I was so passionate about wanting the role in 'Like Crazy,' I filmed myself in the shower because that's where one of the scenes was set. It just felt instinctive. It was a close up! It would have been strange if I'd sent off a wide shot of myself. That's not the kind of work I want to do!
Whenever I didn't have a job, I studied acting, I sent out tapes, went on auditions.
In films and TV, actors get chosen based on their capabilities, charisma and the image they carry.
You have to make enough noise to be cast in the right films, and the best way to make that noise is to do lots of good work.
You gotta understand, 'Swingers' was a resume film for me. I never thought anybody would see the movie who I wasn't in the room with showing it to them.
It is important to keep the filmmakers interested in you so they can offer you everything and anything. We actors are not given work on the basis of audience poll; the filmmaker will cast you after they see and like your work. It is essential to do different kind of films and not get typecast.
People used to ask me questions on my blog about how to break into the acting industry. You often have to start out in parts where you have very few words, but you still have to try to make an impact.
There is no set way of getting a role - you don't give an exam, score well, and then nail a film.
There are things like the importance of having a showreel, a headshot, a cover note, a tailored CV - these are all really important when you are trying out for roles.
Sometimes I feel indie directors are in the game so they can make a film to get hired to do a big film - that we're all doing this person's reel.
I don't know how to construct a career that'll make me famous. Except maybe get my ears pinned back, get my teeth done, and go to America. But then I'll be competing with billions of actors who haven't got false teeth, and who are 25.
As an actor sometimes we sit and wait for projects to be handed to us and we don't really work. We expect our agents and managers to know who we are and to see who we are and offer us a part or send us out and submit us.
If you're looking for reps, write letters that are short and professional. Make sure you have a really great reel of yourself. If there are friends you know who are making short films, do them - it's all material for your reel.
I've been getting my reel together. I think they are looking at me more as an actress because I have a lot of potential and a lot of skills.
IMDb only lists specific projects. It doesn't list theater, commercial, and most non-union work. You also have to pay to upload your reel to most sites, and some places still make you walk your DVD into their physical location.
