Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

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Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/3/05 at 4:19pm

Something that's been mulling around in my mind for a while is the number of actors who have their own personal websites. Granted some of these people are big stars with household names (like Bernadette Peters), but there's also a large amount of up-and-coming stars and people just trying to make in the business who have their own. I know a couple people who are far from stars but are in the process of building one right now. In a couple years, is this going to be something very common? It would never replace the resume simply because of the exhausting amount of time it would take to visit each persons website and what not, but is it a bonus to have one? Is it something to be included ON resumes now? Or is it just merely a fun thing to have for your own personal entertainment and something fun for fans to check out? What does everyone think?

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/3/05 at 4:56pm

I don't think websites should replace resumes, rather they should provide an extension for them.
Websites also provide a great link (pun intended) between an actor and his or her fans:
Pictures
Sound clips
Video clips
Upcoming events
Blogs
I mean really, the possibilities are almost limitless

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/3/05 at 5:21pm

I think it's a "can't hurt, might help" scenario from a marketing standpoint. Plus, as broadwaystar2b points out, a Web site is a great way to connect with a fan base - if fans feel connected, they will want to see the actor, which drives ticket sales. which makes the actor more marketable to producers, and so on and so forth.

I don't think a Web site is an absolute essential for relative unknowns, but if well done, certinaly will not hurt. It definitely adds a layer of marketing and publicity that can be beneficial in the long run.

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 10:33am

They won't replace resumes, I'm sure, but it's a good way of getting an actor's name out there. Plus it keeps faithful fans around (if the actor hasn't been around it keeps us updated).

I love Gergory Jbara's website, especially his live webcam during Wed and Sat performances. It's great fun, plus a peek at what the backstage is like.

Proud fangirl of Greg Jbara.

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 12:56pm

i agree it should be an extension. as a director i want the headshot and resume..not a link to somone's website..that takes my time and if i have to do it 500 times it is annoying.
if sending via email.send as an attachement and refer to the website for other things. remember the director has a lot to accomplish to and wants to make sure he see everyone..or at least i do

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 1:08pm

Keep in mind that a lot of these website of "up and comers" are created by fans... and not necessarily the actors themselves. So apparantly there is some sort of importance or desire for them to exist.

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 1:08pm

Plus, I think a lot of people want to get their domain name before they're a star, that way they don't have to buy it off someone else later on.

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be enbered with your old nonsense. ~ Emerson

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 1:28pm

Personally, I don't think it's appropriate for anyone to register another person's name unless they working with that person on an official site. It's a bit creepy and ultimately annoying for the performers that thenm want to create their website and can't register their own name.

"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 1:32pm

totally agree Craig!

#10

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 1:34pm

I think it's something that's more of importance to the fans -- a way to find more information when you see somebody you like, or to keep up-to-date with your favorites if you don't know what they're up to, whether it be a site the actor puts together personally, or has a webmaster do for them.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

#11

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 1:43pm

I dont think they should replace resumes, they should tho, include a resume.

Mary Bond Davis wanted her website to be very professional and has her resume in three formats and her headshot in two formats as well as a ton of audio clips- incase someone is interested in hiring her they can find her online or she can send them there.
MattMorrison.Net on the other hand is clearly geared towards his fanbase.

In either approach, its nice to be able to include the link at the end of a playbill bio for anyone who wants more information.

#12

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 1:48pm

This is an interesting thread...and I recently was surprised by someone who seems to confuse an actor's PERSONAL website with a FAN-CREATED site.

Here's how I "define" the difference:

An actor may create a personal fan site to advertise his/her "wares". It is his property and he decides what will appear, what format will be used, who can make changes, etc.

Fans will create their own sites which are basically gathering places for like-minded individuals. The person who is the subject of the site may not even be aware it exists and usually has had no foreknowledge of its creation.

The postings on fan sites usually center around the actor to whom it is dedicated. However, other topics pop-up too and discussions may cover a variety of topics besides the actor's career, etc. It's just a gathering place to share news, ideas, personal encounters, etc.

As long as nothing threatening, defamatory, or libelous is not posted (and administrators usually monitor sites)...fan sites really don't create much concern for actors. I look at them the same way I do a Yahoo Group for Genealogy buffs. It's for those involved in that hobby.

Does anyone else have a different view?

Where are we going, and why am I in this handbasket?

Patrick Wilson Fans --New "UnOfficial Fan Site". Come check us out!

Patrick Wilson Yahoo Group

Patrick Wilson Facebook Fan Page

#13

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 1:49pm

It's not just for fans. I know that the people I have been hired to create sites for have gotten work from their sites. Readings, workshops, demos, gigs, etc. In the internet savvy world we live in, it's a place professionals (and of course fans) can go to not only get more information but also get the truth. And by truth, I mean that there are many people who either pose as people they are not on various message boards, blogs, myspace and such or places where incorrect information is posted about a performer, event, etc. By having a "home base" - any person (forget even performer) has a place they know people can go to get the facts straight from source.

"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka

Updated On: 10/4/05 at 01:49 PM

#14

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 1:58pm

I know more than one person who have booked representation form them, as well as getting work from them. They're awfully convenient to put on a business card, too.

"Fundamentalism means never having to say 'I'm wrong.'" -- unknown

#15

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 3:30pm

Craig,

Exactly. The Actor's Personal Site is their homebase. They control the content.

A fan site is another animal entirely...and I doubt most actors interact with the majority of their FAN sites.

Where are we going, and why am I in this handbasket?

Patrick Wilson Fans --New "UnOfficial Fan Site". Come check us out!

Patrick Wilson Yahoo Group

Patrick Wilson Facebook Fan Page

#16

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 3:57pm

I'm often surprised by how many "non-famous" performers have their own site--especially up-and-commers. It's like, who actually goes to these things?

Having your own website is pretty silly unless you've actually have stuff to put on there.

#17

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 4:01pm

TDB, I see your point, but at the same time, I don't think "they" have a site for the same reason. For them, it's an online business card. It's almost weird for any business these days to not be online, so it's not surprising that these individuals also want a presence. They aren't for fans, I would imagine - they are to offer a way for the industry to locate them.

"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka

#18

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 5:43pm

Craig- Why don't you give a plug for your services, or did you already do that?

"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer

"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher

#19

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 5:48pm

Thanks. I am already over-booked with other projects

"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka

#20

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 5:50pm

Don't spread yourself too thin.

#21

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 6:01pm

from MAKING IT IN NEW YORK by Glenn Alterman pg. 98

"In today's world, websites offer actors higher visibility and the opportunity for potential employment possibilities."

benefits of a website are: An easily accessible online resume, a website serves as a second 'agent' for actors, membership in the web world, accessible information for fans and potential employers. (alterman)

#22

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/4/05 at 6:08pm

http://www.backstage.com/backstage/features/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000505908

Still relevant...

"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka

#23

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/5/05 at 1:58am

I think a performer run website is largely beneficial. Even for the up-and-comer. As our society becomes increasingly more computer based, the internet is quickly becoming the first, and often the only source (aside from television) of information accessed by the average American citizen. That includes theatre patrons and industry people alike. I have my own website, and although I am no star, I know that there are a growing number of friends, aquantainces, and fellow actors who keep up with my career by visiting my website. Although I think careers are largely still made through the traditional routes (agents, auditions, managers, casting directors, casting couches), public knowledge of a performer is a very valuable thing. The more people know what you are doing (no matter who they are) the more a "buzz" can be created about your career. The theatre world is such a small community, relatively speaking, that a website can be a valuable tool in creating "buzz" and even a fan base. A website is definitley not a necessity. But every little edge helps in this business. Just my two cents.

#24

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/5/05 at 6:28am

i think that all websites need to be maintained regularly, there is nothing worse than an "offical website" that is out of date or doesn't include new info. for example John Hill's website had NO info about "But i'm a cheerleader" or the latest "whiskers on kittens"

My advise if you're using a website as a marketing tool, USE IT

#25

re: Importance of Actors' Personal Websites?

Posted: 10/5/05 at 8:07am

I know that, in casting, sometimes last minute information is needed or someone is submitted on a deadline. If the casting agent can call up a website quickly to get all the headshots and bio info rather than waiting around for a messenger to deliver a package, it can make all the difference in the world.

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