When you get a dream job for a brand you love, you are ecstatic. It’s even wilder when you learn that your face will be on the box of one of that brand’s products. That’s what happened to Sarah Murray, who received a notification from Casting Networks that PopSugar was casting for a campaign, and submitted for the gig in the middle of the sidewalk.
Murray shares details about how she got the gig, and advice for actors on how to use social media as a tool that showcases your personality.
Insights: Lessons From Sarah Murray
- Seize casting opportunities at once, showing genuine passion for the brand.
- Use select, high-quality media to demonstrate your range on casting platforms.
- Share your personality and hobbies on social media to enhance your professional image and network.
I wanted to talk about your PopSugar campaign. First off, I love how you just went into the store and bought all of the boxes. Can you tell me about how you got the job? What was the audition process like, and how does it feel to have your face in Walmart?
I remember it like it was yesterday. Sounds silly, but truthfully, it was exciting for me because I’ve been a fan of PopSugar as a brand for a very long time. PopSugar Fitness, especially, got me through the pandemic with all of their free workout classes.
I was walking to my parents’ place, and I received a notification from my email. I saw Casting Networks [had posted a casting call for] PopSugar, and I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and applied right there. I said, “You don’t understand, I love PopSugar. I love PopSugar Fitness. Jake Dupree’s workouts kick my butt every time, but I thank him for my abs every day.”
I was just very honest. [I said], “I love this brand. This would be a great opportunity for me. It’s a dream opportunity, and I’d love to be considered.” I didn’t even know what the project was, or what the project was for. I just knew it was PopSugar, so I wanted to apply.
They requested a self tape via Casting Networks. I uploaded it the next morning. There were a few back-and-forths over email for a little bit. Then I received an email that said, “Okay, Sarah, PopSugar wants to confirm you for the shoot.” Dream come true.
It was on the day of the shoot that I found out that we were taking photos for more of the PopSugar wellness side of the brand, and that my face was going to be on a box. I didn’t know any of that before; I just wanted to have an opportunity to be a model for this brand that I know and love. It’s always exciting when you get to model for brands or companies that you have a personal connection with. It means a lot.
I later found out that it was going to be in Walmart. I was visiting my sister in Georgia for [her] graduation, and I said, “Let’s go to Walmart while we’re in the South.”
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That’s amazing. How did you decide to become an actor/creative?
Parents are always a heavy, and hopefully, positive influence on most people. They were positive for me. My parents had me in a modeling agency when I was much younger, but then we found it difficult to balance. I was, like, seven. They decided it was difficult to balance my schoolwork, in-person schoolwork, and also attending auditions for modeling and acting, so we stopped.
Once I graduated from college, my parents were kind of pushing me to get back into modeling, and maybe try a little bit of acting and background artist work. I did that for a little bit, but I have a stutter. That’s always made me nervous to do any kind of script reading or speech work, which is why I tend to lean a bit more toward modeling. Funnily enough, I am frequently hired to do voiceover work and on-camera script reading for commercial modeling. Either way, I’m talking no matter what!
My parents were probably the biggest influence on me getting into this industry from a young age, then pushing me to get back into it now. As a career, that kind of came naturally as I was able to expand my network more into modeling and acting. I’m building up a network of other creatives that I get to work with and regularly brainstorm and collaborate with.
How did you discover Casting Networks? Was it something that you also found in the network that you were building?
It was through a referral. Someone said, “Wait, how are you not on Casting Networks?” I said, “I’m so sorry. Please tell me more.” This is not sponsored, but people kept telling me, “I prefer Casting Networks over other platforms for A, B, and C reasons.” I simply signed up because people told me it was a great platform to be on, and I’ve been a member ever since.
What tips would you share with someone who is just signing up for Casting Networks to set up their profile and stand out?
I could talk about this forever, but I’ll try and keep it brief-ish. I think it’s quality over quantity when it comes to what you upload to the platform. You may be limited to how many videos and how many photos you have as examples. If you can show a lot of range of what you can do with just 10 photos, I think that’s great.
Same thing with a video. If you can compile all your work from any work you’ve done, either in school as a student or as extra work, you can make a beautiful reel. That’s just a good asset to have as a model or an actor. On top of that, it helps casting directors see all the work you’ve done without having to click on individual files.
How do you prepare for auditions? Do you have any rituals or techniques that could help someone when they get that email in the middle of the street? What advice would you give them?
I don’t think I have a ritual per se, but I do a lot of research. I recently, through Casting Networks, received a virtual audition. It was for a food company, and they wanted me to eat on camera. Usually, I try to go out and buy the brand’s food to have with me for those instances. It’s a manifestation of practicing for the real deal. I like doing it in that capacity, but this time around, my audition was at 10 a.m., and it was for fried chicken, so they were not open at 10 a.m.
Instead, I went to Target, committed to the bit, and bought chicken tenders. I got three different sizes to show them some variety, which they appreciated.
I also did extensive YouTube/Googling on previous ads that they’ve done in various parts of the world with people [taking a bite of] and eating their chicken. I was trying to focus on how they were holding the chicken sandwich versus the tenders versus the nuggets, so I could make sure I wasn’t just grappling with a chicken nugget like, “I’m starving. This is the first meal of the day. Let’s get it in my mouth as quickly as possible.”
I use whatever resources might be out there to serve as an example of what this brand is looking for when it comes to the colors that they typically have in their branding, the execution of what they do, and if there’s a similar style of how they direct their models and actors for these still shoots or videos. If there’s an opportunity for me to have the brand’s product with me in the audition or the self tape — even if they don’t ask for it — I do my best to have those materials. It helps make it as easy as possible for them to see me in this campaign with their product.
Your social media stands out. What advice would you give to actors or models regarding the use of social media and building an online presence?
You probably have seen this as well, but there has been an increase in casting directors wanting to see talent as more than just someone coming into an audition and performing a role. They want to see: Who are you as a person? Who are you outside of this occupation? If this is your one occupation, how long have you been doing it? What’s your history with wanting to be in acting?
Social media is just an asset to show more of who you are and to serve as a combination of a secondary portfolio of your work. I use my Instagram and TikTok for that work and purpose. You should also use it to show a bit of your personality, your interests, and as a result, some of your talents outside of the usual.
For example, I’ll sometimes post ice skating and baking content. I’m a huge baker. I love cooking. I’m also a self-taught baker/skater, and that can be exciting. It’s a chance for people to get to know more about you outside of what you might record and submit for a self tape. It can also be a way to connect with other creatives and find people who want to help you build your portfolio while also building theirs.
It can be mutually beneficial to have some kind of social media presence. It doesn’t have to be big, but if anything, try to see it as an asset and a tool to utilize for other opportunities and to meet new people in your network.
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