TAN Power Groups

With the title "TAN Power Groups," and the copper hues it implies, this post could be downright Zefrontastic; but it isn't. TAN Power Groups are not a meeting of hard-bodies on the beach, but an amassing of pasty actor's in the basement of a pub/improv-venue in Hollywood. One of the benefits of joining The Actor's Network is that you are placed in what they call a Power Group. Essentially, it's a support system not entirely unlike AA. Actor's come together to celebrate what they've achieved, make public commitments about what they want to do, and then ask for help with issues that are beyond their ability to cope on their own.

There were two things that I found really helpful about the power group that I attended last Tuesday. The first was a segment wherein each person was given 3 minutes to talk about what steps they've made to progress their acting career in the past 30 days, and what steps they plan to take in the following 30 days. The second was the moderator's insistence that all important goals be given specific deadlines - if you're too chicken to call the producer who asked to see the script you wrote, mark it as a date in your Calendar and tell a friend that you will call them once the deed is done.

After taking stock of all that I've accomplished since arriving - I'm proud. I've done a heck of a lot considering I arrived a little over a month ago. I'm now going to introduce a section that I intend to post regularly (mostly for myself):

Career Accomplishments (8/1/07 - 9/18/07)

• Shot two student films (one for a USC student).
• Enrolled in an ongoing acting class with Richard Seyd.
• Joined The Actor's Network.
• Attended a slew of Q&As and Topical discussions with industry professionals.
• Registered with LA Casting and have been submitting to 5+ projects/day.
  
• Went on one Commercial Audition for a Japanese Alcoholic Beverage with a reputable casting director.
• Attended a 3-Day Fitzmaurice workshop taught be the teacher of the work.
• Attended one casting director workshop (at no cost).
• Registered with Sage Marketing for Actors.
• Have been keeping a career blog & increasing my readership.
• Secured flexible employment.
• Shot a non-union music video in Berkeley, CA.
• Did a modeling photo shoot with a friend, and have some images for my portfolio.
• Updated resume to match industry formatting.
• Booked a gig at LA Film School working with a renowned international director.
• This led to many other auditions.
  

Career Goals (9/19/07 - 10/16/07)

• Create an audition log database to store audition dates, times, CDs, clothing, audition pieces, etc.
• See some local theater productions and get a sense of the companies.
• Audition for 4+ theater productions with a new monologue.
• Book 2 student films that are usable for my reel.
• Sign up for some continuation of the Fitzmaurice voice work.
• Book more photoshoots, and build up a modeling portfolio.
• Try to get in with USC film students.
• Volunteer for a casting director.
• Practice working in front of a camera.
• Record audition video for the 1-Hr Fantasy Girl feature film.
• Send follow-up letters to agents/producers that Sage has been submitting me to.
• Send thank you notes to all production staff that I have worked with.
• Practice cold-reading out loud.
• TAN's Mandatory Goals
• Drive around town in traffic and try to figure LA out.
• Visit: ABC Prospect, Paramount, Sunset Gower, CBS TV City (in Fairfax)