I don’t want to patronise you…so if you already know all this then scroll down for some (probably) useful feeds…if you think “hmm, feed, omnomnom” then keep reading.
What is an RSS feed?
RSS stands for Rich Site Summary Really Simple Syndication. It’s basically a way of subscribing to a blog or website or any number of things that publish content on a regular basis.
The RSS feed tells your RSS Reader that you’d like to receive updates as and when they happen. By subscribing to a site’s feed in Reader, you will automatically be notified when that website contains new posts or entries. Instead of checking sites repeatedly for updates, RSS feeds bring your favorite websites to you.
This means that you can be kept up to date with a web site and you don’t need to use your bookmarks or clutter up your email inbox with newsletters. Those of us who are Blackberry owners know the feeling of newsletter-overload-itis.
Err…what’s an RSS Reader?
An RSS Reader works a little like an email account. You can subscribe to all the feeds from different sites or sources you like and star, label or organise them into folders just like you can your email account. If you have a Google account then you are already set up for Google Reader, you just need to click on the text link at the top of your Google account page.
If you don’t want to use Google Reader then there are loads of readers out there (here’s a short list) and you can also get them in app form.
Right, got my Feed Reader…now what?
Go to the website you want to receive updates for and look for the feed icon…
When you see it on a website, clicking will usually direct you to that site’s feed. From there, you can either copy and paste the link to subscribe to the feed in Reader, or in the case of many browsers, click a button to subscribe directly.
If that doesn’t happen then right click on the icon and copy the link address. You can then use that address in your reader if you look for the Add Subscription link.
What’s the point again?
Ok, yes you have Twitter and Facebook and email newsletters and people telling you Eastenders spoilers over BBM (yeh, er thanks for that) but with social media and time differences you can miss things and a huge amount of the info isn’t relevant. Cue distraction and reading about peoples lunches and kittens. Readwriteweb.com has a great post on why feed readers rock.
Yeh but…what’s the point again?
You can use RSS feeds to get updates from Casting Directors blogs, updates for productions that are casting, industry news, Google Alerts (which I will go into in more detail about in the future), advice columns and even Youtube Channels.
If you want to follow a youtube channel the feed address is as follows: http://gdata.youtube.com/feeds/base/users/[insert username here]/uploads
You can also use feeds to publicise your own stuff, your blogs, news updates on your website, your webseries channel etc.
Can you give us some examples?
Firstly I have to point out that these question headers are coming from my inner monologue who has just refered to itself as “us”. Should I be worried?
And yes, I can give you some examples…
The Stage – News Headlines and Features
UK pride and joy of the theatrical society The Stagehas almost 600 subscribers via rss alone proving it’s still relevant.
News rss: http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheStageNews
Features rss: http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheStageFeatures
ScreenTerrier
A great new UK blog with news on young british actors. Breaks the occasional story about castings. The feed isn’t even publicised on their site but already has plenty of followers.
rss: http://screenterrier.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
The Casting Scoop
USA based with lotsa info and insight but how else would I know that Twilight CD Lana Veenker is holding a workshop in London…
rss: http://castingscoop.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
Nancy Bishop’s Blog
Casting director Nancy Bishop’s blog mostly contains updates about events, seminars, links to webinars and projects she’s casting all in THE BIGGEST FONT EVER. I picked up her book recently and I recommend it to any screen actor. Nancy is based in Prague but works internationally.
rss: http://nancybishopcasting.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
Bafta Events Feed
Even if you’re not a member you can still go to some of the Bafta events. If you do go…remember to ring the doorbell. Or just hang around outside for a few minutes and giggle at people tugging at the door handles in vain. Not that I do that…honestly!
rss: http://www.bafta.org/events.xml
The Film Set – Frost Magazine
Subscribe to this feed…this actual feed that you’re reading now. A UK based column with interviews with Casting Directors actors etc…run by a couple of Actresses that go by the names of Catherine Balavage and Genevieve Sibayan. Errr…yeh that’s us.
rss: http://feeds.feedburner.com/FrostMagazineTheFilmSet
Genevieve’s Feed
That’s me! I’m the one writing this. Subscribe to it…if you like.
rss feeeeeed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/GenevieveSibayan
I don’t wanna overwhelm you so I will stop but rest assured you WILL be getting more suggestions on ace blogs to follow wether you like it or not. Blogs from people who have much better advice than little old me! Tata for now folks!
.
.
Genevieve Sibayan is a London based Actress, you can find Genevieve’s blog here and get updates by clicking on her rss feed. If you’d like to subscribe to The Film Set on Frost Magazine then click here.