Finding an Acting Manager | Southwest Actors Conference & Expo in Phoenix, AZ Vlog 2025

I'm back in Phoenix at the Southwest Actors Conference for the fourth year in a row. This is like a fancy summer camp. You dress up, you meet a bunch of people, and I have been coming every year because I honestly just enjoy it so much. Every year I do have an intention. Just because things like this can be overwhelming. So, I find that having like at least an intention, it doesn't mean I'm going to hyperfocus on it. I'm just going to be open to the idea. So this year is to get a manager or get a connection that will get me a manager because the first year in 2022 my intention was just to meet people because I I didn't know what to expect and I did. I met so many actors and then managers, agents, casting directors. The second year was to get more representation. And I met LA, but I did end up getting offered to audition for an agency in Phoenix. The third year was to find an acting coach. And I didn't find somebody here specifically that year, but I did meet Sam and Gabrielle, signed up for their membership. And then through the membership, I met Vas from the online actor and I really have enjoyed working with him. And I did also end up taking the commercial blueprint by Cass Santana, and she was one of the speakers in 2023. Now I have somebody that I can coach with for commercial auditions and some for theatrical. Let's see what kind of connection I might make. Um, if not, I know I'm going to learn stuff. I know I'm going to meet people and I know I'm going to have fun. I need to get ready for the mixer because it's in like 30 minutes. So, one of the reasons why I want a manager is because I have been acting for so many years. I've been acting for 18 years. That's when I like started acting. I went to college for acting and then I have been more seriously actually been represented and applying to auditions since 2017. And I feel that my strategy for acting hasn't been quite correct. I mean like I know the steps but then for some reason or another I feel like I am not able to get there to do the things that I want to do. And what I want to do is be on TV. I just want to consistently have like co-star guest star roles. Be able to enjoy my life, keep living in LA and the Bay Area, mostly the Bay Area cuz I have family and my partner. I don't want a manager that's just going to tell me what to do though. Like somebody that I will be able to collaborate with and together grow. That is the intention. Now, let's go check into the conference mixer. Here is the merch diner where we get to make our own hats. Now, let's head into the mixer. And I'm starting at the photo booth before the line gets long cuz it gets very long. And the Arizona filmmakers had an interactive project that I got to be a part of. If you don't know about the conference already, it is an actors conference and expo created by Bella Hibs from Good Faith Casting. Bella is a casting director who also makes content online about casting and the industry in general. I recommend that you follow her and sign up for her newsletter >> with such vulnerability and openheartedness to meet people and make those. >> I'm back for the mixer and I am so excited to see what's in the VIP bag and I want to show you this was so much fun. Update on my intention. I talked to one of the managers that has been here in the past. I just started a conversation, but in mixers like this, often you get distracted and I just wasn't able to finish like the whole conversation. But I'm sure I'll see her tomorrow. And I was talking to her about maybe chatting and see if we're a good match with each other or if she has any advice for me since I am looking for a manager and she has been a manager for a really long time. This year's my fourth year at the conference and I've come with a VIP ticket every single time and I am so excited to show you this. This was a booth called Merch Diner. So, they have like this, you know, like a diner, and you basically made like your own burger, but it was a hat and a patch. And this is what I got. It's so cute. I am such a hat girl. I don't wear hats enough. I wear a lot of baseball caps like this, but I love hats. This is the VIP swag bag, and um it's different from other years because it's not like a reusable tote, but I think it's really cute. It seems like a gift. And it says Southwest Actors Conference. First, we have What are these scrunchies called? Like to apply your makeup. Ow, my hair's stuck. Galipus and Spearmint Essential Oils body lotion. I actually do really like to use this power gripped primer. I'll try this tomorrow. A pen. Last year I forgot I was about to say last year I forgot a pen, but this year I did bring a pen. I brought many pens and highlighters. And I did not bring a notebook. Oh, I was going to say, what if they put a notebook in here? Oh, wait. It's not a notebook. It's a book. Oh, it's a planner. Okay, first of all, who's this? This pen is from Real Today, which I know they are one of the sponsors this year. The Actor's Life Planner. Set goals, build routines, and take intentional action. A 12week planner. I like that it's only 12 weeks cuz it's like you're going to accomplish it within these 12 weeks and it's thick. I guess I could take notes in here if I really wanted cuz there's like empty pages. Okay. Butter glow liquid bronzer. I'll try it tomorrow. Makeup application tool. A real today sticker. Oh, I think they've done this before. It's like a free IV a local place. Three months free subscription to the actor's office. I think they might have given this before and I don't think I took advantage of it, but I will this time. This is undercover blemish patches. Okay. Oh, and another real today flyer. Um, and that's it. I love love love the planner cuz it's something like I know I'm going to use and I love this hat. So, that's what was included in the VIP ticket. And of course tomorrow I get a lunch and with like more VIPs and speakers and then like industry professionals and then I also get to sit front row with like a table so I can write on and if they ask for volunteers then they're asked to first pick from the VIP section. It's day two of the conference you guys. Let's go check in. And then the speaker, the keynote speech is going to start at 9:00 a.m. and then all of the classes, all of the panels, all of the things. And I'm so excited to be here for the fourth year. >> Here's your VIP. >> Thank you. >> Can I use the pen? >> I super appreciate that they have complimentary water, tea, and coffee. The merch diner is here again. This is such a cute, interactive way to get a souvenir. Some interviews over here happening for the morning show. Now, let's get into the main hall to all the vendors. And this is where all of the panels will be happening. Let's see who is here this year. SAG ARA, ACTUB Studios, Aryan Martin headshot photography, there's an actor's workshop, actor insider, need a reader actor app, Arizona headshot company, uh, looks like some kind of self tape acting help, and real today. Time to take a seat and take a look at the program before we get started. This is Bella's husband and it appears that there were some technical difficulties that actually turned into a really fun flash mob. Bella did the opening keynote and she talked about self-bullying and we journaled about it and we shared it with the partner nearby. Then we talked about how to bring physicality to self tapes and how to show a full spectrum of movement that aren't just you walking to the left or to the right. Jodie Bentley is an actor filmmaker who talked to us about the importance of actor branding and how your actor type is just the tip of the iceberg. Now we're with Monica Samson who is a multi-hyphenate actor, intimacy professional, and she's talking about intimacy on set like onset language as well as how to navigate these things on set. One of the things she said that I really appreciated was that consent should be freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic, and specific. We got to see some intimacy coordination in action. Time to take a little break by having lunch. And since I got a VIP ticket, I was also able to attend this catered lunch uh with assigned seating. So here we have a bunch of people who came to the conference as well as speakers and industry professionals. First thing after lunch is Dorian Lens, who is an improv expert. And something that really stuck out was that repetition makes you good. And you can improv pretty much anywhere. You can do it at home, sign up for a class, or you can even make one. He asked for a lot of volunteers. And although it sounded like a really fun challenge, it also sounded too scary to try. So, I forced myself to get up there and I hadn't improvd like this on stage in a long, long time. And it was actually really fun and I felt very supported. Time for the director panel. And I was lucky enough to work with Carrie Turlock on a really meaningful project that ended up winning two Rocky Mountain Emmys. What the directors gave great insight about what they look for in an actor other than talent. >> Is more involved. They have their own story line, their own journey. They're probably in a couple of scenes. A co-star, this is a little harsh, but you have to think of the way your character serves the story is the answer. How does this character serve the story? Take yourself out, take your ego out and really ask yourself from a neutral perspective, how does this character serve the story? If the character serves the story by taking an order at a table in a restaurant, you know what I mean? Like, your choices are going to be simple. It's >> [applause] >> talent agent panel time. What I learned here is that although there are some industry standards, every agent has many little things that they prefer differently, like how to reach out to them or when do you book out and when to put something under your special skills. >> And I love uh making building connections with other people in the industry. I've been doing this for 34 years and the one thing I've never gotten tired of is I love telling actors that they booked. >> Both of your answers cuz we are also a boutique style agency, boutique size as well and just making those relationships, those connections and being able to pour a lot of time and energy into it. >> Time for the casting director panel. I love this one. Bella of course is one of the speakers and casting just like the directors all like things slightly differently. For example, Natasha looks at your headsh shot first and then decides if she even wants to click on your reel. So, it may be that your headshot is what's keeping you from getting audition requests. >> It's been a hard year and this year I really needed this sense of community. >> Closing keynote was by Jesse Sore, a conversation with Bella and Jesse has been on shows like Gossip Girl and Shameless and she said something that made so much sense to me in the acting world. Don't judge your character, justify them. >> For each of you here locally who showed up, the people who flew in, who drove in, who brought their partners with them, like, thank you. You guys make this community just so much better. So, thank you. Thank you. [applause] I know I know it seems [applause] like it's coming to an end, but I can't wait to see how you take all of the amazing tools that our speakers shared so willingly and how you implement them into your career, your audition, and your mindset. So, I can't wait to see you next year at Southwest Conference 2026. [cheering] >> Oh, no. And that's it. The conference is over. It's time to head home. But let's debrief at the airport on what I learned this year. Yeah, >> I have a crazy thing that I want to say >> and it's that I don't want a manager anymore. During Jod's presentation about marketing, in the middle of it, I realized that's what I need. That's really what I need. I need somebody to help me with my brand. Because Jod talked about marketing yourself and branding yourself in a particular way so that when your agents submit you that your headsh shot says like yes I am a teacher. Yes, I am a mom, you know, which I know that I wanted a manager to help me with that, but also to be able to like really introduce me to people. And I think I might still want a manager in the future. And I am going to message some managers just so that I can start learning about how who I really want as a manager and develop that idea in my head so that when I do go talk to people and see if we are a good fit, in the general. >> I'm going to have to pause so much for announcements. Anyway, so that when I am finally like on my journey to find a manager that I know who I'm actually looking for and maybe it's one of these people that I end up >> maybe one of the managers I talk to right now is the manager that I end up signing with in the future, probably the near future. This year for the conference, my intention was to get a manager. And I am so glad that that was my intention because I think if I would have seen Jod's presentation about branding yourself and like marketing yourself, um I wouldn't have like really grasped it and actually wanted to hire her because I've always heard about branding all of the time and I'm like, "Yeah, like I I get it, you know, but because in my head I had I want a manager that'll help me really like focus where I'm going to act." Then that's where I was like, "Oh, that is who I need. I need somebody to help me with that." And then once I have that, then of course I can go and get a manager and it'll just be such a more smooth process. >> If you are considering going to the conference, I absolutely recommend it. I've been going since the beginning and if you have the financial ability to do it, I think you should go. I know that everybody gets something different from the conference, but I get a lot of joy, a lot of friendship, and I mean, I've gotten an agent from this conference, but I I just love it. It's a great time. Now, enjoy me getting interrupted and showing you that no, you cannot film a self tape at an airport because look, want help to really >> this time we fully boarded flight. >> So, I do >> a boarding call for Orange County flight 4105. Still looking for >> a head shot. Get that kind of real car. came out. >> Passgers headed to Houston. >> Dear for the conference, my intention was >> for the safety of a manager. >> Please do not allow your pet to walk on moving >> and another