PREPARATION: The 5 P's of Professionalism

In all my years as an actor, teacher and director I've learned a lot of valuable lessons.  One of them is the value of networking and expanding your locus of influence and connection.  Recently, I have heard over and over about what I'm calling the importance and "power of professionalism."

Whether working in a production, on a film set, auditioning or workshopping to improve your acting, professionalism is paramount.  This would seem obvious, but in my world of working with primarily young actors, much of my time is spent cultivating and teaching about what it really means to be professional.  Over the next five days I will share my 5 P's of Professionalism.  Here is #1:

PREPARATION- If you have time (do we ever have enough?) start viewing some of the interview videos with casting directors (I've posted a few below) Listening to these respected CD's you would think that more actors would take this a bit more seriously.  Read their articles.  After you view, read and research (more PREP!) it is clear what the number one tip that is shared:  Be prepared.  This really has nothing to do with your talent or artistic ability.  It has everything to do with knowing what you are supposed to be doing at all times.  It has to do with you doing your homework before auditions, rehearsals or meetings (Marci talks extensively in the clip below about a "Bible" where you keep notes on every audition...a great idea and resource).  Preparing, researching and this kind of "doing the work" helps breed confidence and leads to increases in many of the other aspects of being a professional.

In my casting sessions, there is nothing more obviously damaging than the actor that is unprepared for the audition.  I try to inform my actors of what they need well before the audition, and I am shocked at the number of young actors that come in unprepared or asking questions that they already have the answer to.  Do your homework beforehand. Don't do it after the due date of your audition, meeting or rehearsal.  Actors that consistently show me that they understand the importance of preparation consistently find themselves working for and with me in my productions.  Regardless of if I cast them or not, I remember these actors.  They are the ones that I call back for future endeavors because generally speaking, I know what I am getting with them.  The prepared actor is often the actor who finds work.  Bottom line: there is power in preparation.


Up next:  PUNCTUALITY