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A Few Things To Watch Out For

What should you be watching out for?

* Any talent scout or agent who guarantees to make you a star. No one can give that sort of guarantee. The audience holds that card.

* Any agent who asks for money upfront to get you work. A genuine agent works for a percentage of what you're paid, which means you get paid first.

* Talent scouts or agents who insist you take their acting or modeling course before they'll get you work or that you use their photographer for your composite. These folks are making money off the courses and photography alone. They have no motivation to find you work.

* Anyone who insists that contracts aren't necessary. Verbal agreements are not enough.

* Any agent who promises to fill out the contract for you. You must fill it out AND get a copy.

* Agents who contact you but whose names you don't know, NO MATTER HOW FLATTERING THEY ARE. Many of them are here-today-gone-tomorrow. Before you sign a contract, check out the agent with the Better Business Bureau, SAG, or the state Film Commission. And ask other actors/models you know for their recommendations.

* An agent who will only allow contact by letter or e-mail, not phone. You need an agent who's responsive to you. However, don't waste the agent's time by calling constantly. A good portion of a reputable agent's time is spent trying to book you.

* Any photographer who insists you come to his place to have photos taken. Even if you go to a studio, don't go alone: take a friend. Be sure you know what pictures are taken and what will be done with them. A reputable photographer will have a contract for you to sign that explains exactly what things can be done with your photos, which things are excluded (for example, pornography or ads for cigarettes), and how much you'll get paid from any use of your photos (usually 10% of the use fee).

Always Be Prepared!

My acting coach Cliff Osmond (see link below, he is the bomb, and no, I am not saying you should study with him because he only takes advanced students on audition. I am using this as an example ONLY that you should find a teacher at your level in your area and study), told me once that a student came walking into one of his classes and had such a huge level of confidence, that everyone in the room looked up and noticed it. He was not cocky, but was just so confident in himself and who he was, that when he was performing a scene, he was a true "natural". This guy took 3 weeks of acting lessons and then landed a contract role on a tv show. He is now a huge celebrity actor. But Cliff told me he has seen that happen only twice in his career as an acting teacher.

So don't fool yourself into believing that you are one of those rare people. Just go with the odds and study study, perform, practice, and study some more. Why wouldn't you want an edge on the competition when you are getting that rare audition before a great casting director for a great role in a great film? Those doors do NOT open very often, so BE PREPARED for when God (or whatever you want to call that "greater power that be") gives you that chance!! There is no worse feeling in the whole world as when you go in and audition for something really big, and all the casting director says is, "thank you". And you walk out the door and realize that you just stunk up the joint. I have been there and done that. You DO NOT want to go there. The casting directors remember those stinky auditions and you end up burning bridges.

I eventually got smart and took acting lessons, cold-reading workshops, private coaching. And finally when I was in my late 20's I finally became a "successful" actor. So just skip all of that trial-and-error crap and just learn as much as you can before you get those chances to audition for big roles. You can't go wrong, and you will have that special extra edge on the competition.

Be smart, and be prepared. Even the Boy Scouts know that motto!!

http://www.cliffosmond.com

Background Extras Photos

Film and television extras use a color 4"x6" snapshot with a white background, from the waist up. On the back of the photos, you should have the following listed:

Name
Height
Weight
Hair Color
Eye Color
Contact Phone Number
Shirt Size
Pant Size/Dress Size
Coat Size
Shoe Size
Hat Size

On the vast majority of open casting calls for extras, they will take your photo at the casting call. But it is best to be prepared and bring your own photo with several different "looks". One wearing something upscale such as a tuxedo or suit & tie, one wearing something casual such as jeans & t-shirt, and something specialized such as a police uniform. Keep in mind that you should own whatever clothes you wear in the photos in case they want you to wear the same outfit on the shoot. Just make sure that your photos are updated and actually represent what you currently look like.

Click Here for sample photos used for extra work (photos courtesy of Rich Hogan Photography).

Note About Extra Work From Casting Director Lana Veenker:

This is one thing you can do without acting experience, but keep in mind that you can only work as an extra in the region where you live. If there's a movie you want to be in and it's shooting halfway across the world, you need to either move there or have a place to stay for a few weeks (and even then, there's no guarantee you'll definitely be needed). Also, you need to be able to legally work in the country where the film is shooting. The production company won't hire you without a valid work permit or proof of citizenship. Unfortunately, those are the breaks!