IMPROVE EVERYWHERE

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"The final frontier may be human relationships, one person to another." -- Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut

SI SE PUEDE : BARAK OBAMA MUSIC VIDEO YES WE CAN : SI SE PUEDE : YES WE CAN

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"The final frontier may be human relationships, one person to another." -- Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut

MR. EMPATHY

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-- PODCAST: LEARNING FROM SANFORD MEISNER --

Talk about recollections of learning from Sanford Meisner and the filming of the Master Class DVD.

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"The final frontier may be human relationships, one person to another." -- Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut

BRANDO TONIGHT

-- click on image to go to TCM index page --

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"The final frontier may be human relationships, one person to another." -- Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut

MEMORABILIA

Just made it out to my storage space in California, (Santa Barbara). I found some cool stuff there. Among them, this photo:

-- click on image to enlarge --

photo: Stephanie Saia

Unique?

Taken just before he began work on "Scarface," when have we seen Al Pacino sans "attitude" just sitting and posing for a picture, like a regular human being, which I found that he was. We had a great time that year, playing cards each day at that card table.

This was one of my very first jobs in "show-biz" working as an understudy, for one year, on the Off-Broadway production of David Mamet's "American Buffalo" -- an amazing education.

The group: (l -r) Lou, Al Pacino, Annie, James Hayden, José (me), Wally, Michael, J.J. Johnson (Mamet dedicated "American Buffalo" to J.J.).

For some stories about what it was like working with Mr. Pacino you can hear them at: the Inexplicable DUMB SHOW

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"The final frontier may be human relationships, one person to another." -- Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut

INSIDE AN AGENT'S HEAD

One of the big misunderstandings in show business among folks who are just getting started, and even those who've been at it for a while, is that: "Once I get an agent, I've got it made." The notion that the agent will do it all for them.

I don't know Bob Frazer, nor he me I'm sure, but his description of the way it works reminds me of my experience when I was starting out. That is, I realized that "I" was a business, and that "I" had to make it happen, and that an agent was there to help "me" make it happen, and not the one who made it happen.

I'm not sure that's very clear, but Bob Fraser's description certainly is:

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Inside An Agent's Head

by

Bob Fraser

Let's start with reality: Agents are salespeople - working in an employment agency.

That's what they do. They call people who have jobs to fill and they try to sell the business people they represent (actors).

They are just like salespeople at a temp agency. Just because they sell actors doesn't change the job.

The most important thing to understand about them is that they do it for money. Like many people in many professions - no, like all people in all professions – agents like to make money for their efforts. Unlike lawyers, however, agents rarely do pro-bono work.

I only had two agents during my 40-some years in show biz - but I know a lot of agents – including some of the biggest in the business. I've gone to parties with them, played poker with them, and softball - seen ‘em at chili cook offs, awards ceremonies, golf tournaments, you name it.

I know these folks.

Read the following very carefully:

I've never heard an agent say:

“Yeah, I just took on a client who's thinking about being an actor. She hasn't done much on her own but I think I can teach her to work. I've got plenty of time to show her how to be a pro. And even though she's got the wrong attitude, it probably won't take too long to explain why her attitude is problematic. I know she hasn't managed to get going on her own but I'll just send her out for every part in her age range until she gets work. I know it's risky, but she's got a feeling she's going to be a star, so I'm going to give it a shot.”

I've never heard anything like that.

This is the kind of thing I hear agents say while playing cards or lining up a putt, “Yeah, I just took on a real comer. This guy can do it all. He's a good actor - wait'll you see this little student film he did. He's smart. He's been making pretty good money – all non-union, but he's ready. Hustle? The guy's been in like a hundred plays, he teaches a class to kids. He’s doing a one-man show over at this Equity waiver theatre in West Hollywood – go go go. I tell you, Bob ... I'm going to make a fortune off this kid.”

Do you see the difference? Of course you do. In your heart of hearts you know that this is reality.

You know it.

So, how does this help you to get an agent?

In this crucial way: Now, you KNOW what agents are really looking for.

1. Actors who are acting for money. Because 10% of that amount is what the agent lives on. It is his income. If the actor cannot book work – nada.

2. Actors who are getting cast. They've been in plays, student films, non-union work, it really doesn't matter what level of work is, as long as the actor has a history of getting cast. It's a good indication for most agents.

3. Actors who work hard at getting good enough to compete for jobs - actors with the right attitude. (They know they have to commit and work hard.)

4. Actors who hustle.

You also know what they are NOT looking for.

1. Actors who haven't made the commitment to act for money. (This kind of self-induced commitment is probably harder than you think it is.)

2. Actors who haven't bothered to do much without anyone else's help.

3. Actors who believe that an agent can “make it happen.” (Rule of Hollywood: Agents don’t make actors – actors make agents.)

4. Actors who take an attitude because of that belief. (“They just don’t care about talent,” is a hollow complaint – and changes nothing.)

5. Actors who think agents don't know what they are doing. (Maybe the agent knows what she’s doing and the actor doesn’t know what he’s doing. It’s a possibility.)

Now, these 'observable realities' can lead us to only one conclusion with regards to your “getting an agent” problem.

IT CAN BE DONE... IF you are the type of actor they are looking for.

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Bob Fraser is an actor, writer, director, producer, showrunner and the author of You Must Act! The #1 Acting Career Course on Google, Yahoo and MSN.

Go here => http://www.youmustact.com

Also check out his latest course: Headshot Secrets Revealed! Discover How to 'Nail' Your Next Headshot.

Go here => http://www.headshotsecrets.com

St. Patrick's Day Sale Til March 25th - Save 25%

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"The final frontier may be human relationships, one person to another." -- Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut

The José Angel Santana Interview

Last week two very pleasant and insightful theater artists Tee Quillin and John Mauldin interviewed me for their innovative Podcast, the INEXPLICABLE DUBE SHOW. I had thought we’d speak primarily about my participation in the SANFORD MEISNER MASTER CLASS (DVD), a rare and classic document showing my renowned teacher, Sanford Meisner at work.

Quite graciously, the hosts showed a keen interest in my work about how art principles might be of use for personal growth and mutual understanding between people. Their questions and insights were "on point" with the work that Youand is all about, that is unfolding here, and which begins with “really” listening to one another.

For the first 15 minutes, all we discuss is the application of art principles to human relations. After that, our exchange is about what I learned from Sanford Meisner, how I was able to apply his teaching to my life and work, and how all this and much more can bee seen on the marvelous, SANFORD MEISNER MASTER CLASS (DVD).

Thank you Tee and John of, the INEXPLICABLE DUMB SHOW.

Sincerely,

José Angel Santana

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"The final frontier may be human relationships, one person to another." -- Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut