Prep for Pilot Season

Better safe than sorry, better over-prepared than under-prepared! Pilot season is fast approaching, and come January, you’re going to hit the ground running with crazy amounts of casting calls and not have a whole lot of time to get your life in order. So NOW is the perfect time to stay ahead of the game. What are 5 simple things YOU can do to prepare for pilot season?watch full film This Is Where I Leave You 2014

1) Get In Shape & Take Care of Your Body
Eat right, get plenty of sleep, wash your face, and fit exercise into your schedule. Basically, you’re sharpening your tool – YOU. Invest in a good skincare regimen, commit to eating healthier, drink LOTS of water, and make room in your life for more activity. Looking and feeling your best is crucial to booking roles and keeping your acting career afloat. Make the necessary investments in yourself.

2) Update Your Headshots
This is a no-brainer. Your headshots should look exactly as you look RIGHT NOW. If you’ve had a hair trim, dye, new piercings, or even if you’ve cleared up your complexion a little bit – make sure these details about you reflect accurately in your headshots. This is your chance to be remembered. Make sure you have every look you need for any possible bookings – show that you can look the part (business, nerd, casual, beach bum, police officer, etc). Headshots can be expensive, but again – this is your business card. This is how you are remembered and catalogued. Make it count. Invest in yourself. You’re not just buying pictures. You’re buying an accurate, professional representation of YOU.

3) Update Your Website, Reel & IMDb
Make sure your resumes and reels represent your most relevant, up-to-date repertoire! Your credits should match across IMDb and your resumes, and it’s always good for actors to have a website. This is your calling card – a universal way for people to access your information and galleries, and get a better grasp of who you are and what you’ve done. We can’t stress enough how important this is.

4) Find a Class
Brush up on your craft by taking up a class or joining a comedy/improv troupe. If it means taking a monologue reading/writing class or even a character development class – explore the depths of what it means to be an actor and an artist. It’s all about building that authenticity, discovering different elements to your abilities, and strengthening the skills you already posses.

5) Check In With Your Team
Our friends at Backstage say it best, so we’ll leave it to them: “Check in with your representation now. Reaffirm your commitment to the work and each other. See if they have a sense of what pilot season will look like this year. Figure out where they think you fit. Get on the same page. Work through your issues, and go into pilot season knowing that you have an ally. You don’t have an agent or manager? Accept that it’ll be up to you to advocate for yourself and come up with your pilot season plan.”

Speaking of prepping for pilot season, Michael Roud Photography has a PILOT SEASON SPECIAL happening until January 1st! We’d like to help you stay on top of your game, so we’re offering ONE FREE LOOK to anyone who books with Michael or MRP+ for the rest of 2015. Give us a call and use promo code MRPLOVE. Best of luck, and get ready for a crazy season of casting!