Why Every Actor Should Understand Publicity (And Why It's Rarely Taught)
It's a season of launching and birthing new things. Alongside the launch of the new Dawn til Dusk Publicity website, I'm excited to announce that I'll be teaching a live Public Relations Masterclass as part of the newly launched Acting Mastery online platform.
Acting Mastery has recently launched The Breakout Actor Method, a comprehensive training platform designed to help actors navigate the realities of building a sustainable career in today's entertainment industry.
The inspiration behind the course is simple: most actors aren't held back by a lack of talent. They're held back because no one teaches them how to build a career.
Actors spend years training, auditioning, and honing their craft, yet many are left to figure out the business side of the industry on their own. After working with thousands of actors, the Acting Mastery team identified a common pattern: the performers who break through aren't always the most talented. They're the ones who continue developing their skills, back themselves under pressure, understand the industry, and know how to create opportunities for themselves.
That's one of the reasons I'm excited to be contributing to the platform. Throughout my career working across Australia and North America, I've met countless talented actors who have invested years perfecting their craft. They train extensively in acting, voice, movement, audition technique, and character development. Yet one important area is often overlooked: publicity.
The reality is that great work doesn't always speak for itself. In today's entertainment industry, visibility matters. Casting directors, producers, agents, managers, journalists, and audiences are constantly discovering new talent through a combination of great work, professional positioning, and strategic storytelling.
Public relations can play an important role in helping actors build momentum throughout their careers. Understanding actor publicity and how the media works can help performers make the most of opportunities when they arise.
Whether you've just landed your first screen credit, completed an independent film, secured festival selections, launched your own creative project, or are beginning to attract industry attention, understanding how publicity works can help you maximize opportunities and build industry visibility.
What We'll Cover
In this live masterclass, I'll share practical insights into the world of publicity and how actors can build greater visibility, credibility, and momentum in their careers.
We'll explore:
- When an actor is genuinely ready for publicity
- How to identify the right publicity tier for your current career stage
- How to uncover strong media angles within your story and achievements
- Ways to build your personal brand authentically
- How publicity can support opportunities both locally and internationally
- Common mistakes actors make when seeking media coverage
- How to recognize career moments that are worth amplifying
We'll also complete a live exercise designed to help participants immediately identify media opportunities they can use now.
More Than Just Media Coverage
One of the biggest misconceptions about publicity is that it's only relevant once you've become famous.
In reality, publicity is about helping people understand who you are, what you're creating, and why your story matters.
When approached strategically, publicity can support everything from attracting representation and building industry relationships to promoting independent projects and creating greater awareness of your work.
For actors, personal branding and media visibility are becoming increasingly important skills alongside the craft itself. The most successful careers are often built on a combination of talent, preparation, relationships, and strategic exposure.
From the Red Carpet
A few moments from years of championing actor publicity — guiding talent through premieres, festivals, and major press calls.
Join Me Live
I'll be teaching the masterclass live next week before it becomes available on the Acting Mastery platform for ongoing access.
I'll also be sharing some exciting news during the session, so make sure you join us live if you can.
Whether you're building your profile, creating your own work, seeking representation, or looking to gain greater exposure within the industry, this workshop will provide valuable insights into a side of the business that many actors are never taught.
Ready to learn more?
Sign up through the Acting Mastery platform and join us for this live Public Relations Masterclass.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Interested in learning more about publicity, media relations, and personal branding? Explore the Dawn til Dusk Publicity blog for additional insights, industry news, and practical resources for actors, filmmakers, and creatives.
About Sarah Findlay-Blakeney
Sarah Findlay-Blakeney is the founder of Dawn til Dusk Publicity and a public relations professional with more than 18 years of experience across Australia, North America, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Singapore. She has secured media coverage for clients in leading outlets including Forbes, Variety, WIRED, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and many others. Sarah specializes in publicity campaigns for talent, entertainment projects, lifestyle brands, and thought leaders.