Month: May 2020

Terminology Tuesday – Hip-Pocket

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To piggyback off yesterday’s post about agents, we wanted to talk about hip-pocketing.  Hip-pocketing is the term that describes a relationship between an agent and an actor in which the agent agrees to send the actor out for opportunities without signing a formal contract.  First, let’s disclose that “hip-pocketing” is going to mean different things to different people. At its core, it means that you are not actually a client of the agency, but instead, someone they are keeping in …

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Monday Myth Debunker – I Need to be with a Top Agency to get Noticed

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Have you ever had this thought? Chances are if you haven’t, you’ve heard someone else say it (or at least a version of it).  Let’s go ahead and squash this myth once and for all.  It’s very very RARE that a casting office will limit or cater their breakdowns to only certain agencies. If we do, it’s usually because someone above our pay grade has specifically asked for a “name” for a particular role. When we know this is the …

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Terminology Tuesday – Approval

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AKA “waiting on approval” or “getting approval”⁠ ⁠ The beloved approval process ⌛️ It can sometimes be quick. It can sometimes be painstakingly slow. Either way, it’s going to be around for a while… so let’s break it down:⁠ ⁠ Approval is something that is needed from the studio & network in order for actors to receive an official offer for a role. In TV, the approval process is generally just the studio and network. Occasionally, it will be the …

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Monday Myth Debunkers – I Need a Headshot that POPS!

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What does that even mean? Headshots are not supposed to pop. They are photos. Of your face. ⁠ ⁠ All joking aside, we hear this… a lot. Sometime’s it’s another version, like, “what stands out to you in a headshot?” ⁠ ⁠ First, let’s take a moment to remind ourselves the purpose of a headshot. Its sole purpose is to show us what you physically look like. Sometimes you fit into what we’re looking for, sometimes you don’t. ⁠ ⁠ …

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Terminology Tuesday – Button

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A “button” is a tool actors sometimes use in their (mostly comedic) auditions to help close out a scene in a unique way. It’s created by the actor and is usually in the form of an ending line or action. Sometimes they’re funny. Sometimes they’re awkward. Sometimes they aren’t appropriate. And they are certainly NEVER required. ⁠ ⁠ Here are some things to consider when deciding on whether or not to add a button to your scene:⁠ ⁠ 1. Keep …

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Monday Myth Debunkers – I Need to Market my Brand

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NEWSFLASH: You are not an Apple product. ⁠ ⁠ If you cringe thinking about marketing yourself as anything other than “actor,” read on… ⁠ ⁠ We’ve heard this a lot. Things like, “I need to figure out my brand”, “What would you say is ‘my type?’”. Yes, there are going to be roles that you are more right for than others. No, this does not mean you should pigeon-hole yourself to one specific type of role. In fact, tailoring your …

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Terminology Tuesday – General Meeting

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This has been a common term used lately and we’ve noticed some confusion floating around. So let’s break it down. What EXACTLY is a general meeting and what are they used for? ⤵⁠ ⁠ A general meeting is a very CASUAL “meet & greet” between new talent and someone in the industry. For actors, it’s generally between an actor and casting director but generals can also be held with studio and network executives. ⁠ ⁠ What can you expect?⁠ ⁠ …

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Monday Myth Debunker – I had an Off Day, so I Won’t be Called into that Office Again

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Guess what? You’re human! We’re human! Humans have off-days. And if you’ve somehow beat the odds of not having one already, know that you’re going to have an off-day in the future. and THAT’S OK. It wouldn’t be normal for every day to be perfect and to go exactly as you had planned. Sometimes things happen either physically or mentally and it hinders your ability to focus and be “in it”. The good news? We generally can tell the difference …

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