Age is nothing but a number, especially when it comes to booking gigs. Just ask actor Adalyn Zummo. Here (with her mom’s help!), she tells us how she does it.
We’re living through a new age of auditioning.
“I have auditioned for projects in three different ways: I’ve had a Zoom audition where I was interviewed and performed a side from a script, I’ve booked gigs solely based on my submission portfolio, and I have been asked to submit a video audition. I love making videos, but I also really enjoy meeting people online.”
Know your limits.
“We have been able to find a lot of local work by knowing our availability and only applying to projects that we know we can commit to if given the role.”
Keep stacking those relationship building blocks.
“I always thank the directors and crew once we wrap, and I follow up with a thank-you message. When communicating via email, I always put the project name and my name in the subject and attach a headshot.”
It’s OK to reference other actors’ reels!
“I looked at examples online and chose a few seconds of the top moments in my footage to put together. I also label each slide with the project title and my role title/character’s name. I use an app called YouCut to piece the footage together.”
Try the “sandwich effect” to attract viewers.
“Keep it short and include your strongest clips. Keep it to only a few minutes. We try to start with our largest project, and if you can, end with a larger one as well. I call it the ‘sandwich effect’: starting and ending strong for the first and last impressions. Lastly, I label the start of each clip with the name of the project and my role title.”
This story originally appeared in the Nov. 4 issue of Backstage Magazine. Subscribe here.
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