Management
"Making It"
Knowledge, Wisdom, and Guidance
by
David Hamilton
Managing Yourself
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As a self manager, you will need to keep track of all the people you talk
to, all of the names, numbers, and e-mail contacts. This way, anytime you are on
to a new project, you can call all of the people you know, and send them an
e-mail as well, letting them know what you are doing. Let's say you are a
young actor doing a play. As you do the play you are meeting different people at
events, school events, outdoor events, right ? Take down the names and numbers
of the people, and send them an e-mail whenever you are on to your next play.
These people become silent supporters, they spread the word of mouth promotion
you need, and you have a new fan base as well. When ever there is a fund raiser
for your group or community theatre, write a personalized e-mail to these people
and let them know what you are doing, and why. Keep in touch with the directors
you meet, you never know when one of them is going to need your work. By keeping
in touch with them, they stay on your mind, and you stay on their mind as a
possible candidate for work. I have a friend of mine who is a film student in
Chicago. I wanted her to help me promote the band I was working with, and it
turned out she was casting and directing a huge movie for her class and she
wanted me to take part in the movie. Not only that, she had heard some of my
tracks on my solo CD and she wanted me to write some effects for her film as
well. This is a good example of self managing, promoting, marketing, and
creating word of mouth. As a manager for yourself, you will be doing the same
thing. Even when things seem like they are overwhelming, self management means
staying on top of the situation and always paying close attention to the fine
details you are being asked of if someone wants you to be a part of a project
that will promote your work. As an actor, you want to be doing as much work as
possible, so remember to offer your art in the beginning to do as much as you
can to get attention. Audition for as many roles as possible. Even if you think
you have no chance at a part, audition, you never know when someone will notice
that something small about you that will be perfect for what they are looking
for.