TRADES SUBSCRIPTION
There are, basically, four trades:
- Drama-Logue: This weekly newspaper is an excellent source of opportunities - who's casting what, etc. - and invaluable if you are trying to get into a play. It also runs interviews, news, casting announcements for student and other films, and ads by photographers, acting workshops, voice coaches and the like. We used to suggest buying Drama-Logue only at a newsstand as subscribers tended to get issues too late to audition for some shows. Apparently this late delivery problem has been solved, with most subscribers receiving their issues on time on Thursdays. (Some newsstands do get it on Wednesday evenings.) So we've included a subscription, if for no other reason than it's cheaper if you're reading it every week - and you should be.
- Daily Variety/The Hollywood Reporter: These are the daily newspapers for anyone involved in show business on the West Coast. Reading them occasionally can be informative, though Show Biz releases should be treated like eggs - better with a grain of salt. You don't need to subscribe to both; perhaps you don't need to subscribe to either. On Thursdays Variety prints a rundown of television shows (staffs, producers, directors, casting 'directors); on Fridays they print the same information regarding films that are in (or about to go into) production. The Hollywood Reporter prints both on Tuesdays. You might limit your purchases to those days. However, we've included a subscription.
- Back Stage: If you live in L.A., you might want to squeeze in an occasional reading of this weekly to keep abreast of the New York scene. If you're thinking of going to New York, or already live there, read it religiously.
You're in a play; you just changed agents; you want to remind people you still breathe; whatever. A postcard is a photo of yourself, reduced to postcard size, with your message on the back.
We used to be more enthusiastic about postcards. They were cheap and effective. However, they're now so prevalent they've lost some impact. "I get so many of these a day," says casting director Ron Stephenson. "You want my honest opinion? It's a waste of a lot of stamps." And they're no longer inexpensive either (right, what is?). Still, postcards remain the most practical, un-pesky reminders of your existence.
BLANK LABELS/LABEL SETS
Naturally, you can buy blank labels, but you'll save a lot of typing and some research if you purchase them in pre-addressed sets (to casting directors, agents, commercial casting directors etc.) from Breakdown Services Ltd. Competing companies offering labels tend to come and go; check Drama-Logue for ads.
PASSPORT
Aha! You knew it! Hollywood is a foreign country! Well, maybe, but that's not why it's a good idea to have a passport.
First, we're sure you've run into the law requiring proof of citizenship to prospective employers. It's no different in Show Biz. Flashing a passport when you're cast saves a lot of time trying to remember what you need ("Let's see . . . is it my driver's license and birth certificate, or . . .")
Second, what happens if you're cast in a project that's shot in Paris, they need you tomorrow, and you don't have a passport? Maybe the producer can pull some strings and get you one in a hurry, but to lose a role and a trip to the City of Lights because you don't have a passport will cut deeply into your bon appétit.
You can apply for a passport at some Post Office branches. That's especially helpful during the summer. Avoids waiting in long lines at federal buildings. Allow about three weeks for the entire process.
DESK
You can work on the kitchen table. It's just good for your attitude to have a specific work area, a place that's designated "Career work done here."
COMPUTER
Imagine making changes in your resume whenever they occur, quickly and without charge. Imagine writing one covering letter, and, with a few keystrokes, "personalizing" it to each of the 100 people you're mailing to. Imagine . . .
. . .Yep, they're wonderful, time-saving gadgets. And according to Consumer Reports you can now outfit yourself with a good computer and printer relatively inexpensively. But, if that would take a megabyte out of your budget, forget it. (Remember, these are under "Chicken Soup.")
VCR
Another "Chicken Soup" item. But it can be of immense help when you're trying to find a scene for a showcase or office scene. Also, if you're out a lot, you'll be able to time-shift programs and watch them later. It's important to keep up on the various shows on TV. (We know an actress who was called in to read for a satire of Hill Street Blues. She'd never seen it. Think she got the part?)
Actually, having a VCR is becoming more of a necessity every day for actors. (Even the IRS recognizes this.) We'd advise buying VHS. Note: If you're trying to convince Mom and Dad to buy you one, we wrote this so you can put your thumb over the first sentence when you show this to them. That's one you owe us.
VIDEO CAMERA
A real luxury item. But, if you get a script in advance and can videotape yourself doing the reading, what you learn from playback could be the difference between getting it or not.
That's it. Now you're ready to get started on your career - except for one other supply item: your attitudes.
