What’s Your Role?

There are tons of Hollywood roles cast each day and each role falls into a different category. The way the role is categorized is based on how much exposure and how many lines the character will get. Additionally, the category of the role will also determine how much the actor is compensated. Let’s explore the various types of roles and how they differ.

Featured role

A featured role is a small speaking role. This is usually the role of the taxi driver, waitress, mailman, etc. who doesn’t have a substantial part in the plot and generally only has one or two lines and appears in one scene.

Guest-starring role

A guest-star generally appears on a television show for one or a few episodes and has a few lines. Often agents will try to negotiate that a featured role be listed as a guest-starring role, especially if the talent has appeared in other television shows or feature films.

Co-starring role

A co-starring role is more significant than a guest star, but doesn’t have the same weight of a starring role.

Supporting role

I bet you’re familiar with this term. A supporting role can range from one line to several lengthy scenes. Usually if the actor only has one line, they are designated as a supporting actor or actress based on their celebrity status or experience.

Recurring role

A recurring role is generally billed as a guest-starring role. However the term refers to an actor who is not a member of the cast but whose character appears for several episodes. This is a great opportunity for an actor, as many recurring roles have led to starring roles in the following season, or a starring role on a show on the same network.

Starring role

The starring role is the leading actor, or main character in a production. And I’m sure this is what you’re all aiming for!

To check out the roles being cast on Star Search Casting, visit the Auditions page at http://www.StarSearchCasting.com.

PERSONAL STYLE: Does it help or hinder your chances?

Most people explore jobs in entertainment because they love creative self-expression. They are generally outgoing and unique individuals that love the opportunity to shine. Additionally, they often have a distinctive personal style, with an eye-catching wardrobe that often gets them noticed wherever they go.

Personal style is great. But you have to know when and when not to rely on your style during an audition or meeting with an agency. While distinctive hair, makeup and clothing can be a useful tool to get attention, it’s not always appropriate when seeking a job in the entertainment industry.

Style tip for actors:

If you’re an actor going to an audition, you want to make sure that your look compliments the role you’re auditioning for. If you’re auditioning for the role of a businessman, you don’t want to show up in baggy jeans and a football jersey.

Style tip for dancers:

When you’re auditioning, you want to stand out, but you don’t want your outfit to distract from you performance. A bright leotard with a distinctive design will probably do the trick.

Style tip for models:

When you’re meeting with an agent, come in as a blank slate. You don’t want to appear overdone. Avoid high heels so that they can see how tall you really are. Where clothes that compliment your shape, but be careful not to wear anything that might appear inappropriate.

Style tip for singers:

When executives in the recording arts industry are evaluating singers, one of the main questions they ask themselves is, “Can this person sell records?” Image is often as important as talent. Therefore, feel free to be trendy, but make sure your style has a wide appeal. Think of what an artist your age might where on MTV’s TRL, but with your own personal flair. You don’t want to duplicate someone else’s style, but you do want to be marketable.

Ready to put these style tips to the test? Visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com today and check out the auditions and casting calls!

Increase Your Exposure

We’re getting more and more testimonials each day. It’s amazing how many Star Search Casting ( http://www.StarSearchCasting.com) members are booking auditions and jobs in the entertainment industry. Some of the testimonials are really inspiring. If you’re ever feeling like you just don’t know if your dreams of landing a great Hollywood job are going to come true, reading the testimonials is a great way to pick up your spirits and assure yourself that it really is possible to land the role of your dreams.

Sometimes people pursue careers in the entertainment industry, but they never really get the necessary exposure to get their careers off the ground. Did you know that although Star Search Casting was created initially to help aspiring singers, dancers, actors and models who didn’t have representation get their foot in the door, the site is also helping members who have agents too?

Well it’s true. Never underestimate the importance of exposure. Even if you have an agent, it’s still a good idea to explore all avenues that can put you in front of the right people. Brandon Garland is one of many Star Search Casting members that already has an agent. But he decided to build a profile on Star Search Casting website to increase his exposure. And it paid off!

“After about 3 weeks on this site I received a call from Tyler Perry Productions stating they would like to meet with me to be in the Meet the Browns movie coming out soon,” says Brandon. Meet the Browns hits theaters in 2008 with an all-star cast including Academy Award nominee Angela Bassett. Not to mention Tyler Perry’s last movie opened in the theaters at #1 at the box office and grossed $21 million in its first weekend. So you can imagine that this was really exciting news for Brandon!

So if you’re having a hard time, ask yourself, what you doing to maximize your exposure? What’s your membership level on the site? How many pictures have you added to your Star Search Casting profile? Have you included video?

Don’t leave your career to chance. Take full advantage of any opportunity to really sell yourself and your talent!

Star Search Casting Exposes The Latest Entertainment Frauds & Scams

HOLLYWOOD – As the number of scams targeting aspiring actors, singers, dancers and models escalate, and scammers become more sophisticated in their methods, it can be tricky to identify the difference between a scam and a legitimate opportunity. In response to the growing number of internet scam victims, Star Search Casting ( www.StarSearchCasting.com ), in addition to becoming the number one casting website, has also become the leading provider of up-to-date information on the latest industry scams. Star Search Casting educates users on how to spot a scam; actively monitors all site activity to prevent members from becoming the victim of popular internet scams; and encourages members to report suspicious activities and warn others if they’ve uncovered a scam.

“Our members use our site not only because they know they’ll get access to valuable casting opportunities, but also because they know our website is a safe environment that’s actively monitored to prevent scammers from taking advantage of them,” says Jonathan Parker, CEO of Star Search Casting. “In addition to making sure that the site is safe, we also try to educate our members on how to spot a scam. Many internet users think that if a site or service charges money that it’s automatically a scam, but this is one of the most misleading pieces of advice circulating the web. More accurately, if the site or service asks for money but only accepts cash or money orders, that’s an immediate red flag.”

The staff at Star Search Casting is very knowledgeable of scamming trends and it’s this knowledge that helps to keep the site and its members safe. Star Search Casting staff members regularly and routinely updates its members on the latest industry scams. When members log in to their website, the Entertainment Scam Alert section provides instant updates on the most recent scammer activity targeting aspiring actors, dancers, models and actors. Additionally Star Search Casting staff members post information about these scams in the site's forums to make sure members are informed and aware of potential scams. Many of these posts occur within 24-48 hours of the scam’s first appearance on the internet.

Star Search Casting has always taken vast measures to ensure the safety of its site. It’s the only casting site that is both Hacker Safe and a member of the Better Business Bureau Online Reliability Program. In response to escalating internet scams, the staff at Star Search Casting monitors all of the messages on the site regularly to ensure the safety of its members. Additionally when members access their messages, Star Search Casting provides their members with an option at the top of each message to flag the message if they encounter spam or abuse.

Star Search Casting members also work to keep the site safe, and to keep fellow members from falling victim to internet scams. Star Search Casting members are encouraged to post information about scams in the site’s forums if they encounter a scam or have become the victim of a scam. The forums are also a great way for members to learn more information about how to spot and avoid popular scams & frauds.

All of these measures combined help to combat over 90% of scam attempts on the Star Search Casting website. For more information on the latest entertainment industry related scams, log on to www.starsearchcasting.com visit the online community for up-to-date, comprehensive information, tools and tips on how to avoid and spot scams today.