WORKING THE ROOM
According to acting coach Emily Joy, one of the most important factors in working consistently and building a successful career is the ability to network. Here, she shares her expertise.
There are many misconceptions around the topic of networking, with a lot of actors doing it poorly and even more who don’t do it at all. Let’s talk about the latter. These people often squirm at the word ‘networking’ and happily denounce it. Among the sentiments I hear repeatedly are: “I don’t network”; “the only thing that matters is how good you are at acting”; “I get all my auditions from my agent”. While it’s true that acting skill is the number one asset you have to offer, to ignore the notion of networking altogether will see you missing out on many meaningful opportunities and substantial career growth. You have to be a good actor, first and foremost, but you must also be visible − someone people think of regularly.
Keep your casting profiles up to date and consider supplementing your online presence with things like IMDb, Vimeo and social media. Once you have established these two things — being a good actor and being easily found — you should turn your attention to your network. We all have one, whether we realise it or not − people we know of and people who know us. Due to the large number of actors available, hiring decisions sometimes come down to who someone has worked with before, who they are familiar with, who they like and trust. There is a lot of potential in your existing connections, so nurture your current network. Stay in touch with people you have worked with. Learn everyone’s name on a job or at an audition. Post about your project’s success on Instagram. Attend film festivals, watch plays and keep up to date with Australian television. Networking is not about handing out a business card, it is about being immersed in the industry and sustaining personal connections.
The second type of actor I see is someone who thinks they’re networking well: they cold email people, walk up to strangers in a foyer, print out business cards. They ask for favours: “come to my play”; “watch my showreel”; “let me know if I can audition”. While the confidence is admirable, it often leads to a dead end because there’s no genuine conversation. It’s entirely one-sided. Relationships form when two people connect in a non-expectant context, not when one person pitches themself explicitly to another. Transaction does not breed connection.
Instead of trying to sell yourself, take time to learn more about the person you want to connect with. Watch their entire project. Consider what you liked about it specifically. Find ways to support them; perhaps do a Google search to see if they have any screenings or panels coming up or go back and watch their debut feature film. Knowledge is power and doing research shows you care and are genuine. A conversation born from your sincere desire to celebrate this person for work they’ve done will be more impactful than handing them a business card. Be personal and you will be more likely to form a close connection.
Chances are the best relationships in your life were formed genuinely and sustained over time. You need to have the same approach with people in our industry. Get to know their work better, follow them on social media, cheer them on. With your profiles set up, an active online presence and your acting skills sharp, trust that when they need an actor like you, you will be top of their mind, because you took the time to form a genuine connection and potential friendship over many years.
Of course, random audition opportunities will come up. You may be cast by someone who didn’t know you before. You might get an amazing audition next week. You could book a life-changing role next year. This industry is delightfully unpredictable. But if you rely solely on being offered auditions via your agent, you will quickly grow frustrated by the lack of control in your career. Instead, use the time between auditions to focus on something entirely within your control: your network. A network that is built over time from genuine, informed connections.
Emily Joy (she/her) is an actor and the owner of Joy Studio, a boutique acting coaching service based in Naarm (Melbourne). Emily’s actors have secured countless roles in major productions here and overseas for Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Paramount+, Stan, ABC, SBS and more. Her own television credits include the upcoming Nine drama Human Error, as well as Fisk, Metro Sexual and Neighbours. Emily has lectured at the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Canberra and for the Equity Foundation. She has assisted casting sessions for Telford Leonard Casting, Greg Apps Casting and McGregor Casting. Her Instagram is @em_joyable
