The Haven of Theater

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Casting Frontier

Many successful actors say when they found theater arts they found a haven.

When you first see Crash’s Thandie Newton, it is easy to assume with her stately exotic beauty, talent, and successful career that she always had it easy. However, Newton describes the painful experience of growing up in two distinct cultures and never feeling like she belonged. Challenged with issues of identity, she was able to find peace by “plugging into” various character roles, and being in the moment when she joined the theater.

At 17 years of age, Al Pacino was bored and unmotivated in school, even to the point of flunking most of his classes. But Pacino found a haven in school plays, and this sanctuary compelled him to commit to acting classes and pursue auditions despite dropping out of school. His newfound passion helped sustain him through a period of depression and poverty. In the midst of all the turmoil of his early life, the peace he found onstage proved to be a strong foundation for his prolific acting career—one of the most successful in cinema history.

In theater, it’s not only safe but actually required for the players to fully embrace and freely express human vulnerabilities—those which the world often expects people to mask or numb. Actors must deeply expose their emotional framework without shame or judgment through the vehicle of another person’s point of view or character.

Brene Brown–who studies human connection, including our ability to empathize, belong, and love—calls vulnerability the birthplace of belonging, love, joy, and creativity.

Expressing vulnerability is critical for human connection. This is the heart of theater arts.

Watch Brown speak about her inspirational findings about vulnerability here.

Submit your profile for commercial auditions, TV auditions (and more!) in Los Angeles, New York & nationwide. Get more auditions using Casting Frontier's online casting system and showcase your talent! Post your reel & plus get your Casting Card that includes your personal Actor ID Barcode. Visit us at http://castingfrontier.com.

Those Primarily Seeking Fame

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Casting Frontier

Last year, a survey found that the top three career aspirations for 5-11 year olds in Britain were sports star, pop star and actor—as compared with teacher, banker and doctor 25 years prior. And according to the Pew Research Center in 2006, 51% of Generation Nexters (ages 18-25) say they rate becoming famous as highly valued. This reflects an increase up from Gen X’s 29% (ages 26-40). Gen Nexters were shaped in a culture with personal computers, cell phones, the internet, and personal profiles on social networking sites. While the majority of them agree that such technological tools help them to make and maintain friendships, they agree such tools make people lazier. In the entertainment industry, a general concern is the growing sense that actors are drawn to the field primarily for celebrity status, and less so for personal development and to hone the rich craft of the theater. How many times have you marveled at the beauty of a leading lady but were decidedly disappointed by her acting performance? How many reality TV show participants rely heavily on a shockingly bad attitude and seem to be placed in the plot to traumatize the others on the set and increase ratings? Personalities like Richard Heene (aka Balloon Boy dad) and Steve-O keep us chatting or laughing amongst friends and colleagues for days. To deny there is a welcome place for these characters in our culture is simply untrue. But according to a study at the University of Rochester, researchers found that subjects motivated by external goals like praise and recognition revealed lower emotional well-being than those with internal goals like personal growth or physical health. Likewise, psychologists have linked fame seeking with feelings of abandonment and rejection. And, as more and more people are ready for the limo to drop them off at the red carpet after taking one acting class, the numbers are stacked against them. Many are bound to face disappointments as far as achieving stardom. So instead, learn to manage expectations, commit to the true art of acting, and realize how capable you really are.

The Value of Acting

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Casting Frontier

Don’t ever underestimate the importance of what you do. Yes, there are people who work for the Red Cross and feed starving children, others risk their lives to protect and serve the general public, some work tirelessly to cure cancer, and some care for the elderly. To be sure, these are all noble and beautiful careers, and we are forever in these caregivers’ debt. But consider what the arts have meant to you over your lifetime.

Think of the comedies that had you laughing your butt off at the darkest times in your journey. Or the dramas that had you dabbing tears on the way out of a darkened theater. Or the stage plays that had you riveted and mesmerized from beginning to end. I’m certain you’ll agree these are tremendously important moments in life. We’ve all been uplifted and inspired by movies, plays, paintings, and music and there is true value in the arts.

Art has always been the refuge of those in need whether the need be for inspiration or catharsis or comfort or joy. Art fulfills so many needs. You, as an actor, have the power to influence people’s lives in profound and unique ways. So, make no mistake, being an actor is a noble cause. Be sure to treat it as such.

Today’s Public Roles

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Casting Frontier

Los Angeles:

Role Name: Elderly Man, Gender: Male, Age Range:59-65 http://database.castingfrontier.com/account/public_submissions/20939

Role Name: Elderly Woman, Gender: Female, Age Range 59-65 http://database.castingfrontier.com/account/public_submissions/20940

Role Name: Bank Associate, Gender: Female, Age Range: 25-29 http://database.castingfrontier.com/account/public_submissions/20941

New York:

Role Name: Ambar Jones, Gender: Female, Age Range: 8-10 http://database.castingfrontier.com/account/public_submissions/20924

Role Name: Sally Jones, Gender: Female, Age Range: 28-40 http://database.castingfrontier.com/account/public_submissions/20925

Role Name: Ed Jones, Gender: Male, Age Range: 28-40 http://database.castingfrontier.com/account/public_submissions/20926

Role Name: Dr.Ken Uche, Gender: Male, Age Range: 27-31 http://database.castingfrontier.com/account/public_submissions/20927

Role Name: Mathias, Gender: Male, Age Range: 28-40 http://database.castingfrontier.com/account/public_submissions/20928

Why So Many Reality TV Shows?

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Casting Frontier

The average American spends about five hours a day watching TV. As we know, to keep up with this kind of media appetite, an ongoing stream of talent is needed. But, as a whole, what kind of roles are presenting themselves these days and why? Media trendsetter Lauren Zalaznick, who is credited with revamping the Bravo Network with shows like Project Runnway and Top Chef, looked into the value system of popular TV over the last 50 years. Using the top 10 Nielson rated shows to research America’s “social conscience,” she discovered just how political and economic factors influence our viewing habits. Every time there is a spike in unemployment rates, programs with fantasy and imaginative themes rise along with it. It’s no surprise we don’t want to watch shows about people struggling financially when we ourselves are feeling down as a whole. So, Archie Bunker was kicked off the networks in the late 1970’s when unemployment really started peeking, and was replaced with Dallas and Fantasy Island—shows featuring lavish lifestyles. And during the past 20 years, there has been a decline in the popularity of 1990’s sitcoms like Friends, Seinfeld, and Cheers. These humorous, comforting shows thrived when the economy was going strong. But in 2001, humor takes a back seat to programs featuring themes of judgment like Survivor, Dancing with the Stars, and American Idol in which people are given power to vote people off. This coincides with the 911 attacks, a presidential election decided by the supreme court, and anthrax scares. With unemployment so high these days, the affluence of Jersey Shore and Keeping Up with the Kardashians is looking good to American audiences. So, it’s not just what producers are seeking, it’s what we as a television audience are responding to. For more information, see Lauren speak at http://www.ted.com/talks/lauren_zalaznick.html.