Talent Manager Henry Ravelo reveals the Origin of Opportunity.
Bursting onto the acting scene can feel chaotic and random, but you do have control of what happens. You can create a long lasting career and Talent Manager Henry Ravelo shares his expert theories with NYCastings.
With over 30 years of professional experience, Henry began as an actor working alongside talent such as Rob Lowe (in Masquerade). Then he moved on to managing careers for actors such as Diane Neal, who plays Casey Novak on Law & Order-SVU and Forbes March, who plays Mason on As the World Turns.
Henry’s unrelenting passion and a keen understanding of the industry’s elements can help all actors catch a break and then keep working.
As a first step, Henry suggests journeying to the heart of yourself.
Key Element #1 of The Big Break Theory = YOU.
For me, Henry shares, I was born in the Philippians and raised in Wisconsin. I was the least likely person in the planet to end up in New York being a working actor. Having an acting career, I was always taken aback by how my peers, who I felt more good looking and more talented then me, weren’t working. So in an attempt to keep working, I decided to focus on what made me get employed and what made them not get employed. Which, in turn, is very invaluable as a manager.
The main thing is, instead of looking for opportunity, an agent, or a manager… work on being good and market that wisely. Make the product good and the marketing appealing to the buyer. Then the opportunities will come to you.
To heighten market appeal Henry believes we need to reveal our flaws. I learned to accept my flaws and use them to my advantage, Henry says. I looked at my qualities as advantages over other people. Actors have a lot of insecurities and people who are successful, use insecurities as an advantage.
For example, I have an insecurity about being rejected so I go fully prepared, Henry shares. If it is a film about soccer, I learn everything there is to know about soccer even though that question will never come up. I don’t leave anything up to chance. I inform myself, I’m prepared, and then I play. I am not scared. I contribute to their day so my 5 min, 15 min, 1 hour in the audition is enjoyable for them as well as me.
The more you know about yourself the more people will want to work with you. I, as well as many people I know, meet someone and think wow they are wonderful but they have no clue as to who they are. We perceive that they have no clue and so they don’t get hired, Henry says.
By working on my acting through class, through scenes, through my work, it helped me learn that acting is a celebration of a human being. As an actor, I had that vehicle in an imaginary situation to celebrate my flaws. I could be neurotic, wallow, and in many ways feel like I was healthier as a result. It is therapeutic on top of everything else.
Once you feel comfortable in your skin, you need to prepare by learning your craft.
Part 2 of The Big Break Theory reveals how to gain solid acting chops. Check it out now!
In the meantime visit www.RAMtalent.com to learn more about Henry Ravelo; his management, clients, and classes.
