MY FIRST CELEBRITY INTERVIEW!!

ACTRESS BRITTANY POOLER HAS A BLOG AND SHE DOES SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEWS ON ARTISTS AND I WAS HER FIRST ONE!! YAY!!

CHECK ME OUT: http://brittanypooler.wordpress.com/

How To Choose Clips For Your Demo Reel

More Tips From Gwyn Gilliss: How to Choose clips for your Demo Reel

www.theactorsmarket.com

If you've got good quality clips from films, series and commericals
you'll want to put them on a reel as soon as possible. Make a SIZZLE!
A SIZZLE reel is just a compilation of all your clips from the good work you have done in a short form, 1-2 minutes. Your SIZZLE or DEMO reel is your most important marketing tool so don't hesitate to get something DONE that you can show to the industry.
This is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle with a whole slew of variable pieces. See the work as an challenge but also FUN.

Most actors delay in putting together a reel out of sheer anxiety. "What to use? What not to use? In what order? Music or no music?
Titles ? How long? A montage or not? Which scenes are the most important? Should I use something from 5 years agao ? (NO).
Should I add the rolling credits showing my name from a Soap or the theme music from a series? (NO)...This is never going
to get done!!!! Help!"

First of all, don't panic. Here are some guidelines that might help
you get out of the panic stage and into the active- "This is going to
work" stage.

1. Select your best work in short scenes less that 1 minute-
10 seconds, 7 seconds, 30 seconds, Prioritize the best down to
the worse.

2. Choose those clips where you look the best. Pure and simple,
most casting for the camera (TV, Film, Commercials) requires attractive or clearly defined character types. If you are pretty or gorgeous flaunt it!

3. Find humor, cleverness, witty one liners and "moments" that
are FUNNY and FUN to watch. If you are amused, chances are so will everyone else be.

4. Find variation with your scene partner. if you have an excellent dramatic scene (even 20-30 seconds) with a guy, choose one that's comedic with a woman or a child or alone.

5. Check to see if any of the scenes NEEDS music. Did the director play something so loud we can't hear you or did he neglect to add any music at all? Are you at a classical concert, in your car listening to Country Western on the radio or in a bar where pop or rock music should be heard? Make a note of what you think each scene should SOUND like- the editor can find something appropriate if you have some ideas.

6. Check to see if you have covered EACH GENRE- Primetime Drama, Romantic comedy, Action-adventure, Sitcom. If not, consider shooting a short scene or two to fill in the gap. Check out (a SIZZLE scene) !

7. Then narrow down the choices by the above criteria. Make a chart with each category. Take the chart and the clips (on DVD or mini-DV) to an experienced editor who has edited Primetime and feature films NOT indie or student films. You need to work with a pro who knows the style of the industry in which you want to work.

8. Almost done. You want to start your sizzle (demo reel) with a bang. NO! NOT A GUN SHOT!! Something amusing, funny, sexy, hot, adorable and compelling. Choose the best one liner, then add the clip where you look gorgeous, then the one with a male partner then one with a female partner back to the amusing or sexy clip, on to the one where you are showing a different genre-romantic to action to sitcom to drama back to your best moment...and on and on. A good editor will be able to put this together in a few hours with the pre-edit you just did!

9. Length? A final sizzle should be about 1-2 minutes, fast-paced and FULL of delicious little "jewels"- moments that are wonderful to watch again and again. It's actually a mini-trailer of YOU! And THAT is how you get major jobs, TOP Agents and everyone in the industry to adore you- by ENTERTAINING THEM! Happy editing!

SIZZLE SCENE BY TAM

EDITING SERVICES BY TAM

Hope This Info Was Helpful!!

Commercial Demo Reels

Here Are More Tips From Gwyn Gilliss, TAM: Commercial Demo Reels There are many trends in the industry in reference to marketing tools.
For example, a black and white headshot was the rule of the day for
the last several decades. NOW, everyone has color headshots-
they're more accurate in terms of skin tone, color of hair and eyes.
And they're easier for Casting Director's to determine your type.

Just plain vertical headshots were also the standard request. Now,
with creative photography, some headshots are horizontal (with
and without the top of the head cropped), medium "close-up" shots
(from the chest up) and medium shots (from the waist up) and even
3/4 length where the actor is standing in a cobblestone street or
sitting in a chair or leaning against a window frame. There are a lot of options. And they're all great!

Similarly, there are NEW TRENDS in DEMO REELS that savvy actors
are quickly picking up on. Trend #1 - In addition to having an acting reel it's becoming very
popular to have a "Personality Slate". They're essential when an
audition comes up and you have nothing on tape to show a
Casting Director. Personality Slates are very common in LA where
casting for roles on Primetime come up fast and furious and they
need to see you on camera before an actual LIVE audition. They're especially useful if your acting reel is outdated -more than a year or two old. A Personality Slate is merely you talking about yourself within a 1-2 minute time limit. Nothing fancy but very real. Very effective. And the main thing is that you can shoot one and have it in hours or a day or so. It's quick! Just book time with a studio that shoots demo's. Get your final DVD and email it to the CD. It works!
Trend #2 - And now, instead of auditioning prospective clients
in their offices with "cold copy" (who has time for that anymore?), Commercial Agents are becoming enamored with Commercial Demo's. They can insert one in their computer, or see your work on line at a social media site and send you out immediately!

What's a Commercial Demo?
Very simply, you perform 2 short commercial spots in a studio
(sky blue paper backdrop, professional lighting, etc.) duplicating
the REAL commercial audition experience. You slate your name and
talk directly into the camera. The total time for both spots is about
40 seconds to a minute. Easy. Do most actors have commercial demo's? NO, not yet. Those that do are usually the actors who are already
having a successful career shooting commercials. They have clips
from actual shoots - major market, network and probably regional
jobs from which they are making residual income. Why do I need one? If you want to appear to be a working actor- successfully shooting commercials - why not do what working actors do? Show your commercial technique by appearing in a video-taped demo! As long as it's professionally shot and you have been prepped there's no problem. As a matter of fact, the problem of convincing a commercial agent to send you out for auditions is solved. IF they can SEE your work on camera, you look good, read authentically and are compelling, entertaining, attractive, WHY wouldn't they send you out? How do I get a Commercial Demo? Easy. Find a company that shoots demos. (see below) Do I Have to have commercial experience to shoot one? No. All you need is the ability to talk naturally into the camera.
You'll be given actual commercial scripts, get prepping on your
"slate", the read, the "button", what to wear, makeup and hair
style and just about everything else just before your shoot. It
normally takes about 30 minutes.
Where else can I use my Commercial Demo? Almost everywhere. On your website, in an email with a link to
your website, Facebook, Twitter, UTube, My Space...any social
media site that accepts video. Keep one in your backpack or
shoulder bag so when you meet an agent you have SOMETHING
showing your on-camera work in a short commercial version. Of course, having all THREE demo's would be ideal-
a Personality Slate, a Commercial Demo and an Acting reel but
until you can gather all those clips from films you've shot or you
get cast in a viable project and shoot a few commercials- get a
Commercial Demo!


Commercial Demo Reel Services Offered by TAM

(this is not in my budget at the moment but it seems like a great investment, I suggest shopping around if price is an issue for you!)

Stay Tuned For More Tips!!

How To Get An Amazing Demo Reel

So August is Demo Reel Month and I have received a few tips from Gwyn Gilliss @TAM www.theactorsmarket.com

I would like to share these tips with you!

To sign up for Weekly Marketing Tips (sent out every Monday) or the Monthly Newsletter visit http://www.thetamstore.com/cart/

1- Choose Roles That Show Your "Type" And Range. That means how would you be cast in Primetime/Daytime TV and Films TODAY? Almost all TV series are written in a consistent format which includes classic types: Interns/Doctors, Lawyers/Criminals, Detectives/Investigators, Spies/CIA agents, Geeks/Ordinary people and Sexy women doing something naughty or illegal. That's why we have series like; House, NCIS, Raising the Bar, Law & Order, CSI, Criminal Minds, 24, Desperate Housewives, Burn Notice, How I Met your Mother, 30 Rock, etc... OK, so you need to show WHAT characters in WHICH of these shows you could play. If the clip you want to put on your reel isn't in the genre of one of the above shows, exclude it. Simple.

2- Don't put "Heavily Dramatic" Scenes on your reel. This is the biggest mistake of beginners who want something "juicy" and "serious" to show they can act. Wrong. Good acting is subtle. Did you ever notice that most student films include a lot of screaming, heavy drama, crying, yelling obscenities and firing of guns? They think it's cool. The real industry does not. Scenes that are clever, fast-paced, witty or humorous, entertaining, intelligent and subtle are closer to the real thing. Go for those. 3 - Don't Include the Horror, Alien Or Other Sci-Fi With Special Effects Scenes. Exclude anything overly graphic, gratuitously violent and unwatchable. First time indie directors love these scenes because it fulfills their agenda to produce a sensational, money-making, low-budget first feature. It doesn't fulfill YOUR agenda. No A-list Casting Director or top Agent wants a client whose tacky
demonstration of talent consists of being pursued across the Mall's parking lot
by a maniac wielding a chain saw. Get something better to represent you if
you want representation and any work at all! 4 - Don't Shoot Or Write Your Own Scenes Unless You Really Are A Professional Writer who's been writing for years. But then why would you need an actor's demo reel? Find a company (see TAM below) that can produce, write, shoot and edit a scene or two for you. You deserve the best so go to professionals. And NEVER use a scene that's from a REAL series- it's illegal and you're breaking the copyright law! Besides, you'll never look as good as the original. Don't shoot yourself in the foot as well! 5- Get The Advice Of An Excellent Editor Who Has Worked On Major Primetime TV series not just edited low budget indies. The style is different, the pacing, the music, the LIGHTING and the length of scenes. Better yet, find a Career Coach to advise you on choice of scenes/roles, wardrobe, image and style. The roles you will be offered are exactly the ones you display on your reel. Get advice. 6- Make It Short, Fast Paced And FUN! - Show Off Your best traits, personality and acting ability. Agents can tell in about 10 seconds if they want to work with you. They don't need to see a long boring dramatic scene. On your website you could post two or three (1-2 minute) complete "scenes" but if you have a good editor you should create a "SIZZLE reel". It has about 6-8 (5-10 second) clips that come to a total of one minute and is much like a fast paced, fun, intriguing trailer to a great movie. You can even include a clip from a commercial or music video. Agents, CD's, Film producers - EVERYONE in the Industry loves "SIZZLE reels"! So get one!

Stay tuned for more tips!!

Choosing To Act "Properly"

This is a message that I received today from Bob Fraser (I'm subscribed to his mailing list) and I wanted to share with you guys. This is an issue a lot of us may face or have faced especially if you are just starting out and most of the work you do is for little to no pay! I personally am not the person to bail out on anyone that I have committed to especially knowing that we have reached a point where finding someone to replace me or to make any changes will likely be impossible! It's all about building great relationships and having a great working reputation that can carry you a long way in this industry!

Hi Yolanda,



I get emails all the time from actors who find that
they are in a 'pickle.'



Here's the scenario: The actor has signed on to do

a show (the salary is small to nonexistent) - and

one fine day, in the middle of things, our actor
is offered a good paying gig - which means leaving
the 'small' show.

The 'pickle' is whether the actor leaves the 'small'
thing (putting everyone else involved in their own
'pickle') ... or does the actor honor his (or her)
commitment to the first show.

I'd like to give you my opinion - from a producer's
perspective.

And, by the way, it's a perspective that plans for
long term success in our business.

BE SMART -WORK FOREVER

It's extremely important, at every stage of your
career, to be very discerning ('picky') about what
you choose to do (to commit to).

This "something better scenario is the big reason
for being choosy in the first place.

Here's why: No matter what you are doing, something
better will always come along - guaranteed. And the
way you behave in that circumstance will determine
how you are viewed by producers.

In other words, it's not about your personal sense
of integrity ... it's about the PERCEPTION of your
integrity - by those who do the hiring.

There are myriad examples of actors who've had some
success on television getting the call from someone
who wants them to transition into feature films.

THE GOOD GUYS

For instance, famously, Tom Selleck was the first
choice for Indiana Jones, but the company producing
his hit show, Magnum P.I. just couldn't see a way
to release him for the film - and still keep the
series delivered on schedule.

Now, an undeniable reality of our business is this -
the star of a TV series has an enormous amount of
power.

Especially a lead in a one camera filmed show.

So, In this case, Tom could have very easily had his
agents communicate how "unhappy" he would be if the
producers didn't figure out a way for him to be made
available to do Raiders.

That 'unhappiness' would be manifested in regular
tardiness, low performance energy, constant script
arguments, and in general - a behavior pattern that
would surely have cost the company lots of time and
tons of money.

Believe me, if Tom's agent had made that call, the
producers would have 'caved.'

That's simply the reality of a TV star's 'power.'

Many series stars have used this 'power' to get what
they want.

Tom Selleck didn't. He dealt with his disappointment
and continued to deliver on Magnum.

Every producer in town saw his behavior and he has
enjoyed a stellar reputation among the buyers ever
since. "He's a smart business man."

A similar situation happened with George Clooney.

George could have gotten out of his contract with
E.R. and started his film career a few years earlier
- but he chose to honor his commitment - a contract
he'd signed when he was a 'nobody.'

Again, his behavior was noticed by those who do the
hiring - and to this day he enjoys one of the best
reputations in the industry for loyalty, business
sense and trustworthiness.

You can't buy that sort of reputation in our biz.
As a result of that decision - it's very unlikely
that George will ever find himself "out of work."

Producers trust him.

THE NOT SO GOOD GUYS

On the other side of the coin there are dozens of
actors (I'm sure you can name a few) who chose to
'go for the better deal' only to find, a few years
later, that the offers started drying up.

This unfortunate situation was almost never because
the actor in question wasn't delivering, or wasn't
talented. It's because the producers and production
companies had a viewpoint about the actor that was
formed when the actor 'opted out' of one job to take
a "better" project - and cost some fellow producer
some serious coin.

So, when you choose to do a show - it should be in
the knowledge that you intend to do it to the best
of your ability - whether a "better" opportunity
comes along ... or not.

Because that's a habit worth building.

YOU

Here's the bottom line: The people in our industry
who are in the position to hire actors have very
long memories - and they talk to each other.

So, my advice is simple: Be very careful about what
you practice doing today - because that is what you
will get good at doing.

If you view your business in a way that allows you
to dump one gig because another - 'better' - gig
comes along ... you will be building a mindset that
can sink you, even in success.

It's not about whether a show at a small-ish theatre
pays - or not. Or what your rights are ... or whether
that low level job is all that important ... or what
your gut tells you ...

It's about building the sort of business reputation
in our 'small town' that keeps you employed over a
long period of time.

You will be building your habits (and in large part
your reputation) with every choice you make ... now
and in success.

So ...

Choose wisely.

Have a great weekend, and as always ...

Much Success,

Bob

Copyright © 2008 Bob Fraser Productions All Rights Reserved

Opportunity!!!

Hi My Creative People!!

Just wanted to share something that was delivered in my inbox today from Wes Hopper www.dailygratitude.com

Enjoy!!

Stay Blessed!!






"There is no security on this earth;
there is only opportunity."
Gen Douglas MacArthur



A lot of people who had their security based
on their job, home or retirement plan have
had a rude awakening. They had based
their security on an illusion.



Our security lies in one, and only one, thing:
our ability to respond to opportunity.



In every situation at every time in history
there has been opportunity, and people
have prospered. In the Depression years
while some people were jumping out of
windows, IBM was doubling its revenue
year after year.



How did IBM do it? One reason was that
Thomas Watson and his philosophical
partner Charles Russell were students of
Science of Getting Rich.



Where others saw depression, they saw
opportunity, and acted on it.



This principle is taught in many spiritual
traditions, too. Jesus taught it in the parable
of the talents (a large amount of money) in
which the guy who took security over
opportunity by burying the money got
fired.



Psychologists tell us that our mind is very
much our servant. If we don't believe there's
opportunity, we literally CAN NOT SEE it,
even if it's right in front of us. We are
self hypnotized into lack and limitation.



Right now there are opportunities all
around you. You can choose to see them
or not. I strongly suggest that you open
your mind and consciously look for them
everywhere. If you expect to find them,
you will.



It'll seem like a miracle!



Blessings,
Wes

THE SEVEN ACTING MYTHS

THE SEVEN ACTING MYTHS

by Bob Fraser



Myth #1 - YOU HAVE TO START YOUNG

This commonly held belief is far from the truth. Although
starting young will certainly give you more time to perfect
your craft, many stars have started "late."

Phyllis Diller started her career at age 38 after raising a
family and spending almost twenty years as a newspaper writer.

Richard Farnsworth was over fifty before he began his acting
career. When he won an Academy Award nomination for his role
in Comes a Horseman, it came as a surprise to many in the
industry that this 'newcomer' had been around since the '30's
- as a stuntman.

There are literally hundreds of these examples. No matter how
old you are, if you love it - TRY. (great to know! I was a little concerned since I am getting started much later than most)



Myth #2 - IF YOU HAVE TALENT ... YOU WILL MAKE IT

Although it's important to have some talent, any reasonable
observer can point to dozens of successful actors who might
be considered 'talent challenged.' In fact, depending on
talent alone is a strategy for disaster. There are many
other skills (mostly business skills) that lead to success
as an actor. If you're talented, great. But don't depend on
your gifts for success. It's mostly hard work.



Myth #3 - AN ACTOR MUST BE OUTGOING

Not at all. In fact, I'd say that the opposite is closer
to the truth. Most of the stars you watch and enjoy are
basically shy people. It is under the cover of a role that
actors seem to be demonstrative. If you are shy or retiring,
you are like most successful actors. Don't sweat it. (good to know! I was just telling my friend the other day that I'm a shy person and he was like, but how you going to be an actress if you're shy? I was like there are a lot of people that are naturally shy & they act. I'm more outgoing than I used to be growing up so people that meet me now may not think that I'm shy but I still have my shy nature.)



Myth #4 - ACTING CLASS WILL RUIN YOUR NATURALNESS

Wow, this one is really off base. In fact, without some
training it is unlikely you will get to the top ranks of
the acting profession. Agents look for training. Casting
directors look for it.

And it goes without saying that education has rarely hurt
anybody.



Myth #5 - HAVING AN AGENT GUARANTEES YOU WILL WORK

There is no doubt that having a salesman for your acting
business is beneficial - but signing with a good agent
rarely happens before you have already achieved some level
of success.

Actors who think an agent will automatically get them to
the top, rarely get there. Agents are not magicians - they
are salespeople who develop leads for your acting business.

Period.



Myth #6 - YOU CAN BECOME AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS

This almost never happens. In fact, a brief study of the
careers of very successful actors will convince you that the
average time it takes to get into the ranks of regularly
employed actors is about 9 years.

Like becoming any sort of professional (doctor, lawyer,
architect) this is a business that takes time to accomplish.

That's why they call it 'paying your dues.' (I've heard someone say & I don't remember who it was but they said: there may be overnight discoveries but there is no such thing as an overnight success! If you don't have what it takes to take advantage of the "opportunity" presented to you then you will be that one hit wonder. “Good luck happens when preparedness meets opportunity”)



Myth #7 - ACTORS MAKE THE BIG BUCKS

No. This is totally wrong.

Sure some do ... and their salaries are publicized to
the skies. But the reality is that the large majority of
actors make very small paychecks and they don't make them
very often. Go to SAG's website and see the statistics. Just
making a decent living as an actor is a huge challenge.

Bottom line: Don't go into acting for the money. If you want
to act, do it. And do it for money as often as possible.

But don't kid yourself ... this is hard work and the pay is
nothing to write home about - unless you have the tenacity,
business skills, and work ethic to get to the very top.

I hope you do.

Here's some good advice from the cadets at West Point:

RISK more than others think is safe.
CARE more than others think is wise.
DREAM more than others think is practical.
EXPECT more than others think is possible.

(I have to say, I've spent way more money now than I have made....it's totally expensive pursuing an acting career. But I plan to do this as a full-time career & I plan, like anyone in every other career, to live a very, very comfortable lifestyle...my goal in life is Financial Freedom...and that should be everyone's goal no matter what career path they choose! I think with creative careers such as acting, it's like starting a new business so you should be prepared to spend money to make money.....and be prepared to invest a lot of years before you start to see a great profit! I plan to be the VERY BEST at what I do....and when you do GREAT WORK you will always be rewarded accordingly!)
__________________________________________________________
"Reprinted from THE ACTOR'S TOOL KIT, the email course for
subscribers of Show Biz How-To -The Free Actor's Newsletter.

Get your subscription here: http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=CK.tZ&m=1ohrFE79ksKb8X&b=q08CiCo8uBBA6EQUCESe6w

Copyright © 2008 Bob Fraser Productions All Rights Reserved"

So Where Do You See Yourself In 10 Years??

This is a question we should all think about: What is the 10 Year Version of YOU??


The 10 Year Version Of Me (Professionally):

• Award Winning Actress
• One of the highest paid Video Editors in Hollywood
• CEO of __________ Productions (still working on the name )
• Philanthropist: my focus is on low income families, disadvantage youth, victims of abuse, homelessness, people with criminal records, and aspiring artists
• Inspirational Writer: Author of Poetry books and greeting cards

You don't have to be just one thing....you can throw a few slashes in there! Just be the best at everything! Giving 110%!!

Now that you know what you want to be known for in 10 years it's time to take the necessary steps NOW to get there!

So if I plan to be all these wonderful things then I need to get the necessary training, do the necessary research, get the necessary experience, and work hard and continue to work hard even when I don't want to work!!

You have to think long term!! Get a clear picture of the type of person you want to be in 10 years, get a clear picture of what you want to be doing, and then map out how you are going to reach that destination.

• What classes do you need to take?
• What degree do you need to have?
• Where do you need to live?
• What experience do you need to gain?
• What people do you need to meet?
• What skills do you need to improve?

You get the idea!!

Everyday you need to do SOMETHING that is going to get you one step closer to your 10 year plan. I don't care if it's just reading one chapter in a book about starting your own foundation, or if its spending an hour listening to a web seminar about finding funding for your next movie or whatever.

DO SOMETHING DAILY!! Every step you take, no matter how small the step....is still one step closer to your destination!!

In life there are no guarantees so we know there will be obstacles...so expect it and expect to overcome them! You may have to change your plan a few times but it's okay because where there's a will there's a way.

The key is to know where you're going, what you need to get there, and then it's up to you to take the first step toward your destination!

Just remember GOD'S DELAY IS NOT A DENIAL!

Found this poem online: http://sigler.org/shofar/delayind.htm

God always hears and answers prayer,

Though long may be the trial.

Let patience bloom while God prepares;

Delay is not denial.

When God would glorify His Name,

And make His blessing great;

The one whose heart God's will doth frame

Must sometimes pray and wait.

But come, the answer surely must,

For God has never lied.

And faith, which looks at God in trust,

God never has denied.

So when the weeks turn months, then years,

And doubt feign would defile,

Beseech the more and that with tears;

Delay is not denial.

Cya At The Top!!

Emotional Journey

Hello My People

I've been on an emotional journey these past few weeks. BOY one minute I'm HIGH & UNSTOPPABLE then the next minute I'm thinking to myself "WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?"

I've noticed that when things are going downhill in my personal life it affects my professional life as well. When I'm feeling down & out about some unforeseen circumstances, I find myself lacking the motivation needed to keep up with my acting. It's kind of hard to separate the two. (I do know I desperately need to go back to work full-time so i may not be doing that much acting related things for a few months)

I'm always the one encouraging others to continue to FIGHT THE FIGHT! DON'T GIVE UP! IT WILL ALL GET BETTER SOON!

But when I am in their shoes...I don't practice what I preach all the time and I let my circumstances get the best of me.

If you find yourself going on an Emotional Journey....take a moment to breath...it's okay. Cry if you need to....Scream if you need to...Eat a pint of ice cream with a lot of chocolate syrup on it if you need to....that's what I like to do!

Do whatever you need to do to get back in the game!

For me...I need peace....I need the time to shift my focus and give myself a Pep Talk...after a few days...I'm ready! PUT ME IN THE GAME COACH!

Just DON'T GIVE UP!!

It's okay to take a break...but don't give up!

No One Ever Said It Was Going To Be Easy!!

Feedback: How To Make The Most Of Your Time

Hi my creative people!

So Monday afternoon I went to the free seminar How To Make The Most Of Your Time with Monroe Mann.

Just a side note: When I go to these seminars I like to listen to all the information offered, take notes, and then dissect it when I get home; keeping what will work for me and tossing the rest!

So I am going to share with you what I took from the seminar and hope it will help you in your life and career!

Monroe pointed out that we don't have to just focus on ONE thing in order to be successful. Here is his philosophy: "Doing one thing at a time is a recipe for a life that won't keep up with your dreams"
He suggests "in order to get more done in less time and with better results is to stop thinking linearly and start thinking spacially and synergistically."

This is an excerpt from a handout that he gave us at the seminar that is based on his upcoming book Time Zen: "I know we've all heard that it's better to do one thing at a time and put all your energy into that one thing until completion, and then move onto the next thing....but that just won't work if you have great ambition and want to live a greater than average life. ...I am writing this book while I am also writing three others, while in law school, while shooting two films, while running my businesses and while rehearsing my songs to perform at Pete's Candy Store in Brooklyn. ...I know that studies have concluded that multitasking actually reduces the amount of brain power we are using, citing examples that today's youth know all about multitasking and processing but little about focusing and analysis. There may be a lot of truth to that analysis but it leaves out an important point: multitasking and processing by itself may be of little use, but when you combine those qualities with focus and analysis, it's quite amazing what one can accomplish."

Monroe describes himself not as a Jack of all Trades but as A Master Of Many! He proclaims that one can be great at doing more than one thing. I believe that is true as well!

If you are an actor and musician you don't just have to focus on one or the other. Do both but do it synergistically so that when one aspect of your career is flourishing they are both flourishing. So at one given time, you have something prospering.

I liked a point that Monroe made about Strives and Goals. "DO NOT DATE STAMP YOUR GOALS! That leads to suicide!"

For example: Your goal is to be Director of Sales. Do not say "I want to be Director of Sales by Sept. 6th 2009." Instead say, "I am going to be Director of Sales in 4 weeks." Say that to yourself everyday UNTIL you become Director of Sales....now your 4 weeks may turn into 6 months but you are STILL STRIVING for that goal.

If you put a date on your goal and say you don't achieve the goal by Sept 6th then you may feel defeated and get depressed...we've all been there. If you actually succeed before Sept 6th in reaching your goal you may get too cocky and not try as hard the next time...so giving yourself a TIME FRAME instead of a specific date keeps you STRIVING for the goals.

Monroe suggested creating STRIVES that are 10 times bigger than what your actually goal is. In my opinion that is great because if you are striving for something that's way bigger than what your actual goal is then you are bound to reach your goal. In order to reach the BIG goal you have to accomplish the BABY goal. No one walks before they crawl.

For example: If your goal is to be in a Broadway way show in 6 months then you should STRIVE to win a Tony Award in 3 months. It may sound ridiculous and unachievable but let me tell ya....you can't win a Tony without being in the Broadway show....so if you are STRIVING to win that Tony then you are going to do all that's necessary to get there...and eventually your goal of being in a Broadway show will be accomplished.

You can wake up every morning and tell yourself: I'm going to win a Tony Award in 3 months. Say this until it becomes your reality. I don't care if it takes you 5 years to get there you will get there and one day you will get that Tony Award in 3 months. Does that make sense to you?

Monroe said that for the past 7 years one of his strives has been: "I'm going to win an Oscar in 3 years." I believe one day he's going to wake up and say, in 3 years I'm going to win an Oscar and you know what, in 3 years from that date he's going to win an Oscar...when it's his time to!

He suggests 3 steps:

1. Establish a 10 year plan
2. Create strives for you clearly defined goals
3. Create a To Do list

Break down your 10 year plan into 5yr, 3yr, 1yr, 6mo, 1month

Make a To Do List of the necessary steps you need to take to reach your 10 year plan (I will talk about this in more details in another post)

You will need a Daily To Do List to accomplish your 1 month goals this will also help you stay on track.

Now you may have 30 things you plan to get accomplished in 1 month....if you can get 75% of those accomplished within that month KUDOS FOR YOU ...just move what you haven't got done over to the goal list for the next month.

Don't beat yourself up for not getting 100% done....just keep striving daily to reach your 10 year plan and you will accomplish all your goals!

Now this is an idea that I learned from a different source about defining your goals.

You must be specific as possible with out locking down on a specific date (unless it is a deadline for a project that you need to have finished by). Write you goals from an "AS IF" standpoint not as a "want". Saying I want means you are speaking from a "Lack Of" standpoint. (this also ties into Gratitude in Advance, being grateful for things you have yet to receive)

For example: I want to make a living as an Actress however I won't just say that my goal is to be a working actor, I'm reaching too low...REACH FOR THE STARS AND YOU MAY LAND ON THE MOON!

Instead my goal is clearly defined in an AS IF standpoint: I currently get paid $20 million per film and $1 million per episode. (there are actors doing this, why can't it be you?)

Read your goals EVERY SINGLE DAY! Speak it into existence....Expect it to happen!! Live a life of Expectation!

When you order stuff online you expect it to be delivered to your house right? Well this is your order, expect it to be delivered to you....just know....NOTHING IS ON YOUR TIME....so don't get discouraged keep pressing on and know that it's coming.

I hope this little insight has been helpful to someone...look for my post about your 10 year plan...it's coming soon!

Stay Tuned.....

***If you want to learn more about Monroe Mann please visit his sites:

http://www.monroemann.com/
http://unstoppableartists.com/accountability_school
http://www.unstoppableartists.com/
http://locodawn.com/actors_film_school