Some Tips and Common sense Things that may help you find work
By Brian Dragonuk
November 7, 2011
Over the last 2 weeks I have been asked by several members "Why am I not being cast?" or "How do I increase my Chances of being cast?"
The truth is that unless I am working directly with an Employer - I have no Idea what the Employer you applied to wants or needs. When Most Employers post a notice, they post looking for the widest possible acceptable responses they can get. Once they see who is available and willing to work, they choose the best people that closest fit their needs from those that responded.
I can also tell you Most Employers now use multiple e-mail addresses to Pre-sort responses (I have several myself, even though I seldom do any Actual Casting). They might need someone with actual medical training to be a nurse and direct replies to 1 e-mail address and in a separate posting direct all 35 year old male's that wear a 40 regular suit to fit a police uniform to reply to a different e-mail address.
I can also tell you that when I am extremely busy, people that respond but do not follow directions have simply excluded themselves from the Job - PERIOD.
When I say - Your Headshot & Resume most be properly labeled with your Full name (as the File name) all 300 replies titled "Headshot" & "headshot 4" or "Resume" & "Acting resume" are deleted without being opened. If you don't want to tell me who's Headshot or Resume it is-- I don't want to spend my time trying to find out. Nor do I want to try to find your Headshot or Resume in a pool of other un-named files stored on my computer.
When I say Put "Nurse" in the subject line and send it to this e-mail address anything without "Nurse" in the subject line is deleted without being opened because when I am in that file - I'm trying to cast "Nurses" and have no time to see what you want.
Any e-mail in my other 8 or so e-mail addresses With "Nurses" in the Subject line are also deleted because I'm only looking for Nurses when I'm in the "Nurse" File.
Think about it- If you can't follow the simplest of Directions - Why do you think I would want you on a set where everyone knows I sent you.
Don't get me wrong -- I want ALL OF YOU TO SUCCEED, but when everything you do is on MY REPUTATION, those that show they can follow simple instructions are at the top of the list- those that show they can't - aren't on the list at all.
1 other thing, when I go to look at your headshot and it is a 1mb, 2mb or 5mb photo instead of a properly sized 500kb or less Photo (when I open it - I see the entire photo on my screen not just 1 eye or 1/2 a nose because the file is so large) I just delete it-- If I can't see YOU - Why keep it - I need to see you to cast you???
You all know that I am totally computer illiterate. I Have Multiple Headshots and Different Resumes that I use for different castings so I Created a computer file that I keep properly sized Photos & up to date Resumes in.
When I need to reply to someone (I use g-mail it seems to handle the files the best and it is free) I just attach the best Photo and the best resume for what the Employer is looking for. I have attached up to 2 photos and or 2 resumes (but never more than that) - because each Photo and Resume is sized individually the Employer usually has no issues with this.
Because I created the file folder and keep it up to date - I'm always ready to respond-- whenever I need to.
Creating that file was very difficult for me at first. I Can't Tell you how many fellow Actors, personal friends, and family members came to my house to assist me in creating those files. Each did what I needed at the time and put the photo or Resume they worked on in my file for me.
I have some 40 Photo's of me in Civil war Uniforms (North, South, and Civilian), Police & Fire Uniforms, as a Secret Service Agent with Air Force 1 in the background, in my Tux, Business Suit and a host of other shots that I use along with my standard headshot - to get work.
I have 7 different Resumes (as well as My Standard Resume) each highlighting a different aspect of my work that is also sent out when I feel they would help me get a new job.
I will also tell you that over 95% of the Actors that could not upload their headshots to their DragonukConnects profile have been Photo's that are too large for our system. (With Resumes they are not the Required Word Doc's or PDF files but some other form of Documents that will not upload).
The point is getting jobs in this industry takes work. Organize your database and if you do not know how, find someone to help you. Make sure you read and follow all the instructions in the postings you submit yourself for. Obviously in this business, it is impossible to acquire all the jobs you submit for, but your ability to organize your database and follow the employer's directions for submission, will certainly increase your chances of acquiring more jobs.
One last Thought - When I say to e-mail me your Headshot and Resume, I want and need your headshot and Resume. Sending a link to a file or website address is not what I need or asked for. You can send it ALONG WITH what I asked for (I'll look at it if I have time or if I can't decide between you and someone else) but it can never be sent INSTEAD of my request.