How to start off your acting career? (Step 1: Business Plan)

            I’ve always wanted to be an actress. I remember in third grade, we had to come to school dressed up as what we wanted to be when we grow up. I, with the help of my creative mother, came dressed as a ‘DIVA ACTRESS’ haha. I put on sunglasses, a feather boa and even made my own Oscar out of cardboard. Ever since then, the dream has never changed.

            Yet, I’m sure that I’m not the only one whose dream has never changed. That’s how you know that that’s what your destined to be, if you believe in destiny. And even if you don’t believe in destiny, if you’ve wanted something for so long, then nothing can make more sense in life than to go fight for it.

            For me, nothing makes more sense in my life than being an actress. The feeling I get on stage and/or camera is both unexplainable and untouchable, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get to the big screen. But, it’s not going to be easy and I know that.

            I don’t know how the industry worked back then, but I do know that now casting is not only about talent. Casting is also about experience, looks, being in the right place at the right time, WHO YOU KNOW AND WHO KNOWS ABOUT YOU.

            As Julian Bialowas said: “Every artist was first an amateur”. Therefore, you have to crawl before you can walk, as any actor/actress in the industry has had to do. All the actor/actresses who are big shots now, have been in the same position as you, a nothing…YET :). So I’m going tell you what are the essential first baby steps to becoming KNOWN!

STEP 1: Business Plan

           

            Get yourself a notebook or write down on your computer a business plan for your new freelance company: YOU. It’s essential to have plan to start off your career, as this can help you get a visual perspective of your advantages and disadvantages.

            SECTION 1 of Business Plan: Description of Company (You)

                        In your business plan, first write down a brief but confident description of yourself and why you are an asset to the acting industry. Include a summary of your qualifications like for example: quick learner, dedicated, what languages you’re fluent in, dynamically skilled, etc. This will help you put into perspective what assets you need to flaunt and what assets you need gain and work on.

            SECTION 2 of Business Plan: Industry Analysis

                        Afterwards, write down an industry analysis. Research what the acting industry is like where you are currently living and what data sources are reliable and useful. Some Internet sources that work for me are: auditionagency.com, actorsinfobooth.com, and maimiaudition.com.

                       

            SECTION 3 of Business Plan: Customer Analysis

                        Now you should research and write down a customer analysis. This is basically a list of talent agencies, agents, acting agencies, etc. in your area. You should research who they are, where they are, and what they’re looking for. This way, when you have all of your marketing tools, which I will discuss further on, you can mail to each one of these contacts your information and marketing tools. This is a great way to put yourself out there and develop a name for yourself.

           

            SECTION 4 of Business Plan: Competition Analysis

                        Next, you should write down in your business plan your competition analysis. This is fundamentally a list of whom your competition is most likely going to be like, and what assets will they probably have that you don’t. Then, write down a “Battle Plan” in which you explain what you plan to bring to the table in order to make up for you disadvantages. What makes you unique? ;)

            SECTION 5 of Business Plan: Marketing Plan 

                        Now comes the marketing plan. This is the MOST IMPORTANT part of starting off your career. I’m going to list the marketing tools and later on discuss each one in full detail:

a)     Website

b)     Comp card

c)     Blog

d)     Social Media

e)     Marketing Materials

f)      Sample Products

SECTION 6 of Business Plan: Operations

                        Following the Marketing Plan comes the operations, a.k.a. your schedule. This part of your business plan requires structure, dedication, and most of all, sacrifice. This is the segment where you organize a daily operations routine of what you will work on each day in order to reach success. You are your own company. Therefore, you HAVE TO sit down everyday and devote at least six hours of work of your career and company. This includes: doing research, working on your website, working on your blog, looking for and going to auditions, working on scenes for your reel, working on monologues, etc. This section also must include your long-term goals and milestones. It’s important to set goals for you and your company because this establishes structure and a road to follow.

                        Ask yourself these questions when working on this section: From what time to what time will your work on your company each day? What will you work on? What are priorities and what aren’t? What needs to be done first, second, third, and so on? Where do you want to be at 6 months from now, 1 year from now, 2 years from now? (IMPORTANT TIP: Be realistic.)  

SECTION 7 of Business Plan: Management Team

                        Thereafter comes the management team section, where you write down a quick list of your members and their duties, rights and responsibilities. Now, because you are the only key member of your company, the list is then a list of your responsibilities. For example: working everyday for six to eight hours on your company, establish and keeping contacts, updating your marketing tools, going to the gym, etc.    

SECTION 8 of Business Plan: Financial Plan

                        Now comes the Financial Plan. The Financial Plan is EXTREMELY important because this will give you a perspective, as well as a reality check haha, of how much money you CAN spend and how much money you HAVE to make. This section requires exact details and you must be realistic about money. Sadly, anything in life requires spending money. You need to spend money to make money and as my mom always says: “There is no free lunch.”

                        First make a table of costs/expenses. Then make a table for income/revenue.

Find out how much money you need to spend and how much money you need to make in order to sustain yourself. And a reality check for all aspiring actors/actresses: YES, YOU WILL NEED A SECOND JOB!! It’s going to be struggle for a few years to make a lot of money before you land your big break; but, if you really want it, you’ll persevere.     

SECTION 9 of Business Plan: Feasibility

                        Last but not least comes the feasibility section of your business plan. Write down a specific list of what you will accomplish by specific dates. For example: “By June 22^nd, I will have this much done…”

Well, that's Step 1 to starting off your acting career. Step 2 (Resume + Headshot/ Comp Card/ Marketing Materials) is coming up soon!!

Happy Acting!

Thank you!

Gracias