Hi Everyone!

I'm brand new to the boards. Here's a little background:

- Live and work in Philadelphia area as a corporate spokesperson

- I've done two very local commercials

- Took basics of acting, film acting, commercial cold read and advanced scene study classes about 5 years ago with a local school

- Have a dramatic monologue but would like to do something different (and need comedic)

- Would like to take another class to spruce up my skills

I will be shooting new headshots with Chris Macke next week. I met with an agent in my area a few months ago that suggested I get new headshots (done) but also wanted me to perform a monologue on camera so they could videotape and use to send to clients. Is this the norm since I have no film/tv clips to show?

I realize this is a lot of information and am grateful for any advice everyone has!

quote:

an agent in my area ....wanted me to perform a monologue on camera so they could videotape and use to send to clients. Is this the norm since I have no film/tv clips to show?

Looks like there's only one question you have here. Some agents may want to hear you do a monologue (if you don't have a reel and they haven't seen your work before) when they're deciding whether or not to work with you. I have not heard of using a home-made 'monologue on video' to 'send to clients'. Is this a commercial agent? I've never heard of a theatrical (TV/film) agent calling their 'buyers' "clients". An agent's actors (or writers, etc.) are their clients.

All that said, since you're in Philadelphia, all the "norms" may be different than in the larger markets.

But since you've shared your background and asked for advice....
Get more training. Keep asking questions. Learn more about the business you are interested in expanding into. (Corporate spokesperson is a good skill, but it's not acting.) It looks, from your teeny tiny photo on here that you have a look that will serve you well. Now develop the skills.

Thank you for your kind feedback! I'm looking into training programs/classes now. It would obviously be easier time-wise to take classes in Philadelphia, but I'm fairly sure the classes are better in NYC after reading through the boards.

That said, is there a 'beginner' class anyone recommends? Should I look into courses titled 'Basics of Acting' as opposed to specific skills like cold read, monologue training, commercial copy, scene study, etc?

I get a lot of emails from Actor's Connection - it seems this is a place for the working actor as opposed to someone just starting out that needs more significant training/experience under their belt. Is that right?

Thanks again in advance for anyone's advice!

Whatever they title the class, it should be an acting class. If it's called "Cold reading", "Commercial copy" or even "Monologue training", they sound like auditioning classes. What every actor needs before they're ready to think about auditioning is an ACTING class. Find one of those. (There are many teachers that let you audit a class, or pay to take one class or something to see if you like it. Find one you're comfortable in. It's great to learn alongside working actors, but if you're more comfortable with people who are on your experience level, you can undoubtedly find one of those classes too.)

Hey! Welcome to the boards!

I can't really help on the NYC or East Coast front, but for -anyone- learning more about the business, one of my favorite columnist/author/casting director's is Bonnie Gillespie.

http://more.showfax.com/column...ives/2004_05_02.html

I was recommended this link from the board, and it's got five years worth of questions (from her weekly column). I'm fairly sure just about any question you might have will be answered either there, or here on the boards.

And if you can, check out her book "Self Management for Actors, 3rd edition".

In terms of classes, I second what B2H says; make sure it's an -acting- class. Perhaps you can ask that agent again what he might recommend?

Googling "philadelphia acting schools", these seem to be some possible legit schools/classes:

http://www.theactorscenterphilly.com/

http://www.phillyimprovtheater.com/

http://www.theatrealliance.org/classes.html


Perhaps some of those might point you in a direction worth looking?

Hope you enjoy your stay here at the boards!

You are so sweet, Pat.

Thanks Pat!! I saw Bonnie's column in another post and spent the better part of Thursday night reading it Amazing information! I actually have one of her books from a few years ago that I really should re-read.

I've been looking into NYC classes and am thinking about studying at T. Schreiber. I am in the city at least 2x per week for spokesperson work anyway and thought that could be a good start.

Anyhow - thanks again for the kind response!

There's more than one acting teacher at T. Schreiber's. I had 2 I liked there, and one I didn't click with. Dunno who teaches there now, but wherever you go, trust your instincts regarding whether or not it's where you belong.

AND, you still may want to explore the classes in Philadelphia. For many acting classes (most of the ones I've taken), particularly if there's scene study work, you might be required to work with a scene partner between classes. (If they're in New York and you're in Philadelphia most of the week, that could be frustrating for them... and you.) Ask about that.

quote:

Originally posted by miss stone:
You are so sweet, Pat.

Aww shucks. ^_^

quote:

Originally posted by phillyhost:
Thanks Pat!! I saw Bonnie's column in another post and spent the better part of Thursday night reading it Amazing information!

I am in the city at least 2x per week for spokesperson work anyway and thought that could be a good start.

Anyhow - thanks again for the kind response!

No problemo! Just spread along any good info you find!

Naive question - what does spokesperson work entail? Is it commercial type work? Going to events and speaking?

(And on an off note; go eat a Geno's cheesesteak for me. Mmmm. I still need to try Pat's next time I'm out east.)

quote:

Originally posted by Broadway2Hollywood:
For many acting classes (most of the ones I've taken), particularly if there's scene study work, you might be required to work with a scene partner between classes. (If they're in New York and you're in Philadelphia most of the week, that could be frustrating for them... and you.) Ask about that.

Very good advice. Pretty much everyone I know here in LA that has taken a scene study class (that assigns scene partners) has frequently had trouble getting together with their partner(s). And that's living in the same city. Definitely look into that before hand.

Broadway - great point about scene study classes and partners! I am going to attend the info session at T Schreiber and get a feel for the atmosphere. I know there are plenty of other places to look into as well and now I'm reconsidering the Phila market for classes.

Pat - spokesperson work can entail various things - essentially you become the public voice and image for a brand. Typically you either do a television media tour (either by satellite or in-person) and also may be required to do speaking engagements at live events, radio tours, and even print interviews for magazine/newspapers.

So, for example, if I was a spokesperson for Neutrogena, they would schedule 5-10 different TV appearances for me in major markets to go on air and discuss the benefits of neutrogena products and tie it into some newsworthy talking points so it doesn't sound like an advertisement (like Five Ways to Green Your Beauty Routine - and then you would use an eco-friendly neutrogena product as a solution). There are specific agencies handle this type of work, and those that book you for multiple products under the same category (like health and wellness or beauty). Many spokespeople also work on shows like QVC or Shop NBC representing a product.