Technology Is Here to Stay

Photo by Todd Voltz 

As all of us performers know, training and preparation are essential to developing the acting skills we need to back up our resumes and get us the auditions that lead to jobs. Keep your resumes up to date, make sure that your color headshots show your actual appearance, and keep your clips from commercials and films on the various online resources you use, such as Actors Access, IMDb, etc., and with your agent reasonably current.

These online resources are wonderful tools for actors, but these tools have made us more and more dependent on technology. You must keep your technology up to date, too! Personally, I have a long way to go before I become technically adept. I have a lot to learn about using computers, recording gear and smartphones. Although I have recording equipment, I struggle to coordinate with a reader/operator quickly enough to meet the shorter deadlines for submissions. I find myself more than a little dependent on the kindness of family, friends, strangers and a patient agent for help.

A recent incident taught me the value of having a smartphone. I had a communication problem on a recent shoot in Alabama. My "den mother," the second A.D., expressed his concerns that I was not getting the email updates he sent me. I told him that I could not get them because my computer and printer were in New Orleans. He asked me why I could not get them on my smartphone. Oops! I still use my old flip-phone, and it does not let me read my email. I guess I have some catching up to do. Hopefully, you all have smartphones, but if not get one!

Training and credentials are still essential to getting acting jobs, but the role of technology in getting auditions and roles is becoming more and more important every day. Keep up!

By John Wilmot

John Wilmot is a longtime member of legacy AFTRA and legacy SAG and is now a proud member of SAG-AFTRA.

This item was originally featured in the spring 2016 local newsletter.