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How to Pursue Acting & Modeling Jobs (Non-Union)
  By John Vizzusi

 
The Headshot & Composite Photos
Find a Local Photographer that specializes in Headshots. View his or her work first. Tell them you are just starting out and need their best work for the lowest price. Black & White is normal for Actors, Color is OK for Models and Composites (Multiple Imaging) if you are pursuing both!

The Headshot is the single most important way a Agent, Producer or Director can see the way you look and can identify the image you want to have others see you on camera.
   
Registering with an Agency
Never pay an upfront fee for any service a so-called Agency may ask you for. A Licensed Talent and or Modeling Agency never accepts a fee until you are hired and booked on a job and then they may take a 10% Fee for your earnings but only after you have been paid. So to register your Headshot with a Licensed Agency is FREE OF CHARGE to do so. If you are accepted into an Agencies Database, you must be ready to work at anytime. Be aware that since you are Non-Union, some Agencies will not accept you, so please call them first to make sure they will.

Again, if the so-called Agency says you are not qualified and must go to their School for Acting Lessons, have your Picture taken for a website and must use their Photographer or have a Video shot of yourself and you must pay in advance for these services, simply walk away and do not use these services and please warn others to their activities as well.
   

The Audition
When the Agency calls and your Agent instructs you to an Audition you must be ready for anything. An "Open Call" for Non-Union local Talent is usually reserved for low paying Extra Roles and Non-Speaking parts. Models may be needed for Trade Shows and to Sponsor Products and Actors may be needed for Movies and TV Shows shooting in your area. Make sure you have Photo Identification such as a Drivers License with you and you will be asked to sign a Release Form. A Release assures your rights during the Audition process and points out that Photos or Video of you will be taken and they can use this material for Publicity. If you have any questions signing the form, ask them there and now! Be prepared as advised by your Agent to have a 1 minute Dramatic or Comedic Monolog ready to go if called upon to audition for a potential speaking part as well. If you are hired on the shoot as an Extra, you will be notified usually that very day and you will receive instructions, times and a map of where to go. If you get the job and are still confused, ask to talk to the Extra's Casting Director or the 2nd Assistant Director and they will instruct you what to do.

If they want you for a more serious Role then they will ask for a "Call Back" in which your Agent will notify you that you will be auditioned again. If you are hired or not, write your Agent a Letter thanking them.


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