Actors beating the COVID blues – 6 things to get your career re-booted.

/ Alise Mathews / Leave a comment

Theres no denying that COVID has had a big hit on our industry in 2020.
From actors personal incomes to that of production and theatre companies, theatres themselves, agents and casting directors, everyone has felt the pinch.
But despite the hardship, humans always inevitably find a way to survive, and not least the human spirits nature to want to create.
There is hope.
The industry is bouncing back and overcoming adversity and its like a frost thawing, seeing my clients already not only auditioning, but getting cast in jobs. It’s slow, but hopeful.
But if thats not you yet, it can be tough, and you feel like you’re permanently in lockdown, so heres a few tips to help kick start things…
1. REFRESH YOUR BRAND
Wait, What is my brand?
You’re a toothbrush. I need a toothbrush, but theres so many to choose from and they all promise different things, essentially, I just need to clean my teeth though, so whats going to sway me? Is it the amazing features you have, or the fancy packaging, or both?
Your skills won’t get you through the door alone, sure you can backflip on a tightrope whilst playing the banjo on fire, but your CV doesn’t mention it and the headshots make you look more like an accountant, not to mention your showreel is 5 years out of date.
Think about how you want to stand out, whats your brand? Are you a standard strong and dependable old-school toothbrush or a fancy electric ultra sonic one?
Look at your spotlight or online casting site profiles, if you were a stranger looking at it, does it look up to date? Does it have relevant hair length on there, are your skills up to date etc.
My personal pet hate is too much on a CV, theres no point putting abseiling if you can’t do it, Casting directors will see straight through that, and don’t put 17 headshots up and 4 seperate showreels, no one has time to indulge that much in you, sometimes, you’ve got to leave them wanting more!
2. SPRING CLEAN YOUR ONLINE IMAGE
The internet is a rabbit hole of information. Type your name in, see what comes up, does it reflect a good image to a future employer?
Just be conscious of what web results and social media you have public and what you post, sometimes it can paint a bad picture and is it worth setting some things private?
As much as having a website isn’t going to automatically pop up on a Casting directors recommended google sites, but there is no denying that any online branding is good for you and a website can be a great place to put all your content for people to explore if they want to know more.
It’s easier than ever to build yourself a website too, with the addition of sites likewixand squarespaceit takes a lot of the technical work out of your hands,and they even offer artificial intelligence now to build it automatically and write paragraphs for you, it’s incredible.
Why not do a free one and see how it goes?
3. RE-VISIT YOUR HEADSHOTS
If times are tight, its not always possible to get new headshots done as it feels like an expense that you can’t afford.
Why not take another look at your last shoot and the gallery, and see if there was any shots from then that you missed first time round, and order a new retouch or two from your photographer?
Most photographers galleries will be up online for a while, so why not have a look and see? A single retouch is much cheaper than a full new shoot and might tide you over and freshen up your portfolio.
4. PRACTISE THOSE SELF TAPES
There’s been a cataclysmic shift in the industry due to the pandemic that may not go back to pre-COVID ways, and that”s the use of online technology and its integration into our work process.
Face-to-face auditions will never go away, but I foresee more and more the initial stages of castings will be done via self-tape submissions, and you need to work out your technique.
Whether it’s using a couple of bedside lamps or sat in front of your window with a bedsheet behind you, if you can work out a good setup that is repeatable, you won’t be panicked when you’re asked to produce a last minute self tape for an audition
You can get plenty of tips online for good self-tape setups, so worth checking out youtube for some advice.
5. UPDATE YOUR SHOWREEL
Stop it. I know what you are thinking, either that you don’t have the raw material to update, or the skills to edit one together, or the money to get new scenes filmed specifically, but we need to think about a few things here…
I watch a lot of showreels, it’s part of my job to research the clients I shoot, and by doing that I see straight through every ‘manufactured’ showreel, and take it for what it is.
Acting thats not 100% on a TV or film clip can sometimes be excused, there is a lot of pressure on you and time restraints, big crew watching etc, bad acting on a showreel scene that been shot specifically for the purpose of showcasing you, has no excuse, you were literally there to get footage of you acting well and couldn’t, and you can end up waisting time and money.
So my answer is this, keep it simple.
Some of the best showreel scenes I have seen over the last few years have simply been a self tape someone has put up, no frills, just acting. Close up lovely acting, and i’ll let you into a secret… That’s all the casting directors want to see and they’ll love you for it.
So try it, get a friend to stand in for the other lines, or shoot just over their shoulder on an iphone and just act.
6. BRUSH UP WITH ONLINE CASTING WORKSHOPS
Another great bi-product of lockdown is the expanded use of online classes and live workshops. Not always offered for free, so make sure it’s not just someone trying to make a quick buck on the side, but there is some great access to industry professionals that didn’t exist before, so take a look around paces like

As well as online workshops that are live and sometimes 1-2-1, there is also a lot of pre-recorded footage out there, you can find little gems like this from The NFTSwith Jina Jay, Shaheen Baig and Jane Arnell, or check out theBackstage youtube channelamongst others to brush up on some free info!
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All in all, stay positive.
It may seem like there isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel for now, but things will pick up and you’ll be ready and ahead of the game when they do.

from nicholasdawkesphotography https://ift.tt/2DKXLyD

IMPROVE YOUR HEADSHOTS WITH ONE LOOK

/ Alise Mathews / Leave a comment

Here’s a little secret, it doesn’t matter what your hair is doing and what clothes you’re wearing for your headshots if your face is a big blank abyss, gormless like a dear trapped in headlights. My shoots tend to be part photography and part coaching, trying to teach you where your best angles are, then through direction improving how you engage with your audience with your body language and expression. Every photographer works differently, but you will be amazed at some of the simplest tricks that can transform your headshot. And it really is simpler than you think. No matter how scary that camera may seem, you need to engage with it. And it’s all in a look. You may not realise it, but with the simplist change of thought, your face will adapt and change without you realising, and your eyes reflect your thoughts and mood incredibly accurately.
Below is some things to try before your headshot session to get you in the right place before your shoot…
1. STAY CONNECTED WITH THE CAMERAUse real emotions, don’t just pretend.
When you’re on the spot and have to deliver to the camera with limited time, this can be your ‘go to’ for quick delivery on camera.Try this: Look in the mirror and think of something you love (your partner, your nan, your cat, magical unicorns) and watch how the shape of your face and eyes sit.
They’re relaxed, there may be a vulnerability that creeps in. It softens.
Now think of a tough time in your life (someone you’ve lost, someone who’s rubbed you up the wrong way or bullied you, Donald Trumps general influence on the world) do you instantly feel a retraction?
Theres a drop in your sense of pride, a feeling of negativity, a change in your body language. Make no mistake, this is definitely ‘painting by numbers’ when it comes to acting for camera, but the reality is, it’s a mental monologue for the camera that you can pull out when don’t have much time. 2. EYE MUSCLE MEMORY
Flex those muscles
There are 43 muscles in the human face alone. That’s a lot. Like with all muscles in the body we need to train them and learn to control them, its a useful acting tool.
Wide staring eyes don’t make people attracted to look at your eyes, they generally make people think you may be vulnerable, neurotic, mentally unstable or scared.
Relaxed eyes (or eyelids) can create a look of confidence or maturity, take a look at the headshots below, you can clearly how (from left to right) the images get stronger and with a better sense of purpose.

Above is a good example of how eye shape can transform a headshot
Try this: Look in the mirror and try conveying some different emotions using only your eyes, you don’t have to push it, just think of adjectives and see what happens.
Heres a few ones to get you started:

Devious Curious Vulnerable Determined
Flirtatious
Sly
Caring Controlling Arrogant
How did that change? Anything? If you are struggling, try looking away and take a moment in between each one to see if that helps. The key sometimes is not to over think it, but keep practising and lock in those muscle memories!
3. LEAN IN
Use body language to draw people in
Your body language plays such a huge part in how humans interact and read each other, this goes for general life, not just photos.
Try this: One of the things I always try and coach my clients on is generally the effect of staying on the balls of your feet during your shoot. This slight ‘lean in’ is how we tend to interact with each other in life, we rarely engage with each other on our heels, unless we are being defensive, so can make a HUGE difference to how the viewer reads your image.
This can convey confidence to the audience, so if you are nervous, use this as a tool to hide it!
Scroll through the examples below and the difference a slight lean can make to how you come across in a photo.
4. USE YOUR WHOLE BODY
Headshots aren’t just the head
Leaning isn’t the only thing that will send a message in a photo, if you look at the selection of headshots below, there is a distinct change in the energy with different angles of your body and also the status of person that is captured.

Try this: Think about you’re body shape and whether you have broad shoulders or a long neck and how that comes across on different angles, look in a mirror from different angles and start to think about how those angles effect how people will portray you and your casting.
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Even if you don’t consciously use any of these techniques in your shoot, the fact that you have analysed and studied your own habits should feed into your shoot.
At the end of the day, your headshot needs to look like you, but we are just showing the most engaging and eye catching version we can!

from nicholasdawkesphotography https://ift.tt/2ZinsOo

How We Made a Music Video- 10 Steps on How to Make One on Your Own!

/ Alise Mathews / Leave a comment

Join us for an in depth look at how we created a music video in New Orleans. There are 10 steps included in this video that will help you create one on your own including:

  • Building Your Shoot

  • Preparing The Talent

  • Sound

  • Lighting

  • Stills

  • Lenses

  • Details

  • Direction

  • Energy

  • Other Gear

To watch the video associated with this shoot that details each step please check it out by clicking below:

**Gear used in this video include:

**Rotolight- for special offers and info on all Rotolight products please visit www.rotolight.com/jasonoffers

Lights used in this video include the Titan, Anova Pro 2, Aeos, and the Neo 2 with the Illuminator.

-Sony A7Riii- https://bhpho.to/2N3K9OV

-Sony A9- https://bhpho.to/2N24wfD

-Sony A7iii- https://bhpho.to/2N0mNK3

-Sony 85mm G Master- https://bhpho.to/2M11p88

-Sony Zeiss 35mm- https://bhpho.to/2m6kHiM

-Sony Zeiss 16-35mm- https://bhpho.to/2McwrtP

-Canon EOS RP- https://bhpho.to/3ejpQcJ

-Canon RF 28-70mm- https://bhpho.to/2qnIOMd

-Manfrotto Fluid Head- https://bhpho.to/35xUQmf

– Feisol Monopod- https://bhpho.to/2AYm1vb

Below are some stills taken of the talent during the making of the music video

from Jason Lanier Photography https://ift.tt/3h7v3pB

SUPERCHARGE Your FLASH! How to get more light out of your Neo 2 using the DTap Connection

/ Alise Mathews / Leave a comment

Do you want to know how to get more power out of your Neo 2? Let’s SUPERCHARGE it!

Join Jason Lanier for a video shoot in the hot desert of California where he shows you how to SUPERCHARGE your FLASH with the Rotolight Neo 2 using the Dtap Connection.

All you need:

Rotolight Neo 2
V-mount Battery
Dtap cable
light stand
umbrella bracket.


SAVE 46%

NEO 2 + Transmitter

Coupon Code: JLNEO2HSS

SAVE 48%

Battery Bundle with D-Tap Travel Charger

Coupon Code:
JLBTBUN

www.rotolight.com/jasonoffers

In this video Jason uses his battery from the Rotolight Aeos on his Neo 2 to give it a real extra punch in the shots!  The Neo 2 typically takes 6 (six) AA batteries to be powered remotely.  But when you use the Dtap connection you can take the battery from the Aeos or the Anova Pro 2 and plug it into the Neo 2 making it significantly more powerful in flash mode than when you use just AA batteries.

Below are images Jason took at the shoot. Visit www.rotolight.com/jasonoffers for exclusive deals on some of the best LED lights in the world.

For more information about the lights and bundles that Jason recommends and uses please visit www.rotolight.com/jasonoffers today!  There are some tremendous bundles and savings that are just for his subscribers.  So make sure to take advantage of them today!

Gear used in the video includes:

*Sony A7Riii- https://bhpho.to/32jxEsw

*Sony Zeiss 50mm-  https://bhpho.to/2Wl7OjY

*Manfrotto Lighstand-  https://bhpho.to/2DCKuaJ

**Links to Social Media-

Jason Lanier

*Instagram- @jasonlanierphotography

*Facebook- www.facebook.com/jasonlanierworkshops

*Twitter- @jlanierphoto 

*Website- www.jasonlanier.com

Emily Rinaldo

*Instagram- @em.explores

*Website- www.emilyrinaldo.com

Necklace wrapped by Stephany Ferreira. Check out her work, The Art of Yuki, at https://www.theartofyuki.com/

We thank you for watching and invite you to stick around and watch a few more videos while you’re here.  Don’t forget to click on subscribe and notifications so you’re updated every time we release a brand new video.

Thanks!

Jason Lanier Photography

from Jason Lanier Photography https://ift.tt/3h26TwK

Huge Savings! Rotolight 2 Aeos Bundle Kit (50% Off)

/ Alise Mathews / Leave a comment

AEOS 2LK + 2 X BATTERY D-TAP + ILLUMINATOR BUNDLE

Promo Code: JLAEOS-02


If you haven’t heard, Rotolight is having a HUGE savings on their 2 Aeos Light Bundle Kit. Below, Jason Lanier (@jasonlanierphotography) and Emily Rinaldo (@em.explores) have provided a demonstration video below to show you what you can do with this extremely versatile kit. In an abandoned farmhouse in Jacumba, California Jason used two Aeoses to light Emily. One light was a key light, the other was placed on the ground, held upright by the battery pack (that’s included in the kit) to illuminate the hay and accent the bottom half of the scene. The lights used were unmodified in LED mode during the day. They created extremely soft, stunning, and timeless portraits.





For more information about this and other bundles offered by Rotolight and Jason Lanier please visit: www.rotolight.com/jasonoffers To take advantage of the particular gear used in this video as part of the bundle please visit: https://www.rotolight.com/product/aeo… Promo Code: JLAEOS-02

Wrap-up: In this video, Jason uses two Rotolight Aeoses in LED mode. One light used as a key light and the other used as accent lighting from down below. This is also one of the first shoots ever where Jason uses the Sony A99ii, Sony’s premier DSLT camera.

Lenses used for the shoot include the Sony Zeiss 24mm f/2, the Minolta 50mm f/1.7 and the Sony Zeiss 85mm f/1.4.

**Links to Gear
*Sony A99ii- https://bhpho.to/3goMUYH *
Sony Zeiss Distagon 24mm- https://bhpho.to/3gmCetC
*Minolta 50mm f/1.7- not currently sold
*Sony Zeiss Planar 85mm- https://bhpho.to/38sBcJV

We thank you for watching and invite you to stick around and watch a few more videos while you’re here! Please let us know what you think in the comment section below as we would love to hear from you!

Thanks,
Jason Lanier Photography

from Jason Lanier Photography https://ift.tt/2Z3D4po

Closing the Gap Workshop- Laguna Beach, California

/ Alise Mathews / Leave a comment

Exclusive Shots! Laguna Beach Workshop

Hi everyone,

I just wrapped up my workshop in Laguna Beach, California. I’m very grateful we were able to host such a successful event amidst everything happening in the world. The weather was gorgeous; the group was a blast. We did a ton of learning, laughing, and portfolio-building while being mindful of our state’s recommended safety guidelines.

A session of the workshop targeted LED lighting. In the shots below, we demonstrated how to use the Rotolight Anova Pro 2 in Flash mode during the day. Notice how the background is blended and balanced with the exposure on the subject’s face. During both sets, the Rotolight AP2 was unmodified and still put out extremely soft light! These images were taken with the Sony A7Riii. The two models Marisa Butler (@marisapaigebutler) and Siray Kong (@siraykong) did a great job! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you haven’t already, go to www.rotolight.com/jasonoffers for exclusive deals on some of thebest-LED lights on the planet! Visit the site and save up to 50% today! If you would like to catch us at a workshop – click here for dates and locations. If you still need some more time and would like to learn from afar, that’s okay, we understand! You can join us on Patreon for our monthly zoom chat sessions where we have a Livestream Q&A, monthly photo critiques, editing sessions and more!

Thanks for tuning in! We appreciate you tremendously over here at Fedora Nation!

Sincerely,
Jason






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