Resume, headshot, website

I have finally put my resume together.  I had been dragging my feet a bit because I don’t have a whole lot to put on it.  But now that I have an official ongoing acting class I have a little something to put on there.  Yay!   A small win for me.  It has gotten me thinking about the tools actors use to market themselves.  Traditionally the headshot and resume.  And sometimes a reel.  Now we have websites/social networking/etc.

These tools are used to help an actor get jobs, find an agent, a manager and generally get their face out there.  And I now have the two main tools in place.  I have plans for starting my reel, although they have to wait until I have the money for that.  The web side of things I’m handling myself because I am a geek and have a lot of knowledge in this area.  I’m wondering about the best ways to use these tools.  There are a number of standard practices for the traditional tools, but the newer web based tools are still in their infancy.

I don’t think anyone quite knows how to fully leverage personal sites for actors.  The ones I’ve seen that appear to be geared toward landing jobs are often polished but feel vacant.  I rarely feel connected to the actor or like they even care that much about their website as a place to express themselves and connect with others.  Mind you, I don’t really know how casting directors, agents, and managers respond to these sites.  I just know that I find them hollow.  I also wonder how likely it is that anyone from the industry will come across an actor’s website while randomly browsing the web.  It seems to me that if a casting director (or someone similar) is at your website it is because they have already had some contact with you.  And their visit to your site is to get to know you better.

This all leads me to believe that the most important thing you can do with your website is to make it come alive.  Really find a way to connect with the people who visit.  Welcome them into your world and give them a reason to keep coming back.  Entertain them, offer them something of value, and keep updating.  It doesn’t have to be every day, but offer them something of interest, something to check out.  Even if it’s just to share some discovery you made recently.  Some website or video that inspired you, or gave good advice or simply entertained you.  But don’t make your only updates be when you have a new credit to add to your resume.

A slick design, fancy graphics and a flash interface do not make a good website.  These things can enhance your site.  They can even be fun.  But they do not replace having your heart and soul at the center of your website.  If you’ve already got a thriving career there probably isn’t much need for a personal website (Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie, George Clooney – these people don’t need a website to support their career).  But if you’re just getting started, I’m willing to bet that a website or at least some web presence is going to become increasingly necessary.  And the best site are ones that help people connect.  So build your online empire with your heart.  Start with easy free tools like facebook, twitter, and flickr.

There are a number of websites out there that are designed to connect actors with auditions and casting directors.  These are primarily membership sites.  I will be trying many of them out as I am able to do so and I will let you know what I think.  I am certain that these sites are just the beginning and as the web continues to alter the way we do just about every thing in life we will see some significant shifts in how actors use the internet to connect with jobs.