HoldOn Log

Organizing the Life of an Actor

As actors we often feel there are too many things to get done in too little time. Chances are you have to juggle between your day job and your career, and having a schedule that varies week-to-week (or even day-to-day) only makes it even more challenging to be on top of things. Face it! We have chosen the life of an actor, and it’s up to us to make it work. Fortunately, with a few simple organizing strategies, you’ll find yourself getting more done in less time. Today I’d like to highlight three tips.

#1 - Combine Your Tasks

Put stamps and address labels on your postcards while you watch TV. Choose an Industry networking event as your night out. Learn a foreign language or an accent so you can add it to your actors skill set. If you have a PDA with Internet access, do your online submissions while you wait in line at the grocery store or while having your car washed. Always be asking yourself: how can I get the most of my time? Is there a better way to do this-which leads to our next topic…

*Special Note*

Here's a tip for ActorTrack users; add your contact information in the “Contacts” section, include your mailing address and use this to print 30 Return Address labels for your hard copy headshot submissions. Hopefully you’ve also read our article on Performer Safety Awareness Part 1 where we discuss utilizing a PO Box - always! Also when you print your promo postcards be sure to have the PO Box pre-printed on the return address area so you don’t have to spend the time stickering your postcards and you will receive the undelivered mail back so that you can update your contacts’ information.

#2 - Outsource As Much As You Can

No, I don’t mean hiring someone in India to make phone calls to your agent for you (though that may not be a bad idea!), but there are many tasks that are plain dull that we have to do in pursuit of our spot in the limelight. For instance, mailing out 300 headshot packages to casting professionals. Why should you spend hours stuffing envelopes? With the cost of postage almost at a dollar to send one headshot package, hiring a marketing service to do it for you will save you both time and money. One service I use will drop off 100 of your headshots at the busiest casing offices in town for $40. Do your math: it breaks down to 40 cents per package. Most of these services will also provide you with a word document of where they have submitted you so that you can turn these addresses in to labels which will make mailing your follow-up postcards a breeze. Do your research, and find a marketing service that fits your budget and needs.

*Special Note*

Remember using a submission service is a tax-deduction so be sure to log and track this expense! In ActorTrack, you could log the $40 expense as “Office Supplies Stationary and Postage”.

#3 - Organized On The Run

Say you met an Industry connection at the gym, or you get called at the last minute for an audition while you’re at work, giving you no time go home to change or grab your headshot. You’re not worried, because you have everything you need in the trunk of your car. Get a few crates or cardboard boxes. At least one of the crates or boxes should have rails on the side for hanging folders.

Crate 1 is for office supplies. Add a few hanging folders to keep copies of your headshots, resumes and other promo materials. Get a couple of clear plastic food storage containers. These are great for a stapler and staples (to staple your headshot), some pencils and pens, a couple of highlighters, a clipboard (it’ll come in handy when you want to have some privacy in your car to breakdown your audition sides). Designate one container for business cards. Keep the lids on the containers, so the contents don’t fall out when you make a sudden left turn on the road.

Crate 2 is for a few wardrobe options. Keep this in the car for these last minute auditions. You might want to keep a lab coat in your car or other garments that suggest a specific type if you audition for "doctor" roles all the time. Have some “casual look” options if you often drive to your audition from your corporate job so you can make a quick change and look refreshed.

Crate 3 is for emergency car supplies. This crate should hold jumper cables, a jug of water, a spare quart of oil and if you are a do-it-yourself person, a small tire repair kit. You don’t want to miss an audition because your car won’t start, you need top off fluids or because you got a flat tire. I strongly advise you to join AAA’s Automobile Club Membership (www.AAA.com), which provides you with 24/7 roadside assistance and covers you in any car you are in. One service call or two will be worth your annual fee. Plus, you can get free maps at any AAA branch offices.

If you live in an area where you take public transportation, then get together a small garment bag to leave at your day job with a casual and corporate options and maybe a character prop garment or two and use a drawer in your desk to hang files and store extra headshots, resumes, business cards, promo postcards and Thank you notes.

*Special Note*

If you are a Holdon Log user use the back pocket to hold a selection of headshots/resumes, zed cards or promo materials and refresh often…especially if you’ve got a new show or air date to promote. If you are an ActorTrack user who likes to print the pages on the fly, then purchase a small binder at an office supply store to hold the printouts, your headshots and promo materials.

It's Time To Take Action...

Now that you learned a few new strategies, it’s time to take action. Set aside some time this week to get started. Keep in mind that organizing is not a one-time deal, but a life long habit. Devote some time each day to organizing your time and space. The 15-30 minutes that you spend today will save you 2 or 3 hours tomorrow. Get organized, and get ready to see a difference in your career!