Casting Technology NewsWe have been researching various new technologies for use in casting.
We are now using the "Casting Frontier" system for ALL of our commercial and industrial auditions (union and non-union).
This system has been in use around the country for a while, most of the commercial casting directors in LA use it, in New York, Beth Melsky and Donna deSeta, Donna Belajac in Pittsburgh + others.
This is a FREE SERVICE to the actor. It is designed to streamline the casting process, and what/how the director sees the auditions.
EVERY ACTOR MUST be on the SYSTEM before he/she attends an audition. NO EXCEPTIONS!
It's easy.
Follow the directions on the "Technology and the Actor" page...BACKGROUND TALENT DO's and DON'T'sAt booking:
Be sure that you are available for the day (and night!). Many times, a shooting day can be 14-16 hours long. Please don't commit to the day if you can't complete the day.
Many times, extras are booked on very short notice. Please be sure we have the best number where you can be reached at all times. Keep your cell phone turned on!
Know your union status. If you are non-union, you may receive a "waiver" for the day. But, you have a limited amount of waivers that you can receive. Be sure you KNOW how many you have already!
Have a pen and paper ready! You will be given:
• Wardrobe specifications - listen carefully, these will be specific. What season clothing should you bring? Are there any colors prohibited? Usually, Black, white, red, wild colors and logos are prohibited.
• Location to report - Be sure you know where you're going. Buy a good map of the area. (unfortunately, the internet maps are NOT reliable)
• Call time - Be on time! The production company has the right to dismiss any extra who is late for call time. Take into consideration if your call time is around rush hour or if there is construction along your way.
• You are not officially booked until you receive a call time. Call times are generally not released until the film finishes shooting on the previous day. You may not get that call until late in the evening. If it is a night shoot, we probably will call you the morning of the shooting day with your call time.
• MANY TIMES, booking info will be published on our WEBSITE, under "Special Projects'. Be sure to check it!
On set:
• Bring a PEN and your ID with you. Drivers License + Social Security card are standard acceptable forms of ID (according to the government). A valid passport is also good.
• Leave your valuables at home, but bring busywork - there's always lots of down time on a set.
• Pay attention to your "wrangler". There is always a crew member assigned to background talent. He/she needs to know where you are at ALL times. Please don't wander outside of assigned areas.
• Cell phones and pagers must be off or on vibrate! Also, leave cameras at home.
• If they request to use your car in the shot, be sure it has a full tank of gas. You may also be asked to bring a specific prop ( briefcase, bookbag, etc.) Generally, you are reimbursed for use of these things.
Pay:
• You will fill out a pay voucher on set, receive a copy for your records and a check will be mailed to your home, usually within 2-3 weeks. If there is any problem with your check, please do NOT call us!
• All payroll issues should be directed to the payroll company listed on your pay voucher. Also, your employer for unemployment purposes is the same payroll company (not the production company.)
• Your money will NOT be released to you unless you have supplied the required ID. Be sure that you bring photocopies of it with you!
PLEASE NOTE:
Procedures for payment may be different on a NON-UNION project. In those cases, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for sending an invoice to the producer for your services. Be sure to get billing information when you are booked.
Extra WorkTo be considered for extra work (also known as "background"), please download and print out our Talent Information Form (requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader). Complete the form and mail it to us with a current snapshot of yourself attached. Also, be sure that your name and phone numbers are written on the back of the photo. Please DO NOT E-MAIL any pictures !
Submitting yourself for extra work does NOT mean that you will be considered for principal auditions.
All talent will be called directly for booking for extra work. We will NOT book you through an agent for extra work. According to the union contract, actors are NOT permitted to pay any commission on extra work.Monthly Open Call ProcedureHeery Casting holds a monthly open call for new actors on the second Monday of every month.
We limit the number of actors seen to allow ample time to see everyone fairly.
To sign up for the open call, please call our office on the Saturday previous to the open call to reserve your spot between the hours of 12 Noon and 1 PM only. You will be assigned a specific appointment time.
The next open call will be on MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2010, with phone in registration on Saturday, AUGUST 7, 2010.- *Please note- your registration MUST be left on the correct extension (#108) or it will NOT be registered. Phone in time is between 12 Noon and 1 PM ONLY. Be sure to listen for your assigned day and appointment time. That will only be assigned on extension #108.
Please bring with you:
2 copies of your professional picture and resume (with resume attached to the back)
A 1 to 2 minute monologue prepped at performance level
The open call is a general audition for consideration for principal work.
We do NOT see children under age 18 at the open call. Children are only seen through an appointment made by an agent or Manager. Also, adult actors with professional representation may also be seen by a private appointment time made by their respective agent or manager.
Phone calls for the open call are ONLY accepted on the Saturday previous to the open call date. Please DO NOT call on any other day.
Our address is 263 North Lawrence St., Phila., PA 19106
For directions, please click on the "Directions" tab.
Phone: 215-238-9240, ext 108.
Sep 03 2008 TECHNOLOGY and the ACTORAs actors, it is your responsibility to keep your information updated at all times and be aware of which services are being utilized by the industry. Use them to your advantage!
There are many websites that offer their services to the actor; we ONLY use those that do not charge anything to the actor.
We subscribe to the "Casting Frontier" system for ALL of our commercial and industrial auditions (union and non-union).
This system has been in use around the country for a while, most of the commercial casting directors in LA use it, in New York, Beth Melsky and Donna deSeta, Donna Belajac in Pittsburgh + others.This is a FREE SERVICE to the actor. It is designed to streamline the casting process, and what/how the director sees the auditions.
EVERY ACTOR MUST be on the SYSTEM before he/she attends an audition. NO EXCEPTIONS!
It's easy:
1. Go to: www.castingfrontier.com
2. select "new profile" on left hand side
3. select Philadelphia
4. select basic profile -FREE
5. complete profile and click SAVE (and remember your user name and password so you can make changes)
6. print out page with your ID number and BAR CODE (yes, BAR CODE!- welcome to the new millenium!)
7. bring your ID number and BAR CODE with you to your audition.
This ID number will used at ANY affiliated casting facility around the country where you might audition . (Keep it in your wallet-
some actors get it laminated)
One of the many advantages is that the "size card" is already completed online with your profile- so the actor NEVER fills out
a size card again! AND the actor can always keep the profile updated with any changes (new hair color, weight change, etc)
We will take a digital photo here at the studio on the day of the audition. Again, this is FREE TO THE ACTOR!
EVERYONE AUDITIONING MUST HAVE AN ID NUMBER AND BAR CODE.
“iActor” is a free service offered to all SAG members. (sorry, only SAG members) We use “iActor” for every union job that
we work on. It is to your advantage as a SAG actor to have your information listed there. It’s also a great service for talent for
keeping dues paid, etc.
If you have not yet listed your information on iActor, please be sure to do it soon. If you are listed, please check that your most
current phone information is listed. (Some folks have mysteriously left their phone number blank)
For more information, please go to: www.sag.org. Log on and click on “iActor.”
...AND, there are a couple of other services that we use from time to time, usually on feature films. The service is chosen by
the producer or studio. If we are using one of the other services, we will tell you when you are given an appointment time for
an audition. Then you could log on, and create a profile prior to your audition. Again, any listing would be FREE for the actor.
Links:
www.castingfrontier.com
www.sag.org
We are now using the "Casting Frontier" system for ALL of our commercial and industrial auditions (union and non-union).
This system has been in use around the country for a while, most of the commercial casting directors in LA use it, in New York, Beth Melsky and Donna deSeta, Donna Belajac in Pittsburgh + others.
This is a FREE SERVICE to the actor. It is designed to streamline the casting process, and what/how the director sees the auditions.
EVERY ACTOR MUST be on the SYSTEM before he/she attends an audition. NO EXCEPTIONS!
It's easy.
Follow the directions on the "Technology and the Actor" page...BACKGROUND TALENT DO's and DON'T'sAt booking:
Be sure that you are available for the day (and night!). Many times, a shooting day can be 14-16 hours long. Please don't commit to the day if you can't complete the day.
Many times, extras are booked on very short notice. Please be sure we have the best number where you can be reached at all times. Keep your cell phone turned on!
Know your union status. If you are non-union, you may receive a "waiver" for the day. But, you have a limited amount of waivers that you can receive. Be sure you KNOW how many you have already!
Have a pen and paper ready! You will be given:
• Wardrobe specifications - listen carefully, these will be specific. What season clothing should you bring? Are there any colors prohibited? Usually, Black, white, red, wild colors and logos are prohibited.
• Location to report - Be sure you know where you're going. Buy a good map of the area. (unfortunately, the internet maps are NOT reliable)
• Call time - Be on time! The production company has the right to dismiss any extra who is late for call time. Take into consideration if your call time is around rush hour or if there is construction along your way.
• You are not officially booked until you receive a call time. Call times are generally not released until the film finishes shooting on the previous day. You may not get that call until late in the evening. If it is a night shoot, we probably will call you the morning of the shooting day with your call time.
• MANY TIMES, booking info will be published on our WEBSITE, under "Special Projects'. Be sure to check it!
On set:
• Bring a PEN and your ID with you. Drivers License + Social Security card are standard acceptable forms of ID (according to the government). A valid passport is also good.
• Leave your valuables at home, but bring busywork - there's always lots of down time on a set.
• Pay attention to your "wrangler". There is always a crew member assigned to background talent. He/she needs to know where you are at ALL times. Please don't wander outside of assigned areas.
• Cell phones and pagers must be off or on vibrate! Also, leave cameras at home.
• If they request to use your car in the shot, be sure it has a full tank of gas. You may also be asked to bring a specific prop ( briefcase, bookbag, etc.) Generally, you are reimbursed for use of these things.
Pay:
• You will fill out a pay voucher on set, receive a copy for your records and a check will be mailed to your home, usually within 2-3 weeks. If there is any problem with your check, please do NOT call us!
• All payroll issues should be directed to the payroll company listed on your pay voucher. Also, your employer for unemployment purposes is the same payroll company (not the production company.)
• Your money will NOT be released to you unless you have supplied the required ID. Be sure that you bring photocopies of it with you!
PLEASE NOTE:
Procedures for payment may be different on a NON-UNION project. In those cases, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for sending an invoice to the producer for your services. Be sure to get billing information when you are booked.
Extra WorkTo be considered for extra work (also known as "background"), please download and print out our Talent Information Form (requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader). Complete the form and mail it to us with a current snapshot of yourself attached. Also, be sure that your name and phone numbers are written on the back of the photo. Please DO NOT E-MAIL any pictures !
Submitting yourself for extra work does NOT mean that you will be considered for principal auditions.
All talent will be called directly for booking for extra work. We will NOT book you through an agent for extra work. According to the union contract, actors are NOT permitted to pay any commission on extra work.Monthly Open Call ProcedureHeery Casting holds a monthly open call for new actors on the second Monday of every month.
We limit the number of actors seen to allow ample time to see everyone fairly.
To sign up for the open call, please call our office on the Saturday previous to the open call to reserve your spot between the hours of 12 Noon and 1 PM only. You will be assigned a specific appointment time.
The next open call will be on MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2010, with phone in registration on Saturday, AUGUST 7, 2010.- *Please note- your registration MUST be left on the correct extension (#108) or it will NOT be registered. Phone in time is between 12 Noon and 1 PM ONLY. Be sure to listen for your assigned day and appointment time. That will only be assigned on extension #108.
Please bring with you:
2 copies of your professional picture and resume (with resume attached to the back)
A 1 to 2 minute monologue prepped at performance level
The open call is a general audition for consideration for principal work.
We do NOT see children under age 18 at the open call. Children are only seen through an appointment made by an agent or Manager. Also, adult actors with professional representation may also be seen by a private appointment time made by their respective agent or manager.
Phone calls for the open call are ONLY accepted on the Saturday previous to the open call date. Please DO NOT call on any other day.
Our address is 263 North Lawrence St., Phila., PA 19106
For directions, please click on the "Directions" tab.
Phone: 215-238-9240, ext 108.
Sep 03 2008 TECHNOLOGY and the ACTORAs actors, it is your responsibility to keep your information updated at all times and be aware of which services are being utilized by the industry. Use them to your advantage!
There are many websites that offer their services to the actor; we ONLY use those that do not charge anything to the actor.
We subscribe to the "Casting Frontier" system for ALL of our commercial and industrial auditions (union and non-union).
This system has been in use around the country for a while, most of the commercial casting directors in LA use it, in New York, Beth Melsky and Donna deSeta, Donna Belajac in Pittsburgh + others.This is a FREE SERVICE to the actor. It is designed to streamline the casting process, and what/how the director sees the auditions.
EVERY ACTOR MUST be on the SYSTEM before he/she attends an audition. NO EXCEPTIONS!
It's easy:
1. Go to: www.castingfrontier.com
2. select "new profile" on left hand side
3. select Philadelphia
4. select basic profile -FREE
5. complete profile and click SAVE (and remember your user name and password so you can make changes)
6. print out page with your ID number and BAR CODE (yes, BAR CODE!- welcome to the new millenium!)
7. bring your ID number and BAR CODE with you to your audition.
This ID number will used at ANY affiliated casting facility around the country where you might audition . (Keep it in your wallet-
some actors get it laminated)
One of the many advantages is that the "size card" is already completed online with your profile- so the actor NEVER fills out
a size card again! AND the actor can always keep the profile updated with any changes (new hair color, weight change, etc)
We will take a digital photo here at the studio on the day of the audition. Again, this is FREE TO THE ACTOR!
EVERYONE AUDITIONING MUST HAVE AN ID NUMBER AND BAR CODE.
“iActor” is a free service offered to all SAG members. (sorry, only SAG members) We use “iActor” for every union job that
we work on. It is to your advantage as a SAG actor to have your information listed there. It’s also a great service for talent for
keeping dues paid, etc.
If you have not yet listed your information on iActor, please be sure to do it soon. If you are listed, please check that your most
current phone information is listed. (Some folks have mysteriously left their phone number blank)
For more information, please go to: www.sag.org. Log on and click on “iActor.”
...AND, there are a couple of other services that we use from time to time, usually on feature films. The service is chosen by
the producer or studio. If we are using one of the other services, we will tell you when you are given an appointment time for
an audition. Then you could log on, and create a profile prior to your audition. Again, any listing would be FREE for the actor.
Links:
www.castingfrontier.com
www.sag.org