OREM — An actor who is available, who is in good health and who has a valid passport in his or her pocket has a pretty good chance of landing the part, says a popular actor who is making a living working in the industry.
Kirby Heyborne, known to LDS audiences for his work in "Saints and Soldiers" and "The Best Two Years," shared what he's learned at the recent LDS Film Festival at the SCERA Center for the Arts.
In a pair of two-hour workshops, Heyborne said no actor can hope to succeed if he or she comes in with an "attitude" about themselves.
"It doesn't matter, once you bring an attitude, people don't want to work with you," he said.
Heyborne said the actor needs to be polite, amiable and kind and leave the business side of the issues to a management team.
"Actors are the rose while good managers, agents and publicists are the thorns," he said.
"When you get a good management team it makes all the difference," Heyborne said.
He took workshop participants through a typical audition and said it helps to approach an audition with an "I know I'm the answer for them" attitude.
Heyborne said it's also important for the actor to come into an audition well prepared.
Actors should always know their character's social status, political beliefs and moral standards. They should know their character's boundaries and how they would respond in any situation.
"If you believe in what you say, you'll be convincing," Heyborne said. "You'll believe and others will believe, too."
Heyborne shared humorous anecdotes, memories and information that has helped him in his career.
He also gave pointers on how to prepare a character and how to read a script and do research on the character.
Heyborne was recently cast in a TV sitcom called "Free Ride," showing later this spring on the Fox television network. His latest movie, "Pirates of the Great Salt Lake," will be released this summer.
Actors also need something that keeps them happy and grounded, like family and friends, for when the hard times come — when the part goes to someone else, he said.
E-mail: pugmire@desnews.com