The Business of Acting

Question 1

Approximately how many UNION theater actors are there in the country?

Answer 1

51,000

Question 2

Approximately how many of the UNION theater actors are on the east coast?

Answer 2

30,000

Question 3

Approximately how many of the UNION theater actors are in NYC?

Answer 3

26,000

Question 4

What does AEA stand for?

Answer 4

Actor’s Equity Association - Theater Union

Question 5

What does SAG / AFTRA stand for?

Answer 5

Screen Actors Guild / American Federation of Television and Radio Artists - Film / TV / Radio Union

Question 6

When did AEA and SAG/AFSTRA merge?

Answer 6

2012 (before then they were 2 separate unions)

Question 7

What are the 2 major Markets for Actors

Answer 7

1. NYC
2. LA

Question 8

What are other major markets for actors?

Answer 8

• Chicago, IL
  > Could easily be considered a 3rd major market
  > Increasing number of fil/tv jobs as well as a solid theater community
• Atlanta, GA
• Vancouver & Toronto, Canada

Question 9

Once you find a place to live, you’ll need a …

Answer 9

Survival job!

Question 10

List some examples of “survivor jobs”

Answer 10

• Waiter / Actress
• Temp employee
• Teaching
• Any job that pays the bills, but still gives you the flexibility to go to auditions

Question 11

What major market is known as “Hollywood North”?

Answer 11

Vancouver & Toronto, Canada

Question 12

To start in the acting business, you need…

Answer 12

1. “Survival Job”
2. Headshots
3. Resume

Question 13

Define headshots

Answer 13

Professional pictures taken of you for the purpose id identification.

Question 14

What are headshots used for?

Answer 14

• Promote themselves
• Represent you
• Mandatory to take a physical copy to an audition

Question 15

How much can a photo session cost?

Answer 15

Anywhere from $100 - $700+
- It includes 1000’s of shots taken, thanks to digital technology
- You can have numerous outfits “looks” during the session

Question 16

What are the 2 types of Primary Headshots?

Answer 16

Dramatic & Comedic

Question 17

Sometimes you’ll choose a 3rd headshot for…

Answer 17

commercials or perhaps one with facial hair

Question 18

Define resume

Answer 18

Shows the director what experience you have and what you’re capable of doing

Question 19

What should an acting resume include?

Answer 19

• Height
• Contact information: either personal contact or agent contact info
• Acting experience (theater, film/TV, this information can be switched around depending on what you are auditioning for)
• Education (acting, voice/movement, stage combat, dialects)
• Special Skills (juggling, tricks, driver’s License)

Question 20

What is no longer required on resume?

Answer 20

hair color/eye color

Question 21

To gain experience where would an actor find work?

Answer 21

• Backstage Magazine
• Online services: (Playbill.com, Actor’s Access, Broadway World, Individual theater websites)

Question 22

Why are websites and social media essential for an actor?

Answer 22

• One actor might be chosen over another because that actor has more followers on Instagram and/or Facebook

Question 23

What should the website of an actor include?

Answer 23

• Headshot / Resume
• Reel
• Reviews / Photo Galleries

Question 24

Explain Non-Equity Auditions

Answer 24

• Usually the director and/or casting director in the audition room (A reader is in the room if SIDES are used)
• You might find out of you got the part that day, within a week or 2, or sometimes never

Question 25

Define sides

Answer 25

Scenes or portions of scenes given to an actor ahead of time to be performed in front of the director

Question 26

The goal for a non-Equity actor is to...

Answer 26

...become an Equity actor.

Question 27

To become an Equity actor one can either:

Answer 27

- Equity Membership Candidate - work at least 25 weeks at participating professional theater - Get hired by a theater that will "turn" you Equity - NEW "Open Access": If you've received payment for acting from a professional theater, you can join Equity

Question 28

What is the Initiation fee, annual dues, and percentage of pay lost of an Equity Actor?

Answer 28

$1800 Initiation Fee, $176 annual dues, 2.5% of pay

Question 29

How is auditioning for Equity actors WITHOUT AN AGENT like?

Answer 29

Equity Principal Auditions - EPA's > You can sign up for time-slots online > Usually doesn't have the director in the room

Question 30

The Callback for Equity actor auditions

Answer 30

The director or the representative in the room might bring you back in to: > Have you audition in front of the director > See you do more sides from the play

Question 31

What is the purpose of having an Agent?

Answer 31

- They can get you into the "big" auditions - Agent showcases - The agent negotiates the contract, if you get the part

Question 32

How is auditioning for Equity actors WITH AN AGENT like?

Answer 32

- The Casting Director sends out a notice stating the project their casting and what types of people they're looking for - The Agent reads the notice and submits your headshot if they think you fit the type - The casting Director accepts the submission and gives the Agent audition time for the actor

Question 33

What is the role of a Casting Director?

Answer 33

- The casting director is hired by the theater - Works with director and various agents to find the right actors for the roles being cast

Question 34

Who is in the audition room? (Equity Actor Auditions)

Answer 34

- Director - Casting Director - Artistic Director of Theater - Associate Casting Director - Director's Assistant - Reader or readers

Question 35

Who is additionally in the audition room if it is a musical?

Answer 35

- Musical director - choreographer - accompanist - random people - pets

Question 36

What happens in the First rehearsal?

Answer 36

- Begins with a meat & greet - Director speaks - Design presentations - First read-through of the paly with full cast - After read-through, start "table-work"

Question 37

Define table work

Answer 37

Breaking down the script for meaning and understanding by analyzing every moment of the play

Question 38

How long does table work last?

Answer 38

A few days

Question 39

Once table work is done, ...

Answer 39

...the actors get on their feet and begin "blocking" the play

Question 40

Define blocking

Answer 40

The stage movement created by a collaboration between the actor and the director

Question 41

Once the show is "blocked":

Answer 41

- Will do a run-through of show - Start from the beginning and work through the show in more detail

Question 42

Define technical rehearsals

Answer 42

- It's when all of the technical and artistic elements of a production come together on stage without an audience - First time the actors are on stage

Question 43

The stage manager sets...

Answer 43

Light cues Sound Cues Set piece move cues

Question 44

Define 1st Preview

Answer 44

First time performing in front of an audience

Question 45

What is the purpose of 1st Preview?

Answer 45

- A chance for the actors to sense whether or not something in the show works - Useful for getting the technical "kinks" out - Rehearsals are still held for about 5 hours during the day

Question 46

What occurs on opening night?

Answer 46

- First time critics are in the audience - All the kinks are worked out, this is what audiences will see for the rest of the run

Question 47

What is usually at the end of Opening Night?

Answer 47

Opening Night Party!!!

Question 48

The Run of the Show

Answer 48

- Now that the show has opened, the stage manager maintains the shape and integrity of the show - Actors must continue to review character work and notes

Question 49

Closing night can be...

Answer 49

bitter-sweet

Question 50

What occurs on closing night?

Answer 50

- The set is "struck" that night or the next day - Sometimes there's a closing night party

Question 51

Define strike

Answer 51

The taking down of the set or removal of set pieces or props in rehearsal

Question 52

How long does the process take?

Answer 52

Around 2-4 months! Time to start the process all over again...