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Want to Fire Your Agent - Try Saying This Instead by Aaron Marcus  •  last post Aug 27th

Want to Fire Your Agent - Try Saying This Instead

https://youtu.be/slBGuzjm4Kk

If you ever thought about firing an agent (I have left a few agents) you might want to use the words I share in the video before you make that decision.

There are times when it is essential that a change in representation happens, but make sure you are making this decision for the right reasons.

Have you ever fired an agent? If so, share your experience with us.

O Griet sy's Droog by Karin van der Laag  •  last post Aug 27th

I am so excited for the premiere of a short movie I performed in called O Griet Sy's Droog. It opens tomorrow at the Silwerskerm Fees (Silver Screen Festival) at the Bay Hotel in Camps Bay. Hoping it receives great reviews.

Gemstones stunt performers rock! by Sam Sokolow  •  last post Aug 26th

I loved reading this and being reminded just how much stunt performers enhance storytelling from action films (obvious) to comedies. What's the best stunt you ever saw in a comedy? https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/the-righteous-gemstones-stunt-coordinator-interview-monster-truck-1235983768/

Discovering your Signature Performance by Matthew Cornwell  •  last post Aug 24th

My mentor, the late Sam Christensen (Casting Director for MASH, Clash of the Titans, etc), cared so deeply about actors, but what plagued him was how few of us knew how to "relax", "do less", and "just be yourself" in the audition.


If you're an actor, you've heard phrases like that before. In class, in a live audition, or on set. Jack Lemmon famously told a story from early in his screen career where the director kept telling him to "do less" and he finally shouted “If I do any less, I won’t be doing anything at all!” 

Exactly.

To be clear, you MUST have craft. You must have training. But that's the part of our careers that is more obvious. What makes us unique is something different. What makes our version of Hamlet or Ophelia so different from every other one is what Sam would call your SIGNATURE PERFORMANCE.

And as Jack Lemmon discovered that fateful day, you have to get out of your own way to let that signature performance shine through. It's a paradox for most of us. Because we want to DO something when we hear ACTION. We want to SHOW the director, the audience, how well we can put on that character. Oftentimes we want to show the work we've put into it, the years of training we've had...

The truth is that in the moment we hear ACTION, it's about letting go and letting the uniqueness of ourselves shine.

Sounds so simple, but it's so hard to embrace when the time comes. Quite honestly, we're bored with ourselves. That person you see in the mirror... with all those flaws and "boring" traits.... who wants to see THEM on screen, right?

I'd love to chat more about this very topic. If you're still reading, and you're curious, I'll be hosting a Zoom call this Wednesday, August 28, at 7pm EDT/4pm PDT to talk about Sam Christensen and the 4-day process he created as his life's work. We already have about 40 RSVPs, so you can keep your camera and mic off if you just want to be a fly on the wall. That said, we will have a Q&A at the end. 

I'll leave you with a question: Can you, with specificity, identify what makes you unique? Not just the characters you play, but what part of humanity you bring to those characters. If you're struggling to find your place in this industry, we can help...

You can learn more and RSVP for the free Zoom call here: https://www.get-taped.com/sam-christensen

What’s the Best Way to Cast in the US? by Sam Iwata Aka Liu  •  last post Aug 24th

Hey there, it’s Sam from the Far East Land!

For the past twenty years, I’ve been crafting TV commercials for names like Estee Lauder, Filorga, and Piaget and dabbling in short films across Asia (mostly China). Shooting a short or feature film in the States is the ultimate dream, but since I’m still a fresh face in that market, I’ll probably have to roll with my own scripts.

Being a non-US citizen makes getting a work visa in our industry a real challenge, so a non-union shoot might be my only option. But I don’t want to leave a bad mark in the land of dreams. So, it’s either I get the visa, or I’ll have to take my project elsewhere.

Production is pretty universal, so it shouldn’t be too different. But the casting part keeps bothering me. In China, I brief my casting director, and they bring me a list of talents. I’m not sure how it works in the US, especially if I want to cast union actors. Should I go to a casting company or hire a freelance casting director to handle it?

As I said, shooting in the US is a dream, but it’s not entirely up to me. So, my backup plan is to fly actors to China, Thailand, or Australia for my projects. My question is, how does that work?

I’d really appreciate any insights you can share.

PS: You can check out some of my work here:: https://vimeo.com/iwatasam.

James Spader Sets Marvel Return as Ultron in ‘Vision’ Series by Tom Lapke  •  last post Aug 23rd

I loved Spader as Ultron (one of the few good things about the movie). I would watch him read a phone book. https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/james-spader-ultron-vision-series-marvel-1236116657/

Free Actor Web Design - Looking to help a few actors by Michael Karpienski  •  last post Aug 23rd

Hi Fellow Actors, 


I am looking to help a couple actors on here and willing to build a few actor websites for free to get some new web design examples in my portfolio. If interested, shoot me a text or email me to discuss a possible partnership! Thanks!

Actor Web Design Examples:
https://graycetoon.com/
https://iamrissa.com/
https://kirageiger.com/
https://megsands.com/

‪(201) 380-1019‬
hello@michaelkarpienski.com

Thanks!
Michael Karpienski

Headshots Tip by Tom Lapke  •  last post Aug 22nd

It is important to remember that your headshot is the first piece of marketing casting sees, so it needs to do two things:
1 Sell your brand
2. Grab their attention

The first part is up to you, but the second part is up to your photographer, and it is no small feat. Not every photographer knows how to shoot actor headshots. They may be great at nature photography, or even corporate headshots, but neither of those things have anything to do with a great actor headshot.
Just like you wouldn't get heart surgery from a podiatrist, nor should you get headshots from someone who does not specialize in actor headshots. They are probably more expensive, but that is because more people are trying to book with them because they are good at what they do, so the price goes up. They may cost you  $500 more than the lady from your hometown who shoots mostly weddings, but they will be worth every penny. 
If you have questions about headshots, leave them in the comments below.

Actors create worlds by Tom Lapke  •  last post Aug 21st

Even in the palm of their hand.

Anaconda with Black and Rudd? by Sam Sokolow  •  last post Aug 21st

I am not a huge fan of Anaconda or creature features of most kinds but I would watch these two do anything together. What do you think? https://deadline.com/2024/08/anaconda-movie-jack-black-paul-rudd-1236046679/

The Secrets Behind Casting the 'House of the Dragon' Actors by Ashley Renee Smith  •  last post Aug 20th

House of the Dragon casting director Kate Rhodes James takes us through her casting process in the below video! Did any of the insights that she shared about her goals and choices surprise you?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Otw2LuO6lnI

Are Actors Wasting Time and Money At Acting Schools by Aaron Marcus  •  last post Aug 20th

Are actors wasting time and money attending acting school? This is a very complicated question and a difficult decision. Watch the video https://youtu.be/bZNskI1IUtw  to help you decide which is best for you.

Were you a theater major, studied at a conservatory, worked with someone privately or took local acting classes? If so, without naming the places, please share your experiences with us.

Michael Keaton “Didn’t Care One Way Or Another” About ‘Batgirl’ Cancellation: “Big, Fun, Nice Check” by Tom Lapke  •  last post Aug 19th

I just found his quote funny. Reminded me of the famous Micahel Cane quote about Jaws 4 , when he said he never saw the movie, but he did see the house it bought him, and it is lovely (paraphrasing). https://deadline.com/2024/08/michael-keaton-batgirl-cancellation-1236043928/

A CD’s Advice on Self-Tape Quality by Tammy Hunt  •  last post Aug 19th



“At minimum, you need good lighting. That means either natural lighting, a ring light, or an inexpensive light box. Most cameras and camera phones have a built-in mic, which works fine, although an additional mic can also be purchased inexpensively. You can hang a sheet on the wall for a backdrop—we even do this in my casting office.
Most newer phones have great video-recording abilities—but make sure to record horizontally!
A tripod or other support is needed so that the camera remains stable. For me, the essential element for a good audition is a great reader.
For my coaching clients, I’ve been patching myself in as the reader through Zoom. Actors will have their cameras set up to shoot, and it generally turns out very well. When it comes to quality, we’re not looking for Oscar-worthy cinematography.
We want a good performance, which means your best take and an audition room–level reader—however you can safely make that happen.
Don’t worry, we don’t need to see you on a soundstage to know if you’re right for the part.”

- Marci Liroff
Known for her work in film and television, producer, and casting director, for decades Marci has worked with some of the most successful directors in the world.

#actor #audition

A little Monday Motivation by Tom Lapke  •  last post Aug 19th

You got this.

How NOT To Mess Up Auditions When You Have an Accent by Maurice Vaughan  •  last post Aug 17th

Idil Tekeli (actress and musician originally from Turkey, Istanbul) shares four tips in today’s blog that’ll help you during auditions when you have an accent.


www.stage32.com/blog/how-not-to-mess-up-auditions-when-you-have-an-accent-3826

Actors demand action over 'disgusting' explicit video game scenes - from BBC News by Geoff Hall  •  last post Aug 17th

“Performers working in the games industry have spoken of their distress at being asked to work on explicit content without notice, including a scene featuring a sexual assault.

Sex scenes are common in modern games - and are often made by filming human actors who are then digitised into game characters.

But performers have told the BBC a culture of secrecy around projects - where scripts are often not shared until the last moment - means they frequently do not know in advance that scenes may involve intimate acts.”

This use of technology for sexual purposes is not new. There was a recent report citing the use of Generative AI for child sex videos. Those using the technology stated that it couldn’t be a crime, as it didn’t involve and ‘victims’. But as is the nature of AI, GAI has to work from images and videos of child sexual exploitation.

With this latest BBC News Report, it would suggest that we cannot be accepting and complacent about the use of AI, whether in film or video game production and actors need to be protected from exploitation. 

What are your thoughts? What are the rules in the US, for video games and the protection of actors?


 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c23l4ml51jmo 

Looking for learning opportunities! by Rebecca Soileau  •  last post Aug 16th

Hi everyone! I recently completed PA Bootcamp a few weeks ago and while I’m looking for jobs as a P.A. now (I love watching and learning about everything that goes on behind the scenes to make one project) and am excited to start that, I’ve recently been looking over Location scouting and how one would get started in that area! Please let me know if there are any ways to dig deeper into how to start a career there or if you happen to be one and need a mentee or assistant, I’d love a chance to learn by doing and watching :)

Self Tape Questions by Kym Jackson  •  last post Aug 16th

Heya folks!  I'm finalising the build on my upcoming Self Tape Mastery course and I'd love to know if anyone has any questions or anything they're stuck on with self tapes?  OOORRRR any cool tips on what you do that works that I can include! I want to make sure the course is as comprehensive as possible and covers everything anyone could possibly need to know :)

As an actress by Claude Gagne  •  last post Aug 16th

Would you go bald to play a part?