It’s your JOB to veg out in front of the TV!

While you are at home taking some precious moments to relax at the start of the holiday season, I want to give you permission to veg out in front of the T.V.  

IT’S YOUR JOB TO STUDY CURRENT TELEVISION.

UPDATE YOURSELF SO YOU CAN TALK SHOP.

How current are you?

• Do you know current styles of T.V. comedy?  Do you know the new sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and if you are a good fit for that show?  (Sorry, it doesn’t even film in NYC.  What?!?!)
  
• Have you watched the TV shows actually shooting in NYC, or wherever you are based?
  
• Are you familiar with who is working today in the industry, in your age range, so that you can market yourself by comparison?  For example, “I’m like Stephanie Beatriz and my agent is selling me as a similar type to all the casting directors!” (And I bet most of you don’t know who she is by name, but industry folks do.  Look her up.)
  

CHECK OUT ALL THE MEDIUMS YOU CAN! 

Don’t forget about the films too! (I’m heading to the movie theater on Thanksgiving eve after I eat a ton.)  Here’s part of my post from last year’s Thanksgiving trip to the movies  “did you ever see the fantastic monologue performed by James Badge Dale in the film Flight? Badge rocks it and everyone will be doing this monologue soon enough.”  (2013 update: Badge is currently performing at MCC Theater in NYC!  Look him up.)

I just checked off 12 Years A Slave (wow) and I’m sure I’m going to hit All Is Lost and Hunger Games soon…  (All Is Lost. Look it up. Hunger Games, I’m sure you don’t have to look that one up.)

And Webseries!  Who’s watching them?  Just google “top webseries of 2013” and see what’s up on the totally independent + creative circuit.  I googled and found Broad City (shot in NYC, y’all). And my sleuth work discovered it’s picked up by Comedy Central for early 2014!  Maybe one of you can get cast in its revamped show??  (Look it up.)

CATCH UP, FOLKS!

What took me so long to get hip? 

In November I got hooked, addicted to, couldn’t live without, stayed up til 3am to watch….  The Walking Dead.  OMG, I’m sucked in.  I hope to play a zombie some day.  I spent a whole month watching from Season 1 Episode 1 to current Season 4.  Yeah, I logged a ton of hours on Netflix and my husband has been instructed to buy the “Darryl” action figure for my Christmas stocking. (Norman Reedus. Look him up.)

You don’t have to go crazy on a series like I did.  But yes, Get Contemporary.  Get hip.  Know what is going on in the industry that you so badly want to work in.  Watching current media will help you be able to speak intelligently about the industry when you go in for your interviews with agents and casting directors.

LEARN WHAT YOU LIKE AND DISLIKE AND WHERE YOU FIT IN.

Don’t try to like everything and think that you are right for casting in ALL shows and film, but instead learn to be judicious about good material and good performances.  Know what speaks to you.   Be educated.

OK, GO & GET STARTED BY KICKING BACK AND WATCH SOME MOVIES & TV.

Relax and enjoy the magic of acting on camera in this holiday season.  (It’s your job.)

Happy giving thanks week!

Love,
Heidi

AND TELL US BELOW WHICH SHOWS/FILMS ARE YOU FAVORITE? WHICH ONES SHOULD WE VEG OUT TO?