Carrie Lee Martz | Actress
carrieleemartz@hotmail.com

  • About Me
  • On-Camera
  • Voiceover
  • On-Stage

Top 10 Email Submission Tips

10/28/2014

0 Comments

 
Hey folks!  I’m back to writing the blog.  My break lasted a little bit longer than intended, but it was much needed.  I got my patio almost finished (pictures below), worked some VO jobs, filmed a short for the 48 Hr. Horror Film project (film below), did some auditioning, and worked as a principal in a haunted house.  Ha, what break?  While I ended up spending a lot more time working on this break than I usually do, I did get a chance to relax and take a time-out from social media.  Now as soon as I get this patio finished, it’s back to work full-force.  And one of the first things that I need to do is send out some emails to agents, studios, cd’s, etc. in the hopes of finding more work, establishing new relationships, and getting the ball rolling again.
Time Passes in the Blink of an Eye
As actors, we're always sending out emails.  It takes a lot of time and energy to keep up all that communication, so here's 10 important tips to help you maximize your emailing efforts.

1.  Keep It Short & Sweet
Keep your emails short and to the point.  People don’t have a lot of time these days and they aren’t interested in reading a novel in email form.  The people you’re sending to potentially get hundreds of emails a day, so when they open an email and it’s really long, they may just delete it.  They may feel like it’s going to be a waste of their time, that is doesn’t respect their time (which they view as incredibly valuable), or it could even give them a sense that you are difficult to work with and will be bugging them constantly with way too much information.

2.  Include Headshots
You should always include at least one and sometimes a few headshots with every email you send out.  You want people to like and remember you, so one of the easiest ways to get them to do this is to include your headshot.  They will be able to put a face to your name and will be more likely to remember you when you meet or email them in the future.

3.  Attach Your Resume

I suggest you always include links to your website, reels, and any pertinent info (usually in the email signature), but you should always attach your resume.  This allows them to get to it quickly if they need to find you again.  If you attach it, they can simply do a search for the email you sent them.

4.  Target Your Audience

Make sure that you are sending emails only to those people who may take an interest in you.  For example – if you are a voiceover actor who specializes in character voices, you should be targeting studios that produce audiobooks, video games, animation, etc.  Don’t waste your time or theirs by sending your demo to every studio out there.  By randomly throwing these emails to the wind and praying that some will stick, you’re doing yourself, your voice, and the studios a disservice.  How’s that?

            a.  Wasting Your Time

            You are wasting your time sending emails to people who can’t or won’t help you (If they aren’t                 interested in your type of voice, they aren’t going to hire you. – Yes it may happen once, but it’s             unlikely to happen again.  And even if it does, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. – Why             spend time on someone you may be able to talk into being interested, when you can spend                     time on people who are already likely to be interested?)
            b.  Wasting Their Time
            You are telling them that their time is not valuable (You didn’t bother to check if your voice was             their type, but sent them an email anyway.  Reading it will take up their valuable time and result             in no pay-off for them.)
            c.  Making Enemies, Not Friends
            You are making enemies (When people feel that someone is wasting their time, they’re quick to             write you off. – If this happens, the next time you send them an email that is targeted to them,                 they may not even bother to open it. – And it’s a small world, you can bet that these people talk             to each other, regardless of their niche.  Making just one person feel devalued or                                         inconsequential can lead to them saying something negative about you and get you black-listed             from a whole host of others.)
            d.  Appearing Desperate
            You may be implying that you’re desperate (By sending emails to every single studio on the                     planet, you’re suggesting that your voice is not valuable and that you’re so desperate for a job                 that you’ll work for anyone – This may be true at times, since it can be hard to get jobs as an                     actor, but you can’t let other people know that – It diminishes the value of you and your voice. –             No one is attracted to a desperate person.  We are attracted to people who are confident                         enough in their abilities that they won’t offer them to just anyone.)

5.  Distinguish Between Specialties
Distinguish commercial agents from theatrical agents from cd’s from director’s, etc.  Do a little research into them – it won’t take long.  Let’s say they’re a theatrical agent.  Don’t ask them to look at your commercial reel.  For 2 reasons:  One, they’re unlikely to truly know anything about commercials and thus will be uneducated as to whether you have what to takes.  Two, they are incredibly educated at representing people for theatre and film and would likely do a great job reviewing your film reel or monologue and possibly representing you in those areas.  Ask the commercial agents to review your commercial reel, ask the theatrical agents to review your film reel and/or monologue, ask the sound studios to review your VO Demo, ask the cd’s and directors to review the material that is appropriate to their specialties, and for those who work within all these areas, simply let them know that you work in commercials, theatre, film, and voiceover.  Then maybe send them everything or better yet, just the materials they seem to be most proficient at.

6.  Write Short Paragraphs
Remember to break things up into small paragraphs.  These are much easier to read, appear to be shorter and more manageable (especially when being read on a smartphone), and can lead you to make sure that each paragraph directly addresses whatever you have to say.  This will also help you to stick to a shorter, better email length.

7.  Compliment and Personalize
Compliment them before asking for something and tailor the email to each individual.  It can be as simple as starting with Hi (their name) and then a sentence such as “I really enjoy seeing your actors on the screen.” or “I’ve spoken with several friends who have worked with you and they all highly recommend you.”  Make sure that whatever you say is true, honest, and specific, in case they start a discussion.  You don’t want to tell them you love their commercials, then have them ask you what you thought about their XYZ commerical, only to realize you’ve never seen the XYZ commercial.

8.  Forget TMI

Don’t give any more information than is necessary.  It makes the email longer and less manageable.  They don’t need to know every single thing about you upfront – your sizes, your food preferences, whatever.  Think about it like dating, leave a little to be desired.  If they want/need any additional info from you, they will ask.  The only time to include additional info is if they specifically ask for it either in a post that you’re responding to or in a reply email.

9.  Be Plain & Simple
Don’t send emails composed in fancy or elaborate fonts and colors.  Use either Arial, Times New Roman, or Verdana and make your default color black.  You may think you are being cute and creative and showing off your fun personality, but what you’re really doing is aggravating the person you’re emailing.  Other fonts and colors can be difficult to read which translates to wasting peoples’ time.  It will take them more time and effort to read and they may delete it rather than waste that valuable time.

10.  Sign It
Include an email signature at the bottom, they are easy to create and make it easier for people to find and contact you, plus you just set it and forget it.  This also allows you to close an email informally with something like: 

Thank you,
Carrie

And yet to include your full name.

Your email signature should look something like this:

Email Signature Example
At the very least your full name, title, and email address in some configuration.  This is an area of the email where you can get a little creative by changing the font type, size, or color, and/or adding your logo gif to let your personality shine.

I hope this helps you the next time you need to send out that all important email.  Remember – everyone’s time is precious, including your own, so don’t waste it.  If you show someone that you can value their time, they may just be willing to use that time to help you out.


Next Week:  How I Started in Audiobooks & Voiceover
photo credit: BramstonePhotography via photopin cc /Added Border

Paver Patio Progress Photos


"Debunked" by "Everything But the Name"


0 Comments

48 Hours:  "Breakdown" - 2 Films Collide

7/17/2014

 
Fun on the
We did it again!  Everything But the Name Productions made yet another great little film in just 48 hours.  Wait… no we didn’t.  We made 2 great little films in 48 hours.  This year we decided to add a little more difficulty to the challenge by splitting our team into 2 separate teams with different approaches to the filmmaking process.  Not only that, but we also thought it would be cool to tie our films together, not in a series type of way, but in a way that our films would “Collide.”  I don’t want to give too much away at this point, so you’ll have to view the films to see what I mean.  Both teams also chose to work in the dramatic style vs. comedic style, something we haven’t done before.

My half of the team took the name “Everything But” and was dubbed Team Hare, while the other half took the name “The Name” and was dubbed Team Tortoise.  Team Hare followed a more guerilla approach to the filmmaking process while Team Tortoise spent a little more time on pre-production preparation.  True to the story of “The Tortoise and The Hare,” Team Tortoise ended up finishing their film first.  However, that’s where the similarities to the old fable stop.  Both teams did a fantastic job of putting together a good story with a full arc and I think they were both equally successful.

I have to say that while I’ve always had an amazing time making 48 Hour Films with “Everything But the Name,” this year may have been the best yet.  Our team managed to stay relaxed, but focused – something that is very hard to do when you’re making a film in 48 hours and no one has really gotten any sleep.  It was wonderful because we, the actors, were then able to breathe, focus on our characters, and on our performances.  I think these are our best 48 Hour Film Project films to date!  I hope you agree!

So without further ado, here's our Trailers and links to purchase tickets to the screenings of our films...

Next Week:  Acting Myth - Should You Burn Bridges?

"Breakdown" Trailer by "Everything But" (Team Hare)


Purchase Tickets to see "Breakdown" by "Everything But"

"Time Out" Trailer by "The Name" (Team Tortoise)


Purchase Tickets to see "Time Out" by "The Name"


Five Tellers Dancing in the Rain Play Poster
I'm also performing onstage in "Five Tellers Dancing in the Rain" this weekend at South Park Theatre.
Tonight is Opening Night!
The show runs from July 17-Aug 2


I'm playing Betina Embree the sometimes funny, sometimes crazy, always interesting sexpot!

For details and information on purchasing tickets, please visit South Park Theatre

48 Hour Film Project:  What to Expect

7/7/2014

 
The 48 Hour Film Project Logo
Well folks, it’s that time again.  Time for the Pittsburgh 48 Hr Film Project.  Before I tell you what to expect, I’m going to take a little detour to share a personal experience with you. 

The 48 is near and dear to my heart because it marks the anniversary of when I began my amazing journey as an actress.  When people ask me how I started acting, I tell them the story of how I jumped in headfirst, but I don’t tell the whole story.  I’d been taking an acting class here and there, while still desperately trying to hold onto a career in science, because I was afraid of taking the leap.  Then one day I was searching for casting notices, not for the first time, and an audition post caught my eye.  It was at that moment that I realized that it was no longer a choice; that I didn’t want to get to the end of my life and wonder “What if?”  That was the moment that I took the leap!  I got dressed up and drove to Sears and got some pictures taken because I didn’t have any and they were asking for them.  FYI:  Don’t ever go to Sears for headshots – LOL!  Instead, read my blog post 20 Headshot Tips - "A Picture's Worth a Thousand... Bucks."  I got the pictures the same night, went home, touched them up, and sent them off along with a very sad little resume that included 2 class acting projects, the one class I’d taken (I think I’d taken it twice), a too long list of miscellaneous special skills, and a section for additional experience that listed all the jobs I’d ever held, my past singing skills, mock trial awards, and biology presentations.  Next thing I knew, I had my very first audition scheduled!  The day came and my heart was pounding out of my chest.  I was terrified and excited all at the same time.  Then a day or two later, I think, I got an email welcoming me to the production – WHAT?!?  Really?  They had to be joking!  They weren’t.  It was my very first acting gig and it was for the 48Hr Film Project.  That is why the 48 is so special to me.  And my team that year, “Everything But the Name,” turns out we all formed a very special bond and we continue to work together every year on the 48 to this date.  I feel that I owe, what has become an amazing life and journey as an actor, all to them, because they took a chance on me.

I want your 48 to be just as special, so I’m going to share with you what you can expect.  This may be your first 48, maybe even your first acting gig, or maybe you’re a 48 vet.  All I know is that for me, that first 48 was a bit daunting, totally worth it, but daunting.  Hopefully this post will help to keep you from feeling quite so overwhelmed.  First let me be frank, the 48 Hr Film Project is not for the faint of heart.  It’s a grueling, emotional, tumultuous, exhausting, crazy, 3 day long wild ride.  But, if you can hang in there, you’ll experience an incredibly fun, amazing, exhilarating, bond-inducing, fantastically rewarding experience that you’ll never forget!

NOTE:  Every team has their own procedures, so this may not be exactly what you experience. 

Without further ado, here’s the timeline.

Friday

Kickoff time is between 6-7pm.  Your team captain will attend the kickoff, where they will pull a genre out of a hat for your team.  Your captain gets one chance to decide whether they’d like to keep this genre or take the “Wild Card.”  The wild card is the same for all the teams that choose it (at least that’s how they’ve done it here in Pittsburgh in the past) and is often a more difficult or bizarre genre.  Click HERE for examples of possible genres and details about the wild card.  Also, a character, prop, and line of dialogue will be drawn – these elements will be the same for every team that participates in your city.  Click HERE for previous examples of these elements.  The team captain will then dash to wherever their writers are holed up for the night.  They’ll spend the first several hours hashing out ideas until they come up with one that will result in an interesting and comprehensive short film script.  Then they’ll put together a list of characters, costumes, locations, props, whatever’s needed.  It is now probably around 11pm, 12am, or maybe even later.  While the writing team writes the “final” script (I use that term loosely, things will change) someone from the team will likely start calling the actors and the crew, to tell you what character you’re playing, what costumes to bring, a starting location and call time, and to find out you if have other locations, costumes, or props they can use.  This is the real start of your call time actors.  You need to spend time, however long, gathering up everything you will need for an entire day, likely night, and possibly into the next day of filming.  Get your costumes ready to wear, hair options, makeup, whatever you need.  Do it now, don’t wait until morning, get everything ready and packed, then head straight to bed, immediately!  You’re going to need every spare second of sleep that you can snatch up.  Your actual call time could range anywhere from that very night, to the crack of dawn, to 9am or later, depends on your team.

Saturday

Report to your call time, prepped in whatever way needed and with everything you packed the night before.  As with any acting job, DO NOT BE LATE!  Remember, your team has only 48 hours from Kickoff to Dropoff, so don’t be the person holding up production.  When you arrive on location, you’ll get a script and some paperwork to sign that states you are willing and able to participate, aren’t getting paid, etc.  The rest of the day is likely to be a complete whirlwind of rushing.  Rushing to get in costume and makeup, rushing to different locations, rushing to get THE shot, rushing, rushing, rushing.  There will likely be some downtime in the mix while they set up shots and whatnot, you need to spend that time memorizing whatever lines you’re given.  If you do get a chance to lay down to catch a few extra ZZZ’s or run out for a minute, make sure you ok it with your captain and let them know where you’ll be.  Now your team is in Shoot Mode.  Shoot Mode could last for the entire day, into the night, or even into the next day.  Your director, camera people, and sound people will be going full speed ahead and they’ll need you to keep up so they can stay on track and on schedule.  Give them whatever help they ask for.  I mentioned that this experience could become quite emotional, Saturday afternoon or evening is often when some fighting may happen, tempers may flare, you may also laugh, or you may cry (sleep deprivation and extended time in close quarters take their toll on people, don’t take it personally).  The 48 is kind of like a slumber party for adults except that there’s no sleeping, no pillow fights (ok, maybe pillow fights), and instead of watching movies until you pass out, you’re staying up all night making a movie and passing out is not really an option.  I know it sounds insane, but trust me, it really is a lot of fun!

Sunday

Hopefully, by this time, your team has gotten all the shots they need and they have either sent you home to sleep or at least given you permission to nap.  If not, sorry that sucks, but keep your chin up – You Can Do This!  Your crew has likely had far less sleep than you, if any, and they’re bordering on delirium now so do your best to help where you can, but don’t get in the way.  Your team should now be editing together all the footage they shot, composing music, designing credits, etc.  At this point, you’re probably wrapped, but make sure that you remain available until Dropoff or whatever time they give you.  They may need to reshoot a scene, shoot a missing scene, ADR your dialogue, etc.  Dropoff takes place between the hours of 5-8pm.  Your film must be in by no later than 7:30pm to be considered On-Time and eligible for Judging.  Someone on your team, will be tasked with the job of getting a complete version of your film onto a Flash Drive, labelled with all of your info and handed in at Dropoff on-time.  You’re done!  It’s over!  Now everyone can go home and sleep for the rest of the day and night.

Now on to the screening portion of the 48.  If you’re lucky enough to have a team like mine, you’ll probably all get together for the screening the following weekend.  Then afterwards, you’ll go out to celebrate your amazing accomplishment and reminisce about all the crazy, wild, insane fun you had.  And if you’re really lucky…  you’ll win an award!

“Everything But The Name” has won several awards including multiple Audience Choice awards and Best Use of Prop, among others.  Below are some of our previous films.  If you get a chance, be sure to watch them.  We’ve come up with some pretty cool little films in just 48 Hours.  Clearly the 48 is a challenge and we like a good a challenge, so this year, “Everything But The Name” will be splitting into 2 groups “Everything But” and “The Name” to see if we can come up with 2 great films.

If you aren’t participating this year, and/or you want to see all the films, please click HERE for details.

A Huge Thanks to my awesome team “Everything But The Name” for taking a chance on me and making the experience so wonderful that we need to do it again each year!  A Huge thanks to Producer Kahmeela Adams and Nina Sauer, who always do an amazing job of putting the 48 together!  Another Huge Thanks to The Hollywood Theatre in Dormont for hosting the screenings!  And last but not least, a Huge Thanks to all the wonderful Pittsburgh sponsors who help to make the 48 possible!


Next Week:  48 Hours:  "Breakdown" - 2 Films Collide



Friendstat


Re:FIRM Adness


Captain Insensitive


    Acting Up Blog

    A blog about life and lessons learned through the eyes of an Actress.

    Hints, Tips, and Tricks to "Up your Acting Game."

    RSS Feed

      Sign up to receive email from me.

      Get Email Updates

    Subscribe
    Carrie Lee Martz

    Blogger
    Carrie Lee Martz

    I'm an Actress with a voracious appetite and passion for my work and life.  I believe that hard work coupled with determination is a good recipe for making your dreams a reality.

    Archives

    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

    Categories

    All
    48 Hour Film Project
    Acting Myths
    Age
    Agents
    Audiobooks
    Auditioning
    Blogs
    Books
    Character Development
    Classes
    Decisions... Decisions...
    Discussions
    Freebies
    Fun
    Guest Blog Posts
    Headshots
    Miscellaneous
    Question & Answer
    Resumes
    Scripts
    Social Media
    The Beginning Actor
    The Experienced Actor
    Updates
    Voiceover
    Websites
    Working

    Website Policies

    Listed on the VO Blogroll
Email carrieleemartz@hotmail.com
Copyright © 2018-2022, Carrie Lee Martz. All rights reserved.