Archive for August, 2009

Description: Extras Needed Labor Day Weekend – all ages for Independent production.

Comments: Please send email with availability for Sept 4-7 as well as a picture or link to your profile web page.

To submit for this project, log on to the EFM Forums and click on Virginia Casting Calls for email submission information, there is never a fee to review and submit for casting call in the forums, just create a user name to register. www.ExtrasForMovies.com/forum
Expires: September 2009

CASTING CALL IN MARYLAND

First Name: Elizabeth
Last Name: Godwin
City: Gambrills, Maryland
Email Address: hauntedsunrise@gmail.com
Web Site: www.hauntedsunrise.com

Description: We are currently recruiting VOLUNTEER haunters/actors, tour guides and make-up artists for our haunted attraction and hayride for weekend evenings in October.

Our first meeting is Sat. Aug. 29th @6pm. Rehearsals are Sat @6pm in Sept. except on the 26th– the 27th instead.

 See our  website for more info. Email interest to hauntedsunrise@gmail.com.

NOTE: We are not a professional acting company although many of our volunteers have been doing haunts for years.

We’re looking for volunteers with good attitudes and looking to have a good time while gaining some experience in the haunting industry.

Talent Type: Haunters/actors male and/or female.

Not appropriate for children under 10 years of age.; make-up artists and tour guides.

SORRY, MUST HAVE OWN TRANSPORTATION!! Washington, DC, Annapolis & Baltimore, MD areas

Comments: WE ARE NOT AUDITIONING.

ANYONE THAT’S INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING CAN COME OUT AND WE’LL FIND A PLACE FOR THEM; HOWEVER, THEY MUST COMPLETE AND SIGN A VOLUNTEER APP, DISCLAIMER AGREEMENT & RULES OF THE HAUNT. WE ARE LOCATED ON A MILITARY INSTALLATION, NO ALCOHOL, DRUGS, WEAPONS, ETC. PERMITTED. SMOKING IN DESIGNATED AREAS ONLY!!

Expires November 2009

CASTING CALL IN NEW YORK

Description: CASTING LOTS OF GALS FOR FULL MAKEOVERS! $ (Downtown)

AUDITIONS ON THURSDAY FOR A NATIONAL MORNING SHOW!

Are you or someone you know in need of a full makeover from hair to makeup to clothing?

We are looking for lots of females who need some help when it comes to style and beauty!

Have you always wanted to get your DAUGHTER, FRIEND, SISTER, WIFE, CO-WORKER, ETC. A MAKEOVER? We can help!

We will do a full makeover including hair, makeup and a new outfit.

This is for a national morning show! Please nominate yourself or a loved one today!

We are open to all looks, but here are some examples: Frazzled and Dishevelled Frizzy hair and horrible outfits She hasn’t cut her hair in years! Stuck in the 80′s Still dressing like the 70′s Hippy Tomboy Stuck in floral Always in sweats College student needs a whole new look

Please forward all photos and stories asap via email. The makeover candidate receives a full makeover worth $

Talent Type: Frazzled and Dishevelled Frizzy hair and horrible outfits She hasn’t cut her hair in years! Stuck in the 80′s Still dressing like the 70′s Hippy Tomboy Stuck in floral Always in sweats College student needs a whole new look .

To submit for this project, log on to the EFM forums for details. There is never a fee to review and submit for auditions in the forums.  Simply register and click on New York auditions. www.ExtrasForMovies.com/forum
Expires: August 2009

CASTING CALL IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA FOR FEATURED EXTRAS

Description: Need 2 couples and 6 random people to be walking around downtown atlanta to interact with our main character for the scene

couple #1: 1 female, 1 male ages 20-45

Talent Type: MUST BE IN THE GREATER ATLANTA AREA.

 Casting now – we need

 

couple #2: 1 female, 1 male, ages 40-65

Comments: email me ASAP if you are interested. and I will give you the call time!

 

Log on to the EFM forums ASAP and submit for this project, there is never a fee to review and submit for auditions in the forums. Simply create your user name and click on the state/city for the auditions and casting calls.

www.ExtrasForMovies.com/Forum

Expires: August 2009

I WANNA BE IN PICTURES

We receive thousands of emails from people sending us photos in hopes of getting work in acting, modeling and as extras in movie projects.

Many of these hopefuls have no idea what they are doing, we get so many emails with a questionable photo, or a quick note that says contact me if you have work, make me a star, let me know about auditions in my city, how do you get into acting and on and on.

Our aspirin bills at the office are getting bigger. Many emails come in that provide a good laugh at these peoples expense and it certainly does not help the popular rumors circulating about actors and models being uneducated.

On a serious note, the result is that these emails are deleted.

If however you’re serious and are just starting out in the acting field, all you know is that you have a passion to act, are seeking work, testing the waters to see if you have what it takes, or want to advertise yourself for additional work as an experienced actor.

If the above is you and you are a serious individual who is considering entering the field of entertainment, then read on.

There are thousands of books written on how to become an actor, actresses or model. For the purpose of this article, we will address the basics of how to enter the entertainment field as a career choice.

Perhaps you practice in your room in front of a mirror or make people laugh all the time. Maybe you watch movies and say I can do that.
You have years of experience in theater and want to expand to film and television.

Whatever prompts you to and follow your dreams, know that this is something you need to take seriously. You have to get prepared – Beginning with the basics.
One thing that you have to understand is that acting, modeling, an extra in film or television is a job.

Keep this in mind at all times; you are applying for a job and if you do not have experience, you need to prepare and acquire the knowledge of what it takes to be good at your profession.

Everyone has to start somewhere; in the beginning when someone such as your favorite movie star had to have made that first decision too. Most did have any experience when deciding that acting or modeling was their life calling.

The first step to take is to decide that you are going to do it

You have decided that you are going to enter the field of acting or you just want to be an extra as a career choice or way to make extra money. Becoming an actor or talent is not easy, it is an occupation and a production company is employing you to do a job.

In the modeling, acting field and even as an extra, there are necessary standard basic materials you will need to do your work.

Photos

Resume

To show that you are professional and serious, you have to prepare the above to apply for work in the entertainment field.

If you are seeking to become an extra in a film or television show, you still need to prepare your materials, especially if you are going to make it a full or even as a part-time profession.

Photos are your most valuable and important materials; you need to get good quality pictures. They do not have to be professional to begin with but if you do have the capitol – GET PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS.

If you do not have the money in the beginning try this, employ a friend or family member with a camera and go out and take pictures’, lots and lots of pictures. Take them over a period of days if you can rather than in a single day. If you do this you will notice that your pictures will be different each time you do a shoot, you are in a different frame of mind, your clothing is different, and you are getting better at taking the pictures. Once you have all your pictures, go through them carefully in order to select the few you will use as your marketing materials. (When taking your pictures, go for head and shoulders shots, clear pictures of your face with a subtle background.) Then pose for close-up photos of your entire body, again with a solid or subtle background.

Taking pictures is your number one and most import asset to attract casting call inquiries, auditions and roles, so take the time to make them as high-quality as possible. Even professional photographers’ use rolls of film in order to get those few choice shots to be used by a model or actor.

DO NOT:
Take your pictures in your living room, bath or bedroom; do NOT use cell phone pictures. Many people when applying for a profile on our web sites send our staff pictures such as the above. These people have not taken the time to prepare their pictures properly and simply send us pictures with other people in them, pictures of themselves obviously cut out of a crowd, blurry cell pictures, pictures that make them look like they are on an acid trip and worse. These people are wasting their time and the EFM staff’s time, does them no good in attracting our attention or the attention from casting personnel. Most of the time, these people are refused a listing on our web site or their emails are deleted.

YOUR RESUME:

A resume is another must have to begin a professional career in the entertainment field. Your résumé is an on-going work in progress and to be a true professional you must start one regardless of your experience.

TO BEGIN A RESUME:

Include your contact information – (email address – web page profile if you have one – your telephone number and city and state.) We caution against placing your home address on your resume. There is no reason to include your personnel home address, your city and state is sufficient.

Add a short paragraph as to why are interested in applying for work in your chosen field

Include your stats on your resume – standard stats include your hair color, weight, height, and any other that affects your overall appearance. (NOTE: Acting stats are different then modeling, if applying for modeling opportunities, clothing sizes of is an additional component for both men and women. SEE OUR RESUME GENERATOR HERE TO ASSIST YOU IN THE FORMAT AND INFORMATION NEEDED)

Include on your résumé your talents and abilities - perhaps you can roller skate, ride a motorcycle, fire a weapon, do impressions, ski, surf, skydive, ride a horse, skateboard, gymnastics, have dancing abilities. Whatever you can do, many be a deciding factor on if you are called for a role. We get many auditions where the talent must have an ability needed for a specific scene or character.

Training on your resume – If you have completed any courses relevant to your profession, include this on your resume. If you have dance training, include what type of dance, if you have certifications, acting classes, modeling classes, special training in scuba, martial arts, military training and so forth. This is helpful to casting personnel seeking talents’ that may have a bearing on the scène they are shooting

If you are just staring out, try out for theater or plays in school, church and for theatre companies in your area. This is a great training ground to assist you in your career. Theater and plays need actors, actresses, dancers, entertainers and walk ons. Not only will this give you experience to add to your resume, it will expand your training as an actor or actress.

Some independent productions are more lax and have small budgets, many will ask for you to defer pay or just do the work for resume and reel, if that is the case and you are just beginning; apply for the project. This is a win – win situation for you and the production company on a shoe string budget. There is nothing better than getting free training and the ability to add to your résumé. The more knowledge you have the more you are on your way to your chosen career.

You are armed with a photos and a resume. Now what?

ADVERTISE YOURSELF – How to land an audition

Get your face out there so casting personnel seeking talent will notice you and request you attend an audition or open casting call. The first step is for a casting person to see your photo.

There are many ways to get out in the market place, with the advent of the internet; there are numerous venues that cater to casting personnel seeking talent and extras. There are web sites that list photos and resumes of aspiring actors, actresses, entertainers, models and extras seeking film work. If you can, get your material on these sites.

ExtrasForMovies.com web site listings are ONLY 25.00 for an entire year to list with a profile. They have been on the internet since 2001 with casting personnel visiting the site for talent daily.

If you can, create a profile on EFM and get yourself a link that you can include in your resume or email submissions where other casting personal will have the convenience of viewing your pictures on the web.

Additionally, Hand me aline.com is offering free full acting, modeling and extras – human or not profiles for one year to the experienced and inexperienced. All that is required is that members follow instructions when creating their profile.

There are web sites that list free open casting calls and auditions that you can submit for when ready to get out in the market place.
At ExtrasForMovies.com, anyone can register for free in the forums where casting personnel post open auditions and free open calls worldwide. Simply register for free and click on the state you are seeking calls. (Note: please read all casting call requirements’ posted and follow instructions, there is nothing more frustrating to a potential employer then people submitting who are not following instructions)

Get your materials out there, if you build it they will come. What we mean by this is that you are entering a new field, and you need to market yourself as a professional in the field. Devise your marketing program. You are a product and you need to advertise.

Have your photos ready, your pictures and then advertise yourself, put your pictures on internet web sites that have casting personnel looking for talent, visit sites that publish casting calls.

- Check the film commissions in your City and see what information they have on productions shooting in your area.
- Watch the paper for auditions and open casting calls, join a theater group.
- Take some qualified acting classes.
- Visit your local talent agents and modeling agencies to see if you can get on their books.

You have landed an audition or are attending your first a casting call

Preparing for your audition
Extras for movies or television project - this is pretty straight forward, when applying as an extra, there is not much you need to do other then have the look they are seeking. Going to an extra open call for extras is simple. Have your picture attached to your resume and be ready to leave it with the casting people, at some open casting calls, the staff will take a picture and you with a form for you to fill out but make it a practice to have your resume and photo with you and if leave it with your forms if possible. When applying as an extra, what casting professionals are most concerned with is that you have the look and or talents needed, are reliable and will be able to follow instructions’ on the day of the shoot.

If you are applying for a speaking role:
Take your résumé and photo with you…

Show up at your audition a minimum of 30 to 20 minutes if possible. This will give you time to scope out the situation and atmosphere; it will allow you to de-stress and feel more comfortable when it is your turn to apply.

Do not show up with an attitude, be kind and considerate. Do as you are instructed. Don’t talk on your cell phone while waiting, show everyone involved that you are focused on this interview and will be professional when at work.

Dress for success. Make sure you are dressed appropriately, don’t show up in shorts, torn clothing, dress appropriately.

When applying for a speaking role or character, try to find out as much about the part as possible, read the breakdown, the synopses of the project. Many production companies have web sites, visit their site and read it. Get any information you can to help increase your knowledge about the job you are applying for. If they provide sides (parts of the script) read them and even read the sides for other roles so you can get a feel for the project.

If the production company does not provide sides, then break out a monologue, a lot of casting sessions request you have a monologue. Memorize a few that will fit your personality and emotional capabilities. Prepare your monologues with versatility and monologues that will display the range of emotions you can portray. A monologue can be anywhere from one minute to five minutes. Many directors and casting personnel will give you a time limit on your delivery at an audition. So having at least three monologues of varying lengths in your repertoire to feed from will keep you prepared and ready for whatever a director wants to see.

If you are preparing to submit for a role, your photos are important, you should have a number of 8x10’s with you to leave with the casting personnel. In this case you need to make sure that your pictures are better quality then taking out your cell phone, family photos and pictures taken in your home.

Study professional actor’s pictures on the internet, are they blurry, taken in their homes, have cluttered backgrounds. The answer is no, the purpose of your photos is not to show the background but to show of you. Every picture is a picture of you. So be sure to focus on creating your pictures to be the best they can be as they are one of the most important materials you need in your entertainment career.

When attending an audition or open casting call you need to be calm and professional. You need to exude confidence and professionalism. Casting people know within minutes if you are right for the part, they are looking to see if you have the look they are seeking, if can you deliver the lines with confidence and emotion, and if are you are a serious professional.

Once you have delivered your lines, leave. They have others to see and if you are what they are seeking, they will call you back for another read. (NOTE: If you do not get a call back, don’t take it personally, you just did not have what they were looking for. It is a numbers game. Keep going and eventually you will land the job and be on your way to beginning a career in acting.)

If you do get a call back, this means you may have what they are looking for and they are now in the process of narrowing it down to just a few potentials’. Most likely they will have you read again and maybe do a little something more in your callback that was not required in the initial auditions. So when preparing for your call back, keep in mind that there is something in you or your performance they were looking for; so wear the same clothing you wore on the day you first tried out, see if there are sides you need to work on, and get them as soon as possible so you can practice.

Watch out for Scams – A necessary mention when entering the field

There are many scams out there for all sorts of things; not only in the acting and modeling field but in any situation you can get scammed by a ruthless company that is only interested in fleecing you for your hard earned money. These unscrupulous companies will use all sorts of tactics such including selling you kits, hundreds if not thousands of dollars in training and photos. Kits to help you sell something, and all sorts of shenanigans.

Unfortunately in this particular field, scammer prey on un-informed people who have a dream and who do not have the knowledge about how things really work.
So a good rule of thumb is that when you are going for an audition, casting call or a job interview and they require cash to get the job, stop and listen, don’t make any immediate decisions and really weigh if this so called opportunity is for a job or simply a sales tactic to get your money.
If the offending company is requiring money, then the interview ceases to become a job opportunity and now is a business decision. Would you pay to get a job as an accountant, a waitress, a sales job, a truck driver position, or manager of a store? If the job interview you are applying for was advertised as a job and when you get there they attempt to sell you sell you something, is this truly a job?

If the answer is no, then you are most likely a potential victim of a scam and you should move on and seek bona fide jobs.

Final note: If it sounds too good to be true, then most likely it isn’t. These scammers have perfected their pitches to people who are trying to get into the entertainment field. They may sound perfectly logical and if you do not give the money you are losing the opportunity of the century. Just take a deep breath and go home, do NOT turn over your cash. Think about it, research the company, ask others and if you have one iota that this is suspicious, move on and forget about it.

There are many opportunities in this world for hard working people. Don’t be one of those people whose dreams were smashed by a scammer.

 Short Student Film CASTING ACTORS AND ACTRESSES

Comments: Looking for male and female actors ages 18-30 for a short student film. Must look youthful enough to play a 22-25 year old.

Auditions will be held on September 5th between 2pm-7pm in Huntington Beach.

The positions are non-paid, but actors will receive screen credit. For additional information, please send resume and headshot to Writer/Director, Ashley Luu, at ashley00luu@gmail.com.

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