The Actor's Career Compass: Your Guide to Acting in Film, Finding Auditions & Agents, and Joining SAG AFTRA

Did you know that your personality could be the key to booking more acting roles? Casting directors aren’t just looking at talent—they’re also considering personality to see if you’re the right fit for the role and the team. In this episode, we’ll dive into how being authentic, confident, and friendly can set you apart, making casting directors eager to work with you. * Discover why casting directors value a genuine, friendly personality and how it affects their choices. * Learn how to project confidence and flexibility in auditions, boosting your chances of landing the role. * Find out simple ways to keep connections alive through professional follow-ups, increasing future casting opportunities. Listen now to learn how to make your personality work for you and attract more acting roles! Contact Info and Resources Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com [martin@cityheadshots.com] Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com [https://www.martinbentsen.com/] Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com [https://www.cityheadshots.com/] Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com [https://www.actorscreenershoot.com/] Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com [https://www.demoreelsnyc.com/] This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Ever wondered exactly how casting directors decide who gets an audition? Today, you’ll learn what they look for—and how you can make sure you stand out. Casting directors sort through hundreds of submissions in seconds, relying on a few key factors to pick the most promising actors. Understanding their process can help you craft your submission so that you get noticed and move past the first cut, even if you’re just starting out. * Learn why your headshot and Slate Shot are critical to making a strong first impression. * Discover how to write an eye-catching submission note that gives you an edge, even without a packed resume. * Understand what casting directors look for in reels and clips—and how to choose ones that boost your chances of getting an audition. Listen now to gain insights that will help you create casting profiles that capture casting directors’ attention and get you invited to audition! Contact Info and Resources Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com [martin@cityheadshots.com] Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com [https://www.martinbentsen.com/] Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com [https://www.cityheadshots.com/] Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com [https://www.actorscreenershoot.com/] Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com [https://www.demoreelsnyc.com/] This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Want to know the secret to delivering performances that casting directors remember? It’s called "The Likability Factor," and it can make a HUGE difference. In today’s competitive acting world, being likable—both in and out of character—is essential. The Likability Factor is all about making your character relatable, which draws audiences in and leaves casting directors wanting more. In this episode, you’ll discover how to bring likability into your performances, even for challenging or “unlikable” roles. * Learn how to uncover the “positive motivation” behind a character’s negative emotions for a stronger, more relatable performance. * Find out why making even the most flawed characters likable can help you stand out to casting directors. * Discover techniques to show casting directors your true personality, making you memorable and easy to work with. Tune in to this episode to find out how using "The Likability Factor" can turn your next audition into a standout performance and boost your chances of getting booked. Contact Info and Resources Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com [martin@cityheadshots.com] Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com [https://www.martinbentsen.com/] Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com [https://www.cityheadshots.com/] Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com [https://www.actorscreenershoot.com/] Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com [https://www.demoreelsnyc.com/] This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Are you struggling to find acting gigs during the industry’s current slowdown? You don’t have to sit on the sidelines—there are ways to keep building your career right now! With production down by 40% in LA and about 20-30% in New York as of late 2024, the competition for roles is fiercer than ever. But there are still smart moves you can make to gain valuable experience, expand your network, and position yourself for future opportunities. * Find out how to tap into voice acting, commercials, and industrials to keep working in the industry. * Learn why indie productions and working with award-winning directors can boost your portfolio and connections. * Discover the benefits of exploring other markets, like Atlanta or New Mexico, where production is more active. Listen now to uncover creative ways to find acting work even during industry slowdowns and get ready to make 2025 your breakthrough year! Contact Info and Resources Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com [martin@cityheadshots.com] Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com [https://www.martinbentsen.com/] Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com [https://www.cityheadshots.com/] Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com [https://www.actorscreenershoot.com/] Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com [https://www.demoreelsnyc.com/] This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Ever wondered what talent agents really look for when signing actors? Get insider tips from Valerie Adami, a seasoned New York talent agent! Valerie Adami brings a wealth of experience from her journey in musical theater, commercials, voice-over, and soap operas, to her role as a talent agent. She knows what makes an actor stand out—and what doesn’t. From her time as director of the Weist-Barron School for Film & TV to representing top talent, Valerie shares valuable insights for actors looking to make a lasting impression on agents: * Discover what agents prioritize when considering new talent and what makes an actor irresistible to sign. * Learn the major red flags agents watch for and what mistakes can make them skip over a prospective client. * Get practical advice on the best ways to contact agents—and the big don'ts to avoid. Listen to this episode to learn the do’s and don’ts of reaching out to talent agents and discover what it takes to stand out in New York’s competitive acting scene. You can reach Valerie and her agency at https://sw-artists.com/ [https://sw-artists.com/] Contact Info and Resources Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com [martin@cityheadshots.com] Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com [https://www.martinbentsen.com/] Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com [https://www.cityheadshots.com/] Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com [https://www.actorscreenershoot.com/] Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com [https://www.demoreelsnyc.com/] This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.