Character Actor - Musician - Shannon Ratigan SAG/AFTRA
I noticed that during the 90's there was a need for generic looking maintainence men, mechanics, and workmen.
This 3/4 shot was very effective getting auditions for those types of roles in commercials, TV, and films.
I was typecast in these kinds of roles, but I worked a lot, and it all pays the same - glamour, or not.
Something to consider, is looking for areas where you can find a nitch' in the casting field.
Often, it's not about the actor, it's about the product. Especially in commercials.
Published 2011, "An Actors Face, Audition, Casting Advice, And Anecdotes From A Working Actor"
Over 240 pages of practical advice, casting, and auditioning tips for working actors who want to book more work.
Also for actors who are making the big move to New York, or Hollywood, to pursue their dream as an actor,
as well as for people who are thinking about breaking into the acting business.
At the end of the day, earning a living as an actor boils down to one thing: winning the job. I give you
info about increasing your odds, and putting yourself in the best possible position to get hired.
Here's the link to the Amazon Kindle Book Store. Or, if you go to the Kindle site, and search on the title:
"An Actors Face, Audition, Casting Advice, And Anecdotes From A Working Actor". It's priced right, at $5.
Obviously, I didn't write this book for the money. (Trust me, I'm not getting rich off the 3 bucks after
commission.) I wrote it to help my peers. If my book helps just one person, then it was worth the effort.
If you have the Barnes & Noble Nook, the book is available there for five dollars also.
Here is the link, or search at the Barnes & Noble site for the book title. Thanks.
I earned a living for 2 decades as an actor, and I share it all in here with you for $5. From ways to audition better by
being more prepared, to gathering information that will help you get the edge on the competition, and book more jobs.
I discuss common sense ways to acquire the best possible tools at the lowest possible costs. Things like how to have
the most effective headshots, resumes, websites, and optimizing everything else, including your online presence.
I share low cost ways to get experience, and training. I mix in a few of my personal acting, and casting anecdotes. I
priced this book low, because I would rather you have the extra money for things like good headshots. There are a
lot of overpriced books out there. My intent is to inform, prepare, educate, explain the realities, and help my peers.
I hope that one day, you will do the same thing. Here's a tip for free right now. Read all the books you can, by acting
teachers, casting directors, actors, and anyone else who has extensive experience on the front lines.
That's where it really means something. Make yourself as well informed as you possibly can.
Here are the book chapter contents:
Chapter 1 - Now Playing: YouFlix
Chapter 2 - Skills, & Things I Learned
Chapter 3 - Practice, Experience, & Practice
Chapter 4 - My Favorite Film Directors
Chapter 5 - Acting, & Keeping A Day Job
Chapter 6 - Doing Acting Jobs For No Pay
Chapter 7 - Unions, & We’re In NY Or LA. Now What?
Chapter 8 - Got Junk In The Trunk?
Chapter 9 - Having Effective Headshots
Chapter 10 - Cover Letters, & Fluffing Your Resume
Chapter 11 - Getting Good Agents, Motivating Them, & Casting Director Mail Outs
Chapter 12 - Developing Good Interviewing Skills
Chapter 13 - Hair-Brained Ideas To Get Work
Chapter 14 - Be Careful Signing Contracts
Chapter 15 - Print, & Modeling Work Contracts
Chapter 16 - The Online Casting Websites, & Demo Reels
Chapter 17 - Optimizing Social Networking Sites, & Making Friends
Chapter 18 - Staying Positive, & Keeping Your Spirits UP
Chapter 19 - General Casting, & Auditioning Advice
Chapter 20 - Winning At Callbacks
Chapter 21 - Stand Up Comedy As Audition Training?
Chapter 22 - Sex, & The Single Actor
Chapter 23 - Acting, & Casting Anecdotes
Chapter 24 - Children in the Acting Business
Chapter 25 - Working On "Star Trek"
Chapter 26 - Actors, Taxes, & Final Thoughts
This industry has changed a lot in the last five years. Contract rules, residual structures, online casting, & so on.
(Headshots started changing from black and white, to color in 2001. I want to stay 39 years old, like Jack Benny.)
(A few reviews of the book, "An Actor's Face, Audition, Casting Advice, And Anecdotes From A Working Actor".)
"I am reading your book, and loving it. I feel like I'm being invited to go along with you on auditions. So many
other acting books I've read are like textbooks, and are just plain uninteresting. Yours is filled with sensible,
practical information, and it is shared in a delightfully humorous way. The way you weave casting anecdotes
throughout the book is entertaining, informative, and you paint images with words. It helped me a lot!"
-- Catherine R.
"This book is a must have career manual for actors. Shannon has followed the trends and changes in the industry
over the years. He really tells it like it is. I felt like I just got some great auditioning, and acting
life coaching! This is probably the best five bucks I ever spent on an acting resource."
-- Joseph S.
"Shannon Ratigan's book, "An Actor's Face" is that rare combination of an enjoyable read filled with practical advice.
He doesn't delve into textbook answers, but draws on personal experience, and years in show business.
Very useful info, but a good, sometimes very funny, read."
-- Kenneth H.
Working in Hollywood is all glamour. To prove it, here are a few stills from a few of my gigs:
I do think it's important that we take our craft seriously, but also that we be able to laugh at ourselves.
You can get a sampling of my book by checking out my starving actor blog. It has about 40-50 pages
from it in there. Lots of helpful hints, ideas, suggestions, stories, acting tips, and much more.
I played a Romulan on "Star Trek" three times. 15 years later, I was emailed these game cards with myself on them.
(It's pretty easy to be a pissed off looking alien, when your face is all glued together for 12 hours.)
Here's the link to the Amazon Kindle Book Store. Or, you can go to Kindle and search on the title:
"An Actors Face, Audition, Casting Advice, And Anecdotes From A Working Actor" by Shannon Ratigan.
You can read a few different chapters that are not on my blog, by clicking on the "Look Inside"
feature, when you visit the Amazon Kindle page. Look for it on the front cover image. (Retail $5)
A few clips from my old actor demo reel. Actually, they shouldn't be more than 3 to 4 minutes in length, so it's
a bit too long. I added a few other things on there, just for fun. Check out the pie in the face at the end.
Check out my Twitter Feed, @Starving_Actor
I believe that all of us in the acting business, should network, and try to support each other.
ShannonRatigan.com
SAG/AFTRA
Los Angeles, CA. - Tampa, FL.
Representation: Level Model & Talent Agency
And, The Evelyn Stewart Talent Agency
Here's one of my earlier commercials from back in 1986. They wanted "over the top", and that's what they got.
Every time it came on TV, I would have to dive across the room for the remote, and hit the mute button.
I didn't really like this headshot of me. But my agent picked it, and they are the ones who submit photos to
casting directors for auditions. Often how we see ourselves is a mistake. This headshot got me a LOT of jobs.
Hollywood is kind of a funny town. It chooses who you are, and where you fit in. The challenge, is going
with it. My agent joked about this look, and called me "Fishman Bob" after I booked a role as that name.
Follow your heart, and your dreams. (But keep a day job if you can!)
