Reader: “Privileged” @ Cathy Henderson-Martin Casting.
As I’ve said in the past being a reader is an unbelievably, eye-opening experience. I had a lot of fun reading today for casting director Cathy Henderson. Most of the actor were late teens to early 20’s. Many of them were represented by agents and managers in the upper echelon of the business: ICM, Gersh, Innovative, Brillstein/Grey, APA, etc. It was quite obvious why some of them had the representation that they did, others not so obvious. Not that any were really bad, just inexperienced. It’s amazing how few credits some of them have, but others have been working for a long time.
After about two hours there I was offered a small part in the film; which I said yes to. Later I thought I might have made a mistake, thinking maybe it wasn’t the right decision…hmm. Not to worry. It’s a young director who will do more in the future I’m sure.
After leaving the casting office I stopped by KSA and talked with my commercial and print agents and filled them in on my consulting plan. They were very supportive and excited for me. I’m excited too. I made some phone calls inquiring about studio rental in New York; so I am trying to make things happen.
STEPHON FULLER launches consulting firm!
How well do you know "The Business of the Acting Business"?
Working actor, Stephon Fuller, is now available for group consultations.
Are you working hard enough?
More importantly, are you working smart enough?
How to use casting director workshops?
What about drop-offs?
Are you targeting the right shows?
Who has the power in your career?
What are your expectations - realistically?
What about the 90%/10% theory?
Are you "really" putting it out there to give yourself a fair chance?
Are you kidding yourself?
Learn from someone who is currently working, making a living in the acting business. Speak to someone who truly understands what an actor experiences on a daily basis. Learn alternative methods to build a solid foundation for your career.
The first seminar in Los Angeles will be Sunday, October 22nd, 11am-2pm - $100 per person.
Also - Attention New York actors planning to move to Los Angeles. Get current insight on what to expect in the LA market. Don't spend 2 or 3 years figuring it out? A workshop for New York actors planning to move to the LA market is in the planning stages. Let me know if you're interested. Please pass this onto any actors you think it may be useful for in any market.
7 comments:
Yu go boy!!!!! That is what I am talking about...get on the business side of it. Not saying stop acting, but we know that the real money is not in front of the camera, but behind it! Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaah Stephon!
Stephon: Send me something to send through my mailing list. Also, let me know if you need a website designed!...:)...
- Shenita.
Brilliant!
I'll be directing the emails I get RIGHT TO YOU NOW!
LOl
Congrats my friend! VERY happy for you. You've been a great friend and very supportive. I wish you nothing but the best!
If you work on this business venture only HALF as much as your acting hustle......It'll be a HUGE SUCCESS....FOR SURE!!!
Congrats again!
Great minds think alike....hint, hint. Good stuff man, make it happen.
i enjoy your blog and think it would be invaluable to any new/aspiring hollywood actor.
one word of caution tho, as experienced and knowledgeable as you may be, i would question the line you're crossing when you go from making money off acting to making money off actors. for me, it's a karma issue.
and if you're interested in teaching, you might check out the many, many arts orgs. that provide arts educations to the public schools... i would never try to turn a child into an actor, but there are some amazing skills our profession has to share that aren't offered in other subjects, i.e., ensemble building, self confidence and expression, language expansion, etc. (not to mention having a positive male artist role model)
Hey Cassandra,
Thanks for writing and expressing your concerns I really appreciate it.
If I understand you correctly, you think that my consulting venture is a bad idea. I think you misinterpreted something. I’m not “going from making money off acting to making money off actors”. I’m not retiring from acting; I’ve started the consulting firm in addition to my career as an actor. That’s one of the major benefits for clients; I am currently in the game. No, “used to do it”, “wanted to do it”, “wish I was doing it” – no, I AM doing it - on a daily basis.
You mentioned "karma"; as if I have something bad coming to me based on something else. I agree that I'm crossing a line, but it seems that you feel crossing that line is a bad thing. I'd love to know exactly why you think it's a bad idea. You're not very clear on that point.
It seems that at least part of the reason you think it's a bad idea is because I would be "making money off actors". Do you have the same feelings about photographers, coaches, agents, managers, publicist, etc.? I prefer to look at it as "helping actors to move forward in their careers". Why? Well, because that's exactly what it is - nothing more, nothing less.
Is your problem with it "an actor helping other actors for a fee" or "'Stephon Fuller' helping other actors for a fee"?
I'm curious as to how you feel about the scores of actors that contact me and ask for career advice. This has been going on for years – even before I moved to New York. How does "karma" come into play for them? They are asking me for something for free that I've worked and invested a tremendous amount of time and money to learn? Are they too crossing a line? Are they not trying to gather knowledge from me with hopes of making a profit? Personally, I think they are smart actors.
You commented that you think my blog is "invaluable to any new/aspiring hollywood actor". Thank you; that is a very powerful testament to what I've shared over the years. That is the type of visceral response you cannot buy; it would help get the word out to more actors that need direction in their careers. Obviously you're aware that I have been sharing that "invaluable" information for free for years?
Are you suggesting that?
I stop sharing with actors.
I don't start sharing for a fee – actually, I have been doing it on a very small scale for a time.
I teach in public schools.
I am not sure why you think I should share with arts organizations in public schools instead of my target audience - especially when I know exactly who my target audience is. Why would I steer clear of the audience that would benefit the most from what I have to offer? That’s just bad business.
Also, just so you know, I have spoken to the students of Reseda High in Van Nuys on two separate occasions - four different classes of 25-35 students. Free. I plan to do more of that in the future; also to colleges and universities.
Are you suggesting that I'm not qualified as a consultant on "The Business of the Acting Business"? Is that part of the reason you think my business venture is a mistake? Who do you think is as qualified or more qualified than myself?
Back to "karma". I think part of the reason I've had so many wonderful things happen in my career and continue to happen is because of "karma". I've given away a tremendous amount along the way - my blog being only part of it and I give freely. Now, I have started a business and the marketplace will determine whether it's a bad thing or not.
I'm sure you're not the only person who feels the way you do and I’m really glad you shared those feelings with me. Unfortunately I rarely get to look people who feel this way in the eye or even talk to them. It’s usually posted or sent to me through an alias, but I always have my name attached to my writings. I’m okay with that, I understand the price of being so public with my writings.
BUT, silly as it may be, it would be great to actually sit down and talk to you so I could get out of the grey area and find out why you say what you do. So there’s no grey area, for the record, I would love to get to talk to you. Is it possible for you call me?
It’s just a little confusing because in one sentence you say my blog is “invaluable”; then in the very next sentence you say “as experienced and knowledgeable as you may be”. Which is it? Do you think my knowledge is “invaluable” or “alleged”?
Thank you so much for your time, support, constructive criticism and kind words.
Stephon Fuller
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