Business of Acting Flashcards
AEA
Actor’s Equity Association
Theater Union
SAG/AFTRA
Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists- Film/TV Radio Union
AEA and SAG/AFTRA as unions
AEA and SAG/AFTRA used to be 2 separate unions until they got merged in 2012
2 Major Markets for Actors
New York City + Los Angeles
Other Markets
Chicago, Ilinois
- Could Easily be considered the 3rd Market
20 Years Ago
- Los Angeles: If you wanted to pursue a film/tv career
- New York City: If you wanted to become a theater and Broadway Star
- Chicago: You went here if NYC didn’t work out. Chicago only had theater with very little film/tv work
Today
- Los Angeles: still primary film/tv but they have thriving theater community too
- NYC: still primary theater, but with more tv/film opportunities. Cost of living is high
- Chicago: thriving in both film and theater. Not as expensive as NYC
After Picking NYC…
- Once you find a place to live, you need a “Survival Job”
- You’ll need to get headshots taken
- Create an acting resume
Survival Job
Any job that pays the bills, but still gives you the flexibility to go to auditions
- Waiter
- Temp Employee
- Teaching
Headshots
- Professional Pictures taken of you for the purpose of identification
- Primary Tool for actors to promote themselves
- They should represent you
Photo Session
- Ranges from $100-$700
- Includes 100’s of shots taken
- Can have numerous outfits or looks
2 Primary Headshots
- Dramatic
- Comedic
- Sometimes you’ll choose a 3rd headshot for commercials or with facial hair
After Selecting 2-3 Headshots…
- Photographer sends chosen pictures to reproduction company
- They will mass produce your headshots on heavy stock paper
- Although most submissions are digital, still need physical copy of headshots to audition
Resumes Include
- Personal Info
- Acting Experience
- Education
- Special Skills
Personal Info in Resume
- Height
- Weight
- Hair Color/Eye Color no longer required because headshots are in color now
- Contact Info: either personal or agent
Acting Experience in Resume
- Theater
- Film/TV
- Commercial Work usually done in seperate resume
Education in Resume
- Acting
- Voice
- Movement
- Stage Combat
- Dialects
Special Skills in Resumes
- Juggling
- Tricks
- Drivers License
Where to find work
- Backstage Magazine
- Online Services
How Actors promote themselves
- Actors can create their own website that includes thier entire portfolio
- Actors can also have an social media to
Non Equity Actors/Auditions
- Goal is to become Equity Actor
- Go to Open Calls
How To Become Equity Actor
- Gain 50 Equity Membership Candidate points to become an Equity Actor
- 1 point=1 week of rehearsals/performances
- OR get hired by theater that can “turn” you Equity
Open Calls
An audition that one doesn’t need an appointment for. Go to open call and sign up for an udition slot.
Sides
Scenes or portions of scenes given to an actor ahead of time to be performed in front of the director
Equity Actor Auditions without Agent
- Similar to Non-Equity Actor Auditioning
- Equity Principal Auditions
Equity Principal Auditions (EPA)
- Line up at 6/7 AM outside Equity building in nYC to get audition slot for later in the day
- Now you can book timeslots online
- Usually no director in the room
The Agent
What most actors work hard to get because they can get you into big auditions.
Equity Actor Audition with an Agent
- Casting Director sends out a notice stating the project their casting and what types of people they’re looking for
- Agent reads notices and submits headshots if they think you fit the type
- Casting Director accepts submission and gives agent audition time for the actor
Casting Director
- Sends out a notice stating the project their casting and what types of people they’re looking for
- Is hired by the theater
- Works with director and various agents to find the right actors for the roles being cast
Table Work
- Takes place in 1st Rehearsal
- Breaking down the script for meaning and understanding by analyzing every moment of the play
- Can last a few days
Blocking
- The stage movements created by a collaboration between actor and director
- Subject to Change
Technical Rehearsal
When all of the technical and artistic elements of a production come together on stage without an audience
1st Preview
- First time performing in front of an audience
- Chance for actors to sense whether something works or not
- Rehersals are still held
Opening Night
- 1st time critics are in the audience
Strike
Taking down of the set or removal of set pieces or props in rehearsal
