Advice

What is the Difference Between an Action, an Objective, and an Intention?

Action is what an actor, playing a character, does or says to achieve an objective.  Objective is what the character wants, or what the character's goal is.  Intention, perhaps the most important job an actor has.

Ye Olde Mail Bag

We received an interesting letter this week at Secret Agent Man headquarters. It came from a New York actor, and I'd like to start off this column by sharing it with you.

Young Face, Old Soul

Three months before I graduate from New York University, and it's the night of my first agent showcase. I'm on my A-game, and I totally nail the monologue. When I finish, I look at the agent for his response. His face is difficult to read as he glances ...

Bob Leonard

Who would have thought that dancing the Hustle three decades ago would lead to a gig in 2009? But thanks to that experience and a Back Stage casting notice, Bob Leonard attended his first-ever audition and is now a member of the Timeless Torches, a dance team for the WNBA ...

Gotta Be Me

Remember that old Army recruitment ad, "Be all you can be"? One of the ways to be all you can be when acting is to blend your own behavior with that of your character.

Clean Slate

Follow these tips and your slate should grab the clients, ensuring they'll actually watch your audition. Seriously, do you think they take hours out of their day to watch every single audition?

What Should an Actor Look for in a Headshot Retoucher?

"The most important thing an actor should look for is a professional retoucher who also does headshots. Look for people who specialize in headshot retouching."  -- J. Jhaveri

A Very Bad Audition

I was thrilled and pumped and felt great about all of them—until I got no callbacks and no work. After the fifth audition, I started to lose my confidence more and more each time.

Salt in My Eyes

"You remember John, don't you?" Of course I did. How could I forget the man my grandmother referred to as "salt of the earth," who had been my uncle's best friend for 40 years—and who was now a successful Hollywood producer.