7 Deadly Sins - The Actor Overcomes: Business of Acting Insight By the Founder of the Actors' Network

by Kevin E. West, Roger Wolfson (Foreword by)

Overview

7 Deadly Sins The Actor Overcomes provides a unique approach to the profession of acting. The profession of acting is a vastly different conversation than the artistic desire to perform. One could argue the business of performance art may be the most difficult relationship you ever have with yourself. The desire to perform on stage is innate. The credibility afforded the actor who performs regularly on stage is well earned. However, your belief system about the art, when challenged by the desire to make money acting on camera, can be an emotional and psychological conundrum. 7 Deadly Sins The Actor Overcomes provides a fundamental toolkit to increase the likelihood of success in your on-camera acting career, while protecting the delicate balancing act of offering your psyche and soul as a product for sale. This work will also guide you through many of the emotional and philosophical traps that snare actors almost every day. 7 Deadly Sins The Actor Overcomes has no interest in, nor does it attempt to marginalize, the importance of theatre or stage work. Live theatre is the cradle of scripted performance. This work both acknowledges and applauds those who make a living at it. Many actors are able to use theatre work to make a living and increase their credibility, based on the specifics of their regional marketplace. Even so, theatre work may not lead to or assist in the development of an on-camera career, leaving some actors in a sea of self-doubt. Yes, there are actors all over the world who make money performing on stage. However, the strategies, concepts and techniques introduced in this work do not often relate to the business protocol of stage acting. If you predominately have only worked on stage, the process of evolving from one medium to the other can be a grueling transition commonly avoided by actors. Scripted film and television is referred to as theatrical work in the United States of America. To say you want to be a working actor is easy. To actually accomplish this is anything but. 7 Deadly Sins The Actor Overcomes addresses the specific business efforts associated with on-camera scripted acting as the pursuit of a theatrical career for money presents many unique challenges not associated with stage work. Our daily lives are complicated enough. To also attempt transmuting a life of passion for performing into a paid career is exponentially more complicated. The seven deadly sins to which an actor may succumb (as defined in this book) can wreak havoc on your professional goals and dreams, as well as on your personal life. The psychological and internal conflicts between the Show and the Business of acting can damage one’s human operating system. Establishing a stable organization as a keystone for any career is intrinsic to its success. But the pursuit of an on-camera acting career can feel diametrically opposed to the art of being an actor. A skilled on-camera actor is required to combine/blend/fuse/unite the art of acting with the business pursuit and mentality of being a commercial product; this requisite presents a paradox. Managing the state of your psyche while balancing the needs of the performer within and the industry’s demands on and expectations of you as human product—day after day—is critical. The choice to pursue acting for money cannot be taken lightly. The 7 Deadly Sins The Actor Overcomes philosophy will guide you through the mental pitfalls, emotional dangers and professional apathy inherent in the pursuit of an on-screen acting career: beware of Lust, Greed, Gluttony, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781483571287
Publisher:	BookBaby
Publication date:	05/13/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	280
File size:	535 KB

About the Author

Kevin E. West is a veteran actor in Hollywood. His Guest Star television credits include Aquarius, Criminal Minds, Bones, Castle, Touch, CSI: Miami, Justified, Leverage, Lost, 24, Desperate Housewives, NCIS, Alias, CSI, and dozens more. He has also spent time as both a stand-up comic and seasoned improv performer. Kevin is recognized as the top expert opinion leader industry-wide on the ‘business of show business.’
 
In 1991 Kevin founded The Actors’ Network, the most endorsed actors' business organization in the U.S., winning consecutive BackStage West "Reader's Choice" awards (06/07). A few of its alumni include emmy  nominee Masi Oka (Heroes), Chelsey Crisp (Fresh Off The Boat), Chris Gorham (Ugly Betty) and Maggie Grace (Taken). Kevin has spoken at the WGA, SAG LifeRaft Foundation and all across the U.S. including internationally at the Swedish Film Institute. He is also the creator of the interview series, ActorBizGuru, voted the number one online educational resource by BackStage West, and is the co-author of the two-hour audio CD, The Actor's Guide to GETTING THE JOB, with former top commercial instructor, Carolyne Barry.
 
As a philanthropist, Kevin executive produced the Hack n’ Smack Kerry Daveline Memorial Celebrity Golf Classic, voted in the top 10 celebrity golf events by Southland Golf Magazine. Celebrity participants included: Joe Pesci, Joe Mantegna, Ron Perlman and Michael Chiklis. Kevin also executive produced, Together We Can, Together We Will, in the wake of the Los Angeles riots, and the teen runaway benefit, Runnin’ on Empty, which starred Jason Alexander. Kevin grew up in Nashville and started his acting career in Atlanta. He played collegiate golf, ran four Los Angeles Marathons and played in six Men’s Sr. Baseball World Series tournaments.

Table of Contents

Preface xiv

Introduction xvii

1 Lust 1

1.1 Trap - Fantasy 5

1.2 Solution - The Decision 8

1.3 Trap - Applause 11

1.4 Solution- Sincerity of Purpose 14

1.5 Trap - Location 17

1.6 Solution - Campus Orientation 21

1.7 Trap - Get Discovered 24

1.8 Solution - Targeted Networking 27

1.9 Trap-Lifestyle 30

1.10 Solution - Actor v. Movie Star 33

2 Greed 37

2.1 Trap-I'm So Right 41

2.2 Solution - It's Not Too Late 44

2.3 Trap - Audition Competition 47

2.4 Solution - Tangible Goals 50

2.5 Trap - Industry Information 53

2.6 Solution - Target Lists 57

2.7 Trap - Contacts 60

2.8 Solution-5-3-1 Game Plan 63

2.9 Trap - 7-Hyphenate Syndrome 66

2.10 Solution - Areas of Industry 69

3 Gluttony 73

3.1 Trap - Online Submissions 77

3.2 Solution - Qualifying a Lead 80

3.3 Trap - Class Addiction 83

3.4 Solution-Actor Pie 86

3.5 Trap - Demo Reel Material 89

3.6 Solution - Know Your Audience 93

3.7 Trap - Other Artistic Professions 96

3.8 Solution - Weekly Game Plan 99

3.9 Trap - Social Media Myth 102

3.10 Solution - Actor Noise 105

4 Sloth 109

4.1 Trap - Setup v. Pursuit 113

4.2 Solution - Research 116

4.3 Trap - Chasing Your Tail 119

4.4 Solution - Proactive v. Reactive 122

4.5 Trap - Life Happens 125

4.6 Solution - Master Contacts List 129

4.7 Trap - F.E.A.R 132

4.8 Solution - Art v. Biz 135

4.9 Trap-No Consequences 138

4.10 Solution - Create Associations 141

5 Wrath 145

5.1 Trap-it's Too Late 149

5.2 Solution - Hobby v. Money 152

5.3 Trap - No Biz Effort 155

5.4 Solution - No Answer 158

5.5 Trap - Give Good Office 161

5.6 Solution - Be a Professional 165

5.7 Trap - Representation 168

5.8 Solution - Self-Marketing 171

5.9 Trap - Rejection 174

5.10 Solution-Understanding Results 177

6 Envy 181

6.1 Trap-Your DNA 185

6.2 Solution - Know Thy Product 188

6.3 Trap - Nepotism 191

6.4 Solution - Three Avenues 194

6.5 Trap-Resumé 197

6.6 Solution - In the Room 201

6.7 Trap - Actor Activity 204

6.8 Solution - Outside the Box 207

6.9 Trap - Self-Sabotage 210

6.10 Solution-Applaud Others 213

7 Pride 217

7.1 Trap - Serious Actor 221

7.2 Solution - Knowledge is Power 224

7.3 Trap - The Name Game 227

7.4 Solution - The Other Side 230

7.5 Trap - Paid My Dues 233

7.6 Solution - Actor Work Ethic 237

7.7 Trap - The Shell Game 240

7.8 Solution - Industry Bullseye 243

7.9 Trap - I'll Do It Myself 246

7.10 Solution-How to Say AW 249

Postscript 253