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ATLANTIC TALENT HANDBOOK

To register for any of our classes fill out this form or for more information call us at 404-3070.

 

Talent Agent & Model Agency

GUIDELINES FOR ATLANTIC TALENT ACTORS:

    This is a professional business, be polite and profession at all times, always ask us if you have any questions.

    Do not use Gloria Williams's personal email address, use her business address at info@atlantictalent.ca.

    HOW TO SEND US YOUR HEADSHOTS: Keep a file in your computer of the headshots that you send us so you can keep track of what you sent us. Send all photo uncropped in a jpg format. Photos should be a minimum of 400 pixels wide. Any sixe above 400 pixels wide should be okay. We will crop and reduce the size for the web. Put your first and last name as your photograph's file name (the file name is just below your photograph) and number them consecutively. Example: Joe Smith1, Joe Smith2, Joe Smith3, etc. The next day or a year when you email us another headshot it would be named Joe Smith4.

  • Please get voice mail and a cell phone. Tell us as soon as you change your phone number or address. This is a highly computitive, fast moving business. It is very important that we are able to contact you as soon as a job comes in. If we can't contact you, you may loose out on an audition and a possible job.

  • Tell us if you change your appearance in any way. For example hair color, style or length, braces for your teeth, gained or lost a lot of weight, preganant etc.

  • When you sign in on a film set DO NOT fill out your own personal address, put your name, then in the address space put C/O ATLANTIC TALENT AGENCY, 371 SHORE DRIVE, BEDFORD, NS B4A 2C7. Some of our actors carry a card in their wallet or purse with our address. If you forget our address just put Represented by Atlantic Talent Agency. Production would have our address.

  • When you leave a voice mail for us tell us who is calling and your phone number.

  • When you send us an email put your name and phone number at the end of the email.

  • When taking your wardrobe on a film set always take it on hangers already pressed. You almost never have access to an iron on a film shoot. My heart would sink if I saw an actor haul crumpled tops out of a tot bag.

  • Do not wear perfume to an audition or film set.

  • The difference between a Casting Agent and Talent Agent: The Casting Agent does not represent an actor, they represent the filmmaker. The Talent Agent represents the Actor.

  • We ask our actor to register with some casting agents who send you the casting calls, so why do you need a Talent Agent? You are only one of 1,000 other actors registered with the Casting Agent. Your Talent Agent gets the casting call hours before it is sent to all the actors on the list, so the Talent Agent promotes their actors for the job long before the job is sent to the general public. Some casting agents and film producers send the jobs to us directly and not to the general public who are not represented by an Talent Agent.

  • Many producers do not hire a Casting Agent, they go directly to the Talent Agent.

  • After an audition or call back do not call us to ask if we heard anything. Because of the large number of actors auditioning, only the actors who are cast, will be notified. As soon as we know that you have been cast, you will be the first to know.

  • After a shoot we are often asked when will you get paid. If it is a union shoot production usually follows the ACTRA guidelines of 20 days. Non union TV commercials often take from 60 to 90 days. Some checks are mailed to us from Toronto so allow a few days for mailing. However, we make every effort to process and mail your pay to you the same day that we receive it.

  • What you should wear to an audition. Try to dress for the part you are auditioning for. First read your sides (script). What does the script tell you about the character you are reading for, what is the person supposed to be doing? Is she in a restaurant, in an office or at a bank, shopping, fishing, gardening etc. Dress to look like the character you are reading for. If the audition is for a business woman, then wear business clothes, if it is a casual scenario, wear casual clothes etc.

  • Wordrobe will tell you what to wear on set. DO NOT WEAR logos, stripes, whites, blacks, or bright colors. DO WEAR neutral tones and colors. We will usually tell you on the phone and confirm by email all instructions that casting would give us including what to wear, always ask us if you are not sure.

  • Check your email every day for a message from Atlantic Talent staff, Nancy, Gary, Gloria, once in the morning and once at night.

  • Look at Atlantic Talent's web site at least once a week for notices that are updated daily.

  • Email info@atlantictalent.ca with dates that you will be out of town or not available.

  • Tell us if you have changed your appearance.

  • Keep us up to date with your current phone numbers, email and mailing addres. We cannot send you on an audition if we cannot contact you.

  • Get a good promotional head & body shot (photographs). We can recommend good inexpensive photographers.

  • You should have more than one headshot & body shot wearing different outfits. Atleast one smiling showing that you have good teath and your relaxed happy personality and another showing your serious side.

  • For headshots, an actor should position your body turned slightly away from the camera then turn your head toward the camera, look into the camera lense to make eye contact with the casting agent or producer who would be looking at your headshot. Don't have anything distracting behind your head or in the background.

  • Always give us disposable copies of your portfolio material such as photos/DVD/CD's, never give us your original or only copy that you may want returned.

  • Keep your resume updated after EVERY performance, then email it to info@atlantictalent.ca

  • Tell us if production pays you directly, send us a copy of all your paper work and pay your Agent's commission as soon as you receive your pay.

  • Act professional and courteous at all times, with your Agent, at an audition, Producers, film crew and with other actors while on set.

  • Your behavior on set with producers, directors, crew members and other actors may affect future work. Always remain courteous and attentive. If a problem arises, keep your cool and talk to us.

  • When you finish an audition do not tell then how much you need the part to pay your rent, be professional, read your lines then leave, they will let us know if you are right for the part. If you beg for the part they will also let us know and it could affect your ability to go on future audition.

  • Always be at least 10 minutes early for your audition

  • Be at least 15 minutes early for a shoot

  • Always arrive on set camera ready

  • Always arrive on set with a minimum of two changes of clothes.

  • For the camera, do not wear any of the following: bright colours, loud, stripped, busy patterns or logos.

  • Ask Nancy if you are not sure what clothes you should wear.

  • Although you may spend long hours waiting, do not sleep while on set. You are being paid to be alert, focused and ready when called on set.

  • After you agree to go on an audition or accept a job, never break your commitment and not show up.

  • When accepting a job, always be prepared to work the whole day.

  • Keep a record of your own time that you worked, the date and time you start and finish.

  • Make sure you know the location and time that you are supposed to be at the audition or shoot at least a day before you are supposed to be there.

  • If you have any questions, or concerns always ask us first.

  • Focus, relax and enjoy yourself.