Summer is (unofficially) here and this is the time when most actors get really relaxed (read: LAZY) when it comes to their careers. Pilot season is a distant memory and the beach is hard to resist. But don’t let this time pass you by! Any slow season is a great opportunity to put your attention on the things you didn’t have energy for earlier this year. So check yo’self!

1. Are your marketing materials eye catching & updated? Make sure your headshot, resume, reel, and website are all current & accurately represent you! There is no wiggle room in this. You can’t book the roles of your dreams without the materials that will get you in the door for those big auditions!

2. Are your skills sharp & are you raring to go? Sign up for a summer session at your favorite acting studio and keep your instrument in tune. And if you have an actor friend you trust and who’s work you admire, make a weekly date to work on camera together. Get sides from Showfax.com, bust out your iPhone’s video camera, and get to work!

3. Are you putting your best efforts into self submitting? Make sure your Actors Access and Casting Networks profiles feature your newest marketing materials and that you are actually taking the time to self submit through them. Remember, it’s usually only the most timely submissions that are even seen. And here’s a tip: Submissions with videos and notes are usually looked at first!

4. Are your social media platforms active & savvy? Now is the time to engage fans and reconnect with industry contacts. Maybe even make your Mom happy by uploading those holiday photos you never got around to before and deleting those embarrassing Spring break pics.

5. Are your audition outfits chosen & prepped? No one wants to be desperately pulling their closet apart the morning of a big audition. So take this time to pick the wardrobe that best suits the characters you most often go in for. Channel Cher in Clueless and take photos on your phone so you can reference back to them when you’re in a rush. Iron and hang outfits together for extra credit.

Now when the next opportunity presents itself, whether it’s tomorrow or next month, you will be ready. And sans sunburn too! They say, “Luck is when opportunity meets preparation,” so let’s make this our luckiest Summer to date.

Break legs!
Megan Manzi