Acting in Columbus Newsletter | March 2009: Columbus Indie Club

Columbus Indie Club

Columbus IndieClub meets on the third Monday of each month at the Landmark Gateway movie theater located at 1550 N. High St. Columbus Ohio. Meetings are free and open to everyone. Our meetings feature screenings of independent short movies, discussions & presentations on processes behind putting a movie together. Our next meeting will be on Monday March 16th @ 6:30PM. Special Guest: Kelley Baker - (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0048634/). We will be screening "Ironwerkz" - (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1138013/). If anyone has other short videos to screen feel free to bring them.

If you'd like to screen your movie at one of our upcoming meetings or if you'd like to donate to our door prize raffle (which is a great opportunity to promote your movie), or if you just have questions about IndieClub please contact the group leader at justin@temperedzealot.com. More information on IndieClub is available online at http://www.indieclub.com/ and those interested in becoming a FREE member of Columbus IndieClub should sign up at the main site, login then go to http://columbus.indieclub.com.

Audition. A formally arranged session (usually by appointment through an agent) for an actor to display his or her talents when seeking a role in an upcoming production of a play, film or television project.

Callback. A second audition where an actor is either presented to the producer and director or, in the case of commercials, is filmed on tape again for final consideration.

Cold Reading. Delivering a speech or acting a scene at an audition without having read it beforehand.

Cue Cards. The large flash cards that have an actor’s script printed on them and that are read when auditioning for a role in a TV commercial.

Monologue. A speech used by an actor to demonstrate his or her ability at an audition.

Open Casting Calls. Auditions open to anyone.

Scene Study and Analysis. A pre-audition practice of studying a few pages of a script ahead of time.

Screen Test. A recorded audition to determine a person’s suitability as an actor for film or television.

Sides. Designated scenes pulled out of an entire script to be used for auditions.

Sign-in Sheet. Exhibit E SAG/AFTRA Audition Report which an actor fills out and initials upon arrival at a casting office.

Signing Out. The act of entering the time you exit an audition on the Exhibit E Sign-in Sheet.

Slate. The act of stating your name and agency on a commercial audition while being videotaped.

Typed-out. The elimination of an actor during auditions because of such obvious features as height, weight or age.

An agent is an actor's representative. Once an agent Represents you, you are his or her "client." They will submit you for roles and try to get you seen by casting directors. They will take 10% union - 20 % non-union and print work, of your gross pay once you book a job. They will negotiate your fees and your contracts, and are your greatest professional advocate.Agents represent lots and lots of wonderful actors. They're busy, and they may not even be looking for new clients. Getting any agent is hard enough, so how do you go about getting a great one?

There are three basic ways an actor gets an agent. They are:1. The agent sees your work and calls you in for an interview.2. You are recommended to the agent by a casting director, director, producer, acting teacher or fellow actor who is a client of that agent.3. The agent calls you in for an interview because of your P/R (photo and resume), which he or she received in the mail.Getting an agent to see your work is the best way to get representation, because they really need to get to know your work before they can represent you to the best of their ability. Even if you get an agent interested via another route, they'll probably want to see you have some training and/or experience before they'll represent you.

The most basic way to approach agents or managers in your entertainment career is of course the mailed-in submission, which consists of a cover letter, résumé, and headshot(s). You may also include a reel, if you have one. When it comes to assembling your packet, it's generally best to keep things simple. After all, agents and managers have seen every gimmick in the book - from food to party favors - and these gimmicks usually end up in the trash. But if you're in a play or showcase that spotlights your talent particularly well, invite reps to see you.

How important are franchised agents? Very! A talent agent can be an actor’s greatest ally, strongest supporter and best business partner. Franchised agents place the interests of their actor clients above their own. They do more than just seek out work opportunities for their clients. They also make sure actors are paid a decent wage, assist the actor negotiate and sign union contracts and help make the workplace a safe environment. Choosing a franchised talent agent is one of the most important choices a performer can ever make.