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Connecting Actors and Filmmakers with Followthrough
Marketing is a business strategy that helps two or more parties get together for mutual benefit. This article is about actors connecting with gigs...and filmmakers can learn a lot about -- and benefit from -- effective marketing made available through the systematic marketing techniques of the Holdon Log systems highlighted in this article. Here's to getting together productively!
Going Indie?
That's a Wrap! Now What?
By Holdon Log, LLC
(Note: This article is Part Three of a Three Part Series. Please click here
for Part One or Click
here for Part Two.)
You hear the 1st A.D. say, “you're wrapped!”, or you
take your final bow on stage. Either way, your performance in this
production has come to an end.
Now what?
Give Yourself Some Credit!
Sure, you have submissions, auditions, classes and
networking events calling for your attention...but before getting
back to the daily routine in search of your next gig, update your
resume.
Add your newest credit to your paper resume, your Web site (looking
for some help with your Web site? Then visit HearTheHype.com
or Stand
Out Sites ) and anywhere else where your credits are listed
online.
If you’ve got a page on IMDb.com, but cannot locate a listing
for the project, then go ahead and add it to the “Other Works”
area. Looking for an example? Then visit here to see Actor Kristina
Hughes’ “Other Works” area:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0400744/otherworks
This way, you know what still needs to be added to your front page
and when your credits are added there, you can simply delete them
from the “Other Works” section!
If you’ve just completed a job on Broadway, then visit the
Internet Broadway Database (IBDb.com )
and see #2 for submission details.
Please note it does take time for credits to appear and deletions
to be accepted. Be patient, it’s worth it to keep the Industry
informed about your bookings!
Promote Those Photos!
If you were given still photos from the production, now is also
the time to post them on your Web site and in other online listings.
Grow Your Database!
Get out that Call Sheet that you asked for and head to your Contacts
section of ActorTrack
or any other address book/contact listing that you are keeping.
In ActorTrack, you can associate a type (i.e. was
this person a Director, Makeup Artist, another Actor?). You never
know when you might want to contact these folks to alert them of
the work you’ve booked, changes in your look or representation,
air dates...or even let them know when other productions are hiring
people who specialize in what they do!
Our Industry is one that heavily relies on referrals and recommendations
so don’t be afraid to pay it forward! In the NOTES area, make
a comment about the things you spoke about while working together,
what they looked like, etc.
Maintain Your Connections!
While inputting their contact information, be sure to send them
a postcard (need a good deal on postcards? Go here: www.SharksPrinting.com)
or drop them an email. Always, include your contact information
(i.e. your cell phone and email address) and let them know that
you enjoyed working with them and that you hope to do so again.
If you have any photos of them from the set or the show, be sure
to include them.
Promote Yourself!
Now go ahead and surf through your other Industry Contacts as well
as your support team (family, friends, alumni offices, etc.) in
your ActorTrack
(or other address book/contact listing) and send postcards or emails
to tell them you’ve just wrapped such and such shoot or production.
Feel free to mention who you worked with, what character you played,
if the production might have a second run, go to festivals, have
theatrical distribution, if it has a Web site that they can visit
for updates, etc. Let your contacts know you’ll be keeping
them updated, or maybe direct them to your Web site where you’ll
post updates, a newsletter or blog of this projects’ progress,
reviews and final outcome.
Got A Special Skill?
Then consider offering it to help with Post-Production. If you’ve
worked on an Indie project and have some free time, why not offer
up one of your Special Skills? This is great for giving yourself
an opportunity to be more involved by working alongside some Industry
pros behind the scenes that you might not normally get to meet.
It might just earn you some extra money or an associate producer
credit. Plus you’ll be gaining experience for when you want
to produce your own film or play!
Are you good at:
- Keeping and accurate list of up-to-date contact
information for the cast and crew? Then why not offer
to start a listing on IMDb.com, email out to the group project updates,
use for invites to the Wrap-Party and Upcoming Screening.
- Photoshop (or other photo editing/graphic work)?
Then perhaps you can help with designing promo materials or the
film poster.
- Building Web sites? Maybe they
are looking for someone to help develop and maintain a Web site
for potential distributors, film festival administration and the
general public to visit for news and information.
- Collecting headshots, resumes and bios for the
cast and crew to edit for the Web site? This is a
great way to be in touch with other Industry folks and learn about
new projects that they might be involved with that YOU might be
right for!
- Doing research for festival submission information?
Then make yourself familiar with HoldOn Log's extensive listing
for Global
Festivals .
You’ve Been Recognized!
Speaking of festivals…if the project that you acted in was
accepted into a festival, then feel free to offer to attend it,
pass out promo materials and speak on a panel about your experience.
If you are using ActorTrack ,
don’t forget to log any Appearance Fees or Expense Reimbursement
for your taxes in the “Income and Expenses” area. This
is after all part of that project and you shouldn’t feel stressed
to ask them to assist or cover your expenses.
Feel free to now reconnect with your Industry contacts and promote
the continued success of this project. Postcard, send an email update,
list this on your Web site, etc. From start to finish it is great
to inform your contacts and other Industry people you want to work
with how things are going and any special recognition you’ve
gained.
Remember...
No one will know that you would be willing to do more than just
show up to act...if you’ve got Special Skills and an interest
to get more involved, then make an offer! Especially if this is
an Indie project and you worked for copy, credit, meals (and hopefully
a paycheck). Wouldn’t it be nice to be considered for another
project...with a bigger budget?!
It takes time to build relationships and it takes time to develop
projects that get recognized and the green light, so do your best
to be a professional and naturally you’ll be someone they
want to recast and work with again.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this three part series on the Indie
Actor! We’d love to hear your thoughts on how ActorNation,
our FREE monthly newsletter has assisted you in your career!
Holdon Log, LLC is the leading provider of performer
organizational logbooks and software for the performing community.
For more information about Holdon Log please visit www.HoldonLog.com
© Holdon Log. All Rights Reserved.
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