Hey their fabulous actors.
Welcome back to casting actor’s cast,
the podcast that shines a light on your
talent without frying your brain.
Hi, I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach your host,
casting director, teacher and lifelong
fan of smart actors who want to build a
career,
not just a following.
What does that mean?
What’s today’s hot topic.
We’re going to call it social media as
a branding tool, without becoming an influencer.
You know what I’m talking about.
You’re told to build your presence,
grow your brand, engage your audience,
and suddenly you’re spiraling into a
vortex of hashtags, ringlights and lip
sync challenges you didn’t ask for,
don’t worry.
We’re going to break it all down to day
with some humor real tips and
absolutely no dance routines required.
Social media, tedium
that’s the subject on today’s episode
of casting actor’s cast.
Well, hello, and welcome to today’s
episode of gasing acker’s guest.
I’m casting partner Geoffrey driesbych
with the mcorkal group in New York.
I’ve been casting for fifteen years
with mccorkal casting it’s been quite a
journey.
And I’m really excited that you are
here today for this particular topic,
it’s something that I’ve wanted to
expound on a little bit more than I’ve
done in some past episodes.
And we’re going to be talking about
social media.
And I know it’s challenging for a lot
of actors to try and figure it out.
So we’re going to address a lot of
those challenges and provide you with
some updates.
But first, this is that moment of the
podcast where I just get to say thank
you for tuning in to the podcast.
It really means a lot to me that you’re
here.
Wouldn’t you mind consider sharing this
episode if you like it?
Perhaps you might consider leaving a
review at the end of the show there’s a
way that you can
say, gosh, I really thought this was
great if you did.
Of course
also, ah, I want to just tell you about
the website, casting actress cast, all
one word dot com.
You’re going to find past archive
episodes of the podcast as well some
additional information.
There’s even a place on the landing
page that says, dive into the talent
pool.
If you do that, just fill out your name
and your email address.
That’s going to open up some freebies
for you.
One is a book on doing voice over work
called conversation pieces out of the
studio.
The voice of a workshop for
professional actors.
It’s 100 pages.
It’s an absolutely free pdf.
I’m just giving it away.
Also there’s a video.
Casting secrets.
What they don’t tell you, it’s a video
I did a few years back, but I think it
still holds up, and I think you’re
going to find that really useful again.
That’s absolutely free of charge.
My whole point in doing this is to
brill a community of actors and folks
to really make them feel more
comfortable and more confident as they
jump into the industry, as they
continue to grow their talent and grow
their careers.
And finally, I just wanted to give my
shout out to all of my good friends at
actor’s connection.
And then finally, finally, I am so
excited about my book.
Oh my gosh, it’s so exciting.
It’s called booked it,
the actor’s play book for getting cast.
You’re going to find that on the
website as well as on Amazon as well.
I mean, there’s just it’s just
everywhere.
And I’m also excited to tell you that
I’ve just finished recording the audio
book.
It’s in the final stages of production.
And so that’s going to be out very
shortly as well.
So there’s a lot to take a look at.
I don’t want to eat up too much of your
time today, but there you are.
Check out casting actor’s cast.
You can sign up, you can like and share
and all that good stuff.
O camp done.
Advertising myself that’s kind of
embarrassing.
I’ve gone on a little too long.
So let’s talk about the social media
mindset.
I know that this is something that a
lot of actors struggle with,
because there are so many demands that
are placed on today’s actors.
I mean, my gosh, you have to be able to
know how to do your own self tape.
You’ve got to do the setup, you’ve got
to know about lighting and sound
and all those, and video editing, all
those things.
In addition to that, you’ve got to
maintain your professional
relationships with agents and casting
directors and people in the industry.
It’s also important to continue your
classes, taking classes in improvin on
I mean, it just goes on and on.
And now here’s another thing, that,
fear of missing out, that fomo thing
that a lot of actors put themselves
through as it relates to social media.
And so we need to talk about that
social media mindset.
And the way we’re going to approach
this is just
break it down just a little bit more,
so that you don’t stress yourself out.
That’s the craziest thing I’ve seen.
Actors suddenly spend so much time in
that environment that they spend less
time on the purpose for themselves, of
why they want to do this, why they want
to be an actor.
They lose out because they’re consumed
by the algorithm, so to speak.
We need to address that, I think.
And hopefully you’re going to find this
really, really helpful.
First and foremost, please remember
that this is a tool,
it’s not your career.
All right, let’s start with a little
mindset shift.
That’s the way we’re going to start
this.
Social media is a tool, not your
career.
You’re an actor,
not a content farm.
You don’t have to post every waking
moment or become a brand mascot for oat
milk just to be seen.
I believe that you should think of
social media the way a stage manager
thinks of gaffertape.
You know, gaffer’s tape.
It’s there to support you, but not
become.
You
think about social media like this, use
it as perhaps a way to show a highlight
reel, or think of it as your digital
business card.
Perhaps it’s just a way that we can
peek into your creative world.
You see, you’re not competing with
influencers who make six figures to
promote teeth.
Whitening kits,
right?
You’re here to let casting
collaborators and creatives
see who you are and what you do.
So let’s agree, no pressure to be
perfect,
no pressure to post constantly,
and no pressure to film your dog doing
impressions of Daniel de Lewis.
Although if they can do that, then
would you mind giving me a call?
The next thing we have to discuss is
what platform would be useful for you?
What platform is helpful for you?
And so we need to be able to discern
what are the useful elements of some of
these platforms.
So this segment I’m calling picking
your platform.
Where should you live online?
Well, first let’s talk strategy
You don’t have to be everywhere.
Pick platforms that actually make sense
for you and your goals.
Here’s one,
you know, this Instagram,
I think it’s helpful.
If you think of it as your virtual
resume.
You could post some headshots, you
could do some rehearsal picks.
Perhaps short reels or monologues of
some Scenes.
Just think about using some stories to
show your personality.
Without, and this is important, without
the pressure of performance.
I’m not interested in seeing you
perform as much as I am seeing
you.
I hope that makes sense.
Now let’s talk about TikTok,
my gosh.
Dicta it’s not just for dancers.
Let’s just put that out there.
If you showcase characters that you’ve
played or can play,
maybe you could do some quick Scenes or
even some behind the Scenes content.
It’s about building niche communities.
I think that that’s the way to think
about TikTok,
for example, there’s a place for actors
who cry on cue.
And there’s actors who always play the
quirky roommate.
Those are niche areas.
Perhaps you could find a niche and then
food.
Focus your content
toward that.
Let’s move on from there.
LinkedIn.
Yes,
really.
I think LinkedIn is really, really
helpful.
One reason that LinkedIn is very
helpful is that more
casting directors,
more directors,
more creatives use LinkedIn as a
professional
social media place
to connect with others
that you would make a mistake if you
didn’t at least consider using
LinkedIn.
You could post about bookings you could
post about training
or any industry events that you might
be going to or participating in.
You could
listen connect with other actors,
coaches, producers,
even casting folks.
Just keep it professional.
No bickini thirst traps,
unless, unless it’s for an aquatic
Hamlet reboot
you might want.
I just consider the content that is
appropriate for you to post on LinkedIn.
Now here’s my pro tip.
This might be hard for some of you, but
honestly, I would love for you to
consider it.
Pick one or two platforms.
Max
that’s it.
In my view, it’s better to show up
consistently on one
than half heartedly
on five.
Now, I have to admit, I’m a little bit
guilty of this.
I have a LinkedIn account, but I have
to be Frank with you.
I don’t spend a lot of time on it.
I just don’t have that kind of time of
day.
I also don’t have the same kind of
pressure that an actor might feel.
So it’s maybe an unfair comparison.
But I do wish that I could streamline
my posting, or be more consistent with
my posting, which, as a result of this
podcast today, I’m going to try and
make a commitment to doing that.
More and so that’s going to help me,
and I hope that might help you as well,
if you find yourself in a similar
situation.
So I think the next question we have to
address is what to post.
And honestly, I’ve used this word many
times in my podcast, but authenticity
is the new aesthetic.
So now you’re wondering, but what do I
post?
You don’t have to be interesting,
you don’t?
You just have to be interested.
There’s a difference.
So here are some guilt free ideas to
consider.
I think it’s really a cool idea to do
some behind the Scenes moments.
You know, an actor in preparation,
your
yoga warm up in the morning
here’s forg.
Here’s a great example.
I think here’s how I prepped for to
day’s audition for a detective with
emotional baggage,
that’s kind of fun.
That’s entertaining, that’s engaging.
But it’s also insight into you.
It is not a performance,
you understand?
The difference.
More insight into who you are actually
makes you more interesting.
I think you could do snapshots of
yourself.
Tape set up.
Yeah, why not?
Even if you have, like, a lamp with a
towel over it for your lighting,
I think that might be useful.
I think you could use a performance
clipse, for example, some monologue
reels or some scene excerpts,
voice over samples if you’re mikked up
in fancy
process.
Plus progress
that’s the way to theme each of your
postings.
You could also do lessons from acting
class, things that you learn, maybe
breakthrough moments you could be
describing to your audience.
I think you could also do quotes that
inspire you, or challenges that you’ve overcome.
You know what I’m talking about?
The time I forgot my lines and
pretended, I was choking on a muffin
work,
funny outakes.
Have you thought about some funny
outtakes?
Show your human side.
People love bloopers.
And by people, I mean casting directors
with a sense of humor.
See, this isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about being you consistently and
creatively
moving on from there,
engaging without overexposing.
You don’t have to be are on line 247
to be present.
We need to talk about boundaries,
because if you’re not careful, you’ll
blink and realize you’ve just spent
three hours watching a hamster make pancakes.
So we need to talk about how to stay
connected without losing your mind
first, set a time limit.
I think,
don’t hate me for saying it.
Fifteen minutes a day to post or engage
and then done.
Consider starting conversations.
Try a quick q and a, for example,
what’s your most awkward audition moment.
Or you could do a poll.
What would you rather play?
A villain or a romantic lead?
See, your followers really become your
potential collaborators.
So log off
without guilt
when fifteen minutes are up.
I think that we have to
say
the following, social media doesn’t
define your worth.
People spend so much time
in trying to qualify what they’re
posting.
In fact, speaking of posting, you’re
allowed to not post for a week or a month.
Listen.
You’re not a toaster of it.
You don’t need to be on all the time.
We’re going to have a couple of
suggestions on how to build your brand.
Right after this.
Welcome back, social media.
Build your brand.
It’s not a facade.
See, you are the brand, not a cartoon
version of you.
So your brand isn’t something you make
up.
It’s already there.
Ask yourself, what kinds of roles do I
love playing
what adjectives describe me as an
actor.
For example, funny, you could feel like
you’re an intense actor, or grounded or
bold, or come up with adjectives that
help define who you are.
And how can I reflect that in your
posts?
That’s the question to be asking.
So here’s an example.
If you’re the grounded, dramatic actor,
maybe your posts lean more emotional,
thoughtful, or maybe even the behind
the Scenes kind of posting.
If you’re a comedic actor, then lean
into the absurdities of the actor’s life
self.
Tape fails,
As long as you stay authentic,
there’s no need to reinvent a
personality.
See, you’re not a soda brand.
You’re an actor with a heartbeat.
Get it
all right.
Guys let’s land.
This digital plane, social media, is
your tool, not your master.
It’s really here to reflect your
artistry,
to build your network, to show your
growth.
But it should never make you feel like
you’re in a 247 audition for america’s
next top influencer.
So listen, post when you want,
share what matters, be real,
and then
put the phone down.
Go act, go create, go live,
and you’ll have way more to post about
when you come back.
So I have a call to action.
If you found this helpful, would you do
a quick favor.
Would you share this episode with an
actor
friend who is stuck in the scroll?
Tag me at casting actor’s cast at Gmail
dot com.
If you post your favorite take away,
let me know about it.
And guess what?
Don’t forget to subscribe for more real
talk, real tools and real love for your
actor journey
until next time.
Stay bold, stay booked, and please stay
off TikTok, after midnight,
I am Geoffrey driesbock will see you
next time on casting actors.
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