Keeping Actors In The Loop

When we go to the movie theater to watch our favorite actors and actresses in a new film, we’re often blown away by the “magic” that we observe on screen. But there’s a lot of work that’s invested into feature films and just because it looks perfect when we see the end result – that doesn’t meant that it’s the product of a perfect process. In fact, the post-production phase of a film can be very involved and require everyone, even the actors, to help fix flaws that may have occurred during the shooting of the film.

Sometimes when shooting a film, while the footage may look great, there may be problems with the dialog. Perhaps the microphone didn’t pick up all of the lines in their entirety, or maybe background noise distorted the audio, making the dialog difficult to understand. Instead of shooting the entire scene again - which can be quite costly - the director may call an actor into the studio to re-record or dub his or her own dialog. This process is called looping. While it’s not the most exciting part of the job, it’s essential to creating the perfect end result that we’re all used to enjoying in the theater when we sit down with friends, family and buckets of popcorn to watch the latest action flick or romantic comedy.

When an actor is called in for looping, he or she goes into a recording studio with a microphone and a video screen. Once the scene is played for them, the actor must then try to match their dialog to what they see on screen. It sounds simple, but in fact it can be quite a challenge. They must consider rhythm, timing and tone, and sometimes these sessions occur months after they originally filmed the scene, so the scene is no longer fresh in their memory.

While acting is often considered to be a glamorous occupation – and it is – there are a lot of challenges. In addition to all of the creative aspects of the job, there are a lot of technical aspects that happen behind the scenes that can require as much time and energy as the onscreen work.

If you’re ever called into the studio for a looping job, especially if it’s your first time, it can be helpful to practice at home first. Videotape yourself without sound and then play the video back, while trying to match your voice to the video.

Think you have what it takes to make it as a successful actor or actress? Have you checked out the feature film auditions we have posted on our website? Visit http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com for the latest casting calls in your area.

Labor Laws For Child And Teen Actors

If you’re the parent of a child or teen actor who has begun working on projects in the industry without the guidance of a talent agent or manager, it’s critical that you familiarize yourself with the child labor laws and regulations in your state. Not only is it important because it’s the law, but these regulations are put in place for the benefit of the child or teen and are great guidelines to follow.

States can regulate many aspects of a production when it comes to kids and teens working in the entertainment industry. Before your child walks on set, make sure you find out the answers to the following questions:

• What’s the maximum number of hours my child can work on set?
• Are the hours different for school and non-school days?
• How much light can/will my infant be exposed to?
• Is my child required to have a work permit?
• Is a studio teacher required to be on set?
• How much time does my child get for rest and recreation?
• Are there any exceptions?

There are always gray areas, loopholes and exceptions. For example, many regulations are determined based on the age of the actor. However while a seventeen year old student in California may only be allowed to work between certain hours, a seventeen year old who has graduated from high school is not subject to child labor laws and can work as an adult.

Whether your child has a manager or not, you are your child’s primary advocate. A production set can be a harried, hectic environment and if a director is running behind schedule he may not want your child to get their mandated break time. It’s up to you to put your foot down to make sure that your child has a healthy, balanced and enjoyable experience in the industry.

For more information about the ins and outs of the entertainment industry, stay tuned to Elite Casting Network. Visit http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com today!

How Talent Agents Are Regulated

The entertainment industry can be tricky, especially if you’re new to the business. While a good agent can skyrocket you to superstardom, a bad agent can cause you a lot of angst and leave you back at square one. If you live in the state of California you should know that agents are regulated by the California Labor Code. This means that your agent must adhere to specific rules and regulations.

In the state of California, all agents must secure a license to do business. Additionally, the license must be posted in the agency in plain sight. This means that when you visit a potential agent, you should be able to see their license when you walk into their office. If you don’t see it, inquire about it. If they don’t have it available to show you, you probably don’t want that person to represent you.

When your agency receives a check from a job that you’ve completed, the agency is required by law to deposit those funds into a bank or other recognized depository and disburse your payment within 30 days. The only circumstances in which your agent can hold these funds are if you owe them money, or if the funds are being disputed by the Labor Commissioner.

We often hear about agencies that take advantage of aspiring entertainers who are trying to find their way in the business, often by charging them registration fees or making them schedule photo sessions with photographers who charge them lots of money for low quality photos. Did you know that it’s unlawful in California for a talent agency to collect a registration fee? So if you have a meeting with an agency and they require a financial contribution in order for you to be represented by them, you don’t want that person to represent you. It’s also illegal for an agent to refer a client to any individual or company from which the talent agency will benefit financially including photographers, managers or acting schools.

For more information about the ins and outs of the entertainment industry, stay tuned to Star Search Casting for informative, up-to-date information for aspiring singers, dancers, models and actors. Visit http://www.StarSearchCasting.com today!

HOW TO LAND A JOB IN HOLLYWOOD WITHOUT AN AGENT (Part 1)

Thousands of members on our site have booked exciting jobs in Hollywood without an agent. Often aspiring actors, models, singers and dancers think they don’t have a shot at making their dreams come true because they don’t have an agent. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. There are tons of opportunities available to you, even if you don’t have representation. Don’t let lack of an agent or manager stand in your way.

Melina Rochelle, a singer and actress living in Los Angeles, knows all about the challenges of looking for work without an agent. “I was worried that because I didn’t have an agent, I wouldn’t be able to audition for roles that I really wanted. Initially I was discouraged but I didn’t let it stop me.” Instead, she began doing her own research and was able to find lots of opportunities. And in no time she was landing great jobs.

This fall she will appear in the musical City Kid at the Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles in the role of Niki. “I’m so excited! It’s a great role and I get to showcase my singing and my acting in a really great show.” When asked how she’s managed to get such great opportunities without an agent or manager, Melina Rochelle offered this advice:

• “Just because you don’t have an agent doesn’t mean you can’t submit yourself. Do your research. There are lots of resources that list opportunities that you can submit yourself for without the assistance of representation.”

• “Make and keep in touch with contacts in the business. It’s a lot about who you know. There are lots of ways to meet people, for example taking classes to meet other actors, singers, dancers or models.”

Follow these tips from Melina Rochelle to help you get your career off the ground today! Need information on auditions, acting classes or other opportunities? Check out our site to access valuable resources you’ll need to help get your career off the ground.

And don’t forget to check out my blog tomorrow for more tips from Melina Rochelle on how to land a job in Hollywood without an agent!