10/1/09

HBO Open Casting Call for new series "Treme" in New Orleans

Casting directors for the HBO syndicated series "Treme" are conducting an open casting call on November 7, 2009. They are seeking local talent to work as background extras, stand-ins, and possible day-player speaking roles.

David Simon co-created the project with longtime New Orleans resident Eric Overmyer, after the two former "Homicide" writers had discussed doing a show set in the Big Easy for years.

Filming begins in mid-November, 2009. Only people local to the New Orleans area should submit or attend the open casting call. Accommodations and transportation is not provided to people outside the greater New Orleans area. If you are interested in working on the show, please follow the guidelines below.

Click Here to download the size card, fill it out and either bring it to the open call along with an 8x10 photo, or mail it to the casting office.

Open Casting Call Details

Where:

Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
Armstrong Ballroom
500 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Click Here for directions.

When:

Saturday, November 7, 2009
12:00pm - 3:00pm

Principal Actor and Extras Casting (New Orleans):

Meagan Lewis
RPM Casting
843 Carondelet Street
Suite #3
New Orleans, LA 70130

Please note no one will be seen at the RPM casting office. Only mail will be accepted at the office.

Production Company:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies (they will most likely end up in the trash can), they do not cast the films. They hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

Blown Deadline Productions
1231 Prytania Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
blowndeadlineprod@gmail.com

in association with

Birdhouse
1041 N. Formosa Ave.
Pickford Bldg. Room 199
West Hollywood, CA 90046

Distributor:

Home Box Office (HBO)
2500 Broadway
Ste. 400
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Producers: Carolyn Strauss, David Simon, Eric Overmyer, Nina Kostroff

Starring:

Wendell Pierce
Clarke Peters
Khandi Alexander
Steve Zahn
Kim Dickens
Melissa Leo

Story:

A post-Katrina-themed drama that chronicles the rebuilding of New Orleans through the eyes of local musicians. Pierce will play Antoine Batiste, an accomplished jazz trombonist who is now scratching for gigs, trying to support a live-in girlfriend and a new baby, while still carrying a torch for a failed marriage to Ladonna Batiste (Alexander), the mother of his two children, who is single-handedly keeping her bar afloat. Peters will play Albert Lambreaux, a big chief of the White Feather Nation trying to bring the tribe's members home.

___________________________________________

For those looking for technical work on the set, resumes are being accepted by e-mail at:

blowndeadlineprod@gmail.com

Casting for Singers and Dancers for Major Retailer TV Commercial

A Major Retailer is currently casting singers and dancers who know how to do "The Twist". This is a period spot, recreating the look from the 60’s. Those auditioning should come with wardrobe and hairstyles reflecting the look.

Character Breakdowns:

LEAD SINGER: (Pays $1,000) Male, age 30’s-40's. Kind of a coolster look, pompadour, etc. Think Bobby Darin, Ricky Nelson, Kaiser George. No long hair/beards. MUST BE ABLE TO TWIST AND LIP SYNC! It's all about the showmanship of the lead.

TWIST DANCERS: (Pays $650) Men and women age 30’s to early 40’s. MUST BE ABLE TO TWIST.

The commercial will shoot for 1 day in Portland, Oregon between November 4th, 2009 - November 6th, 2009.

The auditions will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 and on Wednesday, October 28, 2009.
To make an appointment to audition, please email a current photo and contact information to:

anami@dannystoltzcasting.com

The casting directors will contact you if they are interested.

If you are not available to audition on those dates, but are interested: please e-mail photo, contact info, experience, and mention that you can not make the audition dates.

Open Call for Female Models 18 - 30 all ethnicities in Midtown New York

There will be an open call on Tuesday, October 20, for models of all ethnicities, ages 18-35 to be featured on a popular hair and beauty website. Shoot will be all natural, everyday makeup, natural hair. They need fun, cute, spunky girls with great hair to be featured on their website.

All models welcome, commercial to high fashion. Kinky curls, pin straight, long hair, short hair, bangs, braids, big hair, frizzy hair, wavy, dyed. As long as you can look like you love that hair of yours, they want you! Please come with everyday makeup and natural hair. They will take your photo and your contact information for a possible callback the next day.

If you have pictures of yourself or a portfolio, you may bring them, but this is not required. Pictures should be clear and give a good indication of what you really look like: a close-up of your face with little to no makeup and a profile shot. It is best to come to the open call wearing little to no makeup and dressed in something comfortable and casual.

Feel free to email your portfolio prior to the call, but this is not a requirement:

tedder@gmail.com

You must be available on Wednesday, October 21st for the shoot in their Midtown offices.

Open Call Details

Where:

Folica Inc
315 Madison Ave
12th floor
New York NY 10017
Click Here for directions:

When:

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
12:00pm - 3:00pm

Photo Shoot Details

Where:

Folica Inc
315 Madison Ave
12th floor
New York NY 10017
Click Here for directions:

When:

Wednesday, October 21, 2009
9:00am - 6:00pm

Each model will not need to be present for the entire day, we will schedule your piece beforehand and it shouldn't last more than an hour. Models called back for the shoot on Wednesday who participate in the shoot will be compensated for their time.

NBC Universal and Telemundo Open Casting Call for Bilingual and Spanish Speaking Actors

This is an exiting opportunity for bilingual and Spanish speaking actors, both males and females, all ages and types. NBC Universal and Telemundo studios - NBC’s Spanish-language network, are looking to expand their talent pool for bilingual and Spanish speaking actors at this time for consideration to perform in future television productions.

At the open call will be Kendra Carter, who joined NBC Universal in May 2008 as Director of Talent Diversity Initiatives. In that role, Carter develops, produces, and supervises initiatives to promote and sustain on-camera diversity for NBC. She has previously served as a member of Nickelodeon Network's West Coast Diversity Team. She will be assisted by Tracette Hillman, who will continue working on diversity projects alongside Kendra for NBC Universal, according to Marc Hirschfeld, Executive Vice-President, Casting for NBC Universal Television Entertainment.

Also attending will be Alfredo Richard, SVP Communication & Talent Development for Telemundo. Mr. Richard oversees the network's talent development and cross promotions initiatives, as well as being responsible for directing all corporate, internal and crisis communications, as well as community affairs and programming publicity efforts for Telemundo Communications Group. He reports directly to Telemundo's President, Don Browne. Since Richard joined Telemundo, the multi-platform Group has enjoyed growing visibility among advertisers, Hispanic opinion leaders and viewers, as well as talent and the industry in general.

NBC's roster of scripted series includes critically acclaimed comedies like Emmy winners The Office, starring Steve Carell, and 30 Rock, starring Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey; award-winning dramas including the Law & Order brand, Heroes, and Chuck; daytime drama Days of Our Lives; and the Saturday-morning Qubo block of programming for kids, including the award-winning 3-D animated series Veggie Tales.

Telemundo is a U.S. Spanish-language broadcast television network committed to broadcasting unique and outstanding national and local entertainment, news, and sports programming; Telemundo reaches 93% of U.S. Hispanic viewers through 16 owned-and-operated stations, 45 broadcast affiliates, and distribution to nearly 800 cable systems in more than 210 markets.

So as you can see, this is an amazing opportunity that should be taken advantage of by actors regardless of, age, sex, and type - as long as you are a bilingual and Spanish speaking actor.

Open Casting Calls Details

New York:

Where:

Manhattan Center Studios
Hammerstein Ballroom
311 West 34th Street
New York NY 10001
(The Hammerstein Ballroom is located on 34th street between 8th and 9th Avenues)
Click Here for directions.

When:

Saturday October 24, 2009
Beginning at 9:00am

Los Angeles:

Where:

California Market Center
110 East Ninth Street
Los Angeles, CA 90079
Click Here for directions.

When:

Saturday, November 14, 2009
Beginning at 9:00am

For BOTH New York and Los Angeles Open Calls:

Callbacks will be held in the afternoon. If you are called back, you will be given a scene to prepare and read. Come prepared with multiple copies of your pix & resumes (stapled together). Sign up for an audition time slot as early in the day as possible after arriving

Universal Pictures Online Open Casting Call for Major Animated Feature Film

Universal Pictures is currently casting the lead roles for an upcoming animated feature film. The studio heads of casting are looking for young, natural, good voices of boys between 8 and 14 who need to sound young in the age range of 8 to 10. Those who fit the age and voice requirements should submit a video or audio audition reading the specified scene available for download at the following website:

www.uniopencalls.com

The above website, Actorcast.com, a division of Cast It Systems, is the ONLY website that is assisting Universal Pictures casting directors in the casting this film. No experience is necessary and both SAG and non-union talent from all areas are being considered.

The submission deadline is October 30, 2009.

Principal Actor Casting:

Do not send unsolicited photos and resumes to the casting directors. Only those who upload the video or audio audition to the site above will be considered.

Jeffrey Gelber - Executive Director of Casting
Julie Hutchinson - SVP Features Casting
Universal Studios
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608

Online Open Casting Call for new FOX Television Teenage Comedy Pilot

Casting is now underway for a multicamera 1/2 hour AFTRA television pilot for FOX television tentitively titled "The Rednecks & Romeos". The show is being Executive Produced by 2-time Primetime Emmy nominated Mark Brazill. Based somewhat on Brazill's own experiences, it's about a family trying to get by after the father loses his dealership business and the family home to bankruptcy.

Casting Director Marc Hirschfeld is seeking young actors ages 18 - 22 who are able to play 16 - 17 year old teenagers. Talent interested in submitting an audition video can do so by visiting the following website:

www.tvpilotopencall.com

This is the ONLY website that the casting director is using to cast this show. They are accepting submissions from AFTRA and non-union talent from any area, and you are not required to have a talent agent to submit.

Shooting begins in November, 2009.

Principal Actor Casting:
DO NOT submit unsolicited photos, resumes, or videos to Marc Hirschfeld. The casting office is only accepting direct submissions from talent agents OR through the website listed above.

Marc Hirschfeld
6767 Forest Lawn Drive
Suite 100
Los Angeles CA 90068

Extras Casting:

Seeking 18+ to play younger.

Central Casting
220 S. Flower St.
Burbank, CA 91502
Registration Info: (818) 562-2755
(do not send photos to Central Casting, you must register in person)

Production Company:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies (they will most likely end up in the trash can), they do not cast the films. They hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

Good Humor Television
9255 W Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069

in association with

Warner Bros. Television
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522

and

Fox Television
10201 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035

Executive Producers:

Mark Brazill, Mike Clements, Tom Werner

Story:

A good-guy student must adjust to his parents' bankruptcy and that his best friend had a fling with the girl of his dreams.

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I have worked in the Entertainment Industry as long as I can remember. I have been a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists since 1985. I decided to create and maintain this blog in my spare time to help people who are interested in working as a performer in the Entertainment Industry. I hope the free information on this site can help you continue working as a professional actor, or help aspiring actors achieve your dream of working as an actor or extra in film and television. I hope my websites continue to help talent obtain employment in the entertainment industry.

Note: All content on third-party advertisers' websites is the sole responsibility of the respective website publisher(s)/owner(s).

Sincerely,

Alan Baltes

Important information about uploading audition videos

A large number of casting directors and studios are now using Cast It Systems' ActorCast to allow people to upload audition videos for specific projects and roles.

When uploading audition videos, make absolutely sure to follow the directions exactly as stated. If they want it done a specific way, then do not disregard the instructions and do whatever you want.

Not following the instructions is a sure way to NOT get a call back. If you can't follow simple directions on how to tape and submit an audition video, then the casting director will assume that you may not be able to take direction well on set during filming. And that is not a good thing. So be very careful and follow the directions exactly as they are explained. Remember that not following directions can cost you the part!

How Films and Television Shows are Cast

The executives give the "green light" for movies and TV shows to be produced. Then the production company of the project hires casting directors, who in turn send out "breakdowns" of the characters being cast.

These "breakdowns" actually are sent out by a service called "Breakdown Services" and are only available to licensed Talent Agencies.

Then the agents at these agencies submit photos, resumes, and sometimes "demo-reels" to the casting directors. Then the casting directors call in the actors that fit the roles they are casting, usually many many actors are called in.

Then they narrow it down to the best actors who came in and "call back" these actors to read again for the director, sometimes the writer, producer, etc. Then they narrow it down further, and sometimes there are 3 - 4 "call backs" before an actor is finally hired.

Occasionally a casting director will call in an actor who sends a photo and resume on their own without an agent, however it is difficult for talent to find the addresses and casting directors. That is what this website is for. To help people get their photo and resume to the correct casting directors, and to find legit open casting calls.

Does it cost anything to audition?

NO! Never ever pay someone to audition. If they ask you to pay, then it is surely a scam. Legit casting directors, agents, and managers never charge any up-front fees whatsoever. You should never be asked or required to attend any specific classes, use any specific photographers, or pay ANY upfront fees.

Agents typically get 10% of your paycheck AFTER you work. Managers typically get 15%. Casting Directors get paid by the studio or production company. The only fee you should ever pay for is legit extras casting agencies, such as Central Casting in Burbank, CA. They may charge a small photo imaging fee of around $20, this is because they must take a digital photo of all extras for consistency in their files, and to make sure that they know what the extra looked like when they registered.

So the answer is NO! It costs absolutely nothing to audition for television shows and films.

Will casting directors consider me if I randomly send in my photo/resume and don't have an agent?

Here is what casting director Gayle Pillsbury of Zane/Pillsbury Casting said in regards to general submissions when asked the following question:

If an actor does not have representation by a talent agent, what is the best way for them to get noticed by a casting director?

"You can also try and send a general submission of yourself to a casting office – I’ve opened some pictures and just really liked the picture of the person and held onto it until an appropriate role came up so I could audition that actor. And while I don’t want to sound discouraging, general submissions are a long shot – you’re really bargaining on timing and luck. But again, it’s about being pro-active and creative-minded."

Read the entire interview here:

Gayle Pillsbury Interview

Click Here for Gayle Pillsbury at IMDb

Here is casting director Jeff Greenberg's response to the following question:

Do you ever cast actors who are without representation?

"We do cast actors without representation."

Read the entire interview here:

Jeff Greenberg Interview

Click Here for Jeff Greenberg at IMDb

These statements mirror what the vast majority of casting directors have told me over the last 20+ years. I have a separate website that addresses talent agency issues. It includes FAQ, scam alerts, and a state-by-state listing of all legit talent agents in the USA. Click Here to go to my Talent Agents information and resources website.

Gaining Experience - Background Acting

I personally feel that if a person does not have experience, doing extra work is a fantastic way to get used to being on a film or TV set. It gives you an idea of how things work and allows you to become comfortable on a set without risking "burning bridges" if you get nervous and a little stage fright.

I myself did extra work in the beginning of my career and it helped me tremendously. I had terrible stage fright, but I became very comfortable after doing background work for a while. It doesn't pay a whole lot, but the experience you get is valuable. Acting is like any other job, the more training and experience a person has, the better chance of getting the job. But at the same time, we all have to start somewhere!

Why You Should NOT Call Casting Directors

Unsolicited phone calls and personal visits to casting directors are prohibited in the entertainment industry. Not only does it display a huge level of non-professionalism, it is extremely inconsiderate of casting directors time. They receive hundreds, and even thousands of photos and resumes every week. They certainly can not accommodate being inundated with phone calls from actors, and aspiring actors.

Talent Agents who know casting directors can call them if it is for a very important reason such as rescheduling a client for an audition. But calling casting directors, production companies, producers, and studios is an agents job, NOT an actors.

The only exception to this extremely important rule is if you are RETURNING a phone call after they have contacted you first.

SAG-AFTRA

The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) is an American labor union representing over 150,000 film and television principal and background performers worldwide. The current organization is the result of the March 30, 2012 merger of the Screen Actor's Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

According to the SAG-AFTRA Mission Statement, the union seeks to: negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements that establish equitable levels of compensation, benefits, and working conditions for its performers; collect compensation for exploitation of recorded performances by its members, and provide protection against unauthorized use of those performances; and preserve and expand work opportunities for its members.

The Screen Actors Guild was founded in 1933 in an effort to eliminate exploitation of actors in Hollywood who were being forced into oppressive multi-year contracts with the major movie studios that did not include restrictions on work hours or minimum rest periods, and often had clauses that automatically renewed at the studios' discretion. These contracts were notorious for allowing the studios to dictate the public and private lives of the performers who signed them, and most did not have provisions to allow the performer to end the deal.

SAG-AFTRA is the primary performer's union in the United States. The union is affiliated with the AFL-CIO. SAG-AFTRA claims exclusive jurisdiction over motion picture as well as radio, television, Internet, and other new media. Internationally, SAG-AFTRA is affiliated with the International Federation of Actors.

How To Qualify For SAG-AFTRA Membership

A performer becomes eligible for SAG-AFTRA membership under one of the following two conditions:

1) Proof of Employment.

SAG-AFTRA membership is available to those who work in a position covered by a SAG-AFTRA (or AFTRA or SAG) collective bargaining agreement. Any person qualifying through work as a background actor must have completed three days of work as a background actor under a SAG-AFTRA (or AFTRA or SAG) collective bargaining agreement.

2) Employment Under an Affiliated Performers Union.

Performers may join SAG-AFTRA if the applicant is a paid-up member of an affiliated performers union (ACTRA, AEA, AGMA or AGVA) for a period of one year and has worked and been paid for at least once as a principal performer in that union’s jurisdiction.

All new members pay a one-time-only initiation fee, plus the first semiannual dues at the time of joining. The national initiation fee rate is currently $3000.00 (initiation fees may be lower in some states). Annual Base dues are $198.00. In addition, work dues are calculated at 1.575 percent of covered earnings up to $500,000.

Once you are a member, you must abide by the rules of membership, starting with Global Rule One and the No Contract/No Work Rule. And, whether you are a SAG-AFTRA member or not - NEVER accept work during a Union strike!

Becoming a SAG-AFTRA member is a very important milestone for every working professional talent in the entertainment industry. But you should not be in a rush to join unless you are absolutely certain that you are ready to compete for professional performing jobs. For actors, you should prepare yourself by studying acting and improv, doing live theatre, and perform in non-union on-camera productions in order to build your resume and gain extremely valuable experience.

Audition Guidelines

1. Always know what you are auditioning for.

2. Arrive thirty minutes prior to the audition time. This will allow ample time to check in and warm up, check out your competition.

3. Bring at least 2 photos and resumes. Photos should reflect current physical likeness (should always be updated!).

4. Do not chew gum ( all directors hate it).

5. When attending callbacks, always wear the same attire worn at audition. Try to do everything you did the first time because it has already worked during the first audition.

6. Be confident, smile, always have a positive attitude.

7. Act excited about everything you asked to do.

Actors/Improvisation:

Be prepared for improvisation.
Different voices and dialects are a plus.
Prepare a dramatic and comedic monologue no more than 2 minutes in length.
Note if the audition is going to provide sides (a portion of the script).

Singers:

Bring 2 selections of sheet music, 1 up-tempo and 1 ballad, in legible condition.
Be prepared to sing the best 16 bars.
Know your vocal range.
Sheet music should have full musical notation and in the key in which you will perform.
If audition requires movement, dress appropriately.

Dancers:

Wear appropriate dance attire.
Bring appropriate dance shoes.
If the audition requires singing, bring at least 2 selections of sheet music, 1 up-tempo and 1 ballad. Be prepared to sing the best 16 bars.

Brand Yourself With Headshots

You should have two good color headshots (not "airbrushed", unless only to clean up a loose hair, etc), one "serious" and one "smiling". But it doesn't hurt to have 3-4 "looks". Try to portray the best possible image of your "brand". In other words, the type of personality and look that you would best portray.

Sometimes it is best to ask several other people who know you, like teachers, friends, etc. Parents often do not correctly see their child as portraying the "type" that they really should be. Here are some of the primary "types" for young actors:

Young Females:

awkward/gawky
artist
brain
bully
girl-next-door
ingénue/innocent muse
jock
princess
trendsetter

Young Males:

bad boy
boy-next-door
brain
bully
jock
nerdy kid/future genius
paste-eater/super uncool
quirky/trendy
smart-ass

What to expect at an Acting Audition

When you are called to audition, you are given "sides" which is a few pages of script to read. You can usually download these lines a few days before the audition. Sometimes they have you do a "cold reading" where you are given the sides right there and then. When you arrive, you sign in at the receptionists desk, wait in the front office usually with several other actors. When they call you in, you sit down and have a brief conversation with the CD. It is best to ask them a few questions about the script, project, role, etc., before they bring it up! And that is it. If they like you, they usually call you back within a week or two to come back and read for the director and maybe writer, etc.

Important Safety Information

I always recommend using a PO BOX instead of your home address when submitting. This is another good reason that getting an agent as soon as possible is of utmost importance. Then your agents contact information is all that is listed on the resume, cover letter, and envelope. There is an earlier post about how to get an agent in my blog archives (or table of contents).

Also, NEVER meet someone outside of a professional environment such as a studio or casting/agents office. Do NOT meet someone at a restaurant, private residence, etc. You should ALWAYS let someone else know EXACTLY where you are going, WHO you are meeting, and WHEN you are going there.

And a parent or guardian must ALWAYS accompany minors. A parent or guardian should NEVER be out of eyesight of the minor, whether it be at auditions or on set.

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