As we head into a brand new year, we polled a handful of industry insiders and experts for their insight into what to expect in 2023, how to get better at your craft (and what to watch on TV).
What are some positive developments you see happening in the Portland acting and/or modeling industry in 2023?
Katie O’Grady (Acting Coach/Director/Actor/Owner of The Studio NW and Acting for Kids and Teens): Actors took the time to update their marketing material and dive into classes. Our students also volunteered and reached out to the community.
Tara Manning (Owner/Booker at Talent Model Management): We are so thankful to see the movement in our industry after the lull with Covid.
Crystal Walen (Director of Commercial/TV/Film Board at Q6): We are 1 week in so not much.
Dennis Troutman (Talent Division Director at The Option Agency): I’d like to be optimistic in thinking we will get more TV/streaming series this year. 2022 was a decent year for film, but it was the first year (in many years) that we did not have any shows.
Karen Maseng (Acting Coach at KMaseng Acting): One of the most positive developments I’ve seen is that creative people are not waiting around for production to come in from other places. The small town feel of Portland is a strength, not a weakness. Actors are supporting each other and making connections with production people, fostering relationships and collaborations with writers and directors. The result is a local community that is beginning to thrive, finding creative ways to make films.
Kristina Haddad (Acting Coach at The Actor’s Lab): I think things will continue to open up in terms of more jobs coming to town compared to the past few years. Those that advocate for more film and TV projects in the region are working hard to bring new business into the community and are very passionate about elevating the industry here; so I feel like this is a very positive landscape in that regard.
What will be the biggest challenges facing the Portland acting and/or modeling industry in 2023?
Katie O’Grady: Continuing to have faith that we are on the path to new work.
Tara Manning: I’m hoping for a less challenging year. We have gone through many these last few years.
Crystal Walen: Work coming back to the city; it was slower than it has ever been in 2022.
Dennis Troutman: I think we certainly have to factor in a (likely) looming recession. This will impact all industries, and I don't think advertising/marketing will be any different.
Karen Maseng: Convincing production that Portland actors can be cast in bigger roles. A common complaint from Portland actors is that production always casts the juicy roles in LA. Having spent well over 20 years as a casting director in Los Angeles, I tell Portland actors that in order to compete with LA actors, they have to invest the same amount of energy and time on their careers. All too often the answer I get is: “Why bother? We don’t have the same opportunities here as they do in LA, so why spend the time and money?” It’s a vicious cycle. You have to commit to your career if you want to be taken seriously.
Here's the good news - Your audience is now the world, and it’s starving for content. Your cellphone cameras have opened an incredible opportunity for you to become really inventive with what you can create and post on social media, and you don’t have to live in LA to create fantastic material. If you really work at it and the content you create is interesting, you’ll start getting the attention of casting directors, producers and directors.
Kristina Haddad: It’s very unpredictable - so while the hope is to get some shows/films in town you don't necessarily have any guarantees. BUT most important is to remain prepared in terms of your training and sharpness - keep the acting muscles in shape regardless.
What is the one skill actors should focus on to increase their success in 2023?
Katie O’Grady: Actors must deep dive into acting classes that support being on-camera so we are all ready to go when our market kicks back into gear.
Tara Manning: Up to date head shots and solid auditions.
Crystal Walen: Making sure all online profiles are up to date, resume, photos, and skills. Casting Directors can see the last time you logged in and how long it’s been since your headshot was uploaded. For some folks it has been years. You should log in once a month to CF and CN. [Editor’s Note: “CF” is Casting Frontiers and “CN” is Casting Networks.]
Dennis Troutman: Audition technique.
Karen Maseng: Learn to love self-tapes! I’m stunned that there are still so many actors who hate self-tapes and can’t wait to get back in the audition room. I firmly believe self-tapes are here to stay. They save production a lot of money and I suspect that the future will include a hybrid of self-tapes, virtual casting and in-person auditions. Actors must learn how to be comfortable auditioning in ANY environment. I personally think that self-tapes give you an incredible opportunity to be creative, take your time and audition in an environment that is familiar and far more relaxed than the audition room.
Kristina Haddad: Training - keeping the acting muscle in shape and cultivating a healthy mindset
What is the one skill models should focus on to increase their success in 2023?
Katie O’Grady: Models MUST take beginning acting classes. In Portland there are countless opportunities for new faces but they must be ready to say a few lines and know how to work with the camera.
Tara Manning: Keeping their sizes updated and portfolio fresh.
Crystal Walen: Update their book, the more photos you have the better.
Just for fun: what was your second favorite TV show in 2022? (We'll assume The Great British Baking Show was #1. :)
Katie O’Grady: White Lotus
Tara Manning: No time for TV. (o;
Crystal Walen: Severance
Dennis Troutman: Letterkenny
Karen Maseng: Slow Horses
Kristina Haddad: I want to say the Real Housewives of New Jersey but will go more high brow and say White Lotus.
Any other insights you’d like to share?
Katie O’Grady: Keep believing we are still the best city to work and grow as an artist in!! Find ways to support each other both online and in-person. MAKE ART regardless of who sees it.
Tara Manning: We are loving the images with you! Thank you! [Editor’s Note: Thank YOU!]
Crystal Walen: For auditions, practice 2-3 seasonal "personal" stories. Often during callbacks and sometimes for auditions, you will get the tell me about you. Or tell me a fun story of something you did recently. Master 3 stories to use that you can be ready to tell. The clients change so they have no idea its a story you used before and the Casting Director doesn't mind. Embellish, make it entertaining and memorable.
Karen Maseng: Embrace who you are and learn how to bring your unique experiences to every audition. Get comfortable in your own skin and stop worrying about what you think the casting director wants. The casting director wants to see you, not some version of what you think they want!
Kristina Haddad: Always be working on your craft - even if the industry is in a slowdown period. I'm a HUGE advocate for creating your own work or luck as it were. Be it a short film, a play, a feature - you have the ability to create so don't wait to do your art! And it can take on many forms - a night of original poetry; YouTube sketches; or just a gathering of actors to read plays and scripts.
Want to learn more? Read what Portland actors are saying about the coming year in our Shop Talk (Actor’s Edition) article here.
Michael Verity is a photographer based in Portland, OR specializing in acting and business headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography.
His acting and modeling clients are consistently placed in film, television and theater productions and his fashion work has been published in magazines worldwide. His creative and business clientele range from middle management to C-level professionals working in a variety of industries.
Prior to becoming a photographer, Michael was a journalist who interviewed dozens of musicians, including a 90 mile an hour conversation with Joan Jett in the back of an ‘82 Chevy.