4 Strategic Actions Actors Can Take During the Writers Strike
In case you missed it, as of 12:01 a.m. PT on Tuesday — a minute after its contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) expired — the Writers Guild of America (WGA) declared a strike. “Driven in large part by the shift to streaming, writers are finding their work devalued in every part of the business,” the WGA said in an earlier statement. “While company profits have remained high and spending on content has grown, writers are falling behind. The companies have used the transition to streaming to cut writer pay and separate writing from production, worsening working conditions for series writers at all levels.” The decision to strike came after six weeks of failed negotiations between the WGA and the AMPTP, and those interested in learning more about the decision can check it out here.
For actors wondering what to do during the strike — and the ensuing slowdown of productions — we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for four strategic actions you can take during the writers’ strike.
1. Check and update your actor’s toolkit.
We’re talking résumés, reels, headshots and your online profiles. Are the most recent credits listed on your résumé? How about on your reel? This is a good time to refresh the latter so you can be sure that the video representation of your work is up-to-date and best highlights you as an actor. Not sure where to start? The Casting Director’s Cut can help. And if you’ve been needing new headshots for a while, this is the time to start the process. Photographers can book out months in advance, and even if the strike ends before you get new pictures, now is the time to set them up. Book your shoot date and start conversations with your rep about the best looks to capture. From there, you can start pulling/purchasing wardrobe options as needed. And lastly, there are your online profiles. It can feel like a hassle to keep each one up-to-date, but trust us, your rep will thank you for it. That means all your relevant credits are posted, and your listed skills are current.
2. Freshen up your skills and get them on tape.
Speaking of skills, now is a good time to learn any new ones you’ve been thinking of acquiring. Or if you are no longer proficient at some of the skills you have currently listed, take this interim to practice. And get them on tape! It doesn’t have to be professional quality — just some good video showing that you actually have the abilities you say you do. Casting Networks allows you to upload the clip and attach it to the relevant skill listed on your profile so casting directors searching for an actor with a certain ability can easily see your aptitude for it.
3. Fine-tune your self tape setup.
If your self tape setup is less than ideal — i.e. you threw it together when remote auditioning became the norm and haven’t had time to fine-tune it — now is the time to take it to the next level. And it doesn’t have to be expensive. One key way to level-up your setup is rearranging your living space so that you can leave it up around the clock. When a self tape audition comes your way, time is of the essence since getting your tape in sooner rather than later can only help your chances of moving forward in the casting process (but never sacrifice quality). As soon as the notice comes in that casting is requesting a self tape, you’re immediately starting the process of finding a reader, researching the project, breaking down your sides, memorizing your lines, picking appropriate wardrobe, doing your hair/make-up, etc. You can take one item off the extensive list of things that precede actually getting to perform the audition if your self tape setup is always assembled and ready to go.
4. Try a new class.
Running through the aforementioned checklist of tasks that proceed filming each self tape audition leaves little room for exploring your craft while regularly auditioning. If you’ve been wanting to stretch yourself by experiencing a new technique, now is the perfect time. For starters, you can try out a science-based approach created by a deception detection expert-turned-casting director. Or maybe you want to start with how you’re perceived by people watching you. It seems like a pretty important thing to know as an actor, and when we heard one thespian’s casting story, he referenced the Sam Christensen Image Process as playing a key part in it. So, whatever class it is that you’ve been itching to take, this is the time to do it.
If nothing else, actors can use this time of a general slowdown on productions to check in with themselves. That can mean taking stock of their health and evaluating if any changes need to be made in that area. It can also include interpersonal relationships in your life and spending extra time investing in them. This interim has the potential to be a sort of reset for the actor as they get their affairs in order and explore their craft. And just a friendly reminder — neither the number of auditions coming your way nor the quantity of your time spent on set are what define you as an actor.
Looking to get your big break? Sign up or login to Casting Networks and land your next acting role today!
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