In my first year as an actor, I took on 19 roles, but the pay was modest. Most were unpaid, and the highest-paying role was $1500. I made a total of $6600, and I understand that as I move into mainstream work, the pay will improve but the opportunities may decrease. This is the reality for new actors.
After 14 months, my savings finally ran out and I had to find a side gig. I'm bartending at Hotto Hotto in Grant Park. My first year of acting with savings afforded me the ability to completely focus on acting and take any project that I booked; unpaid, out of state. It allowed me to … Continue reading Acting Isn’t Paying the Bills. Finally Had to Find a Side Gig
In the film industry, potential scams include agencies requiring upfront fees, false guarantees of work, and Facebook job posts from major movie companies. Low budget film promises may also be misleading, offering little chance of making money. Offers of IMDb credit for background work and promises to increase bookings should be approached with caution.
David Axe and Sarah Massey, filmmakers from South Carolina, present "Create or Die," a documentary about their experiences in small budget filmmaking. The film offers a candid look at David's dedication to creating films for the love of the art, despite limited exposure. It provides valuable insights for aspiring filmmakers and actors, showcasing the real challenges of independent filmmaking.
The first Q&A went really well, although it felt like an hour wasn't enough time. I am planning to have another on December 7th for 10 people. Then probably every 2-4 weeks, depending on my schedule and interest. The meeting will be in Google Meets and will be limited to 10 people. Anyone can sign … Continue reading Virtual Meet Number 2
There's a guy looking for cast and crew by the name of AL Shoke <overtown.film24@gmail.com>. After submitting to his casting call, he told me that I was perfect for the role and asked if I was available to film this coming weekend (Dec 2-3). I told him I was and asked for a copy of … Continue reading Possible Scam Alert
An aspiring actor is organizing a free online meeting via Google Meets for fellow actors to discuss the business side of acting. The session will cover topics such as networking, promotion, and auditions. Limited to 10 attendees, the meeting will be held on November 30, from 8-9pm. The future of these sessions depends on user feedback.
The author recounted their experience with a new management company following a decision to fire their previous manager. After receiving recommendations, they narrowed their search to Tassel Talent Group and Dream Talent Management. Eventually, Dream Talent responded positively, and after a meeting filled with productive discussions, the author decided to partner with them. The company's enthusiasm to initiate work even before the official start date reaffirmed the author's choice.
The actor, following the premier of his 5th short film, discussed new film ideas at an informal crew gathering. He shared two concepts: a superhero feature film and a short film with Black Mirror vibes. The latter was enthusiastically received. The actor and the 2nd AD's wife, Kate, started developing the short film, aiming to begin shooting in January 2024. To fund the project, the actor plans to sell his seldom-used camper van.
The author, an actor, sought a manager to build connections and gain access to larger projects. After unsuccessful local searches, they joined TLCE Talent Management, but experienced poor communication and no benefit beyond casting call information, which was already accessible. The dissatisfaction led to contract termination, and they plan to explore other management company recommendations.
Simon Shih 