Jeffery Hauser

So many of us sit around the house during the week wondering if our opportunity will come. We submit every now and then off of backstage, nowcasting or actors access and wait for the call to audition.

Some of us even go to bed at night thinking "tomorrow is a new day, I'm going to get my butt in gear". But then tomorrow happens and things come up. You start to focus on making money to make ends meet, finding time to rest after work, and what will happen on the next Nip/Tuck.

Look, I've been there- hell I am still there at times. But you can't honestly feel that you are doing everything you can to obtain your acting goals if you are not giving your focus to fundamentals.

I know money is tight some times (for others all the time), but you have to go that extra mile to be resourceful. You have to want it THAT BAD!

#1) Are you only going over sides when you have an audition?  If so you are doing yourself a diservice.  You wouldn't use your company time at a professional job to learn how excel works when a report needs to...

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Tags: acting, actors, extra mile, finding time, hollywood, working

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Posted at: 03:47 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink

How many times have you had an opportunity just slip through your fingers? Whether it be an audition call for a major film or new tv pilot that never materialized or simply had an agency interview that may have helped turn things around for you but they passed. Perhaps you were doing extra work and while on set the Director looked your way for a brief moment to do a line but decided to go with the person next to you. These moments can be very hard to handle sometimes, but it can also be a blessing in disguise.

It's tough I know, dealing with heartache and disappointment time and time again. You try so hard to break into the business that when you get those few opportunities to do something tangible you can't help but question what if? What if I don't get it? What if it was something I did wrong? Soon more questions follow like maybe being an actor is not what I was supposed to be afterall.

Now before you take a fist full of antidepressants, let's stop the negativity there. Just because you had an opportunity slip though the cracks doesn't mean you are doing... [More]

Tags: acting, agents, cds, film, opportunities, pilot, slipping through, speaking role, tv

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Posted at: 10:45 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink

"My voice sounds horrible, I don't look like my picture, I am too short/ too tall, my look is too familiar."

Have any of these excuses crossed your mind recently? Okay, how about this one, "I just don't have the money right now" Ahhh, hit a nerve didn't I. Well guess what? That is an excuse too.

Too often we start to wonder why we are not obtaining our goals. First we just think we need more training. Then more credits. Then a better agent. When finally we start to look inward and feel that maybe we just aren't as marketable as we thought. That is when the doubt creeps in taking away all future hope of success and virtually crushing our own spirit.

Excuses become excuses when they block you from your goal. There is no problem too great that can overtake your passion. We pay our rent, our car and food every month and we find a way to make it work. If acting is your passion then find a way. And what better time to start finding that way then NOW.

Now is the time to change your thinking from all those negative thoughts about yourself. Now... [More]

Tags: change, excuses for actors, negativity, quitting

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Posted at: 01:08 AM | 1 Comment | Add Comment | Permalink

How many times have you walked away from an audition feeling like you stunk up the place. That there is no way that they will even consider you for a callback. You probably even felt like they were going to tear up your headshot as soon as you left the room. Now, think back on the times when you left feeling you nailed it. More often than not we are extremely hard on ourselves and we let negativity creep in. Sure it starts out with a simple audition, but soon it spreads like a virus consuming your everyday life, leaving you questioning why you can't seem to break into this business.

We've all heard it. "Acting takes years to pursue", but most of us have also asked ourselves "Am I too old?", "Do I have the right look?", "Am I taking the right classes". "Who do I have to sleep with to get an audition?" Okay maybe not the last one, but most likely all of the other questions have appeared in your head at least once.

It is very easy to question yourself in this business. After all, there really is not a guide book to map out exactly... [More]

Tags: acting, confidence, negativity, personality, success

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Posted at: 07:04 PM | 1 Comment | Add Comment | Permalink

Recently I had a conversation with an individual who was contemplating quitting the business of acting.  After several years of trying he felt like there was nothing new he hasn’t tried yet to get himself in front of the right people.  After talking with this person I came to realize how tough it is to not get overwhelmed with all of the possibilities out there and keep yourself focused on your career, especially if you have been at this game for some time.

When it comes to acting you have to take one step at a time.  You must understand what it is you are actually trying to accomplish in the short term.  Are you considering finding representation?  How about finding a new acting school to attend?  Targeting a specific need is essential in obtaining your overall goal.  It is easy to stretch ourselves too thin trying to improve multiple areas all at once.  What often happens is complete overload and possible burnout.  For instance: A person trying to take two completely different styles of acting classes at the same time.  It is very hard to put your full effort...

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Tags: acting, auditions, goals, industry people, targeting

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Posted at: 01:16 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink

What is acting? Many people feel that acting is not being yourself. To portray a different person that is completely unlike you and make it believable.

I strongly disagree. I believe acting is putting YOURSELF in different situations and environments to tell a story for others to lose themselves in. It is not how different you can be but how well you can connect yourself to the character.

To do this you need to understand who you are first. I've seen actors who are shy and soft spoken beat themselves up in an auditon trying to be boisterous and obnoxious because that is what they think is going to get them the part. What they do not realize is that being fake bleeds through you like a sheet of paper in water. If you are a really nice person then let that be your foundation. Work on allowing yourself to grow as yourself and audition for roles that seem to fit your personality the best. What better way to have confidence in a part than to read for a role that fits you to a T. Yeah you may not get most of them but at least you were genuine.... [More]

Tags: know yourself beginning acting scene study methods personality dont hide shy

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Posted at: 09:44 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink

Too often as actors we trap ourselves into thinking that it is not up to us whether we get a job rather up to others to discover us. We sit around submitting our headshots online through nowcasting, backstage and such hoping someone will find our look appealing and call us in for the part. Online sites are a great tool to use, but it is only the beginning. Maybe you have an agent already who is submitting you out as well. Do you find yourself depending on them to get you that next audition, or do you take matters in your own hands?

You take your occasional acting class, submit online, read up on books or plays and think that is all you can do. The truth is there is so much more. Like a basketball player wanting to go pro you can't just sit around waiting for open tryouts. You have to practice often to hone your abilities for those opportunities. Here are a few things to help you stay on track:

1) Stop waiting around for that next part and do something for yourself. Get together with acting friends from class and come up with ideas to create... [More]

Tags: acting, audtions, homework, proactive, submissions

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Posted at: 01:22 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink

Remember that feeling when you first treaded into acting. Your experience was low, you didn't have any credits, had no idea what class you should take and had a hard time figuring out what SAG and AFTRA really were. What you did have was motivation. You knew that this was the path laid before you and you let absolutely nothing stand in your way.

Fast forward to years later. You located that class, you landed some gigs, you joined the unions, and no longer consider yourself a newbie. You've seen pilot season, you know the ins and outs of auditioning, you learned what things to avoid. But there's a problem. You are not auditioning as much as before. You blame it on more competition because you are union, or that your agent isn't pushing you enough, or maybe you need updated headshots to show a different range. So you get the new headshots, you find a new agent and you start to look for student films (anything to get you back into the game).

It doesn't seem to work. So you ask yourself what is going on? You ask your friends what your type is hoping they will give you... [More]

Tags: acting, attitude, bitter, classes, jealous, motivation

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Posted at: 01:25 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink

So you have representation now. Those acting classes have paid off and you are finally understanding the meaning of being an actor. You've been auctioning your skills off for free on several occasions to student films and friends projects and now you have some one who not only believes in your talent but who can get you an actual PAID job.

What a great feeling huh? The rush of feeling you have finally made something in this business. The belongingness you feel as you contact your fellow acting friends to emphatically tell them the good news. The sanctity of knowing that it won't be long before your big break hits. Well live up those feelings and celebrate for now because it's back to work in the morning. "What did you say?" Yep, WORK.

Finding representation is not the end of a race but only the beginning of the journey. No matter who you have as an agent or manager it is still very easy to get lost in the shuffle, especially if you rely solely on them to do your work for you.

Step #1- Always stay in control over your career. Even though they have the power to... [More]

Tags: agents representation

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Posted at: 01:59 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink

Fresh from the east coast, mid west, dirty south, or what not. Overwhelmed and uncertain you hit the streets of Hollywood Blvd as any tourist would and imagine your star being on the WALK OF FAME.

With a whole future ahead of you and newbie determination lighting your path you are finally ready to make your mark. How long have you dreamt of this day? 1 year, 5 years, a lifetime? Right now it doesn't matter because you are certain you are exactly where you should be in life.

I know how you feel. We've all been there at one point or another. That new feeling of accomplishment where you are taking your life in your own hands and downplaying everyone else who says otherwise. The question is, WHAT DO I DO NOW?

Well for those who made it this far, congratulations. Moving to LA is a big decision, one that not everyone is willing to make. And for those who are still planning their move one day- just be patient. Only you know when the right time is for you. But for now I'll focus on those who have made it here at last.

First things first, finding a... [More]

Tags: agents, beginning acting, classes, headshots, new to hollywood, sag, unions

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Posted at: 09:58 PM | 1 Comment | Add Comment | Permalink