I recently got a last minute call to audition for a TV spot. I was being brought in during the call back session, so all of the people from the ad agency and the client were attending. There must have been at least 15 in the room watching the audition.
Even though the roundtrip drive to the audition was about 14 hours, still I decided to attend. The agent who called me is great, and I don’t hear from her that often. So, when she calls, I do everything I can to attend.
I left my home pretty early in the morning to make sure I gave myself plenty of time to arrive early and prepare for my audition. I got to the casting about 90 minutes early. I asked the casting assistant for the copy (the paper that has the words to the TV spot), and began to prepare. I got to the point where I knew what I wanted to do during the audition and had my lines memorized. As many of you know, there is a huge difference between going over the lines in a hall way or waiting room, and saying them during the actual audition. So, I always bring the copy into the audition. By having the copy in my hands, I knew that if by chance I got stuck and forgot a word or line, I could easily look at the copy and have the audition flow in just the way I practiced.
When I walked into the audition area, the casting director asked if I would not hold the copy. I have never had a casting director request that before. Considering that I had been up since 4:30 that morning, just drove 7 hours, and just recently saw the words to the TV spot for the first time, I definitely wanted the copy in my hand.
So, in order to get what I wanted, but not sound arrogant or disrespectful, I made a joke and said, “I always keep my blanket with me for auditions. But, I promise, I won’t suck my thumb.” She laughed and said, “Lots of actors seem to want to have their blanket with them.” I kept the copy, and the audition went very smoothly.
It is very important that during auditions, we take care of ourselves. This is our time. We only get one shot at the audition, and we have to do what is best for us. The fine line we walk is taking care of ourselves in order to give a read we really love, and not do anything that turns people off.
Let me know your thoughts and if you ever experienced anything like this. Add a new comment below.
Quite often I am asked by non union actors if they should join SAG-AFTRA. That is always a fairly long discussion and a personal decision.
I am a vested member of SAG-AFTRA, meaning that I have earned enough money each year for a minimum of 10 years, to qualify for a pension from the Union after I retire. Normally, people who are so strongly connected with the Union would automatically say that everyone should join the Union right away. Even though I should say this, I honestly don’t feel that way.
Benefits to Joining SAG-AFTRA
There are so many incredible benefits from being a member of SAG – AFTRA. Just one of the benefits is from getting residual checks from previous work. About four months ago I worked on a TV show. I got paid for the one day of shooting. My episode got aired again a few months later, and I received another check. Getting a residual check is always such a nice surprise. This is especially true for Union TV commercials. Every 13 weeks, you can expect another check as long as the spot is running. You will even get a check if the company decides to put the commercial On Hold (meaning that it is not airing now, but it might be used later). For non union TV spots people are generally paid for the session, and that is the only time the talent will get paid.
Why Joining the Union Might Not Be Right For You Now
Having talked about one of the benefits, there are also some reasons not to join the Union. Once you join the Union, you are only allowed to work on Union acting jobs. If you live in an area that does not offer much Union work, it might not be wise to join at this time. You also want to have a lot of experience before joining. Unfortunately for me, there is a lot of non union work available that I can’t touch.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Making a Decision
1. You will have the potential to earn a lot more money, get better jobs and have more protection if you become a member of SAG-AFTRA
2. If you join, you can only work on Union projects (you can still work as a commercial model, but all acting projects need to be Union), so make sure
there is Union work available for you.
3. Make sure you have had a lot of experience working on TV commercials, films, student films before you consider joining.
Let me know your thoughts about joining the Union. Add a new comment below or on my facebook.com/howtomodel page
I recently had an audition for a film. There were tons of people auditioning for this project. On a side note, it is always amazing to me how many people can
talk to other actors right up to the time of their audition and then go in and read. I always separate myself, and find a quiet place to prepare before my audition. I need to concentrate and figure out what I am going to do for the audition.
I thought the audition went well. Not because of what the casting director said to me, but because I knew it felt right, and that I gave the character an interesting angle. Most of the time, I don’t necessarily find the connection between liking my audition and booking the job, but I felt that I had a good day at work.
A few days later, I got an email from my agent saying that I am on right of first refusal for this project. That means that I can’t book any other jobs for that date unless I clear it with my agent. If I were to get another booking or even audition for that shoot date, my agent would call the client and have them either book me or release me for the job. That way, I won’t lose out on another possible project.
I asked the agent how many other people were on right of first refusal. She told me there were only two of us, and the client said that I was their first choice. Two days before the shoot, I got an email from the agent saying that I was released from the project.
So the point is, agents can submit you and negotiate, but they can’t get you the job.
If you have also experienced why agents can’t get you the job, please leave a comment below.
Quite often I am asked if it is permissible to have more than one agent. That is a tricky question to answer because there are a number of factors to consider.
There are some markets where actors and models easily free-lance with a few agents. There are some areas, like Los Angeles, where you will only work with one agent per category.
You could have more than one agent, but only one for each part of the industry. For example, if you have an agent in Los Angeles representing you for TV commercials, no other local agent can represent you for that category. However, you could have another agent for TV shows and a different agent for voice over work. If you do not have an exclusive contract, and you can work with a few agents, there are some things to keep in mind before you try and work with every agent in town.
In some markets, like Atlanta, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, many of the casting directors only want an actor to be submitted to them through one agent.
If the actor is multi listed, and the casting director receives more than one submission for an actor through multiple agents, it is not uncommon for them to simply throw out
the head shot or delete the jpg. The casting director will not know which agent to contact for the talent, so it is easier for them to simply dismiss the actor for that project,
and find the talent with one agent submitting them.
The other problem that agents have with talent who are multi listed is that if a specific agent submits a model for a modeling job, they will tell the photographer
how much the fee will be for the talent. If the model is submitted by another agent, the photographer can play one agent off the other, and get another agent to underbid the
other agent’s fee. That makes it very hard and frustrating for agents. They get to the point where they don’t want to bother spending the time submitting the talent, because
they know there will be another agent who will ask for less money.
The other thing to consider before trying to multi list is understanding how much time do you really have for auditions and go-sees (the model’s audition). If you are a full-time student or have a full-time job, you might not want to spend too much time attending auditions. Especially when you are first getting started, it generally works out best to have one local agent
(unless it is an area where everyone multi lists), get experience, and if you find that you want to continue in the industry in a more involved way, then perhaps begin looking for agents in other markets.
Let me know if you are working with more than one agent, and how that works for you! Leave a comment below.
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I have heard a few people say that since they have an agent, or have booked a few jobs,
they don’t need or have an interest in taking classes. I really disagree with this way of thinking.
Even famous actors take classes and study with a coach prior to working on a project.
For instance, Julianne Moore worked with a dialect coach for two months prior to shooting
the docudrama “Game Change” for HBO. You can read the entire article here:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-moore-palin-20120306,0,2404192.story
Even after being in this industry for over 27 years, I am still learning on a daily basis.
During my last Acting and Modeling Online Success Summit: it was really nice hearing other industry
experts share their opinions and how they approach things a little differently than I normally do.
Typically, I approach every workshop I attend with the goal of being able to walk away with one or
two new things that will be helpful to me. One idea that I use during my acting work, but never
had it quite stated this way came from Bob Luke during the Summit. For those of you who don’t know
Bob, he is an amazing acting coach. He has worked on TV and film sets, helping actors prepare
for the scenes, managed kids, and also spends most of his time giving private sessions.
This is what he had to say about what all actors must do for auditions and on the set:
Look
Listen
React
Respond
That is what acting is all about.
So no matter whether you are just getting started, or have had real success in the acting and or modeling industry,
keep studying, take classes, read as much as you can about the industry. This is how you continue to grow,
get even better, and continue to give yourself your greatest chance for success!
What is something you have learned recently that you want to share? Write it in the comment box below.
I have had so many people ask me how many auditions or go-sees do I attend before I book a job. I have heard some people say that their booking to audition ratio, is 25 40, or 50% or higher?” I know there are some actors and models who keep very close track of those statistics. I don’t. I don’t even think about those types of statistics.
I have found that there are simply too many factors that go into the decision making of which talent gets hired to have those numbers really mean very much. The other reason why those numbers are meaningless to me is because sometimes an agent will send a talent to an audition or go-see, knowing that they are not the type that was requested. They do this because they just want to give the client some choices.
Two weeks ago I was asked to attend a go-see. The photographer was looking for a man in his 60’s who had breathing issues. This type was definitely not right for me. Since I hadn’t worked with this agent very much, I sent her a jpg of my head shot along with a short e-mail asking if I was really right for this job.
She told me that I was probably too young for the job, but that sometimes clients decide to book someone younger than their original concept.
I did not book the job. So, if I were calculating this non-booking into my formula of percentages of jobs booked from auditions and go-sees, then the numbers would be skewed a bit.
It is like people placing so much emphasis on the statistics of quarterbacks. If a receiver drops a pass or he needs to throw a ball away because he is being chased and does not want to get sacked, then those are counted as incomplete passes.
Just looking at the numbers can be misleading and does not necessarily tell you much about the performance.
The point is, I would not base very much on your percentages. I would be more interested in knowing if you get call backs from your auditions, or if the casting director or photographer requests you again for another casting. That would tell me that they liked your work.
If you do compile these numbers, please let me know what type of percentages you do have for audition to booking ratio.
Let me know your thoughts. Add a new comment below.
The main reason most people do not get booked for commercial modeling jobs is not due to their looks, talent or abilities. It is simply because most people put together photos that do not sell them well. I do not mean that the photography is necessarily bad, but that the photographs are boring, unimaginative and show the talent simply posing for the camera. Photos that do not stand out will simply get tossed out by agents, photographers and art/creative directors.
People need to learn how to create strong eye-catching shots that grab people’s attention. Although I spend 26 pages in my book How to Become a Successful Commercial Model doing just this, and devote an entire section of my workshop discussing this topic, let me offer some great advice that will be extremely helpful to you.
Since the shots for your composite sheet don’t have words, make sure each photograph itself tells a story, and that it looks like an ad for a specific product. Even better, create a photo that shows more than one story. If you want to present yourself as a mom and a businesswoman, the photo might show you walking up the steps to your house wearing a business suit, carrying a briefcase, while your child runs to meet you. Take your time and be creative in thinking of different scenarios for your shots.
Magazines are a great source of ideas. Find the magazine that will feature the look you want. The ads can give you information on how to style the shot and what props are needed. For example, if the ad is supposed to take place in an auto garage, tools, oil cans, towels, grease guns, and auto parts would be appropriate props. Do not use logos or brand names in the shot.
The most important thing to keep in mind is to make the photos look like ads. Do not pose for the camera. Show a wide range of expression for the different photos.
Having strong pictures for your comp will give you your greatest chance for getting work.
Commercial modeling is like any business. You wouldn’t open a restaurant without knowing about the food industry. The same holds true for modeling and acting. You want to learn everything you can about the industry before you begin. If you are prepared, understand what is expected of you, and work with a good agent, or agents, then there is no telling how far you can go in this field.
TV Spots:
BGE Commercial Principle Rick Lewis Director
Smartlink LLC. Principle Preston DMP Prod.
Film:
Nighmare Next Door: Lead Sirens Media.
The Heart of Him Lead Siri Enterprises
Four Sundays in Spring Principle E4 Productions
It is very important for all actors and models to decide for
themselves if there are specific products or companies they do not
want to be associated with or support.
I know some talent who will not do ads for meat products, furs,
alcohol, or even lotteries. It is against their beliefs. And the important thing
to always remember is to stand up for your convictions. It is essential
that you tell your agent when you get the call for the audition or go-see
that you are not comfortable supporting a specific product or company, and then
thank the agent for thinking of you.
What you never want to do is attend the audition or go-see, book the job
and then turn it down later. That makes you and your agent look irresponsible.
I recently worked on America’s Most Wanted. The content of the show for
this particular episode is for “mature” audiences only. Children should not watch
this episode. Some adults won’t be comfortable with the content as well.
Despite the content of my role, I took the job because of the overall goal of the show,
which is to help make America a safer place.
Through Mr.Walsh’s amazing work, many people who have committed some horrible crimes have been
found and taken off the street.
If you have ever turned down a job, let us know, and leave a comment below.
Let me know your thoughts. Add a new comment.
Signed
Don Buchwald & Associates, Inc.
TV Commercial
National TV Spot Crestor
Print
Carnival Cruise Lines
Signed: with Carolina Talent, NC
THEATER:
Cast List Up – Gwen – Cox Mill High School – NC