Archive for January 2013

What’s the biggest change in the audition scene for on camera film projects?

Casting directors nationwide are willing, and now almost requesting , to first view pre-taped auditions of actors reading for select roles.

How does my local agent know about the national castings for TV pilots, shows, webisodes, commercials and campaigns? How does that affect actors?

As an agency, we use two main resources for casting opportunities in the local and national marketplace:

Breakdown Services is an LA-based casting service that spans the gamut of national opportunities in commercial, TV and film. Once you register on Actor's Access, you will become live in the Breakdown Services database which is an agent-only resource for national opportunities. Some of the openings will be posted to both sister sites: Actor's Access (talent friendly) and Breakdown Services (agent friendly). The Breakdown Services sites allows our agents to view and submit you to premium opportunities across the country.

Casting Networks is another national casting service. This network is a great resource for agents to find commercial work for talent. Primarily the jobs coming through are based in Chicago and sometimes New York.

Actors are now able to be submitted by agency for local, regional and/or national auditions by submitting actor photos and resumes through the casting services for projects that could be shooting in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, USA or International. Casting requests submissions through the database (which means actors must sign up to be on the site – free for minimal photos and a resume). If the agency has a request to see you, the information for the audition will be sent to you by your agent.

Okay, my agent sent me sides, now what?

The actor must find a resource to tape the audition. Key word in the industry is Self-Taped. Good lighting, good sound, and of course a great read is pertinent. Videography resources are available at the agency, with costs ranging from $35 to $45, including editing and uploading. Should you decide to do-it-yourself, please note that a professional quality video is expected of you. Please see the Do's & Don'ts of Shooting a Self-Taped Audition below for guidance on a professional quality video. Lighting is one of the most important parts of obtaining a quality video, here is an inexpensive light kit you can pick up.

Editing?

Edit the piece to make it look seamless. Create a visual slate with your name, agency and date.

Sending Digital Video?

The video file needs to be sent to your agent for submissions. The best formats to use are .mov, mp4, and .m4v. Several good services area viable for free to send files up to 2G, such as hightail.com (formerly yousendit.com) OR wetransfer.com.

My agent tells me I have a call back for the project out of town. Now what?

Most callbacks happen on short notice, where the casting director is located, which is an out of pocket expense for the actor to travel. Don’t audition for out of town auditions unless you are available for the shoot dates and have enough funds to travel to the designated location for casting.

DO treat it exactly how you would if you were auditioning in the room:

Be professional and prepared when you tape yourself. Treat this audition the same as you would if you were physically in the room with the casting director.

DON’T use a web cam:

As easy as it is to just sit in front of your computer and read the sides, it looks terrible. Ideally, get a digital camcorder that fits your budget and have a friend operate the camera for you.

DO use a backdrop:

Ideally, you should perform in front of a solid colored curtain because the waves in the fabric provide depth. A good second option is to find a blank wall. Too much clutter in the background can distract from your performance. Also, make sure that you wear a color that neither blends into nor contrasts with the color of your backdrop.

DON’T rely on overhead fluorescent lights:

If it’s all you’ve got, you can make it work with overhead lights, but be aware that overhead lights create deep shadows on your face that can make you feel older or change your appearance completely. Also, fluorescent lights tend to make things look more yellowish-orange.

Ideally, use two incandescent lights (bulbs with filaments). One as a key light, set off the side of the camera and pointed at your side. Just be careful to not over-light as you could become washed-out. If your room is small, you may be able to get away with just one light.

DO find a quality reader:

Make sure you ALWAYS use your reader. They are to stand behind the camera, or at least directly next to it, to ensure that you are performing towards the camera so we can see your face. Never, unless Casting specifically requests it, show your reader on camera with you.

DON’T do more takes than Casting is asking for:

Casting has requested a certain number of takes and/or scenes. If they want one straight take and one over-the-top take, then great, but doing more than is asked for could be considered presumptuous by the Casting Director and could damage their opinion of your other takes.

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DO treat it exactly how you would if you were auditioning in the room:

DON’T use a web cam:

DO use a backdrop:

DON’T rely on overhead fluorescent lights:

DO find a quality reader:

DON’T do more takes than Casting is asking for:

PREPARATION

THE TAPING

THE DELIVERY

If you need support to tape on camera or voice over auditions, below is a list of available professionals to contact.

Friederike Wykes

Michael James Reed

Maureen O’Brien at AFTRA

Prices range according to script, $35-$45 for taping, editing and uploading. Payment due at the time of taping. Agency requested auditions need to be Quicktime files and forwarded to your agent. You can also use www.yousendit.com or www.wetransfer.com

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