For
this month’s posting I decided to do
something a little different...
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| Cherry blossoms finally emerged all over town this month! |
After
reaching my 9 month anniversary of living in New York and surviving one
extremely long winter, I’ve naturally started calling myself a
native! I’m in
regular classes, have just started working with a
new manager, and booked a nice role in my first
US feature film. The pieces feel like they’re
starting to fall into place, and in honour of this I wanted to create a little
overview of how I and other actors approach our day to day working lives in
this great city.
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| On set, overlooking Madison Avenue |
So I
interviewed a handful of actors from different walks of life who, like myself,
all decided at one point or another to set themselves up here and make a
career push in the big apple. These are little glimpses into their world. I'll hold my hands up and
admit there'll be a certain amount of NY back-slapping goin’ on! All part of the process, as I figure out what makes this city unique.
Tempted to move over? For those of you reading this from other
countries and other US states, I hope these tidbits give you some practical
tips and ideas about what that new life might look like…happy
reading!
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| Teaser for Sonnet 102, short film with Sawyer Spielberg and director Eli Russell-Linnetz for the Sonnet Project, New York Shakespeare Exchange |
What
difference have you noticed in the auditioning scene here, compared to other
markets?
Comparing it to
LA, most everyone agrees that New York has the edge in terms of size. Because
this city is smaller, it’s hands-down easier to get known – the only balance
one has to strike, is whether there are enough of the kinds of opportunities
here that you want to pursue. If Modern Family or is your jam – best head over
to the casting offices out west and wow them with your comedic chops in person!
But if New York
has something to offer you, it’s worth staying in town – and from “House of
Cards” to “Orange Is The New Black”, from Sesame Street to the Lincoln Centre
stages, and from UCB to Saturday Night Live, we’re certainly spoiled for
choice.
Time and again,
the word “intimacy” comes up. Both literally – “because the rooms are smaller,
with less people in room - often you’ll just have the CD reading opposite you –
so ultimately it’s simply about you relating to another human being” and the
whole atmosphere is seen as warmer. Actress Moksha McPherrin enthuses, “New
Yorkers are more grounded for the most part, it always feels like they have
other things going on in their lives as well. Casting directors will often have
a little conversation with you before you audition, it feels simple and easy. I
just met with Cody Beke and before we worked I mentioned I loved his shirt (it
had a picture of The ‘Burbs on it) – and he and I ended up talking about
classic Tom Hanks comedies for 10 minutes!”
There’s a
general sense that it’s easier to get called in without representation here
than it might be elsewhere. There are many stories of friends who were called
in directly after taking a workshop with a CD to audition for a network show -
and quite a few who went on to book. Those jobs ultimately allowed actors to
start working with one of their agents of choice. And so - as it increasingly
happens - resume and reputation lead to the representation, rather than the
other way around.
Comparing this
scene to the one she left behind in London, one actress feels “things are
all-inclusive here. I’ve found it far more open, and welcoming. And in London
you can be stunted by a bad agent - that can hold you back even getting an
audition. Here it doesn’t matter, with a good agent or bad, or none at all, you
can fill your days with auditions. And that’s part of the process - you need to
audition regularly if you want to feel comfortable and have a knack of booking.”
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© Universal Pictures
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What
acting class, CD workshop, or teacher has had the most impact on you or your
work over the past year, and why would you recommend them to other actors?
This was such a
great question for me to learn from! Here are five different views straight
from the source, which have spurred me on to check out some new acting
communities (websites listed below.)
“I worked with Deborah Hedwall, for about two years, who
is on the acting faculty at Rutgers and has a private studio in the city. She
changed my whole perspective on acting - I learned more in that class that in
undergrad I think. She’s a very
grounded teacher, focusing on Meisner-based acting, although she incorporates
other techniques as well. It was
just the safest space, and so the most amazing work came out of it from all the
students. The on-camera class that has most profoundly affected me is Ted Sluberski’s class at
One-on-One. He’s a ‘tell it like
it is’ kind of teacher, but supportive at the same time. His advice of ‘do your work; take the
room - it’s your audition, not the reader’s - make that space your domain for
the duration of the audition, then leave it behind’ is so simple yet so
important. Step into your own
power. Just be the actor you
already know you are.”
“Hands down,
Kelly Kimball at Kimball Studio.
It's not only her experience in all aspects of production, though that is a
tremendous help, it's the sense of community both she and Janine Di Tullio
foster that has been a game changer. Acting can feel like such a solo pursuit,
and having a community behind you makes the rejection easier and the wins even
better.”
“Michael Howard Studio’s scene study
class which I took for three years - it laid a new foundation for he rehearsal
process and the necessity of taking the craft seriously but not always
ourselves.”
“Three different
stand-outs for me: First CD Camille
Hickman of Lincoln Centre Theatre was phenomenal to work with – she
accurately replicated their casting process in the classroom. After my workshop
with Camille I got called into the Lincoln Centre casting room with Daniel
Swann, and felt thoroughly prepared. Secondly, Risa Bramon Garcia, from LA. This class is life-changing - she
deals with cutting the crap and pulling out the truth in the work. Her
technique is practical, enlightening and fulfilling. Plus, I made amazing
friends in the class! And third, the Director’s Lab with Neil Pepe, Artistic Director of Atlantic Theatre Company. Here you
get to work with a fantastic director who is showing you how to do the job,
keep the job and present the work. That makes a nice change from CD classes
where you tend only to focus on ‘booking’ the work.
One actress
decided to go against the grain and not take industry classes when she moved to
New York from LA, “Because it’s easy to load yourself up with classes, which
can lead to exhaustion. And I have a problem with classes where there’s often
so much talking and analysis and not enough playing! So instead, I started my
own actors’ group, which has actually made a huge difference. I feel more
comfortable and confident with my own instincts now, in not having a teacher
and focusing instead on having a supportive environment. It has really changed
the way in which I walk into an audition room – I don’t try to please everybody
any more, instead I’m ready be authentic and have an enjoyable experience.”
Side note: this actress literally radiates grace and confidence and has been working steadily for the past year. Her drop-in group is always a really fun experience - the proof is
in the doing!
If
you have a day job outside of the business, what is it and how does it
contribute to your acting life?
As we all know,
life as an actor is a full-time job in and of itself – whether or not you’re
being paid for it! Sometimes we’re lucky to make that full-time living from our
acting, commercial and voiceover work, but having a sideline income - part of
the ‘portfolio career’ – can be a wonderful thing. Popular survival jobs range
from the tried and tested server-industry ($400 tips a shift at the Little Owl,
anyone?) to au-pairing and carpentry.
Here are some
other choice ‘day jobs’ that I enjoyed hearing about, which have added value to
each actor’s life:
One actress
works in television production and casting, which she felt has been a
tremendous help to her career. “Not only do I constantly meet creatives who
work in all different facets of the industry, but I’ve found it invaluable to
get a hands-on education about how television is made.”
British ex-Pat
Emma Kaye enjoys a flexible sideline job in the world of Beauty and Fashion PR.
Regularly liaising with celebrities and brands spokespeople, and organizing
styling for events such as the Oscars and Golden Globes every year, she’s loved
learning about this jet-set world of brand presentation, image, and telling
stories. “I’ve become adept at selling and telling stories – about a product or
a person. And as an actor you have to be able to share stories! Not only that,
the PR industry has informed my business savvy – I am constantly on industry
websites, I have the inside scoop and I know what deals are being made. I know
that money drives so much of this industry – art is only a part of it! I have
the inside eye on a crucial part of the industry, namely capitalizing on a
moment in time when you are IT, and everyone wants a piece of you. By the way,
that doesn’t mean a celeb is selling out - signing a contract and taking a
payday can allow them to take artistic time out to do theatre or lie on a
beach, before they go back to their high-pressure network show” Emma is also a
skilfull make-up artist, allowing her to be camera-ready at any given moment!
Other great day
jobs involve dancing and music. Actor Christopher Domig teaches music lessons –
“I mostly teach beginner piano to kids. I love music and spending time teaching
the joy of music is nourishing to me and also allows for me to help out at home
with my wife and kids.” What more could you ask for?
Quick tip for
those of you interested in super-flexible temp jobs that fit around an actor’s
lifestyle: 'Survival Jobs For Actors' was created by Michelle Dyer and is a resource that curates temp agencies, catering companies, and the like. It gives performers the basics such as a company’s phone number and website, and
how best to apply for a job.
Outside
of work, where do you go to meet like-minded people and connect with new
actors, theatre and film folks?
Over the past
nine months I’ve found that New York has an infinite amount of venues to meet
new friends and collaborators. Aside from the many theatres and arts festivals
that pop up around town, actors can mingle at events like those thrown at the
Paley Centre, Director’s Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA.
But the most
common answers to this question were without a doubt to join theatre
communities, taking class, and attending readings. “Mixers at places like New
York Theatre Workshop and Naked Angels are really worth going to. Getting
involved with a group that regularly reads plays or film scripts sharpens your
skills and you’ll meet so many fantastic individuals who are creating their own
work.”
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| Marisa Tomei and Rob Morrow were founding members of Naked Angels, a group dedicated to producing new theatre and film works |
Actress Jamie
Carroll summed up her feelings about ‘networking’ like this: “I start from a
place of ‘where can I be of service, who can I introduce them to?’ instead of thinking, ‘who can I meet
and what can they do for me?’ I
find that more empowering and active. It's about finding what motivates you to
do the things you want to do, and it's different for everyone.”
There’s also a
general sense that whilst connecting with like-minded people in class or from a
show can be terrific, the rapport, respect and friendship must come first – and
that it's important to have friends in all areas of life. Certainly not a hard
thing to find in a city like this.
What
is your No. 1 thing to do in NYC, as a way of motivating yourself, or ‘getting
back on the horse,’ when
you find yourself slipping?
I loved the
answers I got for this one! Right off the bat actress Carey Van Driest says, “I
remind myself that whatever I put out there energy-wise, comes back to me 50
fold.” Every actor also emphasised the importance of creating your own work–
to nourish yourself by always having something you’re building with your mates
independently of industry trends.
Both those things are
surely true wherever we live around the world. Specifically in New York,
however, hands down the number one thing I heard was – ‘Stuck in a rut? Go see
a show!’
“When I'm in
need to inspiration, I look to the theatre. Taking in an amazing performance
is such a great reminder for me that first and foremost, it's about the craft.
That's what I'm in love with.” From another actor - “Go see a Broadway show!
The level of talent is outstanding. And it fills you with such a level of
pride, to be in New York. I live in here, I’m seeing this amazing Broadway
Show, this is my city, I can actually really do this...Your own city being the
place that puts on Broadway shows – that’s awesome!”
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Probably more shows per square foot than anywhere in the world...
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And no matter where
you’re based, it’s important to approach the business with a focused mind and
be specific about what exact kind of work you want to go. In one actor’s words:
“Just wanting to work isn’t good enough. Get clear on where you’re headed. Living here, it can be especially exciting to know what you want to work on,
who to work with, and then challenging yourself to come up with ingenious ways
of meeting those people who are working on projects you want to be part of –
because not only are those people either working in New York or passing through
here – but in this city I find those people are willing to talk to you! It’s
not just a game of kiss chase. For me the difference here is knowing that - if
you chase hard enough - they’ll stop and they’ll listen to you.”
Let’s
talk about health and fitness regimes –
What do you do to keep your energy levels up, is there something you couldn’t
live without here?
We all know the value of staying
active on a regular basis. Being
thrust into the intense lifestyle every day – it’s sometimes those gruelling
high intensity work-outs that help us to refocus and keep us sane the rest of
the day. Since moving here I’ve done more niche work-out challenges than I’d
ever come across in my life – from aqua-spinning in TriBeCa to high-altitude
yoga in midtown!
Some other favourites:
“Every other day I do HIIT (High
Intensity Interval Training) on the treadmill at the gym. It's INTENSE. The
routine is one minute running at a comfortable speed and then one minute of all
out-fast as you can without collapsing-sprint. Then on the other days some
toning work with programs like Physique57 or AKT Motion.”
“Jogging, parks, wrestling with my
1yr old daughter.”
Yoga and meditation are musts for many actors – “a go-to when I sense
myself getting scattered.”
And there’s the resolute
sports-phobe who told me, “My energy truly comes from going to the theatre or
cinema every week. I work so hard so on my survival job that I have the money
to do that – if I don’t go at least once a week to something performance related
a part of me dies inside!”
Quick shout out for Class Pass, a
fantastic mobile gym membership which I’ve become addicted to since moving here
– I can’t imagine life in New York without it now. The benefits are many – not
least that I can jump into classes in London, LA or other major US cities
whilst travelling!
Finally,
what’s the best
thing about being an actor in NYC as opposed to anywhere else?
I
will let my fellow actors speak for themselves on this one..
“Most auditions are here or in LA, and if
LA isn’t your scene then there is an increasing amount of work in New York to
take advantage of. TV alone has
exploded in recent years. The nice
mix of theatre, TV and film is also a bonus. I think New York actors are some of the most facile and
diversified actors in the country.
We have to be able to jump from a theatre audition to a TV audition to a
commercial audition sometimes in one day.
Plus there’s a grounded-ness here, a ‘real' quality that appeals to
me. Yes, we work hard and play
hard, but in the end, you know where you stand with a New Yorker. And that’s
refreshing!”
“We're spoiled with great performances
here, from all the off-off, off and Broadway productions, to amazing film
festivals and independent films, solo shows, experimental theatre - it's
outstanding. Plus, Shake Shack.”
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| The original in Madison Square Park |
“The amount and variety of plays that get
produced, as well as the incredible cultural landscape that feeds into your
work in unknown ways.”
“Living here! It’s the perfect city in
every way. It may sound cheesy but it’s so unbelievably dynamic - New York City
is always alive. There’s always a pulsating energy on the streets. Every kind
of human, profession and type of human on the streets, we’re all crammed
together and kind of forced to work it out together. It creates this incredible
synchronicity – we’re a beating organism together. And as an actor that feeds
me – that palpable energy and pulse of the city feeds me. I have crazy and cool
interactions with strangers in the city every day – it feels like people are
more open to that here - and I’m never bored. Exploring the city brings me
alive. I try to make a point of doing that several times a week, to discover
something new, like a new comedy venue, museum, or a play – or just any other
creative venue really."
“Being in New York I’ve never doubted that my
acting career would happen. I go through defeat and deflation – back home when
feelings of worry or defeat came in, I’d seriously consider stopping working as
an actress. Living here, no matter what’s happening I don’t doubt that if I
stick it out long enough, my end goals are attainable.”
And
there we have it, folks! I hope you've humoured the NYC high-five's going on in
this piece - I'm not working for the tourist board, promise - but I’ve been curious
to get under this city's skin from the point of view of other working actors, and I've found myself relating to many
of the points they make.
I
think the biggest change New York has made for me, has been constantly finding new
ways to get involved in the business. The breadth of the community of
actors, filmmakers and theatre people is extraordinary – everyone is always
working on something. And whenever I go to castings or classes I see what
support there is amongst actors, even just in the waiting rooms. That
kind of small-town feel has been invaluable as I get settled into a big city
like this.
Thanks
for reading – we’ll dig down a bit deeper into a specific area of the New York
acting world when I return…
LINKS
Classes
http://deborah-hedwall.squarespace.com
http://kimballstudio.com
http://www.michaelhowardstudios.com
http://risabg.com
https://atlantictheater.org
http://www.oneononenyc.com - for some of the best CD
workshops in town
Temp jobs
http://survivaljobsforactors.com/category/nyc/
Fitness
https://classpass.com
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