Acting

Now, in a way, the reverse is true. Networks and platforms are looking for authenticity, as well as for the opportunity to tell stories from voices and perspectives not often heard. A name that suggests cultural specificity can actually be helpful, given the scrutiny regarding parts being played by actors of appropriate ethnicity.”

– President of a TV Production Company

“I once hired a guy whose name I not only couldn’t remember — but couldn’t pronounce. I avoided him at all costs and vowed never to hire him again.”

– Reality Show Producer

“I have never asked a client to create a ‘brand new’ name. I have, however, suggested some folks reconsider their given names, as whatever they were currently using sounded generic, or even had a certain falsity to it. Clearly Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe, and Lady Gaga have done all right, but my feeling is if people are comfortable with what their parents named them, then so am I.”

– A Talent Agent

“I love the fact that we live in a day and age where an actor does NOT have to change his/her/their name, because that’s what the industry mandates. I think it’s important for actors to be true to themselves and authentic with who they are. That being said, I have many clients who do have ‘stage names’ and I love that too. And there can be many reasons for that — privacy, for one. My only suggestion is that if you are going to change your name, you do a thorough Google search on that new name BEFORE you change it.”

– Liza Anderson, Owner Anderson Group Public Relations

“I fully support changing the name if it suits and supports the creative process. Being an actor is a creative endeavor. Performance, delivery, and marketing are all part of the artistic process. If you have a challenging name and you have something you want to use that is easy to remember or visually appealing, then there’s nothing wrong with creating something new. When marketing a film, all components matter.”

– Jen Ditchik, Vice President, Strategy & Innovation at WC+A

#actor

Green flags for actor employment agreements indicate favorable terms and conditions that benefit the actor and promote a positive working relationship with the production company. On the other hand, red flags signal potential issues or concerns that actors should be cautious about. Here are some examples of green and red flags for actor employment agreements:

Green Flags:

Fair Compensation is important! The agreement offers competitive compensation that reflects the actor's experience, role, and the budget of the production.

Clear Role Description! The agreement clearly outlines the actor's role, including the character they will portray, their responsibilities, and any specific requirements or expectations.

Favorable Working Conditions! The agreement includes provisions for reasonable working hours, breaks, and accommodations, ensuring the actor's health, safety, and well-being on set.

Protection of Rights! The agreement includes clauses that protect the actor's rights, such as provisions for proper crediting, use of likeness, and protection against unauthorized exploitation of their image or performance.

Flexibility for Auditions and Other Work! The agreement allows the actor to audition for other roles and pursue additional work, provided it does not conflict with their obligations to the production.

Red Flags:

Unfair Compensation it can be obvious. The agreement offers inadequate or below-market compensation that does not reflect the actor's experience, role, or the budget of the production.

Ambiguous Role Description! The agreement lacks clarity or specificity regarding the actor's role, responsibilities, or character, leaving room for misunderstandings or disputes.

Unreasonable Working Conditions! The agreement fails to provide adequate protections for the actor's health, safety, or well-being on set, such as long hours, unsafe conditions, or lack of breaks.

Exploitative Rights! Watch out! The agreement includes clauses that overly restrict or exploit the actor's rights, such as granting excessive control over their likeness or performance without proper compensation or consent.

Exclusivity or Non-Compete Clauses! The agreement includes clauses that restrict the actor's ability to audition for other roles or pursue additional work, limiting their professional opportunities and creative freedom.

Lack of Payment or Delayed Payment! The agreement fails to provide clear terms or deadlines for payment, or the production company has a history of late or non-payment to actors.

You must carefully review actor employment agreements and identifying potential green and red flags, actors can protect their interests, ensure fair treatment, and make informed decisions about their participation in film and television productions. Now, a good lawyer can do that for you. It also does not hurt do your own education. This information is good to learn.

Stage 32’s founder and CEO, Richard “RB” Botto, shares two videos in today’s blog.

In the first video, acclaimed directors Ari Aster (BEAU IS AFRAID) and Yorgos Lanthimos (POOR THINGS) discuss their respective films. They tackle inspiration, originality, adaptation, and more, giving great insight into how these two artists approach storytelling.

In the second video, six of the year’s top actors sit down for a roundtable discussion. They discuss their connections to one another, pivotal moments in their career, and more.

Grab your coffee/tea/hot chocolate/etc. and jump in!

www.stage32.com/blog/coffee-content-directors-on-directors-ari-aster-yor...

Record yourself reading monologues and short scenes. You can purchase a book of monologues online or through Industry sites giving you hours of potential roles to inhabit.

Pick one and practice it 2-3 times, then tape yourself giving the speech. When you rewatch it, take notes on where you want to improve, what lines sounded great, and ideas you have to make it better.

Then re-do the speech, recording again until you're happy with the results.

Choose a variety of monologues, not just the ones you're most comfortable with. This is practice time, so challenge yourself. It may be worth experimenting, rather than going for a set expectation of perfection. Sometimes a different approach can really make a monologue stand out.What happens if you:

- Slow your lines down

- Stress different words

- Put longer pauses in

- Change your tone

- Switch it up, you may surprise yourself!

Try different accents, and consider learning a new language while you’re at it. New skills to add to your resume is always a good thing.

#audition #actor #casting #monologue #sides #selftape #script #workshop #video #manager #agent #hollywood #success

- Professional name visible at the top of the page

- Current headshots prominently featured

- Union affiliations clearly stated

- Media, including audio and video reels

- A properly formatted and updated résumé

- Links to all of your online casting profiles

- Links to all of your professional social media profiles

- Latest career news

- A fantastic “About Me” page

- Mobile-friendly design

- Contact Info / You and Your Representation

#actor #tv #film #video #website #script #writer #drama #manager #agent #casting

It can be incredibly handy to have certain clothing items for self-tapes.

Keeping a small portion of your closet devoted to clothes for auditioning that are kept clean and pressed can save time and panic later.

Here are just a few to consider..

Basic Commercial:

Before getting into character types, it’s important to have a few basics.

For commercial auditions, this will typically be something in a solid color, and on the more cheerful side.

Think of the “family friendly” version of you.

Basic Theatrical:

Same idea as commercial, but a more serious look.

This might mean darker or more muted colors, possibly longer sleeves, something that makes you feel grounded.

- Mom/Dad:

Having a parental look will go a long way for commercial auditions and day players.

A solid cardigan or polo shirt you can throw on to look approachable and relatable can easily suggest the role. Maybe have a pair of glasses handy. You want a slightly more conservative look for this one.

- Flirty/Seductive:

If it’s in your wheelhouse, having a flirty ingenue or vampy look might be something to consider. It’s a fine line to walk, as you still want to look professional. Hair and makeup can also go a long way here.

- Dystopian/Gritty:

Get yourself that grungy gray tank top or noticeably worn tee. Having an appropriately lived-in looking jacket (army green, brown, or other darker earth tones) might also be a good idea.

- Professional White Collar, putting together a look with a blazer or suit with a tie can suggest a lawyer, CEO, detective, accountant or any type of white-collar professional.

- Professional Blue Collar, on the other side of the spectrum, a nice denim shirt that you can roll up the sleeves can easily transform you into a farmer, hometown clerk, etc.

- Scrubs, bring on the medical dramas! If you don’t have actual scrubs (though they can often be found in uniform stores) a solid color v-neck shirt can suggest a nurse or technician. A lab coat might be good to have on hand if you can find one.

#actor #audition #selftape #wardrobe