Classes, Workshops, and Seminars are popping up all around Wayne County. Check one
of these sites to get involved and learn more:
We have been getting a lot of phone inquires about being cast in one of the productions
that are shooting in the area. Metro-Detroit Casting Director, Carrie Ray (of Carrie
Ray Casting) has been involved in casting many of the productions that have come
through the State. She has graciously put together an Information Guide for actors.
Please use this resource; it is filled with tons of valuable information!
Carrie Ray Casting
Television: Film: Commercials: Print: Industrials: Real People
Actors Information Guide
The difference between a CASTING DIRECTOR and a TALENT AGENT
A casting director works for the production company and along with talent agents.
They do not represent actors. You can submit one headshot (via mail) for a casting
director to keep on file, but don’t expect to hear back from them or to be in communication
with them as they mostly work through talent agents. Occasionally a casting director
may call someone in directly.
A talent agent works for actors and along with casting directors. If you want to
start working as an actor, you need to get an agent. They are the most reliable
source for audition information. Each agency has different protocol for taking on
new talent. The four union franchised Michigan agencies are:
The I Group Model and Talent Management
29540 Southfield Rd, Suite 200
Southfield, MI 48076
P: 248.552.8842
F: 248.552.9866
E:
"Click here to email The I GROUP"
Talent Shop
30100 Telegraph Road, Suite 116,
Bingham Farms, Michigan, USA
248.644.4877
Productions Plus
30600 Telegraph Rd # 2156
Bingham Farms, MI 48025
(248) 644-5566
Charlie’s Agency
1350 Old Skokie Rd, Suite 202
Highland Park, IL 60035
847-831-8833
contact@Charliestalentagency.com
You can have more than one agent, but eventually it is a good idea to commit to
only one or two. It is NEVER necessary to pay an agent anything up front. Legitimate
agencies only take their commission after they have booked you on a job.
Until you get an agent, you can occasionally find audition information on Craig’s
List and on the Michigan Film office website, but just be sure to use caution if
you chose to attend. Craig’s list isn’t monitored. No one should ask you to pay
to audition for anything.
HEADSHOT AND RESUME — Your first impression and your business card
Getting a professional headshot is key for any working actor. You will need to invest
anywhere from $250-600 for good shots. Don’t waste your time or money on shots done
by a friend or someone who doesn’t work in the business because chances are that
your agent will want you to redo them eventually. If you are new to the business,
temporary unprofessional shots will suffice while you do your homework—meet with
photographers, other actors, and get recommendations from talent agents to find
a great photographer. This is your first impression. It’s what can get you an agent
or get a casting director to audition you. Be sure your headshot shows your personality
and has “life” to it.
Your resume should list any performance related work you have done, classes you
have taken, and your contact information. If you have a very specialized skill,
it’s good to list that as well. Be honest and keep it organized and clear. If you
worked as an extra, you need to state that it was extra work. Do not just list it
as a character title—that is misleading. ALWAYS ATTACH YOUR RESUME TO YOUR HEADSHOT,
especially when going to an audition or mailing in your headshot to an agent or
casting director.
THE AUDITION
An actor’s job is to audition. You will most likely audition more than you will
work. You must take your auditions seriously. Chances are that there were a limited
amount of spots and you were given one. Be sure you leave a professional impression
so you will be asked back for another audition. Take classes that put you in front
of camera and help you to work on your audition skills. Every time you are in front
of a camera or in an audition, you grow.
Audition tips:
- Get as much information as possible beforehand. Some key information to ask: IS
THERE A SCRIPT OR STORY BOARD THAT I CAN GET AHEAD OF TIME? When does it shoot?
When are callbacks? If it isn’t union, what does it pay? What should I wear? Do
I need to upload my headshot on an online site?
(some casting directors use www.nowcasting.com
or www.castit.com. It is free for actors to
upload their information to either site )
- If there is script, do your best to MEMORIZE it before the audition. It will free
you up and give you an advantage if you are not holding your script in your hands.
If that is not possible, at least be very familiar with it.
- Arrive no earlier than 15 minutes. Do not be late.
- Don’t wear white, black, bright red, or heavy patterns because it will affect the
camera.
- Bring two copies of your headshot with resume attached just to be safe. It is very
unprofessional to attend an audition without any sort of picture/resume.
- Be sure to sign in upon arrival and sign out (for union jobs) when you leave
- Have fun in the audition. Try to relax and bring your own personality into the room.
For on camera auditions, it is usually important that you are subtle, real, and
truthfully connected (there are exceptions to how sublte in some cases of course).
Remember that the person you are auditioning for wants you to succeed. They are
on your team!
- After you leave the audition room, LET IT GO. Do not be persistent in trying to
contact your agent or the casting director to find out how you did, or if the job
booked yet, or did you get a callback (unless you have a schedule conflict that
you need to clear). You should clear your head and just focus on your next audition.
There is a role for everyone at some point in time. Be persistent in learning and
growing and remember that being an actor is A BUSINESS and you need to market yourself
and carry yourself like you are the CEO!
Carrie Ray : Casting Director
1012 S. Washington Ave.
Royal Oak, MI 48067
248-548-8522
carrie@carrieraycasting.com
www.carrieraycasting.com
Henry Ford Community College:
Multimedia Design Program
Earn a Multimedia Certificate. Designers working in multimedia must be able to blend
animation, audio, video, and graphic design into a cohesive arrangement.
Madonna University:http://www.madonna.edu/pages/tvc.cfm
Broadcast and Cinema Arts program prepares students for careers in broadcast, film,
and new media industries.
Wayne State University -
http://comm.wayne.edu/film.php
Offers undergraduate students the opportunity to examine cinema from a variety of
perspectives.
University of Michigan – Dearborn
- http://gamelab.cis.umd.umich.edu/index.html
Courses and Laboratory where students can use sophisticated hardware and software
to create computer games that contain user interactions that are as rich and exciting
as those found in commercial games.