. Arleo Dordar . Actor .Entreprenuer .Athlete

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Teamwork is one word! #team #joy #christmas #holidays #snow #ski #spirit #teamwork #work #cast

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Back off sud off , scram, Bon voyage! Brother from another father #films #Britain #Yorkshire #fans #life #color #space #movies #clouds

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WHAT MAKES A GOOD SCRIPT?

PRODUCTION COMPANIES’ SECRET: WHAT MAKES A GREAT SCRIPT?

It’s gold to both production companies and actors: the great script. If you’ve got it, you’ve got what it takes to soar. The production company with the great script has the secret key to drawing the talent and producing a great film. And for us actors, being part of that is as good as it gets. We too want the great script. However, sometimes production companies want you because of your potential (or accomplishments) and script be damned. Well, if working is your sole priority, you probably should go for it. But if you’ve gotten to that place in your career, you might want to be more selective about your career choices.

The challenge then is recognizing, what truly is (or is not) a great script?

KNOWING A GREAT SCRIPT WHEN PRODUCTION COMPANIES CALL

There has to be a through-line: a story that ties it all together. Yes, things can happen along the way, they should, but the script shouldn’t lose track of its driving purpose. Something has to be accomplished and there has to be obstacles. Digressing from this leaves a script at loose ends.

The protagonist must be compelling. The reader/viewer has to feel involved in the protagonist’s story. That doesn’t mean they have to like him or her. Nor does it mean that the protagonist has to be a nice or good person. (Can you say Tony Soprano?) But, in a well written script, we get caught up in the protagonist’s story, whatever we’d think of having him or her over for dinner.

And, what about structure; there’s plenty of script writing courses that will harp on upon the essential elements of structure. Yes, a story has to be told, in a compelling and economic way. But today we’re all living in the post-Charlie Kaufman world. Structure isn’t what it used to be. Don’t be afraid of a script that’s adventurous in how it tells its story.   

Finally, does it have something to say about the world? The best movies, and best movie scripts, tell us something about who we are.

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WRITING AND ACTING

WHY WRITING HELPS YOUR ACTING CAREER

 For some people perhaps it may sound like crossing signals: a confusion of the division of labour. Writers are supposed to create the words; actors are supposed to bring them to life. Yet, once you look a little more closely, that divide isn’t so divided as it might first seem. Even if we rule out the classic triple-threat auteur, such as Woody Allen, Sylvester Stallone or Kenneth Branagh, or the immortalized feel good break through story of Matt Damon and Ben Afflect with Good Will Hunting, there are probably more actors who do the double duty than you might think. Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton, Carrie Fisher and Steve Martin all have writing careers, in and out of film, that are completely independent of their acting careers. So why are all these actors writing? And why should you?

AN ACTING CAREER THROUGH WRITING

For one thing, maybe it’ll turn out you’re a better writer than an actor. Or, at least, in the short term, maybe you’ll get the big break writing before acting. Making a living, as a writer in the film industry, while trying to break in as an actor, would be a pretty sweet situation. You could make good money while establishing loads of important connections.

Or, maybe you’ll be able to write the screenplay that becomes the vehicle for your big acting break, as did Damon and Afflect, or Jon Favreau with Swings. Yet, even if none of those dream scenarios come to pass, there’s still good reason to write as an actor.

It can help you refine your craft. As you compose the story and relationships of characters, the writer has to dig deep into their motivations and fears in a way that can only benefit the actor in you. It will enforce in the actor an appreciation of a full-script perspective on any one character’s role. And writing demands a discipline from which the actor will necessarily benefit.

Double your options and allow them to cross

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MAKE A STRONG FIRST IMPRESION

MAKING A GOOD IMPRESSION ON YOUR FIRST FILM SET

Every film actor eventually has his or her first on set experience. Unfortunately, not every one of them makes the most of the opportunity to create a good first impression. There are definitely dos and don’ts which are essential for the actor who would prefer not to get fired or blacklisted. Just saying.

So, here are several things to keep in mind when you first find yourself on a film set. (Though, to be honest, some actors for whom it wouldn’t be their first might profit from this advice, too.)

 FILM SET ETIQUETTE

First, be polite and friendly at all times. There can be some pretty exhausting hours on a film set. And many actors don’t take sufficient account of the fact that many of the non-actors put in even longer, more exhausting hours. So the best thing for everyone is to be as polite and courteous as possible. No one makes friends by losing their cool under pressure; the new actor least of all.

Second, be on time. You’d think this would be obvious, but experience shows not. And, incidentally, when I say be on time, I mean, be early. If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time – unless you’re walking in the door reciting your lines – you’re late. If others are waiting on you, you’re costing the production money – in addition to whatever they’re paying you. But, if they thought you were worth more, they probably would have paid you more. Be honest about your worth and respectful of others.

It’s not uncommon for actors to develop a close relationship with the hair and wardrobe departments. They fuss over and prune the actor, to make him or her look great. But they’re not your servants or your parents. They have a job to do and it doesn’t involve cleaning up your mess. Don’t treat them like hotel chambermaids.

Finally, be prepared. You’ve been hired to do a job. Come to work rea

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STEPS TO BREAK INTO SHOWBIZ

WHAT STEPS CAN AN ACTOR TAKE TO BREAK INTO THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY?

I’m frequently asked the question, what are the steps necessary to break into the entertainment business. The truth is I could write a book with that title. Indeed, this entire blog is largely geared to answering that question. But, still, maybe a few quick thoughts in reply to the question might be helpful here. Maybe in fact I could ask you some questions, the answers to which might be helpful.

THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AND YOU

My first bit of advice would be to know yourself. And there are several dimensions to that little tidbit. First, do you really want to take on this life? Do you understand what is entailed? Can you afford the starving actor’s life? Where is the food money coming from until you get that big guest star role? And who exactly are you? If you dream of being a leading lady or man, are you sure you have what they want? Dreams are great, but a dose of reality is helpful, too.

My next bit of advice would be: know the industry. Who are the people that you need to make your dreams come true? Do they have any idea that you exist? If not, how are you going to change that? Is your strategy to change it something that is sustainable? If you’re going to find your way into the industry, you better understand how it works.

Finally, do you have the craft and repertoire for the job? Again, dreams are great, but can you deliver? Have you done the training? Have you done the personal introspection? Have you been working hard every day, preparing yourself for that moment when the big opportunity finally comes?

If you want my answer on how to break into the entertainment industry, I suggest you honestly answer my questions to yourself. Do that and you will have taken the vital first step.

  -Arleo Dordar

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STEPS TO BREAK INTO SHOWBIZ

WHAT STEPS CAN AN ACTOR TAKE TO BREAK INTO THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY?

I’m frequently asked the question, what are the steps necessary to break into the entertainment business. The truth is I could write a book with that title. Indeed, this entire blog is largely geared to answering that question. But, still, maybe a few quick thoughts in reply to the question might be helpful here. Maybe in fact I could ask you some questions, the answers to which might be helpful.

THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AND YOU

My first bit of advice would be to know yourself. And there are several dimensions to that little tidbit. First, do you really want to take on this life? Do you understand what is entailed? Can you afford the starving actor’s life? Where is the food money coming from until you get that big guest star role? And who exactly are you? If you dream of being a leading lady or man, are you sure you have what they want? Dreams are great, but a dose of reality is helpful, too.

My next bit of advice would be: know the industry. Who are the people that you need to make your dreams come true? Do they have any idea that you exist? If not, how are you going to change that? Is your strategy to change it something that is sustainable? If you’re going to find your way into the industry, you better understand how it works.

Finally, do you have the craft and repertoire for the job? Again, dreams are great, but can you deliver? Have you done the training? Have you done the personal introspection? Have you been working hard every day, preparing yourself for that moment when the big opportunity finally comes?

If you want my answer on how to break into the entertainment industry, I suggest you honestly answer my questions to yourself. Do that and you will have taken the vital first step.

[arleodordar]

STEPS TO BREAK INTO SHOWBIZ

WHAT STEPS CAN AN ACTOR TAKE TO BREAK INTO THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY?

I’m frequently asked the question, what are the steps necessary to break into the entertainment business. The truth is I could write a book with that title. Indeed, this entire blog is largely geared to answering that question. But, still, maybe a few quick thoughts in reply to the question might be helpful here. Maybe in fact I could ask you some questions, the answers to which might be helpful.

THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AND YOU

My first bit of advice would be to know yourself. And there are several dimensions to that little tidbit. First, do you really want to take on this life? Do you understand what is entailed? Can you afford the starving actor’s life? Where is the food money coming from until you get that big guest star role? And who exactly are you? If you dream of being a leading lady or man, are you sure you have what they want? Dreams are great, but a dose of reality is helpful, too.

My next bit of advice would be: know the industry. Who are the people that you need to make your dreams come true? Do they have any idea that you exist? If not, how are you going to change that? Is your strategy to change it something that is sustainable? If you’re going to find your way into the industry, you better understand how it works.

Finally, do you have the craft and repertoire for the job? Again, dreams are great, but can you deliver? Have you done the training? Have you done the personal introspection? Have you been working hard every day, preparing yourself for that moment when the big opportunity finally comes?

If you want my answer on how to break into the entertainment industry, I suggest you honestly answer my questions to yourself. Do that and you will have taken the vital first step.

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HOW HARD ARE YOU WORKING FOR IT?

IS ACTING HARD WORK?

It seems to be an age old question. Recently, George Clooney has said no, while Michael Gambon has said yes. Perhaps it depends a bit upon what you mean. Clooney compared it to tobacco picking and door to door insurance sales. Well, those jobs certainly sound like hard work. George has a point. Acting may not usually be backbreaking work like toiling in the fields with technologies that haven’t improved a lot since the middle ages. But acting hasn’t changed a lot since then either. And maybe George is underselling the job just a little. After all, for all his charm and good looks, there are thousands, if not more, just as charming and good looking, who are waiting tables and worse trying to keep bread on the table as they look for their big break. George didn’t get his by lounging on the couch, eating bonbons.

THE HARD WORK OF ACTING

Michael Gambon makes the point that the business is not getting any easier. The days in which he could get roles as a young man by slipping his head shots under the doors of BBC producers is long past.

Today, those who want to make a life as an actor have to be willing to put in long and exhausting hours, constantly striving to improve their craft and extend their repertoire. And that’s just to try and get a big part, much less what you need to do to turn it into a launching pad for your next great opportunity.

The age old debate about whether or not acting is hard work perhaps misses the point. It isn’t a question of whether acting is more or less hard work than picking tobacco. It’s the simple fact that if you want to succeed at anything; if you want to excel at anything, in this life, you have to be prepared to put in the hard work. And in that regard, acting really is no different than anything else.

If you enter the business imagining the lush life of the George Clooneys of the world, you’ll be in for a big surprise.

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LIFE IS A STAGE

LIFE IS A STAGE: LIFE LESSONS FROM ACTING

The uninitiated sometimes make the mistake of thinking that acting and theater are about fooling the audience: faking them out. In fact, though, the best acting and theater is about being as real as possible. And, as it happens, life in the industry can teach you some wonderful and hard won lessons about just what life is all about.

LIFE IS CAUGHT IN THE ACT

The acting experience comes with some very specific life limitations. Whether you’re working on the production of a major Hollywood film or in a BROADWAY production a few things are always true.

First, you have a budget and you have to stay within. The Hollywood film may have a lot more money to spend, but its expenses are much greater, too. Like any other walk of life, stage and screen require doing the best you can with very precise economic limitations.

Second, team work is essential. This kind of work is intense, usually involves long hours, and working with a wide range of people. Somehow, through all this, success requires everyone pulling together, in the same direction and doing their best to help others be the best that they can be. This is the essence of teamwork and nowhere is it more tested and necessary than in the world of acting.

Third, learning to deal with what needs to get done is at the heart of acting. In the actor’s world, things are constantly going wrong and given the limitations of budget, they are not infinitely correctable. Sometimes you just have to learn how to make it happen. Whether it’s missed lines, wonky props or malfunctioning recording equipment, sometimes the actor has to simply find a way of making it work. Whether we’re discussing life in business or the business of life often it is precisely this kind of “can do” attitude that is essential to success.

In these ways there’s little in life that prepares for life like t

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CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT-ACTING TIPS

TIP FOR ACTOR’S CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

How does an actor make his or her character believable? There are gifted amateurs everywhere, a dime a dozen, who can do a credible job of mimicking an accent or even an emotion. People do it all the time, for amusement and social advantage. The difference between this display though and the professional actor lies in the capacity for replication. Can you do it again? Can you do it slightly differently? Can you strike the same note in a different context? This is where the gifted amateur likely loses his way.

 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT FOR ACTORS

What distinguishes the professional actor is this ability for repetition and this repetition ability comes from having developed a character. The professional actor’s choice are not stabs in the dark, clichés or caricatures; they arise from fully fleshed out character development. How is this done?

If you search online for character development tips for actors you’ll likely find various lists of questions that prime the actor for looking in the right places to have a fully fleshed out character. Here some of the key questions you need to ask if you’re attempting such a character development:

1.      Who am I?

2.      Where am I?

3.       When is it?

4.      What choices do I face?

5.      What choices do I make?

6.      What makes me angry?  What relaxes me?

7.      What are my driving ambitions, my goals?

8.      Do I have any instincts?

9.      Do I do things impulsively?

10.  What do I worry about?

11.  What do I want?  What do others think I want?

12.  What do I need?

13.  What do I fear?

14.  Why can’t I get what I want?

15.  How do I get it?

If you can answer these questions, consistently and convincingly, you’re well on your way to having a coherent and credible character.

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ACTING TIPS-WINNING AUDITIONS

ACTING TIPS FOR WINNING AUDITIONS

Actors work long and hard to get that big audition opportunity, the one for the role that can really, finally set your career on course. It would be a shame to do anything less than you’re capable of once the occasion presents itself.

To avoid that happening, here are some tips you’ll find valuable in audition.

ACTING TIPS AND PREPARING FOR AN AUDITION

Be on time. Time is money; don’t start off with a new potential employer why wasting his.

Be prepared. Know the material. Memorize the lines! Not that it’s unheard of to read from the script, but if your hands and eyes are free to do other things, you can actually act. Plus, the time investment demonstrates a commitment to the project which will make an impression on those auditioning you.

And, yes, act. Acting means doing, not talking. Sure it’s important to have made your vocal choices, but there’s more to a character than that. Show it. Prepare to be that character from the moment you arrive at the audition.

Dress the part. This doesn’t require going crazy, over the top, and certainly don’t come in costume. But think about your character; how would she or he dress? Subtle details like this can make an impression on those auditioning you, even unconsciously. It can also help you better get into the role from the start.

Know your character. To act or dress like your character you have to know him or her. Read the entire script. Part of who we are is our relationships to others. Know your character’s relationships.

When you read, don’t drag those auditioning you into the scene by making eye contact with them. They’re there to observe you, not be drawn into your scene.

Be personable and confident. Advice admittedly that is easier to say than to do, or to explain how to do. But start with avoiding one word answers and not being afraid to ask questions.

Respect the work, respect yourself, and respect those auditioning you.  

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BREAKING DOWN THE SCREENPLAY!

TIPS ON BREAKING DOWN THE SCREENPLAY

Scripts have lots of information for a variety of different artists to make their contribution to the production. For our purposes, we’re interested in what we’ll call the SCREENPLAY. What does the script tell me as an actor that I’ll need so as to be able to give my best performance?

Whether you’re going for that big audition, or already have a role that you want to make the most of, doing your best will require effectively breaking down this script for you as an actor. Here are some suggestions.

THE SCREENPLAY BREAKDOWN

Always start by reading the entire script. Do not just focus on your own lines. Too many actors miss out on too much information and too many insights by beginning with a focus on their lines. The lines are all in context and if you don’t fully appreciate the context, you won’t get the texture of the lines right.

Then be sure you’re clear about the tone of the script. Is it a satire, a romantic comedy, a gritty street life drama? The very same line, in the superficially same circumstance, could be said in rather different ways depending upon the tone appropriate to script’s genre. Make sure you know it.

Next, ask yourself, who is your character? What is his or her relationship to other characters?

What’s the situation of the character? What is he or she after? Why that? And who stands in the way of getting what he or she is after?

How did this come to pass? Why is the character in this situation? If you’re reading for an audition this is especially important. If you don’t take account of what brought the character to the current situation, how are you going to be in a position to made valid and relevant choices about how the character acts in the situation?

There’s much more to effective script breakdown, but this quick overview gives you some key ideas with which to get started.

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ACTING - THE CRAFT!

 It takes a lot of unnatural acting to learn to act naturally. There are plenty of famous stories of successful actors who never took an acting class in their lives: Tom Cruise, Meg Ryan, Brad Pitt and others. This most definitely though is not the path of most actors.

There are many reasons for an actor to take formal classes. Making friends and connections, and having the opportunity to exercise one’s creative juices, are not reasons to be belittled. In a hard industry, these are important benefits.

After all is said and done, though, the greatest virtue of acting class can and should be the refinement of one’s craft. Actors can learn to be better actors. There are a wide variety of acting styles and orientations available. The most common orientation is scene study classes, where prominent scenes from theatre or film are read, blocked, practiced and often performed. This is great experience, especially for the new actor.

For those with a stronger background in stage acting, there are on-camera classes. Optimum voice levels, body placement and gestures all vary greatly between stage and screen. Success on screen requires knowing how to strike the right note. For those looking to work in commercials there are cold reading classes and there are classes oriented specifically to succeeding at auditions. There are also improv and singing classes.

THE MANY ACTING STYLES

Today, acting classes that focus on style and method tend to follow in a certain heritage. From Stanislavski’s focus on emotional memory and self analysis; to Strasberg’s drawing upon personal life; to Stella Adler’s emphasis on imagination; to Meisner’s famous repetition exercises; and Michael Chekhov’s focus upon conscious awareness. All to one degree or another emphasize something which might be characterized as method acting. This is the actor’s aspiration to establish some kind of emotional identification with the role she is playing.

Method is the currency of the modern acting world and one who has not yet learned to harness its power to his performance would be well advised to do so.  

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WHEN AND HOW TO ADVANCE YOUR BRAND WITH A PUBLICIST

The old line goes, say what you want about me, just make sure you spell my name right. It may be a bit of an overstatement to say that all publicity is good publicity, but it’s certainly a good rule of thumb that having your accomplishments more publicized is certainly better than having them less publicized.

As a consequence hiring a publicist is always a matter of some interest for actors. There is though some disagreement about when and how to make the best use of their talents.

YOUR PUBLICIST AND YOUR BRAND

A publicist has connections and knows how to get them for you. Some believe anything that gets the actor attention, by the right people, in the right context, is a good thing. Others believe that the publicity should come from solid accomplishment in acting work.

Such difference of opinion will likely persist in the industry, so you need to consider what kind of publicist and publicity you hope to have. Certainly there’s something to be said for keeping your ammunition dry until the big battle. Whatever the virtues of name dropping and celeb elbow rubbing, if you’ve got a big role coming out, which really has the opportunity to put you on the map, that’s certainly when you want a publicist working hard to ensure that as many of the right people as possible make a point of seeing your performance. When that time comes, it might be better not to have tired people with trivial publicity stunts.

Having said that, though, it doesn’t mean a publicist may not also be of value to the actor just breaking into the industry. At the very least, your publicist could act as a consultant on those venues that all new actors have to master: IMDb, your website and your social media profile.

So, while the biggest bang for your publicist buck may come with your breakout role, establishing early a good working relationship may pay dividends over the long term of an actor’s career.  

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WHEN TO APPROACH U.S AGENTS?

For an actor, the action is in Hollywood. If you want to make your mark in this industry, that’s where you need to be. It’s no simple task, though. The legal obstacles are significant, usually requiring a Green Card, though some will tell you a visa is sufficient. The truth though is that if you’re simply replaceable by an U.S. actor of equal ability, there’ll be no extra effort made on your behalf by any agent or production company. And that effort is the only way you’ll pass the legal hurdles, so you have to make them want you. And you particularly!

So, if you’re going to take all this on you should be certain that you’re ready for the big move. A key component in all of this is making sure your representation is in place. And whether you’re able to get the representation you need goes a long way in letting you know if you’re really ready.

First off, you simply need to be at the top of your game. If you’re going to the big pond, you better be a big fish. Proof of this will be some plum roles on your resume, as guest star or better still as recurring guest star even lead. Also, if you’re getting lots of call backs, you know you’re making the kind of mark that Hollywood will notice.

Once you’ve got the attention of U.S. agents, then you have to be sure you make the right choice. The larger agencies can feel impersonal, making a connection with someone can be vital. At the end of the day, though, what really matters is what they can do for you. What is the level of their experience and success? And do they get you?

After those points have been clarified you might look for more nuts-and-bolts things, like whether they’re willing to work on split commission with your Canadian agent. Building a strong team to support your career is essential for a successful transition.

You’ve got to be ready on all fronts. 

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