Open Casting Calls

Universal Pictures Ron Howard film "Heartless" open casting call in Chicago

Ron Howard is gearing up to direct a Universal Pictures feature film starring Vince Vaughn, Winona Ryder, and Kevin James. Shooting will take place from May 25, 2010 to August 6, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Release date is scheduled for January 14th 2011.

The film has been in pre-production under the working titles of "Your Cheating Heart" and "Cheaters", but the production office address in Chicago is called "Heartless Productions, LLC".

There will be an open casting call on May 22, 2010 for extras to appear in the film. The extras casting directors is seeking all types of people, any ethnicity, from children to senior citizens. They are also seeking people who are Chicago Blackhawk fans to show up wearing Chicago Blackhawks gear (official NHL licensed jerseys, T-shirts, hats, sweaters, foam fingers, etc.). They would prefer the red home jerseys. A photo will be taken in your fan attire.

Open Call Details

18+ years only (for minors see below)

Where:

The Chicago Academy for the Arts
1010 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642
Click Here for directions.

When:

Saturday, May 22, 2010
11:00am - 4:00pm

Please bring a recent 4x6 color photo or your headshot/resume and make sure you have a pen to fill out forms. If you have a child and would like them to be considered for work on the film, please submit their information via email:

extrascasting@gmail.com

In the subject line please put 'Untitled Ron Howard Project Child Submission'.

Include the following information in the email:

Your name, child's name, phone number, e-mail address, age and date of birth, ethnicity, hair color, eye color, height, weight, your child's clothing sizes and attach a photo (.jpg format only, no files larger than 1MB).

To work on the show, your child will need a valid Illinois Dept. of Labor Employment Certificate, also know as a "work permit".

Click Here to download the forms and instructions on how to obtain a permit.

Production Companies:

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.

Universal Pictures
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608

Imagine Entertainment
9465 Wilshire Blvd.
7th Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Wild West Picture Show Productions
100 Universal City Plaza
Bungalow 4144
Universal City, CA 91608

Scarlet Fire Entertainment
561 28th Ave.
Venice, CA 90291

(Production Office)
Heartless Productions, LLC
8120 Lehigh Ave.
Morton Grove, IL 60053

Principal Actor Casting:

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.

Please submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

Jane Jenkins
The Casting Company
12750 Ventura Blvd.
Suite 102
Studio City, CA 91604

Extras Casting (Chicago):

Jonathan Kinnas
Atmosphere Casting of Chicago
P.O. Box 802629
Chicago, IL 60680-2629

Producers:

Brian Grazer
Kim Roth

Director:

Ron Howard

Starring:

Vince Vaughn
Kevin James
Winona Ryder

Story:

When Ronny Valentine (Vaughn), who has idealized his best friend and business partner Isaac Backman's (James) marriage for years, discovers that Isaac's wife is cheating, his faith in relationships is shattered. Burdened with the knowledge, Ronny becomes unhinged, and his increasingly erratic behavior begins to jeopardize his own relationship with his loving and patient girlfriend Beth.

2010 NBC Universal “Stand-Up for Diversity” comedy talent search

The dates and locations are now set for the 2010 NBC Universal “Stand-Up for Diversity” comedy search. Comedians of diverse backgrounds are welcome to attend the open auditions. Every year NBC Universal chooses several cities across the USA and holds both auditions and live showcases of the best diverse stand-up comedians from that area. At the conclusion of the comedy talent search, a select group of comedians are flown to Los Angeles to perform for top industry players at NBC Universal and industry-wide.

Many of the comics from the NBC Universal Stand-Up for Diversity program have signed with top Hollywood agents, met with the entertainment industry's leading casting directors and executives, and launched new career milestones.

There is no specific age limit, however most of the comedy clubs that the showcases are held only allow admission to people 21 and older, and that includes the comedians. You can contact the club to find out their age limit for comedians.

Open Auditions Details

New York, NY

Auditions - Monday, June 28, 10:00am-1:00pm
Live Showcase - Tuesday, June 29, at 8:00 pm

Comix Comedy Club
353 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10014
Click Here for directions.
www.comixny.com

San Antonio, TX

Auditions - Sunday, August 1, 10:00am – 1:00pm

Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club
618 N.W. Loop 410,
San Antonio, Texas 78216
(Loop 410 @ Blanco)
Next to the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in the Park North Entertainment Complex, behind A Loft Hotel and south of La Madeleine.
Click Here for directions.
www.lolsanantonio.com

Live Showcase - Monday, August 2, 8:00pm

Rivercenter Comedy Club
849 East Commerce Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
(located in Rivercenter Mall)
Click Here for directions.
www.rivercentercomedyclub.com

San Francisco, CA

Auditions - Monday, September 13, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Live Showcase - Tuesday, September 14 at 8:00 pm

Punch Line Comedy Club
444 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
Click Here for directions.
www.punchlinecomedyclub.com

The following applies to all regional open calls and live showcases:

Only the first 100 comics who arrive will be seen. Comics will have one minute at the initial audition. A handful will be invited back later that day to perform a longer set and the top comics will be selected to perform in the showcase the next evening.

This is not a show that will air on NBC, but rather an opportunity to be showcased for agents, casting directors, and television executives in consideration for future casting and development opportunities.

This open call is for comics of diverse backgrounds who are serious about being funny. Comics must have five minutes of polished material.

Any questions regarding the program can be directed to the NBC Universal Stand-Up for Diversity program at: diversity@nbcuni.com

Paramount Vantage open casting call for feature film lead roles

Paramount Vantage and Gran Via Productions are in pre-production on a David Chase feature film and will be holding an open casting call on Saturday, May 8, 2010. David Chase is known for being the Creator/Executive Producer/Chief Writer of The Sopranos, and he will serve as Producer/Writer/Director of this film. Mark Johnson of Gran Via Productions will co-produce.

Paramount Vantage is the specialty film division of Paramount Pictures, charged with producing, purchasing, distributing and marketing films that are generally those with a more "art house" feel than films made and distributed by its parent company. One recent success of Paramount Vantage was "No Country for Old Men" which won an Academy Award for Best Picture at the 80th Academy Awards. Mark Johnson's Gran Via has produced such films as Dragonfly, The Notebook, and My Sister's Keeper.

Here is what the casting director, Ellen Chenoweth, is seeking:

Males between the ages of 18 and 25.

DOUGLAS: A high school student of Italian heritage. Douglas isn't athletic, very much in the background at school. He is heavily influenced by the blues and by bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Yardbirds. He becomes the drummer and back up vocalist of his buddy's band.

WELLS: An artistic, upper class guitar player for the band. Wells is probably the most intelligent of the group.

RONNY: Much different from Douglas, Ronny is very athletic, unpredictable and the "King Rocker" in his small town. He is the lead singer of their band.

Open Call Details

Prior acting experience is welcome, but not required. Musical experience is a plus. Those interested in auditioning should bring ID and a recent photo (and resume if available) with contact information (name, phone number, email, etc.) written on the back. The photo will not be returned.

Filming will begin late summer or early Fall 2010.

Where:

Ripley-Grier Studios
520 Eighth Avenue
(Between 36th and 37th Street)
Room 17D
New York, NY 10018
Click Here for directions.

When:

Saturday, May 8, 2010
1:00pm - 5:30pm

If you can not make it to the audition, the following is the casting directors information:

Principal Actor Casting (New York):

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.

Please submit photos and resumes by mail or email only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

Ellen Chenoweth
David Chase Project Casting
Ripley-Grier Studios
520 Eighth Avenue
Room 17D
New York, NY 10018

Email: Geoffrey Miclat
untparamountvantageproj@gmail.com

Extras Casting:

TBA

Production Companies:

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.

Paramount Vantage
5555 Melrose Ave.
Ball/Lasky Buildings
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Gran Via Productions
1888 Century Park East
14th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067

Producers: Mark Johnson, David Chase

Writer/Director: David Chase

Starring:

To Be Cast

Story:

Set on the East Coast during the 1960s, a coming of age story that follows the lives of Douglas, Wells and Ronny, members of a young rock n’ roll band trying to make it.

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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.

Google

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Open Casting Calls

Pages

Universal Pictures Ron Howard film "Heartless" open casting call in Chicago

2010 NBC Universal “Stand-Up for Diversity” comedy talent search

Paramount Vantage open casting call for feature film lead roles

YTV open casting calls for The Next Star in Canada

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