Fall 2014
THE
SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory
BEING A PROFESSIONAL By David Westberg Welcome to a new year at the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory. We hope it will be a richly rewarding experience for all of us! The committee is very anxious that you keep us in the loop with your adventure here on the hill. Tell us what you like and want to see more of. Conversely, tell us what’s wrong and needs fixing. And we will return the favor. I am a firm believer in the adage, “An informed actor is an empowered actor.” The better we can prepare you for a successful career, the better Conservatory we will have. That’s why we have designed a program which explores many aspects of the industry, not simply the mastering of your craft. The “business” of show may seem very intimidating, especially if you are a newbie. As you learn more about it and it’s foibles, it will become less so… “informed is empowered.” This is, in the end, a very small company town! Webster lists one of the definitions of “a professional” as “a person who IN THIS ISSUE: earns a living in a sport or other occupation frequently enHow to Register for 3 gaged in by amaClasses teurs.” And while it might take a bit of Workshop time to “earn a living” 4 as an actor, when you Schedule joined SAG-AFTRA, you announced to the Workshop world that you were Descriptions and 5 now a professional, who would deliver a Times professional product to the marketplace, Conservatory Rules and 8 and, in turn, you expect the respect and
Regulations
rewards of a professional. Now you have to step up to the bat and be it! Below is a letter from a commercial casting director to agents in Los Angeles (reprinted with permission). It represents a problem that has plagued the Conservatory for some time now, actors not showing up for classes or casting sessions. The casting director has put it so much more eloquently than I ever could, so I am passing it on to you, as gospel. Read, grasp and digest it. “The last several jobs I've done, the amount of cancels are out of control. Not only that but the amount of people that are confirmed who all of a sudden cancel right before they're due to come here is astronomical. It is so unfair to the actors in this town that want to work. I implore you to send out a mass email to your rosters once again reminding them that this is a job interview, not a hobby. Not only that, I need you to start being honest and not just confirming people when they are not in fact confirmed. I have to look through over a thousand submissions per role on average. I usually select 30 people, max. That takes a lot of time and energy. If you know me at all I'm an equal opportunity casting director that actually goes through every submission. I'd appreciate if the same respect was given to me from you and your talent. Let's have a wake-up call to remind actors that this is a serious business and remind their theatrical reps to communicate with you. Thanks.” Nothing will snuff out your career faster than an air of irresponsibility directed toward others in the industry trying to do their job. Agents will drop you, and casting directors will simply move to the next name on the list. There are too many good, responsible actors who want to get in the room and show the powers that be who they are and what they can do! Before you can recite your monologue, you’ll be wondering what ever happened to that elusive brass ring. Whoops! Awwww…it just passed you by! Be well, enjoy the year on the hill and treasure what you get to do every day!
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