Category: Uncategorized

So I Fired My Manager

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.

My First 100 Auditions

I reached a big milestone this past Saturday night by completing my 100th acting audition since I started pursuing acting in January of this year. These auditions came from various sources including Backstage, Actor's Access, Casting Networks, my agent, my manager, Facebook groups, Instagram, and personal connections. Out of these 100 auditions: I was offered … Continue reading My First 100 Auditions →

24 Hours: My First Commercial, My First SAG Film and a Third Booking

The author, an actor, recounts a hectic 24 hours during which he was selected for a commercial at Hard Rock Casino & Hotel in Florida, learned the violin part of a symphony for the scene, found out he had been hired prior to that knowledge, and participated in the shoot. Meanwhile, he landed a role in a SAG feature film, making him SAG-eligible. Finally, he was cast in an independent film, rounding up a successful performance streak.

The Talent Agent Interview: Expanding My Representation

The author, an actor with representation in the southeastern US, gained a referral to another agency based in St. Louis. He sent a standard portfolio package and participated in a successful virtual meeting involving self-introduction, performance of a monologue, and a cold read. These seemed to impress the two boutique agency representatives present, leading to an immediate offer of representation, possibly extending to Chicago due to their close connections there.

Commercial Casting Calls: The Perpetuity Clause and Conflicts of Interest

Increasing commercial casting calls are "In Perpetuity", meaning your likeness can be used indefinitely without further payment. This can lead to conflicts of interest. For instance, if involved in a bank commercial, a competing bank might consider this a conflict, potentially hindering future opportunities. Beware of implications before agreeing.

My Thoughts on Free Work

The author emphasizes the importance of valuing one's work in the film industry by avoiding unpaid projects unless it's a student film. They've stopped accepting roles without reading the script first and dismiss non-monetary compensations like food, copy, IMDb credit, or deferred payment as insufficient. The author advises actors to accept free work only for building their resume and reel and demands filmmakers to fulfill their responsibility by providing footage and IMDb credits promptly.