they're looking for someone to do it." And so I got my first radio show.

I hadn't "cultivated" this guy hoping he'd give me any kind of break. I knew him because we shared a goal and a context. The job connection was an unexpected benefit.

A year or two later, I had three radio shows, but (believe it or not) little income. I was talking to a woman musician I know and SHE told me she was giving up an adult education class teaching guitar - as soon as she could find someone else to teach it.

Guess what my next supplemental gig was?

Again, I hadn't cultivated her in the hope of any such opportunity. We were just in the same world, with shared interests and ambitions.

Another way to put it is, if the only thing you get (or, more likely, expect) from an interaction or relationship with another person is a job, an opportunity, etc., that's probably not networking. If the connection between you exists whether or not it yields any professional results, that, I suggest, is true networking. And, paradoxically, the one most likely to benefit you in the end.

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With that, some ideas for networking (focussed on LA, mostly):

- Volunteer to help theaters take tickets, sell at the concessions etc. You'll get in to the show free, but above all you'll get to know some of the actors and audience. If you're new to town, this is a great way to get in the swim.
- Get involved with reading series (such as Naked Angeles Tuesdays@9). Even if you don't get to help read, you'll see what other actors are doing and get to know some.
- Join FilmIndependent (in LA) or the IFP (in NYC). You'll get to see a lot of films free, maybe talk to some directors (if you're good at the sort of thing) and get to know various people involved with making independent films happen.
- Audit classes. You'll get an idea of the styles of different teachers and you can talk to other actors during the breaks.
- If you like art, go to art openings (listed in the LA Weekly). You'll meet a variety of people, some in the industry, some not. Either way, you have a better chance of meeting people with some real culture than in bars, etc.
- Yoga is a good example of an activity that creates a bond of shared effort between people; martial arts and lots of other physical activities (always good for actors) are good as well. Having worked on your own well-being for a while, you may find you feel most at home with others who do the same.
- Get involved with classes or other activities around one or more of your non-acting activities. At the least, this will keep you both rounded and rooted, rather than focussed on the (often illusion prone) world of "the industry".
- Support fellow artists (not just actors). Go to see them perform, go to their openings, maybe help promote their shows, etc. This not only helps you be in a general arty "swim", it can lead you to gratifying discoveries (one young guy whom I was watching at midnight shows last December now has a hit record out in England - it kind of tickles me to know I saw him "when".)

All this of course in addition to doing the other things an actor should do: take class (sooner or later), auditioning (at whatever level you're at), maybe get involved with your union(s).

I used to, by the way, favor coffeehouses for getting to know people, and to some degree still do. Just be aware that most coffeehouses end up with a small group of regulars who, typically, are big talkers - and not much else. And not shy about exaggerating their credentials, past or present. Be careful about getting assimilated by these mini-Borgs, or about buying into other people's claims about their careers (strangely, though much of this can now be checked on the Web, a remarkable number of people buy into these uncritically - which is fine, as long as you don't kid yourself about whom you're dealing with). But I've attended a number of performances by people I've known through coffeehouses, and otherwise gotten involved in or helped with projects through them. Since these are, inherently, social situations, not ones of shared goals or efforts, you can really only depend on your own instincts (not to mention your willingness to listen to idle chat for its own sake). But it doesn't hurt to be a bit stand-offish at first in a new hang-out, until you get an idea who's who and what's what.

Those are some of my ideas. Hopefully others will have some as well.

This is excellent, JimC

Great post... networking has always been my weakest point.

I wish the business was such that skill alone could get one through, but it isn't.

good ideas! thanks for posting this.

Thank you, Jim! I'm always grateful when you take the time to share your wisdom and thoughtful insights.

Yes, a fantastic list of ideas!

Here's some from some pieces I wrote a while back (some of the dates are now wrong--this was a few years ago). Some of the same ideas, but some others....Also, I apologize to the New Yorkers, but most of these resources are for LA--this was pre bicoastal-Working Actor.



There is no limit to the number of networking opportunities you can create for yourself. Did you major in acting or graduate from an MFA program? Set up a casual monthly get-together where you and former classmates can reconnect. Are you SAG? Take advantage of its members only offerings. Attend BSW reader events, such as screenings and panel discussions. Check out local film festivals and independent film. You don’t need to go to Sundance to see great new films – and to be in the company of burgeoning talents. The Palm Springs International Film Festival begins today and runs through January 16th. The month of April hosts The Malibu, Beverly Hills, San Diego International, and San Francisco International Film Fests. The Los Angeles Film Festival is held in June, while the LA International Shorts Film Festival (LA Shorts) happens in September. The list goes on. While film festivals are organized to serve filmmakers, not actors, there is plenty that can be learned by attending panel discussions and screenings. Think of it as a vibrant classroom, keep your eyes open for others eager to meet and greet, and bring along a few headshots - just in case.

L.A. theatre is abundant. And while there are numerous shows playing on a nightly basis, many struggle to get audience members to fill the seats. Supply simply outweighs demand. Take advantage of this to secure discount tickets to shows you are curious about. Try goldstarevents.com or theatrela.org for discounts of 50% or more. Some theatre companies will provide comps in exchange for ushering or box office help. Never be afraid to ask about getting involved with a company, and always take the time to compliment work you admire. Most importantly, be sure to observe the “three block rule” – never say anything bad about a show until you are at least 3 blocks away from the theatre. At most shows your fellow audience members will be other actors or relatives of the cast.

Check out The Actors Network (IN LA ONLY) (actors-network.com), a performer’s business information and education organization. Members have access to monthly events and workshops, as well as networking opportunities with fellow members and guest speakers. This is a determined, knowledgeable bunch – full of industry know how and motivational techniques. The company’s motto, “Help us, help you…help all of us,” similar to the Three Musketeer’s storied “All for one and one for all,” is a call for actor unity and progress. Its an apt slogan for the progressive organization.

AND

Internships are a great way to further your industry education and meet other professionals. Many agencies, managers, and casting offices employ interns to help out with day to day tasks. Most appreciate hard work and don’t mind occasional questions, but few are open to the intern-turned-client scenario. You can be up-front about your acting ambitions, but don’t ask to audition – if they’re interested they’ll ask you. Interning is about learning the ropes. You’ll get to see the casting process first hand and learn valuable, timesaving, lessons. Studio or production company internships are other ways to go. Many of the major studios such as Warner Brothers, Universal, and Fox host organized internship programs – and smaller companies often welcome help.

Choose an internship that appeals both to your career aspirations and your temperament. Perhaps you’d love to bring coffee to a major TV producer, or would prefer to sort headshots for a young CD. The arrangements are varied – some offices expect greater commitments than others. Look for something that fits your schedule that can be completed within a reasonable timeframe. Be aware that some internships require applicants to be registered students, but details vary.

Larger organizations will post information on their websites, but smaller companies may require a little more work on your behalf. You can send a letter of interest along with your resume to any promising company or individual. Address letters to organizations to the “Internship Coordinator.” The Casting Society of America (CSA) provides a registration form on its website, castingsociety.com, for those interested in interning with its members. This will save you the time of contacting each CD individually. You can also check out entertainmentcareers.net, as well as craigslist.org, and artsearch at tcg.org. Actors Network members have access to an in-house database. One word of caution: actors with agents or managers should generally not intern for their own representatives. This arrangement can get pretty tricky.

Another way to get valuable, on-set experience is by doing a few days of background work. While you won’t be rubbing elbows with the creative team, you will get to see how a set works – first hand. You will even get paid. Register with a reputable background organization, such as Central Casting (entertainmentpartners.com).

Don’t pay to intern or be “placed” in an internship. You may be asked to pay a small fee (around $25) when you register with a background casting company, but you shouldn’t pay for access to specific jobs.

Finally, you can network, utilize your gifts, and get your focus off yourself and your career through volunteering. Choose from the numerous L.A. based arts related volunteer organizations including those found at: createnow.org, hopeandunion.org, virginiaavenueproject.org, theunusualsuspects.org, insideoutca.org, artsharela.org, and lasbest.org. SAG members should check out Bookpals at bookpals.net.


AND more on volunteering from another piece:


Actors might find jobs hard to come by, but there are no shortage of volunteer opportunities for those willing to lend a hand. In my research, I came across many wonderful organizations serving the Los Angeles area. I was amazed to find so many local groups devoted to helping underprivileged youth. I was even more surprised to see how many of these organizations use the arts as their main tool to reach such children.

Unfortunately, I can’t detail all the great programs I found, but take my word for it, the information below only scratches the surface of what is out there. You can do your own investigation to find more. A simple google search for “volunteer”+”Los Angeles”+”arts” yielded over 300,000 results. Ask around. It seems everyone knows of some group or another devoted to the cause. So here is my own, very unscientific, unexhaustive short-list.

LA City Mayor’s Office
The Mayor’s website (www.lacity.org/mayor) has information on several citywide volunteer opportunities, most notably LA’s BEST. According to it’s website (www.lasbest.org), LA's BEST (Better Educated Students for Tomorrow) seeks to provide “safe and supervised after school education, enrichment, and recreation…for elementary school children ages 5 to 12.” This program, begun in 1988, partners with the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and those in the private sector, and now serves over 19,750 students yearly.

BookPALS
A SAG Foundation program, BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) is one of the fastest growing literacy programs around, with 15 chapters throughout the country. “BookPALS is founded on a very clear premise: In order for children to learn to read — especially if they are non-native English speakers, or are not read to at home — they must experience the magic of books and develop a love for reading,” states the BookPALS website. “The art of story telling is an actor's craft... no one brings life to a book better than an actor.” The program’s all-volunteer team of professional actors read aloud to children at public elementary schools, museums, fairs, online and on the phone, helping to introduce them to the world of reading and literacy. Amazingly, BookPALS volunteers read to more than 100,000 children each week. To learn more, contact Nurit Siegel at 323-549-6711 or nsiegel@sag.org. You can also check BookPALS out online at www.bookpals.net.
CREATE NOW!
Create Now! is an independent, 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded in 1996. Its mission is to change troubled children's lives through creative arts mentoring. The organization serves institutionalized high-risk and at-risk children and youth ages 2 to 21, who have been abused, neglected, abandoned, are homeless, runaways, or part of the juvenile justice system. It focuses on creative arts, such as writing, painting, dance, and acting. According to founder, Jill Gurr, “Create Now! welcomes actors (and all other creative individuals) because many of the troubled kids we deal with aspire to act. They all need a creative outlet and doing improv or learning acting techniques is very exciting and inspirational for them.” Programs are tailor made to suit a volunteer’s strengths and training and resources are provided.
You can find out more details about “Create Now!” by visiting it’s website (www.createnow.org) or by calling Jill Gurr at 213-484-8500.

The Hope & Union Foundation
The Hope & Union Foundation is dedicated to the development, awareness, and preservation of the arts. It’s sole purpose, according to Executive Vice-President Marco Gomez, “is to ensure the arts are kept alive.” The Foundation collaborates with other organizations in order to present programs in different areas of the arts, serving the handicapped, troubled and low-income youth, as well as aspiring actors, singers, dancers, models, and painters. One of its recent programs, "Diamonds in the Rough," was performed in conjunction with DOMA Theater Company, and served high school and college students. The DOMA Company members mentored the program participants whose work was seen in a public performance.
See www.hopeandunion.org or the DOMA Theater Company at www.domatheater.com for more details.

The Virginia Avenue Project
This organization brings kids who are growing up under difficult circumstances together with professional writers, performers and directors to create original theatre. The program serves kids from the time they're six until they graduate from high school with long term, one-on-one mentoring. The Virginia Avenue Project works out of the Santa Monica Police Activities League on 14th Street and Olympic Blvd. Since its inception 12 years ago, the program has had great success. “Currently 100% of our kids have graduated from high school and 90% have gone on to college. Of those, 85% of are the first in their families to go to college,” says Leigh Curran, Artistic Director. To learn more about the organization’s writing, acting, tutoring and business programs, check out www.virginiaavenueproject.org.
The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company
The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of professional artists dedicated to bringing theatre arts to youth, ages 12-21, from the foster care and juvenile justice systems. The program works to cultivate pride, racial tolerance, and social consciousness. This is an all-volunteer group that works in juvenile halls, camps, and with probation and foster care teens, most usually boys. According to Zoot Velasco, Executive Director, “Most of our volunteers are Hollywood industry pros. We have very high standards and screen people before taking them as volunteers. Our volunteers must provide a resume and work samples (or be referred by someone in the organization), have a history of high quality work in theatre, dance, production, etc., have teaching experience, pass a background check, and attend mandatory training sessions. That said, we provide a great program and great networking opportunities for industry pros.” You can find them online at theunusualsuspects.org.

Art Share
Art Share Los Angeles is a non-profit organization which brings art and literacy programs to at-risk youth. According to its website, “Art Share was founded on a passionate commitment to transforming lives through art.” It provides services to the inner-city and under-served communities in Los Angeles. Former Executive Director, Chip Hunter founded Art Share after he was injured in a car accident that left him unable to work as an artist. “His dream,” states the organization’s literature, “was to create a place that would educate, promote tolerance, reduce hatred and violence, and enrich lives, through art.” The organization serves over 9,000 people a year, while developing a wide array of successful community programs such as GIFT and GAIN. GIFT (Gang Intervention for Teens) is designed to help rehabilitate troubled youths and introduce them to artistic expression as an alternative to gang involvement and violence. The GAIN (Garfield Academic and Intervention Network) program is designed to help students from immigrant families who are not fluent in English. This program culminates with a student art show and a live theatre performance of a play the students both write and perform. Construction of a dance studio and theatre are currently underway as additions to Art Share’s large Downtown Arts District facility. For more information visit www.artsharela.org. Those interested in volunteering may contact Melissa at Melissas@artsharela.org.

Inside Out
Their mission statement reads, “Through the arts, Inside Out Community Arts promotes healthy interaction among diverse at-risk and underserved Los Angeles middle-school youth. Led by specially trained teams of professional artists and high school age mentors, Inside Out bridges cultural, geographic, socioeconomic and differently-abled boundaries to support youth in creating and presenting topical theater and art, empowering them to make positive choices as individuals and members of the greater community.” Founded in 1996, the non-profit 501(c)(3) is an artist run organization with a core staff of more than 40. They are looking for professional actors, writers, directors, visual or movement artists, and musicians willing to use their creative talents to enrich the lives of at-risk youth. You can find them online at www.insideoutca.org or call 310-397-8820.

Inner-City Arts
Bob Bates and Irwin Jaeger founded Inner-City Arts in 1989 in reponse to the massive budget cuts that all but eliminated arts instruction from L.A. public schools. The program offers at-risk children the opportunity to experience the power of the creative arts in their everyday lives. “We offer a full visual and performing arts program where students can experience, explore and develop their own creativity in a safe and supportive studio environment. Our children learn to communicate feelings and ideas in the universal language of art, and are empowered to apply the skills they have learned to their regular academic programs,” states the organization’s website. “Most importantly, children are able to see themselves as valuable, worthy and capable of reaching goals.” Class offerings to children in the downtown Los Angeles area focus on visual arts, dance, drama, animation, music, and ceramics. The organization has a unique relationship with the Los Angeles Unified School District, which brings students to Inner-City Arts programs during their regular school day. More information can be found at www.inner-cityarts.org or by calling 213-627-9621.

The HeArt Project
The HeArt Project is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide long-term artistic learning experiences to at-risk teenagers. Classes and workshops are offered in a variety of disciplines including dance, poetry, music, theater, bookmaking, web-design, and architecture. Programs are led by professional artists and culminate in public presentations of student work at major LA cultural institutions such as The Museum of Contemporary Art and The Getty Center. The arts programs promote positive self-expression, self-esteem, and academic, career and personal growth for disadvantaged youth. Go to www.theheartproject.org or call 213-744-1404 for more information.

ArtistSalon
An organization that moves from venue to venue providing presentation environments to poets, painters, actors, filmmakers, dancers, writers, and sculptors, ArtistSalon was born from the idea that there were more than enough networking events in L.A. and too few working events. With a mission to promote “art for art’s sake,” the organization continues to grow and is moving toward becoming a non-profit. Jason Waters of ArtistSalon said an interested person, “might approach an organization like ArtistSalon or some other established group that incorporates actors into its structure and simply pitch them. Imagine somebody coming to you and saying "I want to build an outreach program and run it for your organization." After picking my jaw up off the floor, I would do what I could to assimilate this amazing person into our organization. In fact, your reader is more than welcome to contact ArtistSalon about a youth acting program as we would love to get one started. Why not build the whole thing instead of just stepping into somebody else's vision?” Those with the enthusiasm for such a mission can go to www.ArtistSalon.com to get started.



That’s all I have room for this week, but if none of these groups suit your fancy, I want to again encourage you to do some research on your own. Go to your favorite actor chat site and post an inquiry. Ask your classmates or fellow cast members. Contact your local public school. I would also recommend the yahoo group “Los Angeles Culture Net.” This listserv is a form in which those passionate about the arts in L.A. County can communicate. Postings include job listings, event announcements, and general arts discussions. You can sign up by sending an email to laculturenet-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. I found many of the programs listed above through the outstanding help of LACN participants. They are a swell group.

Well, I'm glad that it's been useful to some, and flattered that the very knowledgeable Jackie is impressed.

I'd like to emphasize one point I made. Here and on other threads, people have said how bad they are at networking. In fact, I think what they are mainly uncomfortable with is SALES, even if it takes the somewhat low-key form of trying to connect with people who might prove useful. The advantage, I think, of my own concept of networking is that it isn't about trying to sell yourself to anyone or figure out if the people you meet are useful to you in some way. It's about fully engaging with your own life so that you naturally come in contact with people who share your interests and energy.

Think of it in acting terms. Probably the most classic way to avoid self-consciousness on stage is to think about your OBJECTIVE, which makes you are less conscious of your movements, how you look, etc. By the same token, if you're more concerned with doing things that really interest you - taking classes, helping with productions, pursuing personal interests, etc. - than with calculating what "networking" benefit each activity will bring you, then you're less likely to feel awkward or self-conscious about how you're connecting with others. Because it's not about you, and it's not about them - it's about shared goals and interests.

As St. Exupery once said about romantic love, it's not two people looking into each other's eyes, it's two people looking in the same direction together. Networking is much the same. Find the people who are looking towards the same goals as you are, and you won't have to worry about trying to connect with them. Because you'll already be connected, and in a meaningful way.

...networking is about your ability to help someone else (no matter how big or small that help is) and in return, someone will probably help you

Love all the points being made here. And I agree strongly with Jim that networking isn't being pushy and wedging yourself into someone's presence in an unwelcome way. Don't be a salesman. Instead, make friends with like-minded individuals, regardless of status (you have status too!), and connect organically.

There is a terrible school of thought among some actors that the way to make it in the business is to hand out your materials wherever you go and force people to talk to you. I say inappropriate networking is worse than no networking at all.

Which leads me to a brief story. I was coming out of the stage door at the Freud Playhouse, having just performed in Reprise's "Li'l Abner." Most nights, people waited around to say they'd enjoyed the performance, and tonight was no exception. A woman I'd never met came up to me, and, after a perfunctory compliment, produced a flier for a show she was in. She proceeded to tell me all about it, the dates, why I should come, then she showed me where the number was on the flier so I could get tickets. I'm standing there, still sweating from the finale of my own show, and this woman is pitching to me! This continued on until I had to politely excuse myself so I could greet my friends, who'd been waiting. I thought it was tremedously rude and opportunistic. Guess what show I did not go see?

No one likes to be "worked." And there's rarely a good pay-off.

Sherly,

You have the absolute best attitude about networking: it's about them. Not only does that take the pressure off yourself and opens you up, but this makes you stand out as the one person in the room not talking about themselves. Be Meisner about it--put it all on the other person.

quote:

Originally posted by Sherly:
...networking is about your ability to help someone else (no matter how big or small that help is) and in return, someone will probably help you

Now promise me you will NEVER EVER stop believing that. Too may people turn selfish and ugly after a short time here. I have been here two years and can't even pay a female just to have coffee with me, much less anything else. I seem to make male friends easier....but even they get a little flaky. Hurtful. I really do help people a LOT- hell, even strangers on this board when I can.