Be realistic about who you are actually meeting and what city you are living in before namedropping.

By Casting Director Carmen Aiello

NO I DON’T PERSONALLY KNOW JAMES FRANCO

And most likely you don’t either. Namedropping is viral in Hollywood. So what’s new? Namedropping is nothing but completely unattractive. Don’t do it. But CARMEN everyone does it, so why not me? Because you’re an actor and you don’t need to namedrop in order to have your career moving ahead any faster than it is.

Namedropping is best suited among the suits; meaning that executives who are namedropping are most likely trying to garner names to make their projects happen. At that point it is more about who can give a stronger profile for distribution companies. But trying to namedrop half of the IMDbPRO database is something I don’t recommend.

WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE TO NAMEDROP?

Hey wait a minute! I met James Franco at his acting school and he said I had potential. So what’s your deal, Carmen!? My “deal” is that no one cares that he thinks you have potential. On the occasion that James Franco tells you that you have potential maybe you should ask for that in writing, but declaring it to the world will not help your branding or marketing tools. If he is going to cast you in his next feature…. The other option is to tell your Agent that you encountered James Franco at his acting studio and they should reach out to the casting director of his next feature to try and bring you in for an audition.

There are definitely ways that you can take a compliment from a respected person and make some moves. Maybe on your private Facebook page it can help you personally by posting it and shouting it to the Universe. Namedropping must be carefully worded and strategized because a lot of industry professionals see it as showing off.

I MET JAMES FRANCO AT A BAR!

No. You SAW him at a bar.

I HAD COFFEE WITH JAMES FRANCO!

No. You were in LINE at a Starbucks when he wanted to wake up in the morning.

I HAD LUNCH WITH JAMES FRANCO OMG!

No. He sat at the table NEXT to you and looked at your plate of food trying to figure out what he wanted to eat.

Be realistic about who you are actually meeting and what city you are living in before namedropping. You don’t just go up to people randomly in this city. Consider Hollywood as a safe zone for celebrities. You are working among them and it’s only fair that you are

going to run into other stars and celebrities on a daily basis. Ok so, the other day I was sitting ten feet from Kevin Spacey. I didn’t meet him and I didn’t care. I think Steven Spielberg was there too. My friend saw him but I didn’t turn my head.

IT’S JUST AN ACCIDENT

Ever been on the 405? You know the crazy freeway that everyone dreads from 7am-7pm? Ever see a car accident and everyone is gawking at the car accident trying to see if someone is dead? It’s true. Same thing with celebrity sight seeing. Leave the gawking to the tourists. YOU are here to work as an ACTOR. It’s rarely going to help you by trying to partake in their ordinary lives while they are running errands or out with their friends. Don’t take pictures and ask for signatures and certainly don’t tell people you “met” them. No – you interfered in their life. And don’t namedrop.

In the end, stay steady and stay focused. I’m sure that’s what James Franco would want you to do. 😉

Want to be a name worth dropping? Click here to learn the best techniques for navigating the entertainment industry!