Literature: Technology

TECHNOLOGY
the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.
"advances in computer technology"
machinery and devices developed from scientific knowledge.
"it will reduce the industry's ability to spend money on new technology"

the branch of knowledge dealing with engineering or applied sciences.

In this article Adam Hetrick interviews Bernard Telsey who has worked in the theatre for over 30 years. He is head of Telsey Company casting, a premier theatre and film casting company in New York. Broadway casting credits include Wicked, Rent, Newsies, Kinky Boots,Motown, Rock of Ages, The Normal Heart, All The Way, A Streetcar Named Desire,Hairspray, Legally Blonde, In the Heights, Porgy and Bess, Equus, Memphis, Bring It On, South Pacific, Next to Normal, 9 to 5, Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark, Catch Me If You Can, and The Addams Family.

When I was looking for a new agent, I initially sent my CV and headshot (via email) to ten agencies, out of the seven that got back to me, all seven asked for a voicereel and a showreel before they would consider bringing me in for an interview. I also frequently apply for jobs on websites such as casting call pro, and a large percentage of these applications result in self taped auditions from a section of script the director emails over to you.

When asking inquiry participants if there is anything they feel should be on a modern curriculum in drama schools to prepare actors for the industry that isn't currently being taught, TECHNOLOGY is brought up every single time. Out of all the actors I have spoken to all have said that voice reels, showreels and self tapes are now a fundamental part of the industry due to modern technology continually expanding. All of the recent graduates I have spoken with have said that agents don't just require a headshot and cv but they want to hear a voicereel and see a showreel before they will even bring you in for a meeting. 

All participants have also stated that their college did not prepare them for this. The participants that have been in the industry for over ten years stated that this wasn't the done thing when they first graduated meaning they have had to 'learn as they go' and adapt to developing technology and the impact this has on the industry. My more recent graduates have said that even though voicereels and showreels are now considered as important as a cv and headshot, their colleges gave no mention of this whilst they were training. 

What are some challenges that actors face now that are new to the industry as it evolves?

'It's such a world of the Internet and technology that you've got to, as an actor, be able to self-tape for auditions. The Internet is the great thing. Even with different SAG and Equity rules, we're all self-taping and we're all using taped auditions as a means of getting hired. What's not acceptable is when an actor says they can't come in because they're in L.A. or out of town, and they can't self-tape. You can self-tape on your iPhone. You need to be technologically savvy and we are expecting you to understand how to audition for tape. It's all happening so fast. Casting is so much faster now because of the Internet. Clients expect things tomorrow because you don't have to wait a day to get an actor the material by messenger or FedEx. I can email this material and you can audition in an hour. Can you read the script? Can you find out more about the character before you go in to the audition in that amount of time? I think it’s a good thing because you have access to the Internet and information, but there's less time to prepare and you've got a lot more homework as an actor.'

This question, put to Bernard Telsey, is a fundamental part of my inquiry, and his response really highlights the importance to be, as he puts it 'technologically savvy', which through my data has shown itself to be a key point. 

College is the perfect opportunity to record yourself and get some footage of you performing. even if it on a mobile, in my opinion colleges should at least be encouraging students to start collecting footage. However my inquiry is leading me to going one step further and I feel very strongly that with voicereels and showreels being as important in the  modern industry as they are, drama schools should have the technology available to help students film/record themselves. Tying in with this quote, colleges should also be teaching students the best ways to self film. The first audition tape I did took me literally all day. The lighting was terrible, there was noise in the background etc and having the oppertunity to rehearse this in a college environment would mean graduating as a more prepared performer. 

Adam Hetrick (2017) Booking it! Available: http://www.playbill.com/article/booking-it-casting-director-bernard-telsey-on-audition-essentials-com-213656.