Posts tagged acting opportunities
The Good, The Bad and The Edible of the MTV VMA’s…
Sep 13th
MTV comments on the good, the bad and the edible from the VMA’s: Between fits of laughter and streams of tears, shiny Moonmen and meat dresses aplenty, the 2010 MTV Music Video Awards were not to be missed. Sunday’s award ceremony was jam-packed with memorable moments that caught even the most casual viewer off guard, and while summarizing the entire show in 60 seconds might seem like an impossible feat, the MTV News team is always up for a challenge!
Although the purpose of the evening was to celebrate and honor the greatest musical achievements of the year, some of the show’s performers couldn’t stop themselves from embracing their sadder sides, with melancholy tunes coming from the likes of Linkin Park, Taylor Swift and even Eminem. In fact, it was Slim Shady himself that kicked off the VMAs with his opening performance of “Not Afraid,” which he followed up with a brief rendition of domestic violence-themed “Love the Way You Lie” alongside surprise special guest Rihanna. (Well, gossip sites pretty much ruined that surprise for everyone but Jane Lynch, actually.)
LIONSGATE(R) Roars With Record 26 Emmy(R) Nominations for its Acclaimed Series MAD MEN, NURSE JACKIE and WEEDS
Jul 8th
MAD MEN TOPS DRAMA SERIES CATEGORY FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR WITH RECORD-BREAKING 17 NOMINATIONS INCLUDING OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES, JON HAMM AS LEAD ACTOR AND JANUARY JONES AS LEAD ACTRESS
NURSE JACKIE SCORES 8 COMEDY NOMINATIONS INCLUDING OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES AND LEAD ACTRESS FOR EDIE FALCO
LIONSGATE’s ® (NYSE: LGF) acclaimed AMC drama MAD MEN and hit Showtime comedies NURSE JACKIE and WEEDS earned a total of 26 Emmy® nominations today, a record for the studio, including nods for both MAD MEN and NURSE JACKIE in the Outstanding Series categories.
MAD MEN, winner of back-to-back Emmys® the past two years for Outstanding Drama Series, topped the category again this year with 17 nominations breaking its previous record of 16, including nods for Outstanding Drama Series, Lead Actor (Jon Hamm), Lead Actress (January Jones), Supporting Actress (Christina Hendricks and Elisabeth Moss), Supporting Actor (John Slattery), Guest Actor (Robert Morse), Writing, Directing and Cinematography.
The Company’s hit Showtime comedy NURSE JACKIE earned eight nominations, the most for any series in Showtime’s history, led by an Emmy® nod for Outstanding Comedy Series and a nomination for Edie Falco for Outstanding Lead Actress. WEEDS earned a nomination for Outstanding Cinematography.
“The continued success of MAD MEN, NURSE JACKIE More >
Casting for disabled actors
Mar 3rd
Acting opportunities exist for disabled actors trying to build their entertainment careers. Organizations also protect disabled actors and ensure that they are treated fairly and equally in the entertainment industry.
In 2005, the Screen Actors Guild reported that one-third of the union’s disabled members could find film or television work. Though the SAG concluded that more acting opportunities could exist for disabled people, they admitted that conditions for disabled actors pursuing their entertainment careers are improving.
In 2008, the SAG launched a campaign to promote awareness of actors with disabilities. Organizations like Casting for Disabled Actors serve as advocates for disabled actors pursuing entertainment careers. The mission statement of Casting for Disabled Actors is “to provide equal and honest representation to disabled actors and actresses in the film and television industry.”
If you are a disabled actor pursuing acting opportunities and an entertainment career, don’t be discouraged! You can find work in the entertainment industry, and many people and organizations are looking out for you.
How child actors reinvent themselves as they grow up
Mar 3rd
As they grow up, many child actors need to reinvent themselves in order to secure acting opportunities. The kids’ talent that may have made them marketable as children might not work for an older child. How can a child actor reinvent him or herself?
Acting opportunities for older children will require maturity and more emotional range. Parents can help develop their kids’ talent by giving their children greater responsibilities. The child actor trying to reinvent him or herself should have more input at auditions and shoots.
Reinventing yourself doesn’t mean that you’re a failure. It just means that you must grow as a person and open yourself to new acting opportunities. A kid’s talent may change as he or she older; a child can develop skills like singing or dancing. These are new skills that children can add to a resume, further increasing their chances of securing acting opportunities.
What should you expect in a talent agent’s contract?
Mar 3rd
When a talent agent presents you with the opportunity to sign a contract, you should first understand all the elements of the contract before you commit to it. Make sure you are serious about pursuing your career in entertainment and ask yourself if you feel confident that this agent will help you obtain acting opportunities.
Is the contract exclusive or non-exclusive? If the contract is exclusive, you will not be able to pursue acting opportunities with any other talent agency until your contract expires. If the contract is non-exclusive, you are free to develop your career in entertainment by working with any other talent agency; however, doing so is discouraged.
Study the terms of the contract. Will your agent receive commission even when they don’t directly provide you with acting opportunities? How much will your agent earn? The typical percentage that agents earn is between 10 and 15 percent. What is the duration of the contract, and how will this affect your career in entertainment? Talent agency contracts usually last 12 months, but some can last up to 24 months.
Make sure you ask lots of questions; learn the contract like the back of your hand and consider all the pros and cons. More >
What Is the Role of the Parent at a Photoshoot of Audition?
Mar 3rd
Parents interested in helping develop their kid’s talent should know how to behave at acting opportunities. Many parents often wonder: what is their role at a photoshoot or audition? Depending on the child’s age, parents need to understand how to behave during these sessions.
Most likely, parents will need to drive their children to acting opportunities, which means they will be present when their kids showcase their talent. At the audition, parents will usually wait in the lobby or outside the location, but they won’t enter the audition room.
When the acting opportunity is for a baby, the mother or father will usually carry the baby into the audition room. The casting directors will ask about the baby’s personality: does he or she cry a lot, can he or she walk and talk?
If the parent can’t be present to support their kid’s talent, the child can bring another adult like a nanny, neighbor, or grandparent. A parent wouldn’t want a child to miss acting opportunities because they can’t be present at the audition!
What Are Residuals?
Mar 3rd
When you begin your career in acting, you will probably encounter lots of words and phrases that you have never heard before. Obtaining acting opportunities will mean that you will have to understand contracts and decipher the language of the acting industry. One word that you might hear, “residuals”, is something that you will need to understand.
Residuals are payments made to talent in commercials; every time a commercial is used and reused, the talent is paid in residuals. While you are pursuing other acting opportunities, you might still be paid the money from your residuals.
Those pursuing a career in acting should know that residuals are different for actors in commercials, television, and film. Union and non-union actors have different pay schedules. Be sure to read the contract so that you know exactly what your residuals will be, and ask if you have any questions.
What is a typical pay for a commercial?
Mar 3rd
When you’re starting your entertainment career, you will probably wonder how much acting opportunities pay. Union and non-union actors usually have different kinds of deals. Keep in mind that, even if you are a non-union actor, you will be paid on a union scale if you’re working on a union shoot.
At the beginning of your entertainment career, you will be a non-union actor. Non-union actors usually work on a buy-out deal, which means the actor will receive a lump sum of money, and the commercial will be used for a specific period of time. Non-union actors usually pay their agents themselves.
For acting opportunities in commercials, child actors usually make about $500. Every time the commercial appears on television, the commercial will have a schedule rate of payments. An actor can make much more, depending on how often the commercial runs.
Regardless of the acting opportunity, make sure you safeguard your entertainment career by agreeing to the terms before you start your work. You don’t want anyone to take advantage of you, and you should be clear about how much money you will be compensated.
Is Entourage any reflection of the entertainment industry?
Mar 3rd
Have you ever watched HBO’s “Entourage” and wondered if it accurately portrays the entertainment industry? Does the relationship between agent Ari Gold and actor Vincent Chase represent real life relationships between agents and actors? If you want to pursue an entertainment career, you should be able to separate fact from fiction.
Ari Gold is an arrogant go-getter who presents his clients with acting opportunities. According to some sources, Ari’s character is based on the personality of real-life agent Ari Emanuel. Emanuel founded Endeavor Talent Agency, which merged with William Morris Agency. Emanuel represents high-profile clients like Mark Wahlberg and Martin Scorsese.
However, small talent agencies don’t always have the advantage of securing high-profile clients. They are just trying to find acting opportunities for new, fresh talent. They must cultivate relationships with promising talent and cut the glamorous deal-making.
If you’re interested in pursuing an entertainment career, be sure to do your research. Shows like “Entourage” overlook many of the gritty, less glamorous details of the entertainment industry.
Chances of getting discovered as an actor
Mar 3rd
Actress Natalie Portman, famous for her role as Queen Amidala in “Star Wars”, was discovered in a pizza parlor when she was just 11 years old. Though she started her career as a model, she opened herself to acting opportunities and is now an actress who has been nominated for Oscars. Though stories like this might make you feel hopeful, just remember all the talented young people in the world aspiring to become and actors. If you want to become an actor or actress, know that being “discovered” is a rare phenomenon.
However, you can increase your chances of being discovered by an agent and opening yourself up to acting opportunities. First, understand the entertainment industry. Make sure you show up to all acting opportunities, even if you’re not sure about them.
If you really want to become an actor or actress, consider offering your talents for free; if you’re funny, ask your friends if you can do a stand-up comedy show at the next birthday party. If you want to be a model, offer to be a model for a friend who’s an aspiring photographer. Participate in community theatre.
The truth is that the biggest component of finding acting opportunities is luck More >
