"10 WAYS TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER" BY SARAH KUHN (BACKSTAGE, JULY 30, 2009)

1. Have an Advocate: "But talent reps aren't the only potential advocates. You can also cultivate this type of relationship by impressing your acting teacher with your work, by befriending and keeping in touch with more-experienced actor you meet on jobs, or by catching the eye of a casting director at an audition."

2. Find a Supportive Environment: "[Actor Blake Robbins] has a standing lunch date with actor and director friends. 'We talk about life, films we've seen, our experiences in the business, and the hopes and dreams we hold for each other and ourselves'... Robbins also attends Naked Angels' weekly cold-reading series, Tuesdays@9."

3. Do Student Films: "'When I'm on a student film set, I know there probably won't be a script supervisor who will pay attention to continuity issues, so I make a concerted effort to pay attention to where I am' (Kito Robinson). And once the project wraps, so your best to stay in the loop... be part of any life a film might have beyond the classroom--by attending festival screenings... 'But it's also one of the very few opportunities you get to mingle in a room full of filmmakers and industry pros who have just viewed your work'(K. Robinson)."

4. Create Your Own Work

5. Hone Your Audition Skills

6. Understand the Business Side of Acting: "... thoroughly research an agent or manager before signing a contract, and seek the counsel of fellow actors. 'Never sign a contract with representation without reading the full contract and getting legal advice to see if it's legit' (Ryan Revel, a manager at BenderSpink)."

7. Be Smart About Promoting Yourself

8. Find Your Niche: "'Take note of your habits and your quirks, the things you do over and over. How do you handle situations and confrontations compared to others? What choices do you most naturally and often make? Embrace those qualities and get comfortable being you.' (Mark Atteberry, http://www.beaworkingactor.com)."

9. Learn How to Network:

• "' ... identify people and draw them into your life by choice...' (LA Actor, Kristine Oller)."
• "What are you focused on achieving at this time?"
• "... it's not the quantity of your contacts that counts but the quality."
• "Oller says you can increase the odds of getting the response you want by tweaking the way you phrase your requests. So, for example, instead of asking someone, 'If I think of any other questions, can I e-mail them to you?' try the following: "If, further down the line, I had a question that fit your area of expertise, would you be open to having me send it your way?' 'This phrasing reassures them that you will not send them every single question you ever have-- or worse, become an unwanted pen pal,' she says. 'Also, this request is more difficult to say no to, because what you're actually asking is would they be open.' Lastly, many people equate netowrking with schmoozing and selling, 'but it's really about marketing, and marketing is just educating,' Oller says. 'I tell my clients that you're just educating people. You're saying, 'Let me tell you about what I'm doing right now in case you or someone you know might find it beneficial now or at some time in the future.' There's no pressure."

10. Get a Life!