In at this time’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 carry to the desk in particular person. Whether or not you’re simply beginning out or already working professionally, understanding easy methods to market your self as a dancer is important for achievement. The hot button is to steadiness your credibility, visibility and connections. Right here, we’ve created an inventory 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 not too long ago taken dance images, booked a giant 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 corresponding to Nike, Adidas, Coachella and the Tremendous Bowl, says, “I primarily use Instagram as a device for sourcing expertise — it’s one of many quickest methods to see efficiency clips, spotlight reels and get a way of somebody’s character. It turns into troublesome to maneuver ahead when somebody claims a ability however doesn’t have any corresponding footage or self-tape on-line to help it.”
Agreeing with the significance of an internet presence, New York-based choreographer, Alexx Stachowiak, says, “Once I began casting and choreographing for New York Trend 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, 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 stated, don’t be afraid to publish different hobbies and your day-to-day to get your character 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 Buddies’ story on Instagram is all the time an amazing device to make use of if you wish to share one thing that could possibly be questionable for anybody random to see,” she notes.
Some images could also be deceiving, but it surely’s laborious to pretend character in video content material. With so many just about bookings, Instagram and TikTok are a simple method for casting administrators to see you. As a choreographer, Stachowiak cares in regards to the power that dancers could have within the rehearsal house, a few of which may be predicted by pink flags in social media. Some issues to avoid are: “extreme negativity, unprofessional rants or something that feels attention-seeking in a method that dilutes the craft.” This might forestall somebody from getting employed previous to assembly in particular person.
Anderson agrees with these delicate 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 power all come by.” This goes to indicate that your professionalism is much more vital on-line, so that you don’t give off the unsuitable impression of your self earlier than getting the possibility to fulfill casting administrators and choreographers in particular person.
With regards to branding, take into consideration the roles you need to ebook. Do you need to dance in an organization, industrial work, TV/movie or musical theater? Every of those might have a barely totally different strategy. Menendez agrees that it’s simple 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 publish movies of you doing a number of kinds of dance!” Lookup different dancers or choreographers who’ve a profession that you simply 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 id ought to be constant on-line and in particular person. Being intentional about what you publish can result in a memorable presence. With this stated, 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 received’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 communicate. Social media is a strong place to community. Menendez, who’s on the mend from an damage, shared her expertise with this. “Social media is a superb device to take care of connections with folks within the business even if you end up coping with unlucky occasions like accidents. However seeing everybody continually sharing new initiatives when you are therapeutic on the sidelines can take a toll on you mentally and emotionally.” Use your individual judgement to resolve how a lot time is the correct amount to spend on social media.
Social media ought to be a device to remain updated with the business and those that are working. Some final phrases from Stachowiak on the facility of social media in a performing arts profession, the place storytelling is every part, 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.” Understanding the place you slot in, or stand out, and making that presence recognized will aid you achieve success.
By Abby DeReamer of Dance Informa.
