Percy Daggs III

Back in 2011, I posted this blog entry to help other aspiring actors get into the business and I used a blog entry that I believed was written by Percy Daggs III.  The knowledge that was in the blog entry helped me back in 2007 start my own acting journey so I just wanted to share it with others.  Also at this time I knew very well who Percy Daggs III was because I was a big fan of the show Veronica Mars and his face was everyone in commercials with retired basketball great, Shaquille O’neal.  This was a young brother who was doing exactly what I wanted to do and I used his accomplishments for inspiration.

Few weeks back, I went in audition for a commercial and their was a guy there signing the audition sheet right before me.  As I started signing my name, I looked at the name above mine and it read Percy Daggs III.  I was like “Oh sh*t, this is the Percy that I looked up to all those years ago.”  Ever since I’ve been in LA, I made a pact with myself that I would always let people know if they had touched my life in some way from their art, their words, or just their accomplishments.  So I knew I had to say something to this guy….and just let him know how inspired I was.  After telling him about this blog and everything…..I could tell that my testimony really made him feel good.  And that’s exactly why I had to give him his props.  Later on, I even tweeted him a link to this blog entry just to let him know I wasn’t lying about anything I said.  In doing that,  Percy realized that he wasn’t the author of the blog entry that I read back in 2007, although someone else was using his name and likeness at the time.  But I reassured him although those weren’t his words….his accomplishments alone were a vessel for my success and I’m forever grateful.

Great guy…..and I wish him all the best!  (*sidenote* – It’s kinda cool that I get a chance to audition and work with people I’ve looked up to.  What a blessing.)

Below is the original post from April 5th, 2011.

Over the last year, I have received a lot of messages, phone calls, and tweets asking how to get into modeling or acting. Well, I decided to use this blog to answer some of those questions. This blog will focus more on the acting side instead of modeling, but I hope it helps some of you. About 6 years ago while I was in high school, I became obsessed with watching this show called Veronica Mars. I noticed that the main character’s sidekick was an actor I had seen previously in a lot of commercials. So, I did some research on the guy and found out that his name was Percy Daggs III and he blogged quite a bit back in the day. You’re probably wondering why am I telling you all of this…..but I promise it will all make sense in a minute. Also keep in mind….this was 6 years ago….and I was not a model, not that interested into acting, but I was curious for more knowledge on the entertainment field. After reading Percy’s blog he had one post that was about getting into acting. After all these years, I still have that blog post from Percy Daggs III and I’m going to release it in my blog. This post really helped me to get started and hopefully it helps some of you guys as well. Cheers!

Hey This Is Percy Giving You A few Acting Tips:

Breaking Into Acting

1. The First Step
Pick up the local actor’s information newspaper. If you live in New York there are several including Backstage and Showbiz. In Los Angeles Backstage West is one of the best sources of information along with The Hollywood Reporter and The Daily Variety. From newspapers such as Backstage West, Backstage or The Ross Report you can get information on photographers, video editing, dubbing services, acting teachers, various seminars, casting directors’ addresses and agent addresses and casting calls. If you don’t live near NY or LA, the internet is the next best thing. Sites such as www.sag.org., www.backstage.com, and www.actoraccess.com.

2. Acting Classes
Acting seems so easy. Everybody thinks they can do it. But acting requires more than charm and personality. Acting requires skill, technique and the ability to deliver the goods. There are many types of acting classes. They include:

BASIC ACTING CLASSES – – – give you the nuts and bolts of acting.
SCENE STUDY CLASSES – – – let you work with one or more actors on a specific scene from a film or stage play.
COLD READING CLASSES – – – teach you the technique of lifting of the words from the page and delivering them like they are your words and not something you just read.
IMPROVISATION CLASSES – – – teach you to be spontaneous, creative and inventive at the drop of a hat.
SOAP OPERA CLASSES – – – teach you how to act in soaps
CAMERA TECHNIQUE CLASSES – – – teach you how to act in front of a camera.
COMMERCIAL CLASSES – – – teach you how to sell a product, read commercial copy, be natural and believable on camera.

Good classes are a must. It is important that you audit as many classes as you can. Find out who the best acting teachers are in your area. Acting teachers are most important to your career. They champion you to success. So, take your time in selecting someone you really connect with and who connects with you. The key to a great acting teacher is finding someone who can plug into who you are and teach you how to bring it out in your work. Every teacher has a different approach and vocabulary they use. So, familiarize yourself with the top acting teachers and their techniques. Chances are whatever acting teacher you go with will use similiar language in the class. Most great teachers or legends like Uta Hagan, Stella Adler, Lee Strassberg, and Sanford Meisner have acting books to give you some insight on the acting craft.

3. Persona
When you hear the name of famous actors you get an image in your mind of who they are. From male actors like George Clooney, Al Pacino, and Denzel Washington to Angela Bassett, Julia Roberts, and Meryl Streep, each of these actor sells something specific. As an actor it is important to know what you are selling. You must see yourself as a product. And if you are the product you must know what you sell best. Are you the sexy femme fatal (Sharon Stone), the heavy/tough guy (James Gandolfini), the leading man (Russell Crowe), the action hero (Bruce Willis), or comic relief (Eddie Griffin).
The more you can define your persona the easier it will be for agents and managers to sell you. Don’t expect them to know what you have if you don’t. In the beginning you may need to try every persona in order to find out what you excel in. Once you know you are on your way.

4. Pictures
YOUR PICTURE IS YOUR CALLING CARD. Your Picture should tell the person looking at it who you are must represent you. An 8 by 10 headshot (face only) or three quarter shot (shows 3/4 of your body) You want must represent what you are selling. If you are a character actor don’t use a glamour shot. Most actors don’t have a clue as to what makes a great headshot. Your picture needs to represent you. Make sure you shop around for a photographer who can capture what you are selling. Check out all photographers’ portfolios.
REMEMBER Expensive doesn’t neccessarily mean quality. When you are taking picture it is important that you are hair and make up ready. Make up and hair is very important when taking pictures. Yes, they are required for men as well.

5. Student of Acting
Read every acting technique book you can get your hands on. Find a drama book store in your area. Study different acting techniques. Watch films, television, videos and theater to get a sense of all the many styles of acting.
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6. Resumes
As an actor you are asked for your picture and resumes. A resume gives your personal stats like height, weight, hair and eye color, your union affiliation, your acting credits, your skills, and who you have studied with. In the beginning you resume will be small. if you don’t have many credits, then give them a two paragraph profile sheet, telling them who you are where you come from and what can you do. Be creative. The profile should be enticing not boring to the reader.

7. Risk
Acting requires risking looking bad in order to deliver the goods.

8. Be Prepared
As an actor you can only soar when you know the material inside out. So know your material. Don’t slack off. Don’t get lazy. You can never be too prepared

9. Tools of the Business
After you have taken classes, learned your craft and taken your picture the next step is looking for an agent. Tools of the trade are easily accessable on the internet now a days.

10. Get On You Mark * Be Ready * Have Confidence * Action!
**PERCY**