This App Is Helping Actors Book Gigs!
iphone screenshots
This App Is Helping Actors Book Gigs!
Damon Wayans Jr & Kris Jones, co-founders of the ‘Special Guest App’
As a #creativepreneur I’m always on the hunt for ways to profit from my passions. In an age where people are able to monetize everything from their wardrobe to delivering groceries there is a side-hustle out here for everyone and more ways than one to make a buck. I recently starting auditioning again, and doing more background work. In fact, right before starting this post I was submitting for some extra work! For the last few months I have been working to bring in additional sources of income along with exploring other ways to leverage the gig economy via my acting and public speaking skill-set.
What I have discovered is that the gig economy has expanded even beyond the Uber’s and Door Dashes of the world. In fact there’s an app for talent (actors, speakers, etc) and its called the ‘Special Guest App’. It’s a pretty cool app brought to life by actor and comedian Damon Wayans Jr. The cofounders spoke to Huffpost last year about the inspiration behind the app and here’s one of the 💎💎 gems 💎💎 that stood out for me.
“I have representation; I have a manager; I have agents. A lot of people don’t have that. So I wanted to make a platform for entertainers to make it easier for them to get gigs.” Damon Wayans Jr.
As the founder of a startup myself, I appreciated how he and his co-founder outlined the process they took to get the app up and running. They talked about their marketing strategy and how they landed on Apple’s first show ‘Planet of the APPs’. They have pitched the brand and have received over $1m in funding from investors/actors including Kevin Hart and Wilmer Valderrama!
Some things to know about the app, it doesn’t take a fee! Which is pretty shocking as it seems everyone takes a fee these days. From Venmo to Paypal to Poshmark and beyond, so that’s a good look for the entertainer!
“This is the game changer: to democratize the experience of live entertainment and the way that talented people get paid. You do not have to have an agent to get booked.” -Kristopher Jones
The benefits of the app don’t just apply to performers. In fact it makes it easier for those needing to hire people for weddings, funerals, bbq’s, birthday parties, office parties, and more easier as well. At the time of the Huffpost article the app had the worlds #1 President Obama impersonator! So, there’s that.
If you’re a creative like me looking to secure more bags 💰💰💰, giving ‘Special Guest’ a shot might not be a bad idea. It looks like these founders are in it for the long haul and are adding more states, gigs, and other app improvements - from their apple store reviews they are open to getting feedback and adjusting accordingly.
Only time will tell if the idea of democratizing the entertainment industry takes hold globally! It would be a real opportunity for those without agents/managers, like myself to get out there even more, and keep our profits in our pockets while working to get in front of Ava DuVernay, or Steven Spielberg.
Have you tried the ‘Special Guest App’ or any similar apps? Let me know in the comments!
