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7 Ways to Get More Auditions Every Week

October 4, 2016 by Kenney Myers

Let me start out by saying that I LOVE TO AUDITION! Why? I don’t really know I guess it’s just something you either love or hate. I see each one as a new opportunity to reinvent myself and to sharpen my skills as I interpret a new script (which sometimes I admittedly do get totally wrong but that’s part of the fun). It’s about testing your own limits and finding unique ways to deliver a performance that is memorable and that ultimately gets you the gig. Of course, before you can audition though you have to find casting calls aka breakdowns and submit yourself or get your agent to do it for you. I personally submit myself to dozens of opportunities every week and this article will detail how I find auditions for you.

Backstage.com is a site that I am an on daily (usually multiple times per day). They give you the ability to define searches that fit your profile really well. You can restrict your search to just feature films and TV (or whatever you prefer) as well as how far you are willing to travel, paid v. non-paid, union v. non-union, and many more filters. Make sure that you are applying only for roles that make sense for you and that you have a complete profile with lots of pictures, videos, and your resume to share with casting directors or producers.
ActorsAccess.com is another site that I am on at least daily. They offer fewer filters than Backstage.com but for one reason or another I book a lot of auditions through them. You generally focus on a geographic region (Texas in my case) and the same rules really apply here. Make sure you have a complete profile and that you have professional headshots and a resume to share with whoever is handling casting for each project.
CastItTalent.com is a site that has some pretty big opportunities. I’d say you are more swinging for the fences with some of these but there are smaller opportunities there as well. I visit this one less frequently but do have a complete profile there and when I see a role that I am a good fit for I always submit. I get an occasional audition from here but nowhere near the quantity that I get from ActorsAccess and Backstage.
IndieFilmCasting.com is a free site that is great if you are into doing independent films (I enjoy these quire a bit). Since it is free there is literally no downside at all to subscribing to their daily email that gives you more opportunities to find auditions (the more auditions, the more likely you are to book)
ShortFilmTexas.com is another free site if you live in Texas that will allow you to stay on top of casting calls in Houston, Austin, Dallas, and throughout the great state of Texas. I also subscribe to their email list to give me another way to stay on top of opportunities that fit my profile.
FaceBook.com is a GREAT way to find audition opportunities. Just search FaceBook for casting calls and you will find tons of hits. In addition, you are very likely to find FaceBook groups that you can join that are in your area (or wherever you are targeting to get auditions).
Keep networking as much as you can. I try to always stay in touch with actors, directors, and producers that I have worked with on projects. I genuinely want to know how they are doing and I’m always looking for opportunities to help them or make introductions for them which maybe some day they will be in a place to return the favor (if not, that’s perfectly okay). I think this may be the best source of auditions out there. I can’t possibly thank my friends enough for all they have done to help me stay busy.

If you are like me and want to stay busy with auditions then you have to put in some work to make that happen. In addition, I highly recommend that you stay as targeted as possible with the opportunities that you submit to. I don’t think it helps you in the long run to become known as the person that will submit to anything. I think if you really feel you can play the part given the brief description (aka breakdown) then go for it, but otherwise move on to the next opportunity. The last thing you want to do is waste a casting director or producer’s time (they will most likely remember that). The key to getting more auditions is staying on top of them and submitting your information as early as possible in the casting process. Be diligent and of course be on time and never bail on an audition without a very good reason that you communicate in advance. You definitely want to be an actor they can count on to show up and deliver a professional audition. A good reputation can go a long ways!

Whirlwind Acting & Loving Every Minute

August 6, 2016 by Kenney Myers

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of working on a movie called Junkie you can see the trailer here The Official Director’s Cut. This was the first of several projects that I have completed or will be involved with in 2016. I wanted to give everyone that follows my blog a quick breakdown of what I have done. I’m really looking forward to doing more!

The Gate – I started off as an Executive Producer for The Gate. I had a supporting role as well but other commitments stopped me so my good friend and coach Kevin Garcia stepped in and killed it! This is an action packed short that is in the process of becoming a feature film if all goes well. You can read about it here on deadline and watch the video here The Gate – Madison Films.
Junkie – This is a feature film that stars Christian Kane, Anna Easteden, James Duval, Eve Mauro, and several other excellent actors. This was filmed in Sacramento (which I really enjoyed) and in this one I played Sonny. Sonny has some anger management issues and has a strong passion for breaking things (any thing or person will do). You will be able to watch this one soon in theaters or online (I’ll let you know). We are already working on Junkie 2 with an even bigger cast and crew!
Styx Series – This one was a bucket list type of engagement. I flew over to beautiful Valencia, Spain to take part in an innovative international TV series. In this series the cast comes back in each episode as a different person or character and it’s a bit like a modern Twilight Zone. The episodes we filmed in May starred Santiago Segura, Jesus Lloveras, Ruslan Alov, Ana De los Riscos, Johnny Melville, Gary Anthony Stennette, and Mari Cielo Pajares. I can’t tell you too much about this production but I can tell you it will blow you away. I’m looking forward to going back to Spain to film more episodes in the future and to see all the great friends I met filming on location.
Jax in Love – This is the brain child of an incredible actress, Rakefet Abergel. She put together a very talented cast including John Gammon, Ben Kacsandi, Larua Wiggins, and many more. We filmed (my scenes) at the Four Aces Movie Set in Palmdale, CA. That is an iconic set where quite a few music videos and films have used. It’s an incredible place if you get the opportunity to visit. This film is going to really surprise you with several twists and turns making it a thrill ride.

Coming soon (booked for 2016): The Choice is Yours, Endeavor, Knocking on Heaven’s Door, Pranksters, A Dare to Remember, The Perfect Night, Junkie II, and more episodes of Styx.

I am really enjoying the variety of projects that I have been working on and going to auditions (or sending in video auditions). What’s amazing is it gives you an opportunity to challenge yourself in new ways with literally every project. The opportunity to meet new people and collaborate with such incredible talent is also one I am very grateful for. If you are involved with any of these projects, I thank you! I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to all my friends and family especially my wife Jolene for all the support. I couldn’t do any of this without all of you!

10 Things Having a Blackbelt Means to Me

May 31, 2016 by Kenney Myers

I have been active in sports and martial arts for years (ever since I was in college). I have done full contact tae kwon do, sparred many, many rounds, and fought in the ring. However, I think the biggest accomplishment remains earning my blackbelt under The Pit, Sifu Garcia and within John Hackleman’s system of schools. It’s a difficult belt to earn as it requires a combination of kickboxing, hawaiian tempo, sanshou, and crosspit (crossfit with a vengeance). Recently we added Kore jiujitsu as well under the great Luigi Mondelli. It’s like a who’s who list of coaches and yet they make it incredibly personal and find ways to focus more on making you the best version of you that you can be. So here are ten things that having a blackbelt means to me:

It represents several years and hours of practice chasing a goal and eventually attaining it. I think too many times people give up on their goals because they are difficult. No kidding! Very few things in life that are worth achieving come easily at least for most of us.
Going through this journey of learning various techniques has given me the confidence to know that if I find myself in a life threatening situation in the streets, I have a fighting chance at survival. Hopefully that never happens, but if it does I know that I am not going down without a fight.
I have learned to respect and listen to my body better than in any other sport I have ever played/practiced. I have blown out two calves, torn my bicep, broken my nose, and other various injuries. Through all of that though I learned what my body can and cannot take. That is useful information.
I have gained a tight-knit circle of friends that also participate at the pit that I would have never met had it not been for our training. Why is that key? Because surrounding yourself with good, positive people is important in life. Very few successful people get there alone and our team is always there for each other offering encouragement for every practice, round of sparring, or fight. We call it our pit ohana (family).
Through training at the pit and earning my blackbelt I have attained a higher level of physical conditioning than I ever did by just going to the gym doing cardio and lifting weights. I am not sure why but I can tell you that several rounds of sparring or rolling in jiu jitsu will fully exhaust every muscle in my body.
In my house, training in kickboxing is a family activity. My son is 11 and he also has a blackbelt from the pit. Having something that the family can do together is important especially when it is something that builds confidence and serves to keep the whole family safer.
Having a blackbelt really just marks another stop on the journey toward becoming the best that I can be. I’ll continue pursuing degrees and building upon this solid foundation. So earning a blackbelt for me is not a final destination at all, it simply marks a significant point on my map of life.
It’s hard to have a list of what a blackbelt means without acknowledging the support of others that helped me accomplish this goal. My wife, family, friends, and work all showed exceptional support without which I could not have made it. Thank you all for the inspiration and patience as I trained and nursed several injuries from fighting!
Having a blackbelt also means that I have a deeper understanding of what it takes for others to fight and to attain various levels of success. Watching a muay thai, kickboxing, or MMA fight is completely different after you have fought in fights yourself. The level of appreciation for both fighters is much higher.
Finally, I want to say that earning a blackbelt also means that I had amazing guidance from the teachers and staff at the pit. The techniques that they teach are not easy to master but I’m sure they are also not easy to teach. Thanks to all of them as well for pointing out my flaws and helping me improve every day!

So I’m not sure if others will feel the same way about the belts they have earned. I know many fighters that don’t care about belt rank at all (some fighting styles don’t even have a ranking system). I have a healthy respect for every martial art and for every martial artist. Honestly, even if you never step into a ring or octagon it’s important to celebrate your achievements. Becoming a better version of yourself is a matter of setting goals and putting in the time and effort to attain them. For me, having a blackbelt represents all of these things and much more. Now, it’s time to get back to work, hit some pads, do some sparring, and keep growing!

5 Things You Don’t Know About Acting in a Movie

April 2, 2016 by Kenney Myers

We just wrapped up filming JUNKIE, a feature film starring Christian Kane, Anna Easteden, Eve Mauro, and directed by the great Tim Russ. I play a character by the name of Sonny Cole who is a thug/bad guy that wreaks havoc on others beating people, tying them up, shooting them and much more. The filming completed in 14 days which was ahead of schedule and incredibly efficient. Here are just 5 of the many things that you may not know about acting in a movie:

You do A LOT of hurry up and wait. Your call time (when you need to show up) is usually hours before you are going to be in set for various reasons. You have wardrobe, makeup, and you just never know when scenes may have to be shot out of order.
It is exceptionally hard to get all of the makeup off that they put on you. So I’ll admit that I know very little about makeup (shocking right). I ended up having to get the assistance of my 17 year old daughter to remove all of the makeup after each day of filming (okay just the first day or so).
Unless you are doing something totally wrong you really don’t get a lot of coaching as to what you need to be doing in your scenes. I ended up getting a lot of information from the stunt/safety coordinator to make sure I pulled off all of the violent scenes as realistically as possible.
It takes a village to make a movie. We had all kinds of crew members helping make the magic behind the scenes with multiple camera men, makeup, wardrobe, and actually quite a few visitors on set. Anyway, they work long and hard hours making sure that everything is perfect.
Most of the actors are just like you. With a few exceptions you would have no idea that you are talking to someone that has made dozens of movies with huge names. They are all about their craft and honestly having fun and enjoying their work as much as possible.

So this is just a taste of some of the things that are interesting to know about acting in a film. I have several more films and TV shows lined up for 2016 and I am going to attempt to blog about some of my experiences as time permits. I’ll also be posting a lot on twitter @kenneymyers and on my official FaceBook page.

Above all else being on set and acting is a blast! I’m thoroughly enjoying it and hope more than anything that you enjoy all of the productions whether they are in the theater, TV, or netflix. Stay tuned…

10 Ways Churches Can Encourage Athletic Programs

December 3, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Physical activity is as good for the body as spiritual activity is for the soul, which is why it’s such a good idea to combine the two. Still, there’s quite a leap between starting such programs and actually fostering their growth. In order to be a successful ministry, church athletic programs must be supported and encouraged. Here are ten ways you can work to ensure the continued success of athletic programs affiliated with your church.

Form a Ministry – Sports and athletic programs are incredibly effective when it comes to fostering physical health, but they can also be the key to spiritual health when they’re handled appropriately. Rather than treating your athletic program as an afterthought, consider founding a full-time ministry based around team sports and athletes. With a dedicated ministerial staff, your church can better support a healthy and thriving program.
Keep the Congregation Informed – You can’t expect your sports outreach program to succeed if your congregation is only vaguely aware of your efforts. Reserve room in the weekly bulletin for news and announcements related to your sports teams. Actively encourage congregation members of all ages to get involved, not only as athletes, but also as volunteers and coordinators. Your program is better positioned for success when it’s a community effort grounded in love and enthusiasm.
Reach Out to the Community – Your church’s athletic program can be a highly effective tool for supporting not only the spiritual health of your existing congregation, but also working towards the Great Commission. Witnessing to community members who might otherwise be out of reach is easier when they’re involved in your sports groups and programs, and these programs can always benefit from more players. As your teams grow, your congregation may very well follow suit.
Sponsor Local Teams – Smaller churches or those with limited congregation interest in a sports team can still get in on the action by supporting athletic programs on the local level. Reach out to local leagues and team coaches to learn more about sponsoring an existing team; this investment allows you to not only encourage health and fitness in the community, but also strengthen the body of Christ.
Focus on Serving All Ages – Too often, sports and athletic programs sponsored or run by churches fail simply because their focus is too narrow. Youth programs aren’t the only ones with potential for success; adult leagues can also be a big hit. Don’t put all of your athletic eggs in the kids’ basket; find out if there’s interest among older athletes in your group.
Partner with Camps and Clinics – Secular clinic and camps aren’t the only option for young athletes who want to improve their skills. By partnering with faith-based organizations in your region, you can help the athletes who participate in your programs to hone their skills in a spiritually fulfilling manner.
Treat Your Sports Program as More Than an Outreach Mission – Yes, your athletic programs can be an effective way to win souls for Christ. When you focus all of your energy on outreach programs, though, the athletes who already make up part of your congregation can be neglected. Your sports program can be an effective outreach mission, but it can also be so much more than that. Support from the congregation happens when your programs are contributing to the good of the whole, so make an effort to strike the appropriate balance.
Join a Local League – Unless you’re heading up a massive congregation with several hundred members, you probably won’t be able to support an entire league. This is where local programs can be quite valuable. Gauge the level of interest shown by athletes in your congregation, then find out if there are existing leagues which will allow your team to participate.
Host Benefits and Sponsorship Drives – Few things bring a community together like a charitable event or sponsorship drive. Your church’s athletic programs and participation will probably cost at least a small amount of money, but fundraising events can be great ways of getting everyone in your congregation involved. Even members who aren’t athletically inclined can lend their efforts to a fundraiser, bringing their own talents to the table to help support the congregation as a whole.
Turn Athletes into Team Players – The primary beneficiaries of your efforts to organize and support an athletic program will be the athletes themselves, but that doesn’t mean they can’t also be part of the driving force behind the program. Building teamwork and leadership skills are among the greatest benefits of sports participation, so why not give your athletes a chance to put those new skills to the test? Let them work not only to win games and grow in faith, but also to stretch their legs as leaders. Your program, and all who participate in it, will feel the benefits.

Even the smallest congregations can reap the benefits of a sports-focused ministry. In fact, actively working to foster your fledgling sports program can help the congregation as a whole to grow and thrive. Don’t underestimate the power of a sports program; get involved today, and you may be surprised by how soon you’re helping to win souls, regardless of how often you win a game.

Lessons in Honesty and Integrity or Lack Thereof from Johnny Manziel

December 2, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Being a supporter of Texas A&M with a daughter currently going there, part of me wants to see Johnny Manziel turn around his NFL career. However, I also think that he has been given several chances and just can’t seem to get out of his own way. His antics off the field show that he isn’t taking the opportunities as seriously as he should. His most recent big mistake was lying about partying during the Brown’s bye week. Here are some of the things we can learn and hopefully he will learn from this:

Covering up your mistakes is almost always going to be punished more harshly than owning up to them. He is benched right now not because he was partying in Austin but because he flat out lied to his coaches about it in an attempt to cover it up. I have seen this time and time again in my professional career as well. Sadly, some people never seem to break out of the CYA (cover your a$$) cycle of mistakes and consequences.
When you are given an opportunity to show your commitment that is the time to double down on your focus to the team and your job. Manziel was just named the starter coming off of a strong performance against the Steelers heading into the bye week. Instead of studying game film of the Ravens and showing focus in the bye week he decided to “shut it down” and ended up partying in Austin, TX. It’s really important to recognize that when your organization asks you to step up that you seize the opportunity and make the most of it. That is definitely not the time to take a break or do anything but prepare to help your organization win.
What he did was more than just a cover up of his mistake. He flat out lied to his boss. If you do that in your professional career you can certainly expect consequences. Depending on the lie, you might end up getting fired. In any event you better believe that once you have violated the trust of your boss it’s going to take quite a bit of time and demonstrations of honesty/integrity to regain it.
Sometimes we focus on the wrong things. In Manziel’s case he was worried about getting caught partying. Sure, the team wouldn’t have been thrilled about that but they could have gotten over it. Thankfully, he didn’t end up getting in trouble with the law or anything too crazy while partying (except demonstrating bad rapping skills). Manziel took something that could have been excused and made it way worse for himself than it needed to be. He said the video could have been old (really???). The lesson here is to not try to shift focus from the mistake to something else. We all make mistakes and have a fairly high tolerance for others that make mistakes.
Without integrity and honesty you will never have trust. Especially as a quarterback/team leader for the team to follow you and the organization to trust you, you have to earn that trust. If you continuously let them down then you are almost certainly headed toward getting let go. Extremely talented players/employees can sometimes get away without honesty and integrity but they won’t be trusted and at best they will simply be tolerated.

I do hope that Manziel will learn from this most recent mistake. Honesty and integrity need to mean something and if he can’t see that then I have significant doubts about his ability to make it as an NFL quarterback. In reality, I would say the same thing applies to anyone with any role in any organization. We all need to place a higher level of importance on maintaining and rewarding honesty and integrity. If we have employees that need reminded of that maybe they should take a look at what has happened to Manziel. He went from being the named starter for the rest of the season to the third string quarterback and rightfully so.