How I get work as an Actor without a Manager

Getting work in New York as an Actress seems close and near to IMPOSSIBLE. We all have heard that NY is a great hub for actors, models, theater performers, and entertainers, but we weren’t told how the city is saturated with aspiring entertainers and established ones which creates a massive pool of competition.

So how do I get awesome gigs in NYC, WITHOUT an agent?

Keep reading.

To start off, if you know my story you’d know I didn’t move to New York to act. Acting wasn’t even a thought of mine, but one day I was scouted at a model casting for a featured role on a TV show and umm I was NOT in a place to be turning down work so, I took the opportunity!

Ever since, I fell in love with acting and haven't looked back. Over the three years I’ve been in the city I've focused most of my attention to the career of Acting for many reasons, but mainly because it was “easier” on my body then maintaining a slim physique needed in modeling industry, see image below:

After establishing my reality as an Actor vs. Model, even though I dabble in modeling, it made it easier to seek for jobs that aligned with my current goals.

So getting into how I get work as an Actor, without a manager, you must understand this I DO NOT WORK EVERY DAY and there are slow seasons in this industry where budgeting is crucial to continue your dreams.

1. Casting everywhere possible

Google should be your best friend when searching for job opportunities. Search Acting websites, facebook, social media, even craigslist (but be VERY careful with that one).

2. Networking at castings, sets, and in life

NETWORK,NETWORK, NETWORK! That will be your biggest tool. Ask other actors what’s happening. They either will tell you or won't. Let them know you're new and eager and some are happy to help, while others well.. you know it’s all competition! A lot of work I've gotten has been through word of mouth, so don't underestimate the power of networking.

3. Taking photos, retaking photos, and more photos

Before you take your pricey Headshots do A Lot of research on what “your look is”. Why? 1) it will save you time and money and 2) your photos are the first contact with casting directors that will help decide if you’re right for the job. As you spend time with the shots you’ve taken you will see, by which ones you’ve applied with, has landed you a job. If after a couple months with those shots and you haven’t landed work or auditions, that’s a MAJOR sign to retake some photos. If your photographer was cool and you let him know those images aren’t working out he might retake some or charge a small fee. HOWEVER, one of the best things we have now is good light and our cell phones. You better set your own shoot up and GET TO WORK. I’ve gotten a lot of work by simply taking snap shots with my cell phone.

4. ALWAYS WORK ON YOUR LOOK

Continuing from #3, work on your look. Do you think shorter hair, colored hair, colored hair, or straight hair will increase your possibilities? Maybe you need to gain or lose weight? You could simple highlight your greatest attributes such as your smile, your eyes, or your body! I’m always working on my hairstyles which one fits “the character”. Some seasons I have to gain a bit of weigh and others I need to lose it without looking too muscular.

5. Be open to the unexpected

Be open to the jobs you REALLY want and also the jobs you’re not to excited about. The jobs you really want will always be at the top of your list but you may not be at the top of theirs. But the jobs you don’t want anything to do with probably want everything to do with you. Those are the jobs that will place you as a lead, pay you a little something, give you a reel, and simple befriend you for future opportunities. I’ve gotten other jobs by simply knowing a director from a smaller role I worked with him on, on another set. Be open to the job opportunities you WERE NOT expecting to be your “highlight”. You ever heard the quote “sometimes its just the small things”? That's what I'm referring to.

I hope this helps lead you to getting more work in the Film & Television industry. If you have more tips that help that you want to share with the acting community. Don't forget to stay connected.

Blessings, Lee!

5 ways to Rebalance your energy

Here are 5 quick ways to rebalance your energy:

1) BE STILL 

- By being still you get to stop and listen to what your mind, body, and soul are saying. In this generation we are ALWAYS attainable, which allows people to access us 24/7. This can be dangerous when you don't have a routine of rebalancing your energy. You'll wonder why you're so drained and tired all the time. Spend time with your phone off an your spirit connected.

2) Spend Time with yourself

- Do you know who you are? What you like? What you like to do?

We spend more time with people than with ourselves. You might have to plan this, but spend a day or two without your phone and spend time with YOU! If you don't have your own place talk to your roommates or family and let them know you're going to be in your room for X amount of hours to regroup. If you can get a hotel for a day or two that would be better, but do what you can where you can. 

3) Meditate and Pray

- Mediation is the process of silencing your mind and external world to hear what your internal reality is saying. Your spirit and soul speaks, but you have to have a discerning ear to hear. Praying is the process of releasing burdens, worry, stress, and good things. Praying helps let go of heavy weights that you knowingly and unknowingly carry. When you pray and meditate it restores and increases your spirit, which gives you strength to fight another day.

4) Spend time doing things YOU love

- Again, do you know what you love? Examples can include shopping, time with your close family and friends, eating food you can't always have, creating, dancing, a jog, and so much more. This is a unapologetic thing to do because it's what makes YOU happy! We often feel bad about doing what WE genuinely love, but during this time DON'T.

5) Read & Write

- Reading and Writing have two different purposes when it comes to the brain system. Reading stimulates your mind, increases growth, and gives your mind a break from reality. Writing on the other hand, allows you to release feelings and thoughts from your mind. It also allows your fingers to create. Reading is another form of meditation as you are silent and digesting what is being given to you. Writing on the other hand is like praying, you are spending time releasing thought, feelings, and emotions.

I hope this helps in your process of rebalancing your energy. If you have additional ways that you'd like to share email or comment below and I'll be sure to add it on the next part of rebalancing your energy. God Bless, Lee.

Time to Persevere

Its time to Level Up, and PUSHHH!! 

Perseverance Defined:

per·se·ver·ance

ˌpərsəˈvirəns/

noun

steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Perservance is a powerful word that has gotten me through difficult seasons when I wanted to give up. Life is a continuous journey that doesn't stop until you die. I know that's harsh but it's truth. The pace you decide to go is up to you.

You can walk, jog, or run, but the reality is to keep moving. Some may move at a faster pace and that's fine, your goal is to figure out which pace you should be moving at in the different seasons of your life. There are some moments where I'm crawling, lol, and there are other times where I'm on a full sprint, but tis the season to PERSEVERE. 

*I just really wanted to post this picture, but lets get into formation of perseverance *

This is the season where things can seem to be moving slow as we transition from winter to spring. The time is changing, the weather is changing, simply put A LOT of things are changing wether we see or feel it! As an Actor around this time it gets TOUGH financially because there isn't a lot of work happening because pilot season is JUST rolling in.

I've been saying, on social media, ITS TIME TO LEVEL UP! I'll do another post on that because it has so much more meaning, but it truly is time!

Persevere! Persevere! Persevere!

Keep going even if you're tired, broke, trying to figure it out, or WHATEVER.

Perseverance simply means to keep going!

 God Bless, Lee.

VIDEO. : https://youtu.be/IbtDDG0ivYc