Originally from Toronto, Canada, Kai Soremekun started her career as an actress in New York City.  Her many credits include the films “Heat”, “Regarding Henry” and a series regular role on the FOX Television drama  “Medicine Ball”.  Since putting her actor’s perspective behind the camera, Kai has established herself as an award-winning director/producer.  She received national exposure when she was chosen by Steven Spielberg, from a pool of 12,000 filmmakers, to participate in the FOX reality competition “On the Lot”.

Kai created and currently stars in the interactive web series CHICK about a woman who sets out on a quest to realize her dream of becoming a superhero.

How To Be A Star – Part One

Here’s the quick answer.

Make the switch in your head and decide you’re a star now!

Okay, once you finish rolling your eyes let me explain what I mean.

Working behind the camera for a while now, developing and creating my own projects, has changed my opinion about how actors should approach their careers.

I’m a big believer in being proactive and making things happen instead of handing the power over to someone else to decide the fate of your career.

Acting is a tough gig. You’re faced with challenge after challenge. First it’s finding good representation, then it’s getting casting people to see you, then it’s getting called in for an audition, then it’s trying to book that first small role, then it’s trying to get in for bigger roles…you get the idea. It’s an uphill battle, not for the faint of heart and on top of it all your fate seems to constantly be in the hands of someone else; an agent deciding whether to represent you, a casting director torn about bringing you in for a role, a producer or director unsure if they should hire you.

There’s no way to avoid the way the system works, it is what it is, but there is something you can do while you wait for those big breaks to come along…decide you’re a star now!

Okay so what does it mean to decide you’re a star?

First, think about how most stars handle their careers and start handling yours the same way. Stars have production companies where they develop projects as vehicles to star in. What stops you from doing this? Nothing.

You may not start out by optioning best selling books or hiring seasoned screenwriters to write feature films for you, but you can do exactly what the stars do on a smaller scale.

The second short film I ever shot was adapted from a short story I found in the library. I had no idea what I wanted to direct next so I wandered the library aisles pulling out short story anthologies that attracted my attention. I came across this amazing story called Lock Her Room and immediately got excited. This was going to be my next project!

I called my agent at the time and asked for advice on how to get the rights to the story. Without even knowing it, I was pitching the story to him and because I was passionate about it, he bought into it. He got excited and offered to negotiate with the author to get the rights for me with an option to turn it into a feature film.

This goes to show you what a small action step can create. I got the rights, shot the short film and it ended up airing on the Showtime Network. Now imagine if that was a project you created as a starring vehicle for yourself. You’d be starring in a piece featured on a major television network. Can you see how deciding you’re a star can turn into actually becoming a star? I love this! It’s exciting and so doable.

So let’s go back to the beginning.

You’ve decided you’re a star. You’ve decided you’re going to start developing vehicles for yourself. What’s next? Here’s some suggestions to get you started. This is what is known as development.

Find Material

Go to the library like I did, or search online for writers who post their short works. My agent negotiated the deal between me and the author of Lock Her Room, but in hindsight I could’ve done it myself. My agent negotiated I pay her $300 for the first year with two one year options to renew, along with first right of refusal to turn the story into a feature film.

I didn’t shoot the short within the first option period and had to go back to the author to renegotiate. By then I had parted ways with my previous agent and decided to negotiate the deal myself. I also couldn’t afford $300 this time around but ended up working out a deal with her in which I paid her one dollar for the rights to the short film version and a percentage of any profits I saw from the selling of the film.

Honesty and passion go a long way. A writer would much rather have you realize their work as a film if they know you really care about telling their story. In most cases you can get the rights for free or for a token payment of one dollar like I did. This is especially true for short works.

Another option, if you’ve got an original idea you’re dying to share with the world; write a script yourself. If you’re not skilled in the writing department, connect with an aspiring writer to help you realize your vision on paper.

Pick a simple story. This is all new so make it easy on yourself. Even with a simple story it’s still going to be a challenge. No big action sequences, explosions or the like.

Remember the big picture. What would your ideal acting career look like? Do you want to star in a sitcom, dramatic feature films? Pick a story that shows you in the light you’d like to work in the business. Highlight your strengths. Are you a great comedy actor? Pick a funny story. Think of yourself as a product. What image do you want to project? Every choice you make should tie into this.

Put On Your Business Hat

Take this process seriously. Create written agreements with everyone. Secure the rights to any material you plan to use. Do research on the proper credits and deferred payments you should negotiate with your writer if you have one. This is business and you need to set aside your artist hat to handle business like stars handle business. With the internet all the information you need is at your fingertips.

Always take a producer credit on the projects you develop. You’re the one who’s going to be with this project from the very beginning to the very end. You will have a say in every decision that is made. All this hard work entitles you to one of the most prestigious credits in the entertainment business; take it, the stars do.

Once you’ve chosen your project, create a budget. Know what you can afford to spend and stick to it. Having structure lessens stress and you want all your energy to go into your performance.

Ask questions of people who have done what you’re going to do. You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches in the long run. You can always shoot me a question through my website at ktotheatothei.com.

Pace Yourself

A successful television director I once shadowed offered me a great piece of advice. Pace yourself like you’re running a marathon not a sprint.

Treating your career like you’re a star is a process. Despite the myths, rarely do people become stars overnight. It takes lots of hard work and perseverance. Take it slow. This new approach to your career can be overwhelming at first; you’re stepping outside your comfort zone. If you try to do too much too fast you’ll burn out before you even get started.

Make sure you love, love, love the story you pick. If you don’t find something you love immediately, be patient.

My latest project CHICK took four years to be ready for production. I felt it was too dark in the beginning. Many people said to just shoot it but I listened to my gut and waited for the humor in the piece to show up. The project is so much better for it.

Like I said before, you’re going to be with this piece for a while. Passion can carry you through many of the challenges you’ll face. Plus, loving what you’re doing automatically ups the chances of its success. People gravitate towards things made from passion. So hold out for the passion.

Claim Your Stardom

Finally, start talking like a star; everywhere you go, to everyone you interact with.  You’re looking for a writer for a story you’re developing.  You’re going into pre-production on your next film.  You just attached a really hot, young director to your latest project.  It may feel awkward to talk like this at first, but persevere.  When we speak it out loud the laws of the Universe must eventually make it a reality.

In part two we’ll go into how to produce your first project, get it out into the world and start creating a following, because all stars have a fan base.  In the meantime, start developing those starring vehicles.