WELLS FARGO CASTING TODAY

Today I had a casting for a Wells Fargo print job.  They're looking for "real people", whatever that means. Very interesting how castings are done nowadays.  This was done at a photographers studio, which had a waiting room that was way too small to hold all of the people they called in. Nonetheless they were very organized and it ran smoothly.
Technology has allowed the casting company the  opportunity to photograph their prospective models as much as they would like with digital pictures. Gone are the days of the polaroids, the messenger running your book across town for $25, mailing off submissions and Fedexing your pictures   for a photographer to see you. It's really short of amazing.
It was a pretty simple casting, go in take some stills(straight on, 3/4, and some big smile pics) and then move on. This particular job only pays $1,200 for a 4 day job!! Yes, I said only!!!!  They actually have a "buy-out" for like two years or something!!! I remember when my day rate was $1,250 a day!!!!! It was not unusual to get booked for an 8 day long shoot and get paid for travel...Imagine that..getting paid because you're sitting on plane going to a job!!! Those were the HAY DAYS!!! Now, you're happy just to have a casting....how things have changed. At least the location is going to be beautiful!!! See how I'm breathing that one into existence!!! Mammoth mountain...here we come!!! Looks like it's picking up in LA and Pilot season is over. I can't wait to get some face time on this PSA I'm shooting next month.
I learned something from that Q & A that LemonLime Agency/Killian McHugh put on. I think that this is something that should be shared with everybody, because I got it twisted early on and thought this entertainment business was business and friendship all rolled up into one....WRONG!!!!!  Killian said,"This is a weird town where we want to work with people that we like, but there are no FRIENDS(Agency &; Talent relationships)! People get it confused and if your agent is giving you a hard time about leaving the agency, they need counseling!"  And he is so right!!! This is a business! I was introduced to this business through a friend. Literally brought in through the back door, so I had a warped perspective on the business. How warped?? When I first got dropped from an agency....I was crushed. I felt like I got dumped! LOL I know better now though and was recently put in this situation when my commercial agent decided she was leaving and wanted me to leave with her. She didn't know what agency she was going to hang her hat at yet, but she wanted me to  leave the agency and wait for further instructions! RED FLAG TO ME! Do you have any idea how hard it is to find an agent in this town?????  What if her plans didn't work out??? Then what? Initially I was ready to bounce and roll with her. I had just reunited with her(she was my first ever commercial agent) so it was hard to say I wasn't going.  That's when it hit me...I'm not making any stupid mistakes like I did the first time around...that's why this blog is titled NO MORE DISTRACTIONS....My agent was being a distraction! Well a month later she called me a "traitor!" I explained that it wasn't anything personal, but to expect me to make a  move and you don't know where you're going....I couldn't do that. She said a few days later that she understood. I finally felt like I was handling business the way I should have been several years ago...it was empowering. And then to hear Robin(LemonLime Agency)/Killian McHugh  was confirmation!!!  Until next time!!
I'm going to go to a "refresher course" of Killian's until I book a commercial!!!!!

BABY STEPS

Been a minute, but I'm still here. I was reading an online publication from SAG by Laurie Records about following casting directors on TWITTER(I'm on there by the way...FOLLOW ME!!!!) as a way to get your face in front of them more. So, I'm coachable...I start following some of the casting director in Los Angeles that I can find. The most active ones on Twitter that seem to even have a personality and something to say are LemonLime Agency(Robin and Chaim) two funny as hell people. I don't know them, but they are on their game!!! Killian McHugh is also on his game.
Well these two get together every month for a Q & A. It is amazing how many people say they want to get in the business or are in a slump, but won't sign up for a FREE Q & A!!!! Being out of the game for a minute, this stuff is like oxygen to me. I was soaking it up and was brought up to speed about this business. Man, I have to say.....this business has changed significantly over the years.
You know the internet has made it so that agents don't even have to be good at their jobs and promote their people anymore...it's kinda sad. That's the only down part...but my goodness...that is the best part!!! 
An agent that is great at creating relationships has the biggest and best agency. The internet is killing SALES(in the commercial/print business)!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Every other aspect is the same....you better know SOMEBODY!!!!!

Theatrical Coach

I need to get my phone hooked up so I can make entries via mobil phone. I've made a decision on starting in Kimberly Jentzen's Acting studio. I'm going  to start out with her weekend intensive and then get my schedule rearranged so I can attend her ongoing Scene Study on a monthly basis.

I've put off signing with a theatrical agent right now, because I want to have some leverage when I set up a meeting with the right agency. Right now being a fresh face is kinda tough. So here's the plan...I've already signed up with the SAG CONSERVATORY and getting ready to get some really good screen time with  the student films.
Oh yeah....I've lost 12 lbs!!! Brotha's getting cut up!! I'll post some pics soon!!!