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I regularly get Job Posts from a variety of On-line Career Services for various types of work which I then forward on to others and this site. This covers CASTING Calls or Agent Recruitment Drives.
I have yet to see a Casting Call or Recruitment Drive posted on-line that actually sounded legit!
You get plenty of Journos, Copywriters, Editors, Club Trivia Hosts, etc, etc that can all be confirmed very easily with the details provided in the ad itself. Then there is the occasional WANTED: Extras, Actors, Models, Commercial Faces & Promotional Staff type posts claiming all sorts of very impressive sounding details. (There is about 2 or three that make the regular rounds.)
Up until some time back, these very familiar posts all included details like Who was asking, and even provided contact details. Then after a spate of poor publicity, these still very familiar posts started appearing "anonymously," i.e. Without reference to anything that can be researched - Company Name, Contact Name, so forth.
Firstly, ACTING CASTING AGENCIES DO NOT ADVERTISE as a general rule. They don't need to. Most have a limited number of people they can have on their "books" and there are plenty of willing people out there to fill them. Why spend money advertsing when you have a constant stream of people coming in the door without it?
Second, when an on-line add of ANY kind is provided without company details or a contact name, or anything that can be researched, I have to ask what are they hiding? I find it particularly interesting that these adds that are soooo very similar to earlier versions which included these details now suddenly do not. I'll let you consider the reasons why this might be.
Third, these Calls are made with odd recurrence which makes it appear that they are either finding it hard to keep people on their books for more than a month or two (a bad sign in itself), or are simply not interested in actually finding you work, but getting numbers up. The question then begs, why get their numbers up? Well, if they are charging you upfront fees or mandatory expenses to "get on their books" then the more people they get paying, the more money they are making. Who needs to find you guys work when there's someone else willing to pay money for a dream?
A proper agent does not need to recruit, nor do they charge up-front fees like a club membership. Casting Agencies are like a temping, contract or job search agency. They find work for you and take a cut of your earnings as a finders fee. You do not pay anything up-front to these guys, and neither should you for a casting agent. This does not include legitimate additional services provided by the agent, but these should be optional. Things like a Photographer.
I have mentioned all this before and will from time to time repost to remind people of this. Tell your friends or anyone you meet who is also looking for employment as a performer.
Remember, research or the ability to research is your best weapon in avoiding scams and cons. The rule of Email Spam is : When in doubt, throw it out. Very good advice in this case also.
Look here for my FAQ about Agencies Advertising
Talent_Agencies_Don't_"Advertise"
Disclaimer: I do not include Casting Consultants in this evaluation whom may choose to post to public forums such as this one. Indeed I am personally gratified to see posts from one particular Perth Based Consultant whom recently used a large number of local Theatre Australia patrons in the filming of "Cloudstreet."
Labrug's blog | printer-friendly version | email this blog | 1754 reads
STIRLING PLAYERS YOUTH – WRITERS PROJECT
For youth aged 12-25 years OR a new adult writer who has not had any of their work presented in public before.
Theme: “Last Resorts”
SPY wishes to announce an exciting opportunity for new and young writers.
If you’re interested in giving play writing a go, or if you have something you have already developed which fits in with the theme “Last Resorts,” we encourage you to submit a script to be produced by SPY!
It can be in any genre and style you wish, and is expected to be 15-20 minutes in length.
The scripts will be assessed and undergo an editing process between the writer and project co-ordinator, with the most compatible scripts being chosen to be performed for a three night season at Stirling Theatre in October.
CONDITIONS:
please email expression of interest as soon as possible to the email address below.
• Submissions open from 9th April until 30th June, with 2-4 scripts being chosen. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
• The theme of the project is “Last Resorts,” and we’ll be looking for your interpretation of this theme in your script.
• As the goal of this project is to assist young and new writers in building scripts, please be aware that if your script is selected it will be subject to editing and re-working, in consultation with the writer.
• A director chosen by the project co-ordinator will be allocated to produce each selected script, with auditions being held on 25th July. Once the editing process is complete, the director has full discretion regarding the writer’s involvement in the rehearsal process.
• Writers need to be in the age group of 12-25 years OR a new adult writer who has not had any of their work presented in public before.
• Plays may be 20 minutes in length AT MOST.
• The stage will have no flats and will be using the tab curtains for entrances and exits, so keep this in mind when choosing the setting of your play.
• Small cast plays are preferred. (A minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 cast members).
• Any genre or style is acceptable.
Please notify your expressions of interest to the email address below as soon as possible.
For submission of applications and further enquiries, please contact project co-ordinator Brendan Ellis on 0430171055 or email brenellis@yahoo.com.au. Brendan is also available for consultation and advice during the script formulation process.