This question is from my buddy Dianna Craig:
"I heard from @dallastravers how successfully you've marketed to casting LA. How did you do it?"
Awesome question! I covered the gist here (How I Know Ships Work), but let's get REALLY SUPER DE DUPER SPECIFIC so that you, too, can craft your gameplan.
1. First, know that the opposite coast is your destination. So, because I'm a sitcom girl, I basically figure that there's no way I won't be working in LA (Universe, you are welcome to prove me wrong and give me a NY sitcom...!). With that in mind, I knew that picking some LA CDs with whom to familiarize myself before the eventual move.
2. Do some SERIOUS research. Right this moment, do you have a CastingAbout subscription? If not, get one! How about IMDBPro? Both are definite essentials, guys. And they're quite affordable, so hook yourself up. Once you get to CastingAbout, it shows you who is casting what for EVERY production going on. Get laser-focused--choose your desired genre, and start taking simple tallies of what CDs are casting the most indie dramas/one-hour episodics/half-hour sitcoms. I ended up with SEVERAL pages of CDs, but I limited myself to 6--and chose the top 6 casting offices casting the most sitcoms.
3. Acquire the appropriate information. Who's at this office? Which associates work on which projects? Are there publicized email addresses? What's the mailing address? These details can be found on either IMDBPro or CastingAbout, so write 'em down and put it on your list! While you're at it, see if they have a Twitter, an FB fan page, etc. Put them on your social radar!
4. Send your first ship. I'm a fan of my first ship including some kind of introductory note, as well as a 5x7 headshot/resume. I try to keep it classy, you know? So maybe something like,
"Dear Lily, I'm working on a move to [other coast] soon, and I'd love to get on your radar. Looking forward to seeing you there!"
5. Keep it consistent. Dallas Travers heartily endorses the Rule of 7, and I am totally feeling its effects! Keep a ship going out monthly, making it feel just as genial as it would if they were a local CD for you! Your ships will be noticed and, with time, your long-distance CDs will become familiar with you.
How familiar? Well, I had not 1, but *2* LA offices try to call me in this fall, and they didn't come from my manager's submissions--they came directly from the CD thinking of me and requesting my presence. I wasn't able to come in either time, but I *will* be out there soon, and when I am? I think I'll be welcomed with open arms! :)
Hope this helped, dearest Dianna! Readers, what do you think? Questions, comments? Serve 'em up in comments, on FB or Twitter! :D
Ahoy, Mateys!
Jen