
Ray Watters
Having an IMDb page (even better, an IMDb Pro page) is essential for actors. So much information about an actor is contained on one site…their bio, agent/manager, credits, demo reel, and photos, to name a few. Further, actors can research others in the business, and can submit for roles listed.
There is another item on one’s IMDb page I didn’t mention, and yet something some actors consider at the top of the list in importance…the IMDb Starmeter. I’ll admit that how it actually works is still a mystery to me. It’s based on some complex algorithm…whatever the hell that is (I was never a math whiz in school). All I know is that the number represents the level of awareness people have with the actor, projects listed, and others involved. The theory is, the lower the number on your starmeter, the more popular you are. It is a popularity contest…no doubt…and, like other popularity contests based on numbers, is subject to manipulation. And therein, to paraphrase the Bard, lies the rub.
Should an actor wish to lower their starmeter number and make themselves look more “popular”, there are a few methods. There are services one can find on the internet that will help improve your starmeter for a price of around $50 to $100 or more monthly. You can also sign on to a Facebook page such as “Imdb and Likes” where, on a quid pro quo basis, actors will open each other’s IMDb page.
So…how important is this effort?
Well, my fellow actors…if you pay to boost your starmeter ranking, you are wasting your money and if you join the Facebook pages to click on each other’s pages, you are wasting your time! Why? Read on.
The IMDb starmeter is irrelevant. No one cares, except for the amateur actor. Casting directors don’t care. Producers don’t care. The only ones who care are those amateurs who are obsessed with their ranking and post their IMDb page in hopes you will click on it.
If an actor has a “popular” ranking, but has little on their credits, no demo reel, and nothing more indicating they are professional, it can work against them since it indicates their number has been manipulated.
Bottom line, stop obsessing over that starmeter. Remember, there are absolutely no shortcuts in this business. Let me repeat…THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS IN THIS BUSINESS.
Below is a link from another professional in the business about this very subject. There are more on YouTube.
Tips On Acting | How Casting Directors Use The IMDB Starmeter Rating to Cast Actors - YouTube
ACTING ADVICE - HOW TO RAISE YOUR IMDB STARMETER - YouTube
