ActorPoint.com :: Acting Articleshttp://www.actorpoint.com/acting-articles/Copyright ActorPoint.com :: Acting ArticlessNewsYOU ARE A UNIQUE CHARACTER - IT'S YOUR PRODUCT One of the basic premises of all marketing (a fancy word for selling) is the USP. This stands for Unique Selling Proposition. For instance Avis "Tries Harder," or Pepsi "Hits the Spot." I like to promote an idea to actors, called the UCP or Unique Character Presentation. Beat the casting directors to the punch - decide on your "type" yourself. Learn the basic types - and how they are sold - and then choose what fits you best. Pay particular attention to that word "unique." It means that the product must be differentiated from other, similar, products. Here are the types - and the components used to sell them - in hopes that this list will help you develop your own Unique Character Presentation. (I'll also give a few examples of actors who have used each type in building their career. Take particular note of how widely varied two actors in the same UCP can be): THE INNOCENT - A person whose goal and core desire is happiness, who fears being punished for doing something wrong. This person's strategy is to do things the "right" way. This approach requires faith and optimism -- so THE INNOCENT is expected to reflect goodness, morality, simplicity, nostalgia -- the child. Selling this image generally requires a romantic, traditional approach. Or in some cases, mystical, saintly or dreamy. (David Schwimmer, Meg Ryan) REGULAR GUY (GAL) - This is person whose goal and core desire is belonging and connecting with others. The strategy is to have a "common touch," be a "down to earth" person with solid virtues. This type is known for his realism, empathy and lack of pretense. This is the "good ol' boy," the girl next door, the working stiff, the solid citizen, the good neighbor and the regular Joe. Selling this image requires differentiating from elitist, powerful people and stressing the everyday functionality of this sort of person. (Ray Romano, Sandra Bullock) THE EXPLORER - This sort of person wants to experience a better, more authentic, more fulfilling life. Conformity and the feeling of being trapped are what THE EXPLORER is avoiding. The strategy is seeking new things, escape from the everyday, autonomy, ambition and being true to one's inner life. Selling an image like this is done with individuality, differentiation, 'new and exciting' are words to keep in mind. This is the seeker, the wanderer, the pilgrim. A Pioneering spirit. (Ellen DeGeneres, Johnny Depp) THE SAGE - This is the type of person whose goal and desire are to use intelligence and analysis to find the truth and understand the world. Not wanting to be duped, misled or ignored, THE SAGE uses information, knowledge and self-reflection to reach the goal of the truth. Selling the sage is mostly a matter of projecting expertise, philosophy, good planning, solidity, a professional image. The mentor, the teacher, the guru. (Leonard Nimoy, Oprah Winfrey) THE HERO - A constant in the telling of stories, THE HERO is the person who believes to their core that where there's a will, there's a way. The goal and main desire is to prove one's worth through courage. The strategy here is strength and competence. From the superhero to the team player -- the warrior to the winner -- this person wants to improve the world with his mastery of fear. Selling this image is somewhat complicated as several of the other types can cross over to this role. But, straightforwardness is a mainstay. Clear-eyed and capable. No reluctance to go into the unknown. This is someone we can depend on. (Sylvester Stallone, Linda Hamilton) THE OUTLAW - This type wants to change what doesn't work for themselves, generally through revenge or revolution. This person is a misfit, a wild man (or woman) who rebels against the norm. The strategy here is to disrupt, destroy or shock. Selling THE OUTLAW is mostly a matter of breaking with convention. Words to keep in mind are radical, outrageous, the "dark side." Social outcast. Reactionary. Rebellious. (Al Pacino, Kathy Bates) THE MAGICIAN - This person's goal is to make dreams come true through a fundamental laws of how the universe works. The main strategy is to develop a vision and live by it. Always looking for the "win-win" situation. Appearing as the visionary, the inventor, shaman, medicine man, or charismatic. Selling this image is projecting a transformative nature. Specialness, spirituality, and ability to effect the outcome. This can be a "new age" approach. (Lucy Liu, Jon Voight) THE LOVER - People of this type have a goal of relationships through intimacy and experience. The strategy of THE LOVER is to be passionate, grateful, appreciative and committed -- to become more emotionally or physically attractive. This person can be a spouse, a friend, a partner or a team builder. Selling this image is a matter of being outer directed and able to please others. A comfortable "belonging" -- differentiates THE LOVER from other types. (Aaron Eckhart, Drew Barrymore) THE JESTER - With a goal of having a good time and "kidding" the world, THE JESTER plays, makes jokes, can be the trickster. Never wants to be boring or to be bored. A strategy of puncturing self importance, creating fun and live in the moment is what differentiates this person from the "herd." Selling this image requires a welcoming, trustworthy, friendly approach. Truthful, open to change, easy to know are ideas that important to being this person. (Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah) THE RULER - The goal of 'the boss' is to create a prosperous family, community or team. Success is a result of this person's core desire to control the situation. The strategy is to exercise power, leadership, responsibility and authority to achieve a greater end. Selling this image is all in the areas of confidence, stability and trust. Differentiate from "regular" people. (Judi Dench, Alan Alda) THE CAREGIVER - This type cares and protects other selflessly. The strategy of THE CAREGIVER is doing things for others with compassion and generosity. The parent, helper and supporter are people that fall into this category. Selling this image is about family, team, health, education -- helping. Differentiate from selfish people. (Frances McDormand, Keanu Reeves) THE CREATOR - This is a person who wants to give form to a vision and to create enduing value. The strategy here is to develop artistic control, culture, skills and to express her own vision using creativity and imagination. Selling this image requires innovation, self expression, and artistry. Differentiate from unimaginative, banal and usual. (Steve Martin, Bette Midler) As you can see, there are many types and even more strategies for projecting the image that sells. Add to that, the ability of some actors to combine some types and you have, literally, thousands of choices. For instance, Harrison Ford is the regular guy hero, Robin Williams is the jester creator, Julia Roberts is the innocent explorer, and Sarah Jessica Parker is the lover caregiver. In fact one of the transitions every actor makes in a career is the expansion of their basic type - to include elements of other types - which, in turn, extends their staying power. So the question is not "What type are you" as much as it is, "What's your Unique Character Presentation?" Now all you have to do is look at yourself in an objective way and align your marketing efforts with your natural tendencies. It's up to you to choose, or you can wait for someone else to decide for you -- which might take a long time. Be the creative hero in your own career. Thanks for article, Bob! The UCP approach is just one of dozens of 'out of the box' ideas you'll find in Bob's Acting Career Courses, You Must Act! The #1 Virtual Acting CAREER Course http://www.youmustact.comSun, 23 Dec 2007 10:30:00 +0000http://www.actorpoint.com/acting-articles/features/what-is-your-acting-type/http://www.actorpoint.com/acting-articles/features/what-is-your-acting-type/Question: I am doing a project for my school. I was wondering if you had any way of telling me how many people consider their profession acting? or related to acting? Do you know where i could find demographics like that? Any help would be deeply appreciated. --Amanda Answer: Hi Amanda, I would start with SAG. That's the Screen Actors' Guild. Their website is http://www.sag.org. A little research with SAG can give you an indication of how many professional actors are registered members of SAG, the professional actors' union. I believe the number is over 100,000. Of course, a very small percentage of those actors actually earn even poverty-level income as working actors. So, as for how many people ARE professional actors and how many CONSIDER themselves professional actors...well, those numbers vary greatly. You should also check with AFTRA. That's the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. That includes newscasters, sportscasters, radio DJs, talk show hosts, and other non-acting performers of TV and radio.. Their numbers are lower than those at SAG, but there is some overlap, as many members belong to both unions. And then there's AEA, Actors' Equity Association (also known as Equity). That's for professional theatre actors, for all those folks on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in touring companies, and working in theatres all over the place. There are unions for variety performers, unions in other countries for performers, so many groups in support of the acting professions. I honestly believe that these unions would be the first places to start with your research. It's not going to account for all of the people who do local community theatre, or perhaps those working actors who do non-union work in industrials, videos, and feature films that do not operate under union contracts. Plenty of performers earn a good living doing that, and are not going to show up in the numbers the unions provide. Still, you'll get a good ball-park idea from their numbers. As for those whose careers "relate to acting," that's going to include agents, managers, assistants, directors, casting directors, writers, crew members of all kinds...and there you're getting into very high numbers. Perhaps a visit to the websites of the ATA (agencies), TMA and COPM (managers), DGA (directors), CSA and CCDA (casting directors), WGA (writers), and IATSE (other crew members) would get you a few numbers there too. Good luck with your project! I'd love to know what you learn! -Bon. Bonnie Gillespie is a Los Angeles casting columnist, the owner of Cricket Feet Management, and the author of Casting Qs: A Collection of Casting Director Interviews. Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:37:16 +0000http://www.actorpoint.com/acting-articles/features/how-many-consider-their-profession-acting/http://www.actorpoint.com/acting-articles/features/how-many-consider-their-profession-acting/Yes, another award season is upon us (even if the Writers Guild of America strike is still on). As you know, the Globes are awarded for fine achievement in both film and television, presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press. I'm not terribly impressed with the (film) nominations, although "No Country For Old Men" was a brilliant cinematic piece that should be studied by actors and filmmakers alike. I'm also a huge fan of "30 Rock" and hope they sweep every category they are up for. Some interesting nods: Animated Feature puts Jerry Seinfeld's Bee Movie against the guys behind The Simpsons Movie. As much of a Seinfeld fan I am, The Simpsons will take it home. How great to see John C. Reilly nominated for a role like Dewey Cox?! Gives all of us comic actors plenty of hope. It's about time Judd Apatow, the guy behind movies such as The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up and Super Bad gets some industry recognition. Most difficult category? Best Performance By An Actor In A Television Series - Comedy or Musical puts 5 heavy weights against each other, including Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Ricky Gervais (Extras) and Steve Carell (The Office). Tough call. Feel free to give your thoughts via the quick and easy form below... and the nominations are: .newsItem ol { list-style: lower-alpha; } .newsItem li { margin: 0 0 5px 25px; } 1. BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMAAMERICAN GANGSTERImagine Entertainment/Scott Free Productions; Universal Pictures ATONEMENTWorking Title Films Limited; Focus FeaturesEASTERN PROMISESKudos Pictures/Serendipity Point Films; Focus FeaturesTHE GREAT DEBATERSHarpo Films; The Weinstein Company/MGM MICHAEL CLAYTONSamuels Media and Castle Rock Entertainment a Mirage Enterprises/Section 8 Production; Warner Bros. Pictures NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MENA Scott Rudin/Mike Zoss Production; Miramax Films/Paramount Vantage THERE WILL BE BLOODA Joanne Sellar/Ghoulardi Film Company Production; Paramount Vantage/Miramax Films 2. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMACATE BLANCHETT – ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE JULIE CHRISTIE – AWAY FROM HER JODIE FOSTER – THE BRAVE ONE ANGELINA JOLIE – A MIGHTY HEART KEIRA KNIGHTLEY – ATONEMENT 3. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMAGEORGE CLOONEY – MICHAEL CLAYTON DANIEL DAY-LEWIS – THERE WILL BE BLOOD JAMES MCAVOY – ATONEMENT VIGGO MORTENSEN – EASTERN PROMISES DENZEL WASHINGTON – AMERICAN GANGSTER 4. BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICALACROSS THE UNIVERSERevolution Studios; Sony Pictures Releasing CHARLIE WILSON’S WARUniversal Pictures/Relativity Media/Participant Productions/Playtone; Universal Pictures HAIRSPRAYZadan/Meron Productions / New Line Cinema in association with Ingenious Film Partners; New Line Cinema JUNOMandate Pictures/Mr. Mudd Production; Fox Searchlight Pictures SWEENEY TODDParkes/MacDonald and Zanuck Company; DreamWorks/Paramount Distribution / Warner Bros. Pictures 5.BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICALAMY ADAMS – ENCHANTED NIKKI BLONSKY – HAIRSPRAY HELENA BONHAM CARTER – SWEENEY TODD MARION COTILLARD – LA VIE EN ROSE ELLEN PAGE – JUNO 6. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICALJOHNNY DEPP – SWEENEY TODD RYAN GOSLING – LARS AND THE REAL GIRL TOM HANKS – CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN – THE SAVAGES JOHN C. REILLY – WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY 7. BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM BEE MOVIEDreamWorks Animation; DreamWorks Animation RATATOUILLE Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation StudiosTHE SIMPSONS MOVIEGracie Films; Twentieth Century Fox 8. BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS (ROMANIA)Mobra Films; IFC First Take THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY (FRANCE AND USA)A Kennedy/Marshall Company and Jon Kilik Production; Miramax Films THE KITE RUNNER (USA)DreamWorks Pictures Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Paramount Classics Participant Productions Present a Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Parkes/Macdonald Production Distributed by Paramount Classics LUST, CAUTION (TAIWAN)Mr. Yee Productions LLC; Focus Features PERSEPOLIS (FRANCE)247 Films; Sony Pictures Classics 9. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURECATE BLANCHETT – I’M NOT THERE JULIA ROBERTS – CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR SAOIRSE RONAN –ATONEMENT AMY RYAN – GONE BABY GONE TILDA SWINTON – MICHAEL CLAYTON 10. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURECASEY AFFLECK – THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD JAVIER BARDEM –NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN – CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR JOHN TRAVOLTA – HAIRSPRAY TOM WILKINSON – MICHAEL CLAYTON 11. BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURETIM BURTON – SWEENEY TODD ETHAN COEN & JOEL COEN – NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN JULIAN SCHNABEL – THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY RIDLEY SCOTT – AMERICAN GANGSTER JOE WRIGHT – ATONEMENT 12. BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTUREDIABLO CODY – JUNO ETHAN COEN & JOEL COEN – NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON – ATONEMENT RONALD HARWOOD – THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY AARON SORKIN – CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR 13. BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTUREMICHAEL BROOK with KAKI KING and EDDIE VEDDER – INTO THE WILD CLINT EASTWOOD – GRACE IS GONE ALBERTO IGLESIAS – THE KITE RUNNER DARIO MARIANELLI – ATONEMENT HOWARD SHORE – EASTERN PROMISES 14. BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE "DESPEDIDA" – LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERAMusic by: Shakira and Antonio PintoLyrics by: Shakira "GRACE IS GONE" – GRACE IS GONEMusic by: Clint EastwoodLyrics by: Carole Bayer Sager "GUARANTEED" – INTO THE WILDMusic & Lyrics by: Eddie Vedder "THAT’S HOW YOU KNOW" – ENCHANTEDMusic By: Alan MenkenLyrics By: Stephen Schwartz"WALK HARD" – WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORYMusic & Lyrics by: Marshall Crenshaw, John C. Reilly, Judd Apatow and Jake Kasdan 15. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMABIG LOVE (HBO)Anima Sola and Playtone Productions in association with HBO Entertainment DAMAGES (FX NETWORKS)FX Productions and Sony Pictures Television GREY’S ANATOMY (ABC)ABC Studios HOUSE (FOX)Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with Universal Media Studios MAD MEN (AMC)Lionsgate THE TUDORS (SHOWTIME)Showtime Presents in association with Peace Arch Entertainment, Working Title, Reveille Productions Limited, An Ireland-Canada Co-Production 16. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA PATRICIA ARQUETTE – MEDIUMGLENN CLOSE – DAMAGESMINNIE DRIVER – THE RICHESEDIE FALCO – THE SOPRANOSSALLY FIELD – BROTHERS & SISTERSHOLLY HUNTER – SAVING GRACEKYRA SEDGWICK – THE CLOSER 17. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMAMICHAEL C. HALL – DEXTERJON HAMM – MAD MENHUGH LAURIE – HOUSEJONATHAN RHYS MEYERS – THE TUDORSBILL PAXTON – BIG LOVE 18. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL30 ROCK (NBC)Universal Media Studios in association with Broadway Video and Little Stranger Inc. CALIFORNICATION (SHOWTIME)Showtime Presents in association with Aggressive Mediocrity, and Then…, Twilight Time Films ENTOURAGE (HBO)Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment EXTRAS (HBO)BBC and HBO Entertainment PUSHING DAISIES (ABC)Living Dead Guy Productions, The Jinks/Cohen Company in association with Warner Bros. Television  19.BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES –COMEDY OR MUSICALCHRISTINA APPLEGATE – SAMANTHA WHO? AMERICA FERRERA – UGLY BETTY TINA FEY – 30 ROCK ANNA FRIEL – PUSHING DAISIES MARY-LOUISE PARKER – WEEDS 20. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICALALEC BALDWIN – 30 ROCK STEVE CARELL – THE OFFICE DAVID DUCHOVNY – CALIFORNICATION RICKY GERVAIS – EXTRAS LEE PACE – PUSHING DAISIES 21. BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISIONBURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE (HBO)A Wolf Films/Traveler’s Rest Production in association with HBO Films THE COMPANY (TNT)Sony Pictures Television FIVE DAYS (HBO)HBO Films in association with BBC Films LONGFORD (HBO)A Granada Production in association with Channel 4 and HBO Films THE STATE WITHIN (BBC AMERICA)BBC, BBC America 22. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISIONBRYCE DALLAS HOWARD – AS YOU LIKE IT DEBRA MESSING – THE STARTER WIFE QUEEN LATIFAH – LIFE SUPPORT SISSY SPACEK – PICTURES OF HOLLIS WOODS RUTH WILSON – JANE EYRE 23. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISIONADAM BEACH – BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE ERNEST BORGNINE – A GRANDPA FOR CHRISTMAS JIM BROADBENT – LONGFORD JASON ISAACS – THE STATE WITHIN JAMES NESBITT – JEKYLL 24. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISIONROSE BYRNE – DAMAGES RACHEL GRIFFITHS – BROTHERS & SISTERS KATHERINE HEIGL – GREY’S ANATOMY SAMANTHA MORTON – LONGFORD ANNA PAQUIN – BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE JAIME PRESSLY – MY NAME IS EARL 25. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISIONTED DANSON – DAMAGES KEVIN DILLON – ENTOURAGE JEREMY PIVEN – ENTOURAGE ANDY SERKIS – LONGFORD WILLIAM SHATNER – BOSTON LEGAL DONALD SUTHERLAND – DIRTY SEXY MONEY Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:21:06 +0000http://www.actorpoint.com/acting-articles/features/golden-globes-2008/http://www.actorpoint.com/acting-articles/features/golden-globes-2008/The Acting Place is a multi-faceted acting school in Los Angeles that offers a safe and nurturing professional environment in which to grow, develop and blossom as a professional actor or to simply become a more confident, charismatic individual in your everyday personal and professional life! Visit http://actingplace.com/Sat, 17 Nov 2007 18:55:03 +0000http://www.actorpoint.com/acting-articles/acting-schools-classes-training/the-acting-place/http://www.actorpoint.com/acting-articles/acting-schools-classes-training/the-acting-place/As far as Los Angeles acting schools go, actors should look for two things. One: practical, expert, daily, training to prepare you to work in film and television. And two: a challenging environment to support and encourage you to LEAVE the classroom and the school and find acting work. We do this at the Actors' Boot Camp and at The Acting Corps. Check it out - if not now, when? Visit http://www.theactingcorps.com/ Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:30:04 +0000http://www.actorpoint.com/acting-articles/acting-schools-classes-training/the-acting-corps/http://www.actorpoint.com/acting-articles/acting-schools-classes-training/the-acting-corps/