Tips for actors....4 free things you can start doing NOW to improve.

These are some great tips from Cathy Reinking a Casting Director from LA. I thought I would pass them along. She brings up some very important points like the fact that you need to be very comfortable in front of the camera to do well at auditions and like any other job/craft you have to work at it EVERYDAY.

Wrinkles don't look good anywhere....

            I have a guest writer for this blog post! Super Fashionista and intern extraordinaire Sydney Wright! I was thrilled to have her work with us for a few months in the office and she took the lead on this article on Model Appearance.

The way a model presents him/herself is a reflection of not only the talent but the agency they represent. A model should look neat and professional whenever they are representing themselves.

It is extremely important that their clothing is clean, pressed, and free of pilling, stains, rips and tears. This means to both auditions and shoots. DO NOT wear any clothing is inappropriate (too short, too revealing etc) outdated or too flashy. The client is looking to advertise a product, not you! Your clothing should not be making the statement- that is your job OR the products job. If you are booked for the job- make sure your clothes aren’t too flamboyant so the viewers are going to become distracted by you.

            An important pointer to remember before leaving for a job is to always iron or steam your clothing beforehand. Wrinkly clothes are never going to help you get hired or rehired for another job. Your clothing is a reflection on YOU. Never wear any pants, dresses, or tops that could possibly wrinkle while in the car on your way to a job. (ie linen, cotton, and khaki) These fabrics should be slipped on at the shoot, not worn to the booking. It may be even wiser to choose to wear a wrinkle-free fabric such as rayon, polyester, or other synthetic materials.

            Never wear an outfit that is outdated unless properly specified by the client! Knit ties, parachute pants, belly shirts, and your Van Halan fan club tee-shirts are not appropriate for 2013. Keep these clothes in the eighties and nineties where they belong! To auditions, dress as if you were going to an interview. Your first impression could score you the job.

            Always remember that as well as dressing appropriate, it is also important to act appropriate. Refer to our last blog post for suitable behavior at auditions as well as on the job. Keep in mind that you are representing your agent as well as yourself. Do your best to make a POSITIVE, lasting impression on the client.  First impressions are lasting impressions- just like your mom always said.

Thank you Sydney for your input on this topic! You have a very bright future!

Somebody's watching you....

I wanted to share an excerpt from an email I sent to all of my talent. It was an email that pertained to proper conduct for an audition...It is something that a lot of people who attend auditions don't think about...

 Whenever you go to an audition you are to behave like a professional from the moment you walk in the door because it is possible that you are being WATCHED. This means even waiting in the outer room before you are in front of the client. Here is an example of why:
This week we were invited to a large audition and one of the clients was paying attention to the talent at an audition...all day...from the MOMENT talent arrived. Yes, that includes those who were complaining and grumbling and then were all smiles for audition- they were busted...and it was noted next to their name.

Complaining and grumbling about having to wait at an audition is not being professional. (and there is a reason that these are called cattle calls :) Some of the talent actually jeopardized their place in the production before they even auditioned. The client had the opportunity to see the talent as they really are. Some may thing this is unfair but hey: If they book you, they have to spend a day with you and both of your personalities. Doesn't sound that unfair to me.

I do teach this to new models when they join but it bears repeating.

Here's another tidbit- when it comes to behavior in the casting room waiting room: Low key is the way to go. The waiting room is no place for peacocking. If someone asks your advice give it privately and quietly. No boasting or bragging. It is a great place to run lines, make the polite and casual acquaintance of other talent, read, listen to music etc...it is no place to hold court and try to be the BMOC.
Here are a few more things we have heard from clients here and there that I would like to pass along:

• Make sure your clothes are clean , CURRENT, pressed and nice looking. Make a great impression as if you are going to a job interview.

Your mom was right- you never get a second chance to make a first impression...

New Model photos!

I am going to start posting some great model pics on this blog from now on (at least I will give it the old college try!) I see so many bad photos its a good thing exposure to them doesn't cause blindness or I would have a seeing eye dog by now.
A good model photo is well lit and shows the models face well looking nice and natural. The rest of the photos should show different poses and expressions. They ALL should be nicely lit (even natural light is nice as below) and they should be appropriate to the market place. In upstate NY we want a variety of shots that show first a great smiling head shot then (for adults) a business shot, a casual shot (ie upscale consumer) and then possibly athletic etc. Those are the basics. In no case to we want overly photo shopped, all sun glassed, hooded, ANGRY, overly accessorized shots that hide YOU. The client needs to see you to hire you. You can't fool an art director with photoshopped/overly accessorized shenanigans.

o that I can show people what good photos look like. I have been getting
Cute Dominic!