Thursday, April 30, 2015

Ask A Stage Goddess - What Do I Do After A Win?



All victories large or small are to be celebrated!! 


It’s the last day of the Ultimate Blog Challenge and it’s time for us to celebrate! The month passed so quickly and I am reminded that we can do anything we say we can do with commitment and accountability.


I’d like to thank everyone who left a comment on my blog. I’ve enjoyed reading the blogs of my fellow UBCers and have become a fan of a few. I hope to continue to be enlightened, educated and entertained by those whom I will continue to follow.  Please do the same. Re-visit my blog from time to time, Like/Friend me on facebook, Follow me on twitter & Instagram and by all means check out the Ask A Stage Goddess series on YouTube if you know anyone pursuing a career in show business.




I love the diversity of this group and no matter what your area of expertise, remember:

Be A Star Where You Are !

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Ask A Stage Goddess - So What Do I Do At The Callback?



Congratulations for getting one step closer to booking that job! We’ve talked a lot about clothes and the video below addresses why you should go in looking exactly the way you did for the first audition so let’s talk about the process.

If you ever get a script before an audition, read it! It gives you so much more to work with and a clearer picture of how your character helps to tell this story. Read your sides over including stage directions for more clues on how to enhance your character. Like I’ve said before now is not the time to come up with something completely brand new from your first audition but sometimes little subtleties can make a big difference. Make strong choices and also be able to make adjustments. The team wants to know that you can hold your own and take direction. 

In the waiting room stay focused and avoid small talk with your fellow actors until after the audition. You’ll be to notice the same faces from audition to audition. You become friends with your peers over the years, however now is not the time for a reunion party. It is rude to those in the room and a distraction from what you are there to accomplish.

There are often a lot more people in the room at the callback. Producers, writers and of course the director. It is very serious business. This is not the time to chit chat, showoff or be cute (as my mom would say). The casting director will probably read with you and you may notice that they are more serious at this level. You’re trying to get a job and they’re trying to keep theirs. Remember they want you to succeed and even if you don’t book, they look good if you “do good”.




Stay focused, do your research and be prepared.
Try to be unattached to the outcome. Do your best and move on.

Some will, Some won’t, So what…..Next!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Ask A Stage Goddess - What Do I Wear For My Headshots?



Here is one of the headshots from my most recent photo shoot a few weeks ago. I, like many actors, do not even really enjoy this part of our job. Unlike models I hear who absolutely love it! Maybe because they are getting paid. Actors hope to land a job as a result of having good headshots.  It is probably the most important tool of the trade. At the very least it will get us in the door.

I went through my closet and pulled out a lot of different “looks”. You really only need to be concerned with tops: shirts, blouses, jackets, sweaters, etc. since we only see the upper part of your body for headshots. (I must note that the pink I am wearing in this photo and the video is a dress). I was going for colors that look good on me, bright and colorful for commercials and darker colors for the more dramatic look for TV and film. The photographer helped me choose my wardrobe, he knew exactly what backdrop to use for each look. He is also phenomenal at lighting for Black actors which is important and not to be taken for granted. 



Let’s talk about hair and make up for a minute. For the men, if you are an actor, you should already be familiar and comfortable wearing make up for the camera, so you might want to put on a little powder to help keep down the shine. Ladies, I heard an amazing tip recently. DO NOT hire a hair stylist and make up artist for your photo shoot!! Why? Because you are the one who will be doing your own hair and make up for every audition. The last thing you want to do is submit a photo that doesn’t look like you when you walk into the audition room. You can definitely style your hair differently in your photos and change up the make up for a specific look if necessary. The more natural the better.

Get a good night’s rest, be one time and be prepared…Camera Ready! I like to listen to music during the shoot, it relaxes me and gets me into character. So load up that playlist on your iPhone and have fun!!

Monday, April 27, 2015

Ask A Stage Goddess - How Do I Work This Vision Board?



If you’ve been following me for a while, you may have noticed that I believe in the power of the vision board. I’ve been using this tool for many years since I first heard about them in a book called Creative Visualization. Back then they were called Treasure Maps. You can create a vision board at any time but I particularly find them valuable for setting goals for a new year. Here’s my advice to someone who wrote to me in Jan. 2010. I’ve made a few slight adjustments in my answer to bring it up to date.

Dear Stage Goddess,
OK, so I've made my list of things I want to accomplish this year and created my vision board, but it seems so overwhelming.  How am I gonna do all this?
~ HELP!

Dear Help,
Congratulations on creating your road map for the new year.  When you look at your vision board you are looking at your destinations.  Now it's time to plan your trip and that can only happen one mile, one step at a time. 
Pick one "destination" and break it up into smaller parts.  Work at it little by little until it's done.  Then move on to the next.  I wouldn't try to tackle all of your goals at the same time. Also, life happens and you must take time to relax and enjoy the ride.  So what if you don't accomplish all of your goals this year?  You may decide to move a goal forward to next year or remove it altogether. You are the designer of your life.
For example, I can't tell you how long I had been working on my website. First I had to do research to see what kind of site I wanted, then I had to get all of the components to my web designer, Barb Gottlieb of Gottgraphix. That took awhile but once it became a priority and we gave ourselves a deadline, we made it happen.
The result is at www.carleaseburke.com. Check it out I think you'll like it.

 
Have fun on your journey.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Ask A Stage Goddess - Is It Too Late For Me?




Today's Ask A Stage Goddess video was inspired by a question that I answered in my Carlease's Bits n Pieces monthly ezine.  I've re-posted it here exactly as it was published in July 2010.

Dear Stage Goddess,
I once had a promising theatrical career but got sidetracked with work and taking care of my family.  Now I feel I'm too old to get back in the game.  As a mature woman making it in this business, what are your thoughts?
~ Is it too late baby?
Dear Too Late,
To quote the title of one of my favorite childhood movies, It's Never Too Late. The motto of Ask Stage Goddess is: Be A Star Where You Are.  I know for a fact you are still keeping those creative juices flowing because I see (and hear) you singing in the choir at church, but as far as your professional acting career, it's there waiting for you whenever you decide to make that move. There are roles out there for everyone in all mediums of this business.  If you have time, maybe do a play to start working those acting muscles again.  Since you've been away for a while make sure you are current on how things are done now as far as electronic submissions, promoting yourself on the web, social networking, color photos, etc.
Within the past two months, I have been placed in a caregiver situation for my mother due to her involvement in a car accident. One of my biggest concerns is how to care for her 3,000 miles away from my career in California.  I may have to take a little break from the industry and that makes me feel quite uneasy.  My career is going quite well right now.  I just got accepted into Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (the Emmy people), got a new voice over agent, and am building my star list of clients for Ask Stage Goddess. It feels like this is the worst time for something like this to happen, but I know my Mom's care has to come first. As my agents and managers have told me, we'll be right here when you get back.




"How can we miss you if you never go away?" ~Unknown