Marketing Tips For Actors - How to Figure Out Your BRAND!

1. First, Figure out your "TYPE"

What is your type and why is it necessary in the casting process for roles on TV or in Film and Theatre? Because it's the easiest way to narrow down the choices for a Casting Director to screen and audition potential actors. Sometimes in the description on the "Breakdowns" - a service that lists all roles being cast in the industry on any given day- a character is defined by 4 criteria: SEX, AGE RANGE, PHYSICAL TRAITS-height, weight, hair, eyes- or ETHNIC BACKGROUND, and "QUALITY" (meaning PERSONALITY).

So for example, let's say they are casting a role on a Soap Opera or Primetime Drama. The breakdown for a new role of a Doctor might read:

Male/Female, 40'-50s, tall and attractive-any ethnic background, wise ass, impatient/temperamental personality...a sort-of younger Dr. House.

The Casting Director may receive submissions for both men and women who look at least 40-60.

Hundreds/thousands of actors fit into this category or description. The decision is then up to the Producer, Executive Producer, head writer or a committee of the above. The casting director just follows the order of finding someone in this RANGE.

So, break down your 4 criteria: SEX, AGE, PHYSICAL TRAITS and QUALITY. The first three are pretty easy. You know that about yourself.

Some examples of "QUALITY":

If you are shy or soft spoken that usually implies Upper class, elite, delicate, refined.

If you are loud, have a booming voice and a commanding presence you might play: a tough professional (lawyer) or a blue collar, middle class person (policeman, construction worker), plumber, cab driver

If you have a quirky off beat personality you might be cast as a computer geek, a nosy neighbor, a goofy office worker or a comedic hairdresser.

2. Then, Add your "UNIQUE QUALITY".

What makes you totally unique? Ask 10 friends, family members and associates from what ever recent job you've had. If you get 3 or more similar "words" to describe you-that's your "unique quality".

Examples of UNIQUE QUALITIES:
Luscious big curly red hair
very petite or skinny
ridiculous laugh
foreign accent
super tall/big
high pitched or squeaky voice
sexy, sculpted body
goofy smile
weird murderous look in your eye
mellifluous voice

3. Put the two together and what have you got? YOUR BRAND!

FIRST , Write down your four Criteria, add your UNIQUE QUALITY and then define your BRAND in one sentence:

Super tall girl-next-door with luscious red hair and a goofy smile and a deep voice= Brenda Star meets Rhoda

SECOND, Match your self-description to the Specific TV SERIES out there on which you could appear.

Ugly Betty? Weeds? How I Met your Mother?

If you can define yourself in one sentence you can write your own breakdown description which means you can:

1- Make a match to any show
2- Tell an agent the above (they'll work with you sooner!!!)
3- Market yourself ACCURATELY through your marketing tools-headshot, resume, demo reel, email blasts, website, postcards.

Successful marketing!

Gwyn

Gwyn Gilliss is the Executive Director of TAM,The Actor's Market (http://www.theactorsmarket.com), a marketing firm for actors. They provide every marketing tool an actor needs - HEADSHOTS, RESUMES, BIOS, DEMO REELS, CAREER COACHING, MARATHON SEMINARS to meet the Industry- AGENTS & CASTING DIRECTORS - as well as FREE monthly seminars, FREE weekly marketing tips and access to top photographers, graphic artists and videographers to create great demo reels (sizzle reels). There are Training courses via teleseminars, downloadable Podcasts and Home study courses with DVD's and the Actor's Mastermind a monthly FREE teleseminar for all actors globally. (check for more products and services at http://TheTAMStore.com Gwyn's acting career spans several decades during which time she appeared on and off-B'way, in classical roles in American Repertory companies, in over 18 contract and recurring roles in Daytime/Primetime TV, Films and dozens of network commercials and voice-over's. As a Career Coach she is available to work One-on-One (teleconferencing) with actors at ALL levels on ALL continents