Blog Stage - Acting in Film, TV, Theatre - Backstage

Sabotaging Your Success

When you go to Macy's one too many times during the month and you go to the counter  to purchase that hot item, only to hear: Declined!.  It's not a good feeling. What went wrong?  You did not stop to ask yourself: Can I afford it?

Are you always rushing to make it to your auditions only to be late every time?  Just like that frivolous purchase at Neiman's, as an actor, you should also be ready to answer the question : Can you afford it? 

Here are some ways we artists all sabotage our chances for success in this industry.  See if any of these look familiar.

New York Auditions at a Glance – Nov. 20-28

The following "Auditions at a Glance" calendar conveniently organizes projects by the date and day-of-the-week that the projects' auditions are taking place, to help you schedule your plans.

Click on any of the following links to see the casting and job notices related to the dates and project titles highlighted below.

California Auditions at a Glance – Nov. 27-Dec. 5

The following "Auditions at a Glance" calendar conveniently organizes projects by the date and day-of-the-week that the projects' auditions are taking place, to help you schedule your plans.

Click on any of the following links to see the casting and job notices related to the dates and project titles highlighted below.

Regional Auditions at a Glance – Nov. 27-Dec. 5

The following "Auditions at a Glance" calendar conveniently organizes projects by the date and day-of-the-week that the projects' auditions are taking place, to help you schedule your plans.

Click on any of the following links to see the casting and job notices related to the dates and project titles highlighted below.

East Coast Casting Highlights - 11/25/08

Every week Back Stage publishes hundreds of notices -- casting notices, entertainment-industry job notices, and calls for submissions to talent contests and film festivals. Back Stage is the premier resource for actors, dancers, singers, comedians, and all performing artists -- plus those talented individuals working behind-the-scenes, including writers and crew -- looking for quality opportunities.  BackStage.com's casting database includes all of the notices from  the  popular weekly Back Stage publications  , plus hundreds of additional items.

EAST COAST:

Below are a few highlights from this week's East Coast notices, compiled by East Coast Assistant Casting Editor (ACE) Sri Gordon:

When Your Best Friend Can't Act

You and Susie are besties.  You have been best friends since you were three.  Coincidentally, you're both out in Los Angeles to pursue acting careers. Here's the scenario:  Your BFF Susie asks you to view her new demo reel.  She's excited.  You know because she says, "I'm super excited!"  A feeling grips your gut like you have just eaten too many McDonald's Egg McMuffins after a night of excessive Buttery Nipple shots.

Get Serious About Clown School in 2009

We know what you want for Christmas: clown school! Who doesn't want clown school? Seriously, you should check out clown school.

The perfect clown school is back in session just after the New Year -- a series of workshops in the Bouffon style taught by master clown Eric Davis, also known as Red Bastard.

Bouffon clowns bill themselves as anti-clowns, using a technique in which the audience is the joke and parody is the theme. Bouffon clowns show no vulnerability, value intelligence and charm, celebrate contrast and paradox, both hate and flatter viewers, and are the ultimate manipulators.

The Oscar vs. The Lover: Finding the Balance

As an actor, how do you master the art of having a relationship and the commitment of winning at a very challenging career?  First of all there is the question: Do you date another actor? 

If the answer is no, which it often is, then the second question can be tricky.  Is your other half one-hundred percent behind your career?  I have seen many people fall in love and have to choose. 

Australia, Australia, Australia!

Forgive the headline, but I can't see the title for Baz Luhrmann's new epic and not think of the classic Monty Python routine. Anyway, the Nicole Kidman-Hugh Jackman starrer opens tomorrow and Jackman will also be gracing our cover this week. I was able to score some time with him last week and found him to be every bit the charming, funny, polite gent he's rumored to be. And did I mention tall? I also uncovered his dirty little secret--he's not as perfect as you all think. Yeah, yeah, he's got a 12-pack of abs and a gorgeous face, but he pointed out something to me I'd never noticed before...he has VIRTUALLY NO EARLOBES!!

Wendy and Lucy and Marley and Me

Check out the new trailer for Wendy and Lucy, an indie drama starring the lovely and beautiful Michelle Williams. The Oscar nominee for Brokeback Mountain plays a young lady trying to make her way to Alaska without much money, support, or good luck.

Now you probably won't ever get this girl-and-her-dog story confused with that other pooch project, Marley and Me, a comedy starring Jennifer Aniston about a family learning life lessons from an adorable but naughty puppy dog.

Which one are you more interested in?

--Anna Bengel