Do You Need An Actor Website?

In this article, I’ll answer whether or not actors need an “actor website”.

But before I get to that, I was recently reminded of the sad state the industry of teaching actors is in. I’m not sure if it’s naiveté or lack of creativity or maybe they just don’t care anymore…

I listened in on someone’s ‘social media’ course for actors and I was really shocked and disappointed by what I heard.

The problem is they never take the position of the actor. They can only see it from their ‘industry’ perspective.

You shouldn’t be concerned with what the industry wants you to do. You should do what is going to work for YOU.

Even under the guise of ’empowerment’ all I heard was the opposite. The message was, “You need social media” and they had examples of actors who had found success using social media.

That’s like saying you should go to Vegas or play the Lottery because somebody won. It ignores the fact everyone else loses when you try to make a living doing something random.

So actors you are to tweet, whatever the verb form of Instagram is (today’s version of postcards) and never approach a casting director or anyone else directly because they are way too busy for that… Yet, casting directors have all the time in the world to tweet and search actors on the internet and social media? Really? Do you actually believe that’s how CD’s find actors. Let me assure you they don’t.

They don’t have time to meet actors in person but they seem to have lots of time to spend their evenings meeting completely unknown actors when there is money involved? Who’s to blame? Actors of course because they are looking for shortcuts to what should be a lifelong career path.

Sorry folks, there are none. Even the most talented person has to work their butt off to be successful.

This post is not something you are going to read very often. In fact, I am the only person I have ever heard take this stance. I am simply amazed at how the rest of the world teaches success and how actors are taught to be successful. It’s literally almost the opposite.

How does it work in the Real World? Get professional training or apprentice at a business. Start at the bottom in a business in your field, learn the ropes, work your way up, contribute, look for opportunities, take initiative…build lifetime relationships and work with them over and over again. Your excellence will naturally lead people to speak of you to others.

How does it work in Actorville? Take a class, and within weeks and not having any idea whether you are any good, start promoting yourself by getting a website and creating a lot of material making you look like you are a big success hoping you will fool people into bringing you in for a meeting. Do a ton of mass marketing whether you have done anything professional or not, never work in the business, never approach anyone and let them get to know you, and pay to meet casting directors and agents (known as a bribe in most countries) since you are not ‘allowed’ to approach them.

You be the judge. Let me know what you think. Am I nuts or am I the only voice of sanity among a giant herd of sheep, who all repeat the same stuff but in a different way?

Hacktor Question:

​What are the thoughts on a website domain name when I need two different websites…should I reserve my name for my actors’ page? Should I add a /actor to my name?

David’s Answer:

I would say that these are thoughts that really have very little consequence in your acting career future. I would reserve my name as a domain simply because I might want to do something with it but as far as it helping your acting career, an acting website will have little if no effect.

I actually think it has a negative effect because it makes you look like you just want the world to see everything you can put there. A real artist only puts their art on display occasionally and for the right person. Think of yourself as a fine artist. They put up selected works in a selected gallery and only select people will ever see it who are looking to buy that type of art. That’s the way you should think of your acting career. Available to the public accomplishes nothing.

You need to get the right people to see it at the right time and that only happens through auditions which you will only get through people who somehow know you are worth bringing in because they either know you personally or you have legitimate credits. If you have done some amazing work then don’t put it on the internet – call them up and ask them if you can bring it in to show them and then read for them.

You have to work your way into their offices at some point and putting something on the internet will never accomplish that.

Whenever you get into these decision making times, try to remember that you don’t need to do all these things that people suggest to you. ​​​​When was the last time you heard of anyone getting hired by their website or reel? Does it happen? Yes. Is it a viable strategy for success? No? It is a very low odds activity.

You get hired either directly through a relationship or your reputation or by performing directly for casting/producers so that’s what you need to focus on… getting yourself to the point where you know a casting director or two. And then, if you are sufficiently skilled, you will book a job.

So you can see how it is pointless to get in front of anyone if you aren’t 100% confident in your skills and how important it is to read for the right roles, not just any role. Read for the wrong role and look like a fool. Read for the right role and look like a genius.​

​The only insecurity you should have is not doing things the right way. There are no shortcuts. There is only preparing yourself and delivering in a creative way. The rest is fluff.

Marketing channels for actors? Please. If you have an unknown/unproven product, what’s the point of marketing it because no one will pay attention. They only pay attention when they know who you are and what you have to offer. That takes a process. Begin by saying ‘hi’ and then start showing them who you are and what you can do to help them. Success is people helping people.

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