Bianca Shaw isn’t content to sit idly by in her life or her acting career. Here’s how she fuels her ambition.
Seek challenges.
“Typically, I look for projects with interesting log lines, strong characters, detailed character descriptions, or great visuals that represent the tone of the project. I am very drawn to women-led projects, as well as projects that require me to learn a new skill or push myself physically.”
Look beyond the obvious.
“I recently heard someone say, ‘Read all the materials provided, because you may learn more about who your character is by the way other characters talk about them when they’re not in the room.’ Information is knowledge, and knowledge is power.”
Keep this specific tip in mind.
“Allow yourself the opportunity to fail and grow. There is no success without failure, and I have often learned much more from what I have done wrong than what I have done right.”
Understand how to leverage your reel.
“If you are the product, your reel is like your ‘Shark Tank’ pitch. There is no guarantee casting directors will watch past your first clip or two, so you want to make a strong impression and capture their attention right off the bat.”
Constantly look to improve your skill set.
“I live in Chicago, and my advice [for] finding success in this market would be to get as much experience on set and in the classroom as possible. Chicago has an incredible live comedy scene, and as a graduate of the Second City Conservatory and Severn Darden Graduate Program, I can’t tell you how often my improv training comes in handy in the audition room.”
This story originally appeared in the Dec. 30 issue of Backstage Magazine. Subscribe here.
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