My Experiences After Being on an Acting Set

Happy Memorial Day, everybody!

I've been extremely busy this last week, seemingly on sets every day, all day!

I kept a smile throughout though.

I've seen many different sets; Indie, Featured, Student, Ultra Low Budget SAG, Studio...is there any more?  Maybe not.  In any case, I've been on all these different sets, every set more different than the last.  While everything was different, there was a couple things that stayed the same: Politeness, and Being on Time.

Being on Time

Acting is pretty much nothing like a regular job.  The hours are varied, and any sort of things could happen.  One day, I was on set for 30 minutes and the next day, I was on set for hours.  Think of my shock when I finally left and realized that the sun was already setting.

Kind of like this, but add in the sounds of New York City

While the hours of an actor are pretty much all over the place, there's one thing you must keep in mind.  You've got to BE ON TIME!  This is extremely important.  If you're someone who always shows up late to set, the director won't want to work with you.  If incredibly unprofessional, plus it causes unnecessary stress on wardrobe, AD, PA's and the big man himself.  The actors you'll be working with might be a little upset, including the main actor.  It's like showing up late to work; you showing up late causes productivity to go down and causes a major kink in an already giant engine.

If you show up on time, it shows that you're reliable, and easier to work with.  The Director will see that you are either early or on time and he'll be more inclined to ask the AD to bring you back in.  The director of one of the sets of a Featured Film I was scheduled for actually approached me, referred to me by my first name and thanked me for coming back.  What did I do?  I thanked him back.

Of course, there's always stuff that can happen that will cause you to be late.  Yesterday, the 2 and 3 train lines in NYC were actually on fire.  They caused major delays and trains were cancelled.  I was extremely upset that this had happened and ended up being an hour late to set.

This is what I always think happened in the subway that day.

When this happens, don't - and I mean don't - keep the director or the person of contact out of the loop.  Tell whoever it is that is the Point of Contact, about your situation.  If you're going to be late for whatever reason, contact them immediately.  Even though I was late to the set, I had been in constant contact with a director of another set I was on and we were able to send someone out to pick me up.  I got to set and knocked out a time sensitive scene.  If you can't be on time, make sure to keep the lines of communication open.  The director will see that you're reliable and also serious about acting.  On top of being on time, directors also love...

Politeness

We've heard horror stories about actors being extremely rude to people while on set.  Thinking that they're above the rest of the cast and crew.  This also causes lots of undue stress on the production team and also other actors.  I strive to be the most polite on set.  It's always about the Golden Rule: treat others how you want to be treated.  I want to be treated nice, especially when it comes to the director.

The Golden Rule.  Now made in real gold!

I don't mean to bend backwards for the director or makeup artists, but hey - you can at least say hi to them and engage in some conversation.  Heck, if you want to, ask them something personal about themselves.  For those aspiring actors, model, musicians, etc. that are out there, remember that we in the entertainment, fashion and music industry are human beings with feelings as well.  We like when people say hi and give us a high five on set.  I try to give a fist bump or a high five to as many people on set as possible.  I may get some weird looks sure, but add a smile with it, and everyone will respond to your positive energy.

Another reason to be nice on set, is because you don't know who you'll see again in the future.  The person you told to eff themselves?  They could be the next big producer.  That makeup artist you told that she should do something other than makeup?  You rubbed her the wrong way.  What about that background actor you went off on?  He's the next action movie star.  If you treat people the wrong way, they will always hold onto it.  It's like a never-ending grudge.  What if you found your dream role but that producer you told off is on the movie?  You can expect him to not give you a vote of confidence based solely on something that happened days, months or ever years ago.

At the end of the day, have some common sense and treat people nice.  You don't know who's day you'll turn around by at least giving them some positive vibes.

Your niceness made a baby happy today!

There are many more things that I've noticed, but we'll keep them to these two for today.

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How I Signed With My First Agency

When I made the 2-day train journey to The Big Apple, I came with a distinct plan.

1. Find a place to live
2. Sign with the Fit Model Agency I've been in contact with.
3. Sign with an Acting Agency
4. Get a regular job

Today, we're gonna talk about the second point.  First, a little backstory.

There's this organization I was discovered at.  It's called Applause Rising Talent Showcase or The ARTS for short.  About 400-500 performers are hand selected by the enthusiastic international talent scout that runs the whole thing. She's a pretty cool cat.  You go for a week to the World Center Marriott in Orlando and perform in a variety of performances in front of leading executives of the Fashion and Entertainment Industry.

My goal was to get signed and move out to LA to pursue an acting career.  However, things didn't work out that way.  I was discovered by two former Ford Models who are leading experts in the Fashion Industry in New York.  (Now we're getting to the good part)

During the callback session, I was put in contact with the first Big and Tall Model to ever do it.  He put me in contact with the top rated fit model agency in New York.  While it snowed in Nebraska, there was things I needed to do before I moved to NY, so I was running all over trying to learn more about the business.

When it came time to move to NY, I was in constant contact with both the former Ford Model and the B&T model as well as the Agency.  When I met with the lead Booker (person who books the gigs for the models), she took my measurements and everything.  Then they put me into the system.  And boom, I was signed with an agency.

Now, there wasn't any exchange of signing papers and stuff.  If you're wondering why, I was perplexed as well.  Well, in NY, they don't have exclusivity.  What I mean when 'exclusivity' is mentioned, it means that unless you make good money for them (think whoever Dwayne Johnson is signed with, or a very experienced actor or model) you don't need to sign an exclusivity contract.  But I am signed with them and they will be getting paid when I get paid.

Now, I await my first call for a gig.  Wish me luck!

When Preparing a Move, Always Plan an Exit Strategy

Hello, everybody! Kevin Wright here from the Big Apple.  I've decided to start blogging about my adventure in NYC.  Now, back to the title.  What does that mean? What is an "Exit Strategy?"

Simply put, an exit strategy is something in which you seek to exit the situation you're currently in.  Why is an exit strategy important while planning for a move?

Firstly, you may not always move with as much money as you might need. The sweet spot it seems is to move with $10,000. I moved with only $1,000. Smart? Maybe not. But its the amount i decided i would move with. You must figure out what amount you would like to move with. $100?  $500?  $1000? $15,000? Figure out your desired amount and engrave that to memory.

Secondly, things may fall through. Your bank may be cleared out from an attempted hack.  You could get your personal effects stolen. A backpack or a purse holds debit cards and credit cards and a split second is all someone may need to swipe your stuff.

Finally, Have a way to pull yourself out.  If for whatever reason, you cant make it in the city you've moved to - in my case, New York City - I dont want to be homeless.  Giant metropolises are the worst place to go homeless in.  My exit strategy involves my mom buying a train ticket for me to leave the next day if something happens with the place I'm staying at now.

When planning your exit strategy, it doesnt just have to involve you.  Involve anyone who wants to be involved in your move.  Parents, siblings, grandparents, friends.  They all truly care about you and will pull you out if need be.

The exit strategy is a last ditch effort to save yourself before you drown.  Think of it as a chain connected to the cage protecting divers from sharks.  If something happens they yank on the chain and pull the divers back up to safety.

You never want to enact your exit strategy and something may happen to where you never have you worry about it.  But for the sake of sanity - and safety - when planning a move, always plan a way to get out of the move.

The Resurgence!! Videogame Clips, WWE Themes and MORE!!

Thank God It's Friday!!

Hello, everybody!  I've been pretty busy over the last couple of years.  Graduated College, making a move to a new city (New York City), my life has been on a pretty crazy roller coaster.  During this time, I've tried to figure out a good way to continue doing YouTube videos.

I'm proud to announce my YouTube channel: KW Entertainment!  One of this channel's content is dedicated to making WWE Themes with Arena Effects.  This way, you'll be able to download them and put them onto your Create-A-Superstar or Create-A-Diva on the WWE 2k series.  Or just download them if you want lol.  Below is a sample clip from Alex Riley's theme.

The second dedicated content on KW Entertainment is videogame clips.  This is loads different from videogame walkthroughs where you upload an entire game for viewing pleasure.  If there's something interesting or funny, it'll be uploaded to YouTube.  Below is a couple of clips.

I hope you guys like it!!  Have a good day and happy gaming!