INSIDE THE BUSINESS OF SHOW CLASSES' OUTLINE

Segments highlighted in blue available in the FREE SAMPLE CLASS PACK:

COURSE #1: THE BUSINESS OF ACTING
by Judy Kain

1.   Introduction to The Business of Acting

Judy Kain introduces The Business of Acting course with a discussion of first impressions. Make yours a great one to benefit your acting career.

2.   Be Prepared, Part 1

Liftoff with proven strategies, tools, and tips.

3.   Be Prepared, Part 2

More tools and tips to help you stand out to casting directors, agents, and other important connections.

4.   How to Get More Auditions

How do you see yourself and how do others see you? Judy Kain expands on the importance of strategically getting your name out there.

5.   How to Find a Good Photographer

Avoid making mistakes with your headshot—your most important marketing tool.

6.   Uploading Headshots onto Casting Websites

Judy Kain discusses professional casting sites where you upload your headshots plus more online resources.

7.   Postcards

The enduring power of postcards—an affordable way to get your name, face, and brand out there.

8.   Gifts and Thank You Notes

Judy Kain covers when and how to send a gift or thank-you note. Learn the special “win-win-win” strategy.

9.   Business Cards

Judy Kain walks you through creative ways to make your business card a powerful, strategic, marketing tool.
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10.   Showcases

Showcases are part of an actor’s overall branding and networking.

11.    You Are Responsible For Your Career

“My agent isn’t getting me out” —and more complaints that need to be solved by YOU.

12.  The Actor’s Team

The value of agents, and the importance of choosing an agency that aligns with who you are.

13.  Finding an Agent

How to find an agent, and effective methods to prevent your mailed submission from being tossed with the junk mail.

14.  The Agency Interview

Surprising advice from Judy Kain on how to conduct yourself as you drive the interview.

15.  Self-Taping

Guidelines for making a professional, stand-out audition tape.

16.  Slate Shots

This inexpensive, relatively new tool increases your chances to be called for an audition. Judy Kain shows how seven seconds can have an impact.

17.  Social Media: The New Calling Card

Leverage your personal social media presence to strengthen your brand in a professional and engaged manner.

COURSE #2: THE CASTABLE ACTOR by Tom Burke

1.  Are You Castable?

Tom Burke introduces you to what “castable” means and helps you to understand the film and TV business and how they work.

2.  Creating and Presenting and Castable Image

Trying to be what you think a casting director wants will not open any doors. Tom Burke teaches that it all starts with three words: Honest, Realistic, Specific.

3.  Type

Learn what type is and the difference between type and type of roles. Once you learn your type embrace it, own it, present it.

4.  Marketability

Tom Burke explains the different categories that fit a type. When you know what roles are right for you, you can target them.

5.  Brand - Part I

No one is looking for generic! Tom Burke helps you focus on what is special and unique about you.
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6.  Brand - Part II

Use your friends and family to nail down your brand and dispell what’s left of your generic image.

7.   Headshots - Five Common Mistakes

Learn the four most important jobs your headshots do for you. And more importantly… are your headshots living up to the task?

8.   Course Wrap Up, Now What?

While wrapping up, Tom shares even more professional expertise and more specific strategies to help separate you from the crowd.

9.   Castable Conclusions

You need to know who you are, where you fit, and what you offer that is unique and special. Being talented or having a “look” isn’t enough; you need to present as a marketable, castable actor at all times so that casting directors, agents, managers, etc. know exactly who you are and what they can do with you. It’s easier than you think!

COURSE #3: How To Break Into Broadway by Christopher Henry Young

1.   Introduction

Christopher introduces the exciting world of the professional stage performer, and why a successful career is attainable!

2.   Stage Skills

Christopher discusses how to assess your skills and how to prepare those skills before an audition. You’ll also learn what to bring to an audition.

3.   Classes and Training

Christopher discusses the importance of taking classes and what types of classes to take in order to keep up with the demands of a professional career.

4.   Preparation, Part One

Why your headshots need to really show your personality, and the importance of an up-to-date résumé that includes all credits.

5.   Preparation, Part Two

Learn what you need to bring to an audition. Christopher explains why you prepare an audition book, why you need to memorize a “song in the style of show,” and how to work with the accompanist.

6.   Auditions

Are casting calls and auditions the same thing? Christopher guides you through how to find auditions, what information you need to know from a casting notice, and much more!

7.   Self Care

So often, self care is overlooked, especially when zipping from one audition to the next. Yet it’s a critical component of becoming a professional stage performer who works long hours. Specific warm up exercises are demonstrated by Christopher in this very important aspect of your career.

7A, 7B, 7C At-Home Warm-Up Exercises

You need to warm-up your body before you stretch and before you do any performance or audition. Yes, Christopher will ask you to perform every one of his customized at-home warm-up exercises. Prepare to get your heart rate up!

8. You Booked a Show, Now What?

Congratulations! Now the real work begins! Learn about important non-performing roles, rehearsal etiquette, outside of rehearsals, industry expectations and more. 

8.   Professionalism

Survive the audition like a pro: The importance of being prepared, knowing rehearsal etiquette, and “notes” from the creative team.

9.   Equity and Non-Equity

An explanation of Actors’ Equity Association, and the advantages and disadvantages of membership.

10.   Going Beyond This Course

A review of the tools you need to become a professional on Broadway— other than your talent and skills.

11.   Course Wrap Up, Conclusions

Christopher provides some last words of encouragement reminding you that the business is changing daily...there’s so much opportunity to have a stage career that you love!

COURSE #4: The Castable Headshot by Tom Burke & Kevin McIntyre

1.   Know Who You Are

You must first establish who you are; put some work into preparation. Whether it’s your first time getting headshots taken, or your 10th time, it’s extremely important to ask yourself some important questions before booking a headshot session, such as “What’s my type?”, and more.

2.   Finding a Photographer

You need to find the right photographer for YOU. Tom Burke provides very experienced strategies and tips on how to find a photographer that fits your personality type and your goals for the shoot. Also, how to discuss exactly where a photographer actually does their shoots in order to give the actor an overall comfort and safety level before the shoot.

3.   The Cost of Your Headshot Session

The cost of a headshot session can vary. You need to approach and analyze the costs as a professional; i.e., a low price is not always a deal, and likewise, spending a fortune on headshots doesn’t always get you the shots you need either. Tom Burke gives you a perspective on how to approch this important aspect of your career.

4.   Bring Emotion to the Headshot Session

Tom Burke addresses how to innately bring emotion to each shot, so that it’s the real you who is experiencing the moment in the camera. Bringing specific emotion (not contrived) to different shots helps you stand out among the competition.

5.   What Makes a Good and a Bad Headshot

Plan a portfolio of headshots showing your range. Learn how to connect with the camera.

6.   Q & A from the Photographer’s Viewpoint

In this Q & A, photographer Kevin McIntyre provides actors some insight into what makes a terrific shoot from the photographer’s point of view.

7.   Arrive at the Studio

Tom Burke and Kevin McIntyre provide details about your clothing/uniform choices and give professional perspective about the controversial topic of whether to bring a hair and makeup person. Their experience, insight, and guidance helps you to present the professional you.

8.   Headshot Session Demonstration

Finally! The headshot session in action. Tom Burke and Kevin McIntyre go through several valuable tips and show you the do’s and don’ts during a productive, mock headshot session.

9.   Now What? Post Photo Session Process

Tom Burke and Kevin McIntyre go through the process of the post-photo- shoot session. As the photographer, Kevin lays out what his process is before delivering the photos. Tom and Kevin discuss choosing photos that adhere to the four major jobs each photo must do...and why it’s so important NOT to do this by yourself!