Marketing for Actors

 At an early age I was shy about the things I really wanted.

When I first started in my entertainment career I was really shy on set and even though it was the best thing in the world, I spent a lot of time at aww of everything around me.  Everything was new and I enjoyed watching the Producer yelling all the important last minute executive decisions to getting lunch for everyone in production.  I got to do a lot of wonderful things, one of them being riding a golf cart as fast as possible on Capitol Hill lawn in Washington D. C..

What I exuded in eagerness I lacked in ability to make lasting connections. As an actor or a person who works in the entertainment industry, these connections are important.  You never know when they will pay off down the road.  And you will make friends for a lifetime.

How do you do this without coming out desperate, or just plain awkward and naive? You have to market yourself.

The most important thing on set is knowing who is who.  Hint: One way to know this on the set of a film, in an independent production, is by looking at their walkies.  Most of them halve the name and position of the crew written on a white tape across it. 87% will be wearing the proper walkie. So if the director approaches, casually look at his walkie and then you'll know his name.

Now you you've let him know you are smart, you know his name.  You can even introduce yourself and bam, you are a golden child.  People love when you remember their name.

The most important thing on set is knowing who is who.  Hint: One way to know this on the set of a film, in an independent production, is by looking at their walkies.  Most of them halve the name and position of the crew written on a white tape across it.   So if the director approaches, casually look at his walkie and then you'll know his name.

Try to remember people's names so you can use this again when you casually walk past each other.
Google Hermine Hilton, a expert on memory writes book on memorizing names, she has helped me.
Begin by doing this marketing campaign for you, you will get a great reputation.

Good luck,

JC

Pictures on set for The End
 

Mother Your Light Shines Forever In My Heart

"Mother your light shines forever in my heart. Over and over you sacrificed your needs for mine. There will be my endless devotion to your love. Holding the weight of my challenges in your hands.  Even though I didn’t understand.  Repeatedly you forgave me and held me in your arms."   

by JC Cadena

On Mother’s day we honor our mothers for all the sacrifices they have made for us.  They have unconditionally given their bodies, their hearts, their lives, their love,  so we can live and rejoice.  I will reflect and honor her memory on this day.  If you are lucky enough to have your mother close, this is the day to tell her how special she is.  I encourage you to get sentimental, a hug, a kiss on the cheek, a single flower, a poem, to show a feeling of love or gratitude.

It’s not how big your gift is, but how big your heart is. Make that day special for her.  Just as she made you feel special on those days you felt low.

Tell her about the special memory you have.  Perhaps you still remember that day you felt sick or sad and she made  your favorite meal to heal you.  Or she bought you that toy, you really weren't suppose to have.  Tell her that now.

On this day its about our expression and respect for her.  If you are hesitant; perhaps, you've distanced yourself from her.  On Mother’s day break that wall and tell her you love her.  This is it.  This is your chance.

Honor her as the Greeks honored their mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele.  Honor her as the faithful were lead back to honor the mother church. And honor her the best way you know how, let yourself be that child that cried for her and love her.

Working Hard - Yep We Do That!

Playing "Rosa" in Sabado Mornings, by playwright, George Corbin, has been a very rewarding challenge.

With any play, I fall back on knowing that I am talented and  that I can get things done, meaning I can act and I do it well.  But, this attitude is the attitude that gets me in trouble.  Just because God gave me talent it doesn't mean I'm exempt from having to do the homework.  I still have to study and put in the practice time. And I have to go over the script again and again so that its fresh on my mind.

Whoever those people are that don't have to the homework, God Bless them, cause that is not me.


I've realized that, yes,  I have to put in the work when it comes to acting.  That means turning off the TV when I'm going over my lines, reviewing the script, getting together with my partner in order to run lines and initiating those phone calls to get together.

And I need to refraining from any extra curricular activities, if you know what I mean. Plus, I need to get rest in order to be my best.

To be honest its tough to work independently, to have to push myself and not fall sleep and watch TV like I really want to.  But I have to say, the effort I put in is rewarding, when the audience connects with the character you are portraying.  Like on today's performance, a member of the audience shared with me that I had made her cry.  The playwright was in the audience and I turned around and I told him,  "George we made her cry". We were both happy.

Regardless of all the hard work, lines will sometimes slip by.  I'll talk about that on another blog.

If you haven't heard,  I am from Ecuador and recently my country had a 7.9 Earthquake which hit the coast.  That emotional weight has been tough on me but  I've managed best as I can.  It wouldn't be right if I didn't even mention this because its part of my performance.

What is the lesson for today boys and girls.  Well, it is do the homework.  If you want to be the best, you have to work and work hard and then and only then will you be the best.

Now, what are you waiting? Do your homework.

JC


I will be playing Rosa for one more weekend, April 29, 30 and May 1st, 2016. For more information or to buy tickets please go to     http://tinyurl.com/sabado-mornings

To donate to help Ecuador after the earthquake go to: 
 https://www.redcross.org/donate/disaster-relief  

Count Your Blessings!

"I am so excited." These words I have been using a lot on every video I've been making.
But it is true to how I have been feeling about my life, EXCITED.  I look at my life and realize how blessed I am for having all that I have.  I think it is important for one to count blessings.  I usually do this in the morning and it has made me appreciate my life that much more.

Our breath is a blessing, waking up in the morning is a blessing, the sun shining on our skin, is a blessing. And I'm that much more blessed that I get to follow my passion.

I've been working on one project and another project right after. Currently, I am working on my next
project, SABADO MORNINGS, an original play by George Corbin, directed by Melvin Ishmael Johnson, starring yours truly, me... JC Cadena.  I will be performing the two first weekends of the show March 22nd March 29.

I discover something new everytime I step on stage.  I become aware of so many different things.  I've discovered the actual "play" within the play.  You know what I mean, right?  Play, the verb, the action of playing, and playing on stage.  That is happening with me and "I am so excited," about it.  It reminds me of my childhood, how I played in the mud, played in the sand and had the most fun.

If you are striving to be the best as I am with acting, I hope for you to have the same discoveries I have had.  I hope you enjoy and play on stage, just like you played completely when you were a child.

Now what are you waiting for, go play! Count Your Blessings!


JC

SABADO MORNINGS - by Playwright George Corbin Starring "JC Cadena"
I will be playing Rosa for one more weekend, April 29, 30 and May 1st, 2016. For more information or to buy tickets please go to     http://tinyurl.com/sabado-mornings

To donate to help Ecuador after the earthquake go to: 
 https://www.redcross.org/donate/disaster-relief 

Sabado Mornings - I'm performing, come check it out.

Singing; Heart, Mind & Voice

I've started to meditate today. And I feel very good about it. As an actor I feel this is very helpful to me.  It exercises my focus.  When I'm on stage I'm focused.  I don't think about "oops I forgot do my laundry," or "I gotta pay my phone bill."  I have to let everything else go.

It is an exercise to keep negative thoughts away from interfering with my goal and that takes focus.

I started singing yesterday. I should say, I started singing classes.  I haven't been singing for two years.  It is always the hardest thing for me.  I showed up to class, late. I walk in to see that I am the oldest there and they are already vocalizing.  Plus these girls voices are just beautiful and they are professional already.

I sit in the circle and I join in the exercise.  I felt rusty, my breath was off, but I still have a good ear to pick up the pitch.

Singing is one of my biggest fears.  Now I am faced with it.  One on one.

But sitting in that room I felt confortable.  I remember that feeling you can get from singing, interpreting a song and losing myself in it.  My teacher, Lula Ross, said that singing requires a trinity; heart, mind and voice.  Which I thought was beautiful.

(L to R) Singer Liz Eve, Singing Teacher Lula Ross and JC Cadena

I have an audition coming up for a musical. They know I have acting chops, now they are just waiting for me to sing for them.  And I'm trying my best not to talk myself out of it.

I've worked through my stage fright and I feel I"m always working on improving my acting.  I can manage dancing with the proper instructor.  And now here I am again, singing.



This is a new adventure for me.  I'm excited to see where it will take me.

JC

"Ecuador Has Talent" is Looking for You!

Growing up I was involved in talent contests and I enjoyed them.  My work with
"Comision Permanente de Fiestas Patrias Ecuatorianas (CPFPE) " has given me the opportunity to work with "Ecuavisa's Ecuador Tiene Talento", a very successful reality show in Ecuador which returns again in 2016.  This time to ..., you guessed it, Los Angeles, California.    

"Ecuador Has Talent" will be in Los Angeles March 20th and 21st auditioning talent.  They will be looking to find talent of any ethnicity to participate in it's star search.  There is no age requirement and producers are welcoming variety acts of all types specially those that break the traditional norms.  

The production team of CPFPE which includes Actress - JC Cadena, Host - Gio Galarza, and Producer - Octavio Red will collaborate with the 

Ecuavisa team and Host, Jonathan Estrada, to produce this grand event in Los Angeles.

Contestants will have 2 minutes in front of judges to show their "TALENTO".  Those who are selected during casting will travel to Ecuador with all expenses paid to compete for $30,000 at the season finale.

I am very blessed to be part of this production team.  I have the opportunity to work with Ecuavisa in showcasing "artists" who want to win the world over. You are invited!

"ECUADOR HAS TALENT"  
CASTING  - LOS ANGELES

SUNDAY 20 MARCH 9 A.M.

8039 S. VERMONT AVE. 
LOS ANGELES CA 90044

Call for more information (562) 565-4417 or you can send me a message.