Business of Acting

Question 1

AEA

Answer 1

Actor’s Equity Association

Theater Union

Question 2

SAG/AFTRA

Answer 2

Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists- Film/TV Radio Union

Question 3

AEA and SAG/AFTRA as unions

Answer 3

AEA and SAG/AFTRA used to be 2 separate unions until they got merged in 2012

Question 4

2 Major Markets for Actors

Answer 4

New York City + Los Angeles

Question 5

Other Markets

Answer 5

Chicago, Ilinois

- Could Easily be considered the 3rd Market

Question 6

20 Years Ago

Answer 6

• Los Angeles: If you wanted to pursue a film/tv career
• New York City: If you wanted to become a theater and Broadway Star
• Chicago: You went here if NYC didn’t work out. Chicago only had theater with very little film/tv work

Question 7

Today

Answer 7

• Los Angeles: still primary film/tv but they have thriving theater community too
• NYC: still primary theater, but with more tv/film opportunities. Cost of living is high
• Chicago: thriving in both film and theater. Not as expensive as NYC

Question 8

After Picking NYC…

Answer 8

• Once you find a place to live, you need a “Survival Job”
• You’ll need to get headshots taken
• Create an acting resume

Question 9

Survival Job

Answer 9

Any job that pays the bills, but still gives you the flexibility to go to auditions

• Waiter
• Temp Employee
• Teaching

Question 10

Headshots

Answer 10

• Professional Pictures taken of you for the purpose of identification
• Primary Tool for actors to promote themselves
• They should represent you

Question 11

Photo Session

Answer 11

• Ranges from $100-$700
• Includes 100’s of shots taken
• Can have numerous outfits or looks

Question 12

2 Primary Headshots

Answer 12

• Dramatic
• Comedic
• Sometimes you’ll choose a 3rd headshot for commercials or with facial hair

Question 13

After Selecting 2-3 Headshots…

Answer 13

• Photographer sends chosen pictures to reproduction company
• They will mass produce your headshots on heavy stock paper
• Although most submissions are digital, still need physical copy of headshots to audition

Question 14

Resumes Include

Answer 14

• Personal Info
• Acting Experience
• Education
• Special Skills

Question 15

Personal Info in Resume

Answer 15

• Height
• Weight
• Hair Color/Eye Color no longer required because headshots are in color now
• Contact Info: either personal or agent

Question 16

Acting Experience in Resume

Answer 16

• Theater
• Film/TV
• Commercial Work usually done in seperate resume

Question 17

Education in Resume

Answer 17

• Acting
• Voice
• Movement
• Stage Combat
• Dialects

Question 18

Special Skills in Resumes

Answer 18

• Juggling
• Tricks
• Drivers License

Question 19

Where to find work

Answer 19

• Backstage Magazine

- Online Services

Question 20

How Actors promote themselves

Answer 20

• Actors can create their own website that includes thier entire portfolio
• Actors can also have an social media to

Question 21

Non Equity Actors/Auditions

Answer 21

• Goal is to become Equity Actor

- Go to Open Calls

Question 22

How To Become Equity Actor

Answer 22

• Gain 50 Equity Membership Candidate points to become an Equity Actor
• 1 point=1 week of rehearsals/performances
• OR get hired by theater that can “turn” you Equity

Question 23

Open Calls

Answer 23

An audition that one doesn’t need an appointment for. Go to open call and sign up for an udition slot.

Question 24

Sides

Answer 24

Scenes or portions of scenes given to an actor ahead of time to be performed in front of the director

Question 25

Equity Actor Auditions without Agent

Answer 25

- Similar to Non-Equity Actor Auditioning | - Equity Principal Auditions

Question 26

Equity Principal Auditions (EPA)

Answer 26

- Line up at 6/7 AM outside Equity building in nYC to get audition slot for later in the day - Now you can book timeslots online - Usually no director in the room

Question 27

The Agent

Answer 27

What most actors work hard to get because they can get you into big auditions.

Question 28

Equity Actor Audition with an Agent

Answer 28

- Casting Director sends out a notice stating the project their casting and what types of people they're looking for - Agent reads notices and submits headshots if they think you fit the type - Casting Director accepts submission and gives agent audition time for the actor

Question 29

Casting Director

Answer 29

- Sends out a notice stating the project their casting and what types of people they're looking for - Is hired by the theater - Works with director and various agents to find the right actors for the roles being cast

Question 30

Table Work

Answer 30

- Takes place in 1st Rehearsal - Breaking down the script for meaning and understanding by analyzing every moment of the play - Can last a few days

Question 31

Blocking

Answer 31

- The stage movements created by a collaboration between actor and director - Subject to Change

Question 32

Technical Rehearsal

Answer 32

When all of the technical and artistic elements of a production come together on stage without an audience

Question 33

1st Preview

Answer 33

- First time performing in front of an audience - Chance for actors to sense whether something works or not - Rehersals are still held

Question 34

Opening Night

Answer 34

- 1st time critics are in the audience

Question 35

Strike

Answer 35

Taking down of the set or removal of set pieces or props in rehearsal