Showbiz - Casting

[jumprunner 0]

Im making some moves to start working in showbiz, finally found an agency you can register at that does military/ police casting, they dont charge anything, I cheked them out and talked to them and they are definitely legit.

Searching around for casting agencies, I found others that advertise casting calls and will let you sign on for a fee after taking your credit card info, or will give a free trial period after getting your credit card info.

There are long standing rumors about you can get taken advantage of in Hollywood if you are trying to get into showbiz, so Im wondering if these places that charge a fee are pretty shady, just trying to get your money and not seriously into the casting business.

The agency I found was pretty straightforward and no doubt they are the real thing...and they dont charge a fee of any kind. They basically said you start out on the bottom and work your way up, were pretty conservative about it, as opposed to this stupid crap about "being discovered" and all that bullshit...then they want your credt card info. The only thing youre going to get discovered by around there is some pimp in East Hollwood.

Sometimes you just gotta be persistant enough to weed through all the bullshit (and bullshitters)

[McDuck 0]

Any agency that charges you a fee up front is unethical. They may be "legit" because they get enough people who take the bait, but true casting and talent agencies only get paid when YOU do. In other words, when they find you work, they take a standard 10-15% of what you make on each job.

I'm close friends with someone who owns their own production company and was a talent agent in days gone by. She spent quite a bit of time sending out emails to people warning them about these types of "agencies" that charge fees before they ever find you work. As long as you have a resume and headshots, regular agencies will take you on board and find work for you as appropriate.

Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28
"I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC
Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

[Thanatos340 1]

I did alot of extra work in the early 90`s. 20% is what my agent took for every thing I made (Including other work that I got myself after I got on set).

Some of the productions I worked on Paid my agent directly and she then paid me my cut, others paid me and I then had to pay the agent but it was all after the fact.

One thing you will need to get started that will cost is Headshots, Character Shots and a Bio. These are not cheap. 15 years ago when I was doing this it cost me about $500 to get everything I needed.

Things may have changed a little since then.
Never deal with any agency that want up front money.

[jumprunner 0]

Quote

Any agency that charges you a fee up front is unethical. They may be "legit" because they get enough people who take the bait, but true casting and talent agencies only get paid when YOU do. In other words, when they find you work, they take a standard 10-15% of what you make on each job.

I'm close friends with someone who owns their own production company and was a talent agent in days gone by. She spent quite a bit of time sending out emails to people warning them about these types of "agencies" that charge fees before they ever find you work. As long as you have a resume and headshots, regular agencies will take you on board and find work for you as appropriate.

I knew it! I spotted it from a lot of hype then they want your credit card info...selling nothing but BS.

[jumprunner 0]

Quote

One thing you will need to get started that will cost is Headshots, Character Shots and a Bio. These are not cheap. 15 years ago when I was doing this it cost me about $500 to get everything I needed.

Things may have changed a little since then.
Never deal with any agency that want up front money.

Yep, thats the first big hurdle. Then the next is doing what might be years of extra work until you can get unionized. Its a long road that hopefully, eventually, will lead to a career change. By that time, 100% of employment in my career field will be in India.

Casting isnt one of those jobs they can export for five bucks an hour to those living in grass huts and working hard for their daily bowl of rice. Unless, ofcourse, they decide to make a movie about jobs being outsourced.

[Douva 0]

Quote

Quote

One thing you will need to get started that will cost is Headshots, Character Shots and a Bio. These are not cheap. 15 years ago when I was doing this it cost me about $500 to get everything I needed.

Things may have changed a little since then.
Never deal with any agency that want up front money.

Yep, thats the first big hurdle. Then the next is doing what might be years of extra work until you can get unionized. Its a long road that hopefully, eventually, will lead to a career change. By that time, 100% of employment in my career field will be in India.

Casting isnt one of those jobs they can export for five bucks an hour to those living in grass huts and working hard for their daily bowl of rice. Unless, ofcourse, they decide to make a movie about jobs being outsourced.

Working as a special skills extra (military, sports, etc.) can sometimes be a shortcut into SAG/AFTRA. Keep your ear to the ground, and get your name in the hands of anybody who might be looking for actors/stunt people with your particular skill set.

I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

[jumprunner 0]

Quote

Quote

Quote

One thing you will need to get started that will cost is Headshots, Character Shots and a Bio. These are not cheap. 15 years ago when I was doing this it cost me about $500 to get everything I needed.

Things may have changed a little since then.
Never deal with any agency that want up front money.

Yep, thats the first big hurdle. Then the next is doing what might be years of extra work until you can get unionized. Its a long road that hopefully, eventually, will lead to a career change. By that time, 100% of employment in my career field will be in India.

Casting isnt one of those jobs they can export for five bucks an hour to those living in grass huts and working hard for their daily bowl of rice. Unless, ofcourse, they decide to make a movie about jobs being outsourced.

Working as a special skills extra (military, sports, etc.) can sometimes be a shortcut into SAG/AFTRA. Keep your ear to the ground, and get your name in the hands of anybody who might be looking for actors/stunt people with your particular skill set.

Thanks for the advice. Eventually will be looking for a shortcut into SAG.

I think what Ill need on my side is creativity, and the kind that makes you stand out.

[jumprunner 0]

So here is what happens so far. I called an acting training center here in SD, turns out to be a local talent agency.

They call me and tell me they are having an open call that day, and do I want to come. Ive never even remotely been involved with anything like that before and tried to procrastinate it, but then gave in, they say to be there at 7:30. So, I get all decked out and try to look as perfect as I can, go down there, and there is this room with about 25 people auditioning for a contract.

The preliminary audition was to walk the runway, like a model, like you see models in a fashion show. Needless to say, a lifelong geek like me...Im really nervous about doing this. Well, I thought, Ill probably be one of the last in line, so everyone else will be making a fool out of themselves before its my turn, by then I might feel a little more comfortable with it.

Well, that day was my day. They went in alphabetical order, and as a result, I was the first to have to "walk the plank" Everyone looking, staring at me, OMG. I was for sure I got turned down, but thats okay, it was my first, and I needed the experience of it, so I was proud that I made it through in one piece without getting too embarrased.

Turns out, I was one of the four people who were selected to come back in the next day for a second interview, the other three were girls. Then I had to do a commercial script after studying it for an hour. He rated me 4 out of 5, then offered me a year long contract pending training, which has to be completed before I can sign, and have to complete training in six months. I dont have to take thier training or photography, can go where I want (any real talent agencly is prohibited by law to tell you where to take training or headshots), but I might go with theirs anyway since they let you work it off in lieu of paynig.

One of the girls, who I thought was really hot, was told to lose some wieght, I cant believe he didnt tell me to do that, I could stand to chop off a few pounds. But I cant believe it....me an actor? Wow. They saw something in me, I dont know what. This was really unexpected. All I can say is WOW!

There is still training, auditions after that, nothing is certain, but what a hell of a start! I thought it was a big deal to be an extra, now it seems like Im already ahead of that. Im beleiving it but I cant believe it.

[Frenchy68 0]

DO NOT sign with an agency that charges you to join.
Getting into SAG has nothing to do with how long you wait. You need to get 3 Union vouchers as an extra, or Taft Hartley'd as a principal. But bear in mind that on any given day, only about 3% of SAG actors do work... Also, once you join SAG, you can not take non union work (which is most of small independent features). Commercials and major features are usually SAG.
Just be ready to get very little work for a very long time... Good luck though.

"For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

[jumprunner 0]

Quote

DO NOT sign with an agency that charges you to join.
Getting into SAG has nothing to do with how long you wait. You need to get 3 Union vouchers as an extra, or Taft Hartley'd as a principal. But bear in mind that on any given day, only about 3% of SAG actors do work... Also, once you join SAG, you can not take non union work (which is most of small independent features). Commercials and major features are usually SAG.
Just be ready to get very little work for a very long time... Good luck though.

They dont charge you to join, but take a percentage of your work. I think little work for a long time is the norm and there are few full time actors, the ones that are full time are in LA and either waiting tables or rich enough to take time off.

Really, the great thing about showbiz is the potential for something big to happen. That breaks up the mediocre, day in and day out existance most people live on a regular job. This way you have something else going for you, and thats what I like about it.

Luck....definitely helps.

[Frenchy68 0]

Quote

They dont charge you to join, but take a percentage of your work

All of them take a percentage. Some of them charge you to be on their roster. Other (over) charge for headshots, etc...

Quote

I think little work for a long time is the norm and there are few full time actors, the ones that are full time are in LA and either waiting tables or rich enough to take time off.

It IS the norm.

Quote

Really, the great thing about showbiz is the potential for something big to happen.

More so on the actors, directors and producers' perspective.

Quote

That breaks up the mediocre, day in and day out existance most people live on a regular job

Just bear in mind that you will not have a regular job, nor will you be able to keep a part time job for very long. I usually order casting calls based on MY schedule, and not the actors'.
Not trying to discourage you by any means. It is a great industry.

"For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

[McDuck 0]

Frenchy's advice is 100% spot-on. True talent agencies don't charge you to be on their roster. The impetus for them to get you work is that they don't get paid until you DO get work, then they take the standard percentage of the work they find for you.

Professional photography you can get done anywhere, as long as they give you some indication that they know what the word "headshot" means in the context of your career hopes, and if you do a Goole search on headshots or headshot reproduction, you can find places that will do it for roughly 0.15 a copy.

Most respectable agencies take great offense against these types of companies that prey on the gullible souls who don't know how the system really works.

Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28
"I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC
Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

[jumprunner 0]

Quote

Frenchy's advice is 100% spot-on. True talent agencies don't charge you to be on their roster. The impetus for them to get you work is that they don't get paid until you DO get work, then they take the standard percentage of the work they find for you.

Professional photography you can get done anywhere, as long as they give you some indication that they know what the word "headshot" means in the context of your career hopes, and if you do a Goole search on headshots or headshot reproduction, you can find places that will do it for roughly 0.15 a copy.

Most respectable agencies take great offense against these types of companies that prey on the gullible souls who don't know how the system really works.

Yes, youre right, and that is exactly what they are attempting to do with their training program, which is mostly nothing but overpriced crap.

Its great to have a contract with MTM, but WITHOUT J Cassablancas training program. See, they know that theere is a chance that you will not find work, so they want to guarantee themselves something out of it if you dont. It is not lilely they would be profitable taking in people in open calls, so without charging an actual up front fee (which is illegal for licensed agencies), they cleverly get it by marketing their training program to those they want to sign up.

But all they can do is try to sell it. You dont have to buy it, however, they can require you to get trained to acceptable limits before you sign. So it will still cost you something. But paying it to them is a conflict of interest, because it is then nothing more than a hidden up front fee. And I think thier training is crap anyway, or at least most of it.

They are not as bad as some of them, they come right out and say there is no guarantees, that you may not find work at all, that it is difficult to get through auditions, ect. Looks like they select certain people they want to sign up, but ofcourse they want you to take their training if they can sell it to you.

Those they dont select can take thier training anyway, hell anyone with a buck can do that, period.

They WILL prey on those who dont know how things work, within legal limits, or they can lose their license. They are on the BBB in satisfactory status and are licensed as a talent agency, but that doesnt mean they are legit, just legal.

Im getting training and photo shoots elsewhere, just give me my MTM contract. Ive got the traiing at NYFA, havent found a photographer yet that I liked.

The last one I talked to does film shoots in natural light, in other words...outside. In the backyard of some house. Well, ofcourse, its a "natural light" film shoot, produces higher quality. Great excuse when you cant afford a studio.

Dammit these scams...comming out of my ears!!!! Cant even find a decent photographer without digging through the BS.