"When is a TV pilot a good career move and when isn't it?"

Guest Blogger Charles Belk
Charles Belk Management
(for Back Stage - Jan 2009)

If afforded the opportunity to audition for and appear in a pilot, even the newest of actors should jump at it. There are several schools of thought on when a TV pilot may or may not be a good career move. There are some that believe that if you get involved in the pilot season process before you are ready as an actor, that it could affect how casting directors and producers look at you in the future. Some believe that a poor audition could leave that image of you in their minds and cause them to pass on your head shot during future casting sessions.

While this may be true for casting sessions happening within weeks or a few months of that bad audition, as time passes, those casting a project that may remember your really bad audition will take a look at your resume and look for new information -- additional acting classes, workshops and / or stage, tv and film work. We all know that for the most part, the most critical thing that will get you in front of those casting a project will be your look. So, if you peak their interest with that, then they will look at your body of work and gauge whether you are right to bring in for the audition, and if that list has expanded since the time of your bad audition, that will increase your chances of them overlooking it.

I am a firm believer that any exposure is better then no exposure. However, you should always mitigate any potential negative exposure and Commit yourself to your career by taking whatever appropriate steps that are necessary. In the case of pilot season, Focus on working extra hard now and Develop your acting skills. Do as much as possible to Prepare yourself.

You ABSOLUTELY need to be in acting classes. But up and beyond that, find someone to coach you (you will be surprised of how another fellow actor in an advanced acting class would be willing to help you out on a limited bases). Watch as much TV and movies as possible and study the actors. Think about what worked really well in their delivery that made the scene believable, or pick through those elements that didn't work as well to you. Videotape yourself delivering that same scene several times, critiquing it until you think it's perfect, then show it to others for feedback -- actors and non-actors.

Unless you are one of those rare, super naturally gifted actors (and I know you think you are!), it will take you years to perfect your trait. However, don't pass on the opportunity to land that TV role because you are a new actor still learning how to act. But, don't potentially damage your reputation as an actor by not preparing and by not doing as much as you can in the next few weeks to enhance your acting skills.

Commit, Focus, Develop and Prepare.


Thanks Charles for sharing...Emmitt thrower


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Charles Belk Entertainment
http://companies.to/charlesbelkentertainment
(Reprinted with Permission)