Five Important Things Every Actor Must Do – Part 4
Log and Track Your Progress
This is a biggy in my book. Organization. Period. If you aren’t organized in your life, how can you ever possibly expect to be organized in your career? There are so many distractions pulling us off course, if you don’t have any method of keeping track, how will you ever know if you’re getting ahead?
I’m not asking you to go out there and buy an expensive software package that does all these whiz bang things for you (I’ve bought these before and they’re neat…but I’d rather have bought a pair or two of shoes). Excel works just as well at logging all your contacts, auditions, addresses, data and information. Yes, it’s that easy.
If you don’t have a method, then I would start with one today.
If you don’t have Excel (through Windows Microsoft Office), there is a free one called Open Source that you can utilize for free online. In it you can track all your auditions, contacts and information in one place. Once you set it up, you are free to fill in the information as you get it, and then use the program to make labels, letters or sort the information into whatever you need.
It’s simple, easy and fast. Even for those who are technically challenged, I still encourage you to have some system in place. I wouldn’t advise writing it down on paper and making a folder, because after a while, these contacts will stack up, they’ll get lost, eaten by your dog, coffee spilled on it, or the ink will fade over time. An electronic record is always the best method.
It is also important to keep such information as mileage, wardrobe, food and other expenses that you spend on your career, such as classes, headshot sessions, printing cost etc. These are all things you can deduct on your taxes.
It can also help you remember a particular casting session, what the casting director was like, what you were wearing to the audition (in case you get a call back!) and other important information that can aid you in staying focused, organized and professional. Also, after several years in the business, you may want to assess your auditions and types of jobs you have been booking. This is good information that can help you when arguing your case to your agent who has only been sending you out on Soaps, when you really want network television.
Check out my Online Teaching courses that can help you get an organizational system that is proven to help you be organized, proactive and functional so you can get on with the creative aspects of your career.
