In as we speak’s digital age of digital castings and self-tapes, it’s frequent for casting administrators to show to social media when contemplating a performer for a job. The way you current your self on-line can open doorways as a lot as what you deliver to the desk in particular person. Whether or not you’re simply beginning out or already working professionally, understanding learn how to market your self as a dancer is important for fulfillment. The secret is to steadiness your credibility, visibility and connections. Right here, we’ve created a listing so that you can put into motion!
Beginning with Instagram, make the most of your story highlights to characteristic your dance reel, headshots, earlier work, versatile class movies or your choreography. Have you ever lately taken dance pictures, booked an enormous job or acquired footage from class? Pin these posts in your profile so they’re the very first thing folks see. Be strategic and consider it as your digital portfolio with a primary impression in thoughts.
Emily Paige Anderson, a casting director for manufacturers similar to Nike, Adidas, Coachella and the Tremendous Bowl, says, “I primarily use Instagram as a instrument for sourcing expertise — it’s one of many quickest methods to see efficiency clips, spotlight reels and get a way of somebody’s persona. It turns into troublesome to maneuver ahead when somebody claims a talent however doesn’t have any corresponding footage or self-tape on-line to assist it.”
Agreeing with the significance of a web based presence, New York-based choreographer, Alexx Stachowiak, says, “After I began casting and choreographing for New York Vogue Week, I noticed simply how rapidly manufacturers and shoppers would scan your feed earlier than they even opened your resume. Expertise is one factor, however visibility is what will get you within the room.”
As a digital portfolio, an excellent rule of thumb is to have some dance-related posts and/or movies in your six to 9 most up-to-date posts to let casting administrators know that you’re actively dancing and engaged within the dance business. With that mentioned, don’t be afraid to put up different hobbies and your day-to-day to get your persona throughout. Listening to from Broadway performer Kara Menendez, on balancing authenticity with professionalism on social media, she thinks it’s good to maintain some issues personal. “Having a Shut Mates’ story on Instagram is all the time an excellent instrument to make use of if you wish to share one thing that might be questionable for anybody random to see,” she notes.
Some pictures could also be deceiving, but it surely’s exhausting to pretend persona in video content material. With so many nearly bookings, Instagram and TikTok are a straightforward approach for casting administrators to see you. As a choreographer, Stachowiak cares in regards to the vitality that dancers may have within the rehearsal house, a few of which could be predicted by means of pink flags in social media. Some issues to keep away from are: “extreme negativity, unprofessional rants or something that feels attention-seeking in a approach that dilutes the craft.” This might forestall somebody from getting employed previous to assembly in particular person.
Anderson agrees with these refined hints. “How somebody engages with an agent by way of e mail or message can even give perception into how they could behave on website — professionalism, communication and vitality all come by means of.” This goes to point out that your professionalism is much more necessary on-line, so that you don’t give off the fallacious impression of your self earlier than getting the possibility to fulfill casting administrators and choreographers in particular person.
In terms of branding, take into consideration the roles you need to e-book. Do you need to dance in an organization, industrial work, TV/movie or musical theater? Every of those might have a barely completely different method. Menendez agrees that it’s straightforward to get boxed into one area of interest of the business however means that “if you wish to model your self as a flexible dancer, then put up movies of you doing a number of kinds of dance!” Search for different dancers or choreographers who’ve a profession that you just admire and see what makes them stand out and succeed. Dig deep and take into consideration what is going to set you aside, whereas staying genuine. Your identification ought to be constant on-line and in particular person. Being intentional about what you put up can result in a memorable presence. With this mentioned, Stachowiak, factors out “to watch out whenever you’re a freelancer or simply attempting to make ends meet and posting each single gig. In case you’re all over, folks gained’t be capable of place you.” Present your versatility, however make it clear that you’ve got aims.
After assembly different dancers or academics in dance class, comply with them and keep up a correspondence. Social media is a robust place to community. Menendez, who’s on the mend from an damage, shared her expertise with this. “Social media is a superb instrument to keep up connections with folks within the business even when you’re coping with unlucky occasions like accidents. However seeing everybody always sharing new tasks if you are therapeutic on the sidelines can take a toll on you mentally and emotionally.” Use your personal judgement to resolve how a lot time is the correct amount to spend on social media.
Social media ought to be a instrument to remain updated with the business and those that are working. Some final phrases from Stachowiak on the ability of social media in a performing arts profession, the place storytelling is all the pieces, is that “your presence doesn’t cease whenever you step off stage. It continues in the way you current your self to the world — and social media is your modern-day stage.” Figuring out the place you slot in, or stand out, and making that presence recognized will enable you achieve success.
By Abby DeReamer of Dance Informa.
