The Business of You: An Actor Branding Workshop with Bryan Fox

By Mike Kraycik
Philadelphia Conservatory Committee Co-Chair and SAG-AFTRA National Convention Delegate

Bryan Fox at the workshop

The SAG-AFTRA Philadelphia Conservatory committee presented a free workshop on April 1, titled The Business of You: An Actor Branding Workshop, featuring instructor and SAG-AFTRA member Bryan Fox. Bryan discussed the topic and provided an exercise to help performers understand what they knowingly and sometimes unknowingly project when they walk into an audition room.

A group of members were selected to sit in front of the audience and briefly introduce themselves. Audience members then filled out a questionnaire about what each performer projected. The feedback was given to each performer to review and respond to before the group — noting what did and did not surprise them. Bryan also discussed headshots and how to enter an audition knowing and liking yourself, or least being comfortable with yourself. Talent aside, casting directors are also looking for the person who is grounded, focused and can handle themselves in an audition, which directly correlates to how an actor will be on the set.