FINDING A LEGIT AGENT OR MANAGER

Finding a rep is very important but there is something worse than not having one: having a bad one.

DON'T SIGN UNTIL YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH.

I am TIRED of hearing about the scammers and newbies trying to make a few $$ by setting up shop as a manager or agent. Here is what to look for in a talent representative:

GENERAL:
---Does not also take money for classes or headshots.
---Does not require classes or headshots from a certain photographer. Recommendations are fine, but if they say that you must take from this one person, they are probably getting a kickback.
---Asking for any money upfront.
---Has a professional IMDb presence. Working on a few short films does not count!
---Does not have consistently bad reviews (one bad review could be a bad apple but a pattern is almost always true.
---Does not promise to make you a star. In fact, they should not promise ANYTHING since nothing in this industry is guaranteed.
---Has a registered business in the state where they are doing work.
---Only makes money when you book work (10-20% is standard).
---Has talent that have booked work through them.
---Should be picky. If they take everyone who submits, you should walk away. They should be selective and only take those who have professional headshots and training.
---Has a professional online presence. If they can't make SM posts without ridiculing, bullying, or dogging others....they probably are not practicing professional communication with their professional industry contacts.
---High pressure to sign the contract. Legitimate talent reps are sought out; they don't need to act like used car salesmen to get you on their roster.

AGENT:
---Must be on the major acting websites. If not, they are looking for work on Facebook and you can do that by yourself.
---Is recognized by industry professionals. Does not have to be top tier but must be recognized as a knowledgeable member of the film industry.

MANAGER:
---Has relationships with Casting Directors in the market where they are working.
---Has a thorough understanding of the industry in the market where they are working.
---Are going to do MORE than just having an agent. Otherwise, why pay both?

AVOIDING INDUSTRY SCAMS

Part 1:

No legitimate company in any industry sends your pay before the work is done. The film industry is no different. You are hired. You do the job well. You get paid.

There is currently a widespread scam to get actors to cash a check sent in advance of an acting job (sometimes for several thousand dollars), then they are asked to send a payment to another party for wardrobe, styling, props, etc.

Of course, the actor will think that the check has cleared, pay this other individual (which goes through), and is then shocked to have that money deducted from their account when the bank learns that it is fraudulent. In some cases, the perpetrators create fake checks from legitimate company accounts which are later reported and corrected.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is...

Part 2:

The traveling groups that target cities and towns all across America are numerous. They change names and leaders, but they are easy to spot since their tactics remain the same: Promise stardom if you just give them enough money.

This is NOT how the film industry works. You cannot buy your way into landing a great agent and booking roles in Movies & TV Shows. 

Do people sometimes sign with agents at the very-expensive conferences that you pay to attend? Yes, or they would not stay in business. But for the most part, it is a vacation for the industry professionals that attend. Who would not want to be paid to watch a few actors in Orlando or Las Vegas AND receive an all-expenses paid vacation (yes, you are paying for it).

There are 2 tactics that seem to be consistently used:

1) You (or your child) are incredibly talented. I am not saying that you are not, but I do guarantee you that everyone that walks through their doors is hearing the same thing. One online reviewer described it this way: "You are the diamond among the stones."

The industry does not work that way. Any successful actor will tell you that it takes hard work and dedication, not some "it" factor.

2) You must make a decision today. This causes kids/teens to pressure their parents into saying yes. They know that if you go home and sleep on it, you may change your mind so they have to get you to say yes now.

Once again, the industry does not work that way. There is never a need to sign up for a class or sign with an agent prior to being able to think about it or talk it over with industry professionals.

The path is so easy that it seems hard: 1) Professional training from industry professionals. 2) Headshots. 3) Legitimate Agent.

More details here:
http://southerncastingcouch.blogspot.com/…/getting-started-…

FEATURE FILM CASTING NOTICE
from Ayoka Billions Casting

Title: The Prey
Filming: Mid March to April, 2017 in North Alabama.
Director: Jeffrey D. Parker
Casting Director: Ayoka Billions
All roles are paid. LOCAL HIRE.

Synopsis: When a professor and best selling author cross paths in a mysterious town in search for missing persons, they both soon realize that the area is not what it seems and is plagued by an unimaginable curse of ghosts and horrid creatures who have inhabited the area as their own.

ROLES:

1. Deborah Silvers- early 40’s, Caucasian, female. An adventurous best selling author who travels to

a mysterious town in search of her missing brother only to find that in order to survive, she

must fight a nightmare beyond her own imagination. Works 12 days.

2. Donovan Behler- 50’s-60’s, Caucasian, male. From North Mississippi. A college professor that who once served as a police investigator, is obsessed with a missing persons list that points to the

same mysterious town where hundreds of years ago, was plagued by witch hunts and

legendary stories of werewolves that killed to protect them. Works 13 days.

3. Mark Silvers- early 40’s, Caucasian, male. Estranged husband of Deborah Silvers. Separated for a

small time, Mark soon learns that his wife Deborah has secretly traveled to a dangerous town

in search of her brother and quickly goes to find and protect her. Works 9 days.

4. Daylon- 30’s. Caucasian, male. A mysterious and ill mannered member of the mysterious town

who carries the eternal curse of the werewolf. Works 2 days. 

5. Witch #1- 20’s-30’s, any race or gender. Leader of the last remaining witches that survived two

hundred years in a dark cave through elemental spells. Most human characteristics now

vanished and all but remain are twisted souls and a vowed revenge against any who trespass

amongst their secret caverns. Must be latex allergy free and open to full body cast. Works 5 days. 

6. Witch #2- 20’s-30’s, any race or gender. The most violent witch of the trinity. It’s obsession

with obtaining it’s victims eyes remains its most horrid possession. Must be latex allergy free

and open to full body cast. Works 4 days.

7. Witch #3- 20’s-30’s, any race or gender. Tormented and tortured by towns people two

hundred years prior, this witch revels in the opportunity to inflict the most unimaginable

suffering among the living. Works 4 days. 

8. David- 40-45yrs old, Caucasian, male, medium to heavy build. David is the older brother to

Deborah Silvers. A truck driver of many years, he meets his demise on a dark mountain road

plagued by rumors of a werewolf. Works 3 days. 

9. Robert- 50’s-60’s, any ethnicity, male. A teacher and friend of Professor Donovan Behler at

the Mississippi University. Although Robert is intrigued by Donovan’s interest in traveling to

this mysterious town to find missing persons, he highly objects due to it’s likely danger. Works 1 day.

10. Charlie- 40’s-50’s, Caucasian, male. A quiet hermit with a dark secret keeps to himself inside an

old cabin far from town until strangers needing help create a chance for him to unlock his

curse forcing him to create a dangerous situation for all involved. Works 1 day. 

11. Bill- 60’s, Caucasian, male. A generous older man with a flare of southern hospitality who pumps gas at an old general store. Very helpful with an odd sense of humor. Works 1 day. 

12. Diane- 30’s-40’s, any ethnicity, female. A cheerful woman excited to meet her favorite

author Silvers in a Manhattan bookstore. Works 1/2 day.

13. Bartender- 40’s, Caucasian, female, stocky build. A rough and tough woman who can handle

any situation at any time. Cut off sleeves and a scowled expression to meet every tough

customer. Works 1/2 day.

14. Burley- 60’s-70’s, any ethnicity, male. A scruffy old bartender with deep raspy voice who

talks really slow. Works 1/2 day.

15. Store Owner- 40’s, Caucasian, female. A hardware store owner with knowledge of the

mysterious town who intends to keeps its secrets and remain unhelpful to ones asking who

stroll into town. Works 1/2 day.

16. Little girl- 10-12yrs, Caucasian, female. A ghostly young girl who when threatened, can manifest

into a nightmarish ghoul. Must be latex allergy free. Works 3 days.

17. Kylie Silvers- 18-20 yrs, Caucasian, female. Helps her mother with her book signings. She becomes worried when she hears of her mother's travels to this mysterious town. Works 3 days.

18. Werewolf-20s-30s, any ethnicity. Must be latex allergy free and open to full body casting. Training for movements will be provided. Works 5 days. 

Submit by sending a headshot and resume to ayokabillionscasting@gmail.com with subject: The Prey.

CASTING WEBSITES: Please DO NOT re-post this notice.

An Actor's Nightmare

Ding: Congratulations. You have been invited to audition for ______ project for the role of ______!

You are excited. You want to text your acting teacher and call your best friend. You submitted your headshot/
resume into the massive abyss of cyberspace and were given a chance to show them what you've got and possibly book the role.

And then you look over the email again and a sickening realization sets in. It's a self-tape audition request that's due in two days!

Cue the ominous music. The last time that you tried to tape a video audition at home, it took three days to get it done:

--Day #1: The Taping -- Setting up the space. Figuring out the camera and lights. Getting the acting right.

--Day #2: The Editing -- Moving the video to a computer. Choosing a take. Editing said take.

--Day #3: The Sending -- Getting this file to the casting director.

I am not exaggerating. I talk to actors all the time who express this scenario...sometimes with more days added in. And often, the result is not completing the audition on time which equals a missed opportunity not only this time, but possibly on future projects with the same casting director.

Actors, if you want to be competitive, especially in the Southeast market, you must not only learn how to tape an audition, you must fully embrace and master this process.

Christmas might be over, but this is a gift that you must give yourself this year...

Getting Started as an Actor

I blinked...and realized that I have been a part of the Film & TV community for 10 years. If the entertainment industry was a major corporation, I would have received a keychain or coffee mug, or crazy modern glass paper weight with some words etched on it to celebrate my longevity.

But, this industry doesn't work that way. The only sure thing is knowledge, which I will share with you.

I get asked monthly/weekly/daily about how one can land a role in a movie or on TV or in a commercial. Many don't believe me when I say that it's as easy (and as hard) as A-B-C.

A) Professional Acting Training.

How do you find this? Do your research! Look at their training and experience. A high school drama class does not count as preparing them to teach you or your child how to be a professional actor. Professional acting teachers have invested time and money into learning and growing as an actor and as a teacher. They have studied the greats of modern acting and understand how to spot a great performance. They are not afraid to give a tough critique because they get that merely giving praise sets an actor up for a lot of heartache. They are your best cheerleader and toughest coach. They know the good, bad, and ugly parts of this industry...and still love the art of acting enough to stay.

B) Great Headshots.

This comes partially from outside sources (decent background and lighting, professional hair/makeup, good photographer), but much more from within: confidence, poise, and truthful acting at the exact moment that the lens captures one's soul. Refer to the first step (Professional Acting Training) if you are wondering how to find this inner strength.

C) Connected Talent Agent.

This is an industry of relationships. And your agent needs to have some great ones in order for you to land the auditions that you are currently dreaming about. Anyone can throw out a shingle and print some business cards, but only a gifted few can help actors launch successful careers. In order to stand a chance at signing with them, please look back at the first two steps listed above...

It is incredibly simple--and incredibly tough--to land a role. I have tremendous respect for actors. My hat is off to everyone who is auditioning for and booking roles.

You. Are. Amazing. 

Headshots - What NOT to Do...

Since I have been very busy casting projects this past week, I have had the opportunity to view a ton of headshots. This has led me to seeing a lot of really bad ones from actors asking for an audition...and today's post.

What NOT to DO: Headshot Edition

If it looks like it came from Olan Mills, it is not a good headshot.

If it looks like it came from Glamour Shots (you youngsters might need to Google this, but these consisted of teased hair, bad makeup, and props...always props), it is not a good headshot.

If it looks like a phone selfie, it is not a good headshot.

If it looks like your small child took it (as much as I am a fan of small children), it is not a good headshot.

If it looks like it came out of a Polaroid camera (and you took the advice of Outkast and shook it hard), it is not a good headshot.

If it contains more than one person, it is not a good headshot.

If it contains identifiable tourist spots in the background (think Mickey Mouse ears), it is not a good headshot.

If it looks like a mugshot, it is not a good headshot.

If you are in the shadows (even though I love film noir), it is not a good headshot.

If you are squinting into the sun, it is not a good headshot.

If it contains your entire body, it is not a good HEADshot.

If it was obviously cropped to exclude another person, it is not a good headshot.


Yes, I saw all of these this past week. Actors, do yourselves a favor. Look like a professional. Your headshot and resume is the only thing that I have to determine whether you are one.

What is a Casting Director?

What is Ayoka Billions Casting?

Let's start with what I am NOT:

1) A Talent Agent.

These folks truly are saints. They work 24/7 to search for opportunities for their actors, promote them, submit them, answer questions, negotiate contracts, put out fires, give advice, encourage excellence, hold some hands, and wipe a few tears. Yes, tears. There are many in this industry. Talent agents submit their actor clients to casting directors for projects and receive 10-20% of the payment in exchange. I don't have a talent pool or website with pictures (because it would need to contain photos of at least 129, 092 active members of the Screen Actors Guild, along with numerous non-union actors).

2) A Suggestion Service.

I get calls from people asking for headshots of actors that I can suggest for their project. While, I do have a list of talented actors across the Southeast that I know can deliver a stellar performance, they may not be right or available for this particular project. That is what breakdowns are for: we see who is available and interested prior to asking them to AUDITION (with material from this project) for the project. I would never book anyone (except major NAME TALENT) without an audition.

3) A Counseling Service.

I receive emails and phone calls almost daily from actors wanting to meet/chat about getting auditions for Film & TV roles. I understand that you don’t know how to get started in this industry. My advice is as simple (and as complicated) as A-B-C: A) Professional Acting Training. B) Great Headshots. C) Connected Talent Agent. Enough on that for now since I will write more about these points in a future article.

SO, what am I?

I am a professional casting director, hired by production companies and filmmakers to find the right talent for your project. I work day and night with agents and directly with actors to find the right talent, create audition material, schedule auditions, advise the production on the best options, and book/schedule actors for the job. My goal is to make your project come to life with the best talent available to fit your budget. What type of projects? I have cast union and non-union projects including Feature Films, Short Films, Music Videos, Commercials, Industrials, & Interactive Projects. It is the highlight of my job to see completed projects with talented actors saying lines that started as words on a page. That is what I do.