Most actors don’t realize it, but just as the “Pilot Season” in L.A. is the busy season for American actors (from about the end of January to about the end of March – it’s a bit flexible), now is the busy season for Australian actors, up through about March/April. The unfortunate thing is that those actors who don’t know it’s the busy season, they think like “civilians” (anyone not in the Industry) and plan on holidays, parties and going away for extended periods. BAD IDEA! I have known actors who actually got either their big break, or just a really good gig, simply by being around during December and January. When I ran my actor’s agency, CDs would ring me up specifically to see who was going to be around, particularly in January, and ESPECIALLY during the period between Christmas and New Year’s. Yup, things actually happen then. I have personally done gigs as an actress or coach right up until the day before and the day after Christmas. Yes, it was for the Americans, but that’s the thing. We’re now in a global economy, and not everyone has the “silly season” like Australia, where things seem to come to a slow down or complete stand still until about February.

The slow season, and when you should plan your breaks, is around the end of the financial year – June/July. Often, producers wait until the new financial year starts to begin their productions because of the tax implications. Then it slowly starts to pick up again from August.  The Americans come to make their holiday TVCs, and the Australians, of course, make a lot then, as well, not to mention the other offshore companies. The Americans even make some of their Super Bowl TVCs here – which are very high profile gigs for actors. Millions and millions of people end up watching them.

We have a challenge this year because the Australian dollar is so strong. It’s causing many of the American producers to cancel their plans for providing work here – that’s why we lost the film, “Green Lantern”. There is also the challenge of the supposed “strike” that Equity has called because SPAA finally refused to sign the offshore agreement contracts. I won’t get into it here, but even though most people (including actors) aren’t even aware this “strike” is on, it’s creating an uneasy feeling among the Americans. The joke is that the rates Equity wants enshrined in contracts are lower than the usual market rates!

So while there may be less work than is usual in our Busy Season, it’s still better than our slow one. The main message I want to get across is that you must be AVAILABLE for the work that DOES appear. Don’t go away or not be available for any reason and then complain that you aren’t getting any work. Actors don’t leave their businesses at this time of year. Be available and be employed!

as the Actress said to the Bishop.  I am working on a whole new format for the newsletter, a whole new structure for my coaching, lots of changes to my website, and getting ready for a daily blog, not to mention my books, DVD, and sitcom project. Whew!  But a change is as good as a holiday, and it’s terribly exciting when you get yourself sorted out exactly in the direction you want to be going, isn’t it?  My main motivation for coaching is I want to share that feeling with anyone who needs it, by imparting knowledge, wisdom, advice, and maybe just a bucket load or two of motivation.  I can’t do it FOR you, but I can help you to want to do it for yourself.

The newsletter, which I am going to call an eBrief (to remind ME to keep it so, and YOU that you’ll be getting briefings on things that will help your career), is going out to those who have registered to receive it. (See button on Right Hand side of page. This is the first thing you must do for yourself – I can’t opt you in.) You subscribers will get first notice about projects I hear about (or deals on my own coaching), or anything that will reward you for subscribing! That way, as used to happen with my newsletters, I’ll get notices from Industry people who know I can reach hundreds of actors very quickly to let them know about, for instance, auditions for a new project.

Then on the website, I’ll be blogging all about the things that clog my tiny little Mad Cow Brain about the Industry, creativity, actors, coaches, projects, things I’ve heard, etc. etc.  I can answer questions for you as well if you contact me with them. (There will also be other changes to the website, which you’ll see as they happen.)

Finally, I am preparing a whole new approach to my coaching, which I’ll unveil very soon.  I think it is something we really need in Australia, and have never had before. I’m excited about it, and hope you will be, too.  One of the biggest changes is that I will NOT just be pitching my coaching at beginner or up and coming actors, as is the norm. Just like 98% of our directors are first timers, so, too, are most of our actors, so that is what we find in our training places and networking events (think about that for a minute: we are an Industry of beginners!). What do the others do? The ones who want to move from a lot of extra work to 50 worders? Or the 50 worders who want to move to guest roles? Or the ones whose careers have stalled, either at an intermediate level (guest roles, TVCs, small parts), or after they’ve had a “breakthrough” (ongoing role, guest star, film profile) and now need a Big Boost to go further, or get more consistent work. In L.A. you’d find lots of help with that.  Here, nowhere that I can think of.  Until now.  All will be revealed once I have it in place.  It’s going to be a creatively, financially, and emotionally rewarding journey we can take together.  I can’t wait to share it with you.  My goal is to start everything on November 1st, right after Halloween, which is all about magic!  The best thing about that is it’ll be smack dab in the middle of the Busy Season, so of maximum use to all actors.

Use the button to subscribe, tell others you know to do the same, and keep checking the website (sign up for the RSS feed) for further updates.  In the meantime, I am doing LIMITED private coaching in Melbourne (I’ve just returned from 3 weeks in Sydney) because of a film in pre-production that I’m coaching on. Skype or phone coaching is easier than face to face ones at the moment, but you can check for availability by contacting Jenna on jenna@mirrenlee.com

If any of you have topics you’d really like to see covered, please let me know via email.  In the meantime, stay tuned for further news …