Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xi
Foreword xiii
Preface xv
Introduction 1
Part I The Don'ts
1 Don't Apologize 7
Who Actually Casts the Show?
The Many Ways Actors Apologize
2 Don't Beg 25
"The Speech"
Gimmicks Equal Begging
Don't Lie to Us-That's Begging!
The Beverly Theory
Would I Hire a Beggar?
Sob Stories
The Dreadful Request
Don't Be Impolite
Crashing an Audition
3 Don't Hang Around the Audition so We Can Tell You How Good or Bad You Were 35
Time Spent in the Audition Means Nothing
Directors "Bargain" Roles
Leaving the Audition Room
4 Don't Ask Us What We're Looking For 45
Other Questions You Shouldn't Ask
Questions You Should Ask
5 Don't Put Down Another Actor in the Audition 53
What to Do With an Inexperienced Partner
"Dissing" Your Agent
"Dissing" the Script
Copping an Attitude
Upstaging Your Fellow Actors
6 Don't Audition in Clothes That Would Embarrass the Family Doctor 63
What You Shouldn't Wear
What You Should Wear
7 Don't Come into the Audition Playing the Part 69
Taking Direction
Don't Play the Extremes
Getting Personal
Playing to Your Personality
The "Purist" Actor
8 Don't Get Too Nervous 79
Why You Get Nervous
Is the Room Full of Experts?
Social Media
Owing Favors
The Importance of Training
The Waiting Room Competition
Reality Check
Part II The Do's
9 Do Get Professional Photos 99
What Is the Purpose of a Photo (to a Director)?
Finding the Right Photographer
The Types of Photos You Will Need
Prepping With the Photographer
When to Shoot Your Photos
Out-of-Date Photos
Personality in Photos
Should You Use Makeup?
Should You Retouch Your Photos?
Photo Wardrobe
Revealing Your Face
What About Glasses?
Photo Backgrounds
Where to Focus Your Eyes
Hiding Weight (or Anything Else)
What About Borders?
Product Names
What Separates a Good Photo From a Bad One?
Printing Your Name on the Photos
Reproducing Your Photos
10 Do Compose a Good Resume 125
The Purpose of the Resume (to a Director)
Contact Information
Listing of Unions
Your Age
Height, Weight, Eyes, Hair
Film Credits
Television Credits
Commercials
Stage Roles
Theatrical Training
Special Abilities
Writing Cute Things About Yourself
Dates
Local Awards
Order of Credits
Background Actors
Background Work
What to Do With Your Resume
11 Do Obtain the Best Agent Possible 155
What an Agent Can (and Can't) Do for You
Who to Contact for Representation
Determining Which Agents to Contact
Helpful Publications and Online Services
Contacting the Agents
Should You "Drop by" an Agent's Office?
The SAG-AFTRA Conservatory
Performing in Showcase Plays/Workshops
Keep Trying!
Big vs. Small Agent
The Importance and the Role of the Acting Unions
On Union Affiliation
Taft-Hardey
Submitting Footage of Yourself
Managers
12 Do Come Prepared for Your Meeting With the Agent 189
How to Dress
Be on Time
What to Bring
The Chitchat Session
13 Do Have the Best Possible Working Relationship With Your Agent 199
Agency Contracts
Escape Clauses
One Agent or More?
Actor/Agent Relationships
Is Your Agent Working for You?
Leaving an Agent
14 Do Understand the Entire Casting Process 211
TV and Film
Non-union Productions
Union Productions
Self-Tapes
Theatre
Types of Equity Productions
Equity Principal Auditions (EPA)
Work Permits and Minors
How Long Is a Minor Allowed to Work on Set?
Coogan Law
Food for Thought
15 Do Pursue Acting in Commercials 247
The Bucks
Getting into Commercial Auditions
During the Audition
Commercial Callbacks
Unions and Commercials
Voice-overs
Obtaining a Voice-over Agent
Parts Models
16 That's a Wrap 267
Logistics
A Good Attitude
"Character" Does Count
Final Words
Appendices
Appendix A List of Websites 275
Appendix B List of SAG-AFTRA Offices 277
Appendix C List of Equity Offices 279
Appendix D Steps to Joining SAG-AFTRA 281
Appendix E How to Join AEA (Equity) 285
Appendix F Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) Program 291
Glossary 295
About the Author 305
