Acting Business Boot Camp

About Roger: If New York City is the voice-over capital of the world, then Roger Becker is the Mayor. "Hizzoner" has been working steadily in every aspect of the business for two decades. With a background in post production, Roger left that world in the 1990's to direct talent at a prestigious NYC talent agency. Along with running their in-house studio, he worked in the Broadcast Promotions division to bolster his understanding of talent/producer relationships. In 2005, he returned to directing voice-over full time at a casting house in New York City, eventually accepting the position of vice-president of the company. He has cast for major accounts in all arenas of the business, from commercial to film to narration to animation…and has taught children and adults about all facets of VO work. Show Notes: Audition Space must be comfortable. You're going to spend all of your time in your booth setup. Overview of 3 things to Up your VO Game: Specs Perspective/ POV Proximity and Visualization Bonus: Be the Alpha How to approach Specs: The value is in the WORDS Want creativity and to make the words their own. Be aware of specs but focus on the words. They either want you or they don't want you so just BE YOU. Humans. Own experience It's up to you to bring your essence and A-Game into the audition room Not interested in adjusting vocals up and down in register. Just BE YOU for commercials. What you think they want and Confidence Confidence- perspective. Point of View. You Must know what you are saying. What does the person at the other end want to hear? How does the audience want to receive the message? What is the script about? What is the value of the script? (Hint: it is NOT the product) Be the "ALPHA" in the booth Don't get trapped into "how can I make this sound so they'll like me" It's Fraudulent and they will be able to hear it. JUST BE YOURSELF Roger's One on One Formula Now Hosted over zoom Everybody is different with skill level and life experience so he takes that into account Break it down- power of the words POV and Perspective Breakthroughs happen when actors confront what scares them and makes them uncomfortable Roger's Self Mantra: Remember that actors are auditioning and donating their time for Free. He understands that this is an acting business far more than it's a radio business. Study with the best so the best can guide you to the best you can be.

"There is no glory in thinking of yourself as less than." Core Work: "It's about who doesn't blink." The Power you can harness from your own Strength Story. "To keep our faces toward change and behave like free-spirited in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable."— Helen Keller Brain Cell A, Brain Cell B Synapses. Changing the "I am not enough," to "I am enough." Something happens Something Happens React React STOP! Take a Step Back Observe Is this healthy for me or is this unhealthy for me? Respond Affirmation- I LOVE MYSELF AND I APPROVE OF MYSELF. There is no glory in thinking of yourself as less than. Stop continuing to play small. Affirmation- I AM ENOUGH I AM SUCCESSFUL AT COMMERCIAL AUDITIONS. Enjoy being you!

1 - Resume simple easy to read quality is more important that quantity list by credible credits, not by date done the importance of CREDIBILITY! 2 - Pictures embrace your age and "you-ness"- "I am what I am" don't try and be something that you are not watch TV and find yourself - be what you see on TV, but be yourself! 3 - Cover Letters and Emails Mailings DO WORK! But they MUST to be done in the Language of the Agent and the Casting Director or they just don't work Helpful to study with teachers that the industry recognizes as the Best. Keep all communications brief! Cap & Bold anything credible! 4 - Follow up List Always mark down and keep an updated list of every Agent/Casting Director/Writer/Producer, etc you have met face to face on on a Zoom call. Have their updated contact info and let them know when you have booked a job, gotten a call back, or been put on hold. Keep these updates solely to the people who work in the particular area you have booked a job or gotten a callback in - for example - Commercial and Print callbacks and bookings only go to Commercial and Print Agents and CD's - not to Theatrical Agents/CD's - same with Theatrical (Film/TV/Theater) those updates go to Theatrical Agents and CD's - not to Commercial and Print Agents and CD's 5 - Demo Reel Something is better than nothing - it is about the WORK! A 30 second great scene is a better reel than 2 minutes of blah that includes a 30 second great scene - get right to the good stuff and delete the blah 6 - Website EVERY ACTOR MUST HAVE A WEBSITE! Keep it simple and user friendly! Website Pages: Home/Pictures/Resume with Downloadable PDF/Reels/Press (Optional)/Contact Page