Do you have to have an agent to audition for movies?

Question

I've always wondered if anyone can go to auditions for a movie . How do find out about auditions without having an agent? Are auditions ever held anywhere other than California and New York? lol dumb questions...but I've always wondered

Answer 1

No. But it's a good idea.

You do need to live where they are being shot, which means LA, NYC, Toronto, Sidney, Auckland, London, Paris, Rome or secondary areas like Phoenix or Santa Fe.

YOu need pictures and a bio. You're only as good as your last credits.

Survive with Extra work which pays $50 a day minimum.

What you really need to get film work is a SAG card or some special talent. Are you a magician? Are you a professional clown? A musician?

They cast "types" and often need "types" they can't find.

Generally, the way it works, is a CASTING DIRECTOR who works with a stable of artists handles the show. The suggest "one liners" and provide all the "withs" and "ands." The Big people are usually drawn off an A or B list.

Will you do nudity. That is one way to get in. The list of B list actors willing to go totally naked to secure a part with two or more weeks work is long.

Do live stage as much as you can.

Network.

Go to parties.

You need to learn about the "breakdowns" and that means an agent or insider, other than that you work out of the weekly Hollywood Reporter TV and MOVIE list, which you buy at the news stands or subscribe to on-line for about $15 a month.

On any given day at any given studio there is a casting session and if you got the balls you can walk right through the doors and get your picture before them.

After two years of doing this you finally become "known" around the circles and eventually someone gives you a break, just because you stayed around and made the rounds. They give you a "one liner." Don't blow it.

You need dedication for movies. You need transportation, reliable transportation. You have to get there by 5 AM and stay until Midnight.

For extra work you need to make friends with the 2nd AD.

Get a studio job. Film runner. Go-fer.

Every once in a while a VP runs into the office and asks: Anyone here have a current SAG card? The YES person gets a one liner.

Once you get your SAG CARD ($1,000+ initiation in a single payment, cash or certified check) you can't do non-SAG work.

Even EXTRA work is SAG.

First 6 -10 extras must now be SAG.

That means if you're not there for the first 6-10 jobs, you can't do it as a non-SAG.

Register with the CASTING services, such as Central Casting and the little ones, which change yearly.

You will need wallet size pictures, 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, color and black and white.

If you can't afford to blow $500 a year handing out pictures, don't even bother going to Hollywood.

I know, I been there, I worked with people who got shows to pilot and I got one extra her SAG card.

It's called a Taft-Hartley and it comes from them violating a rule that makes you SAG eliable, which is a good status.

If you can TAFT-HARTLEY wait 11 months and just keep your ELIGABLITY and state it on your resume. SAG ELIGABLE.

Then have $1,000 in the bank to buy your card if they want you.

This way you can apply for SAG jobs and still take NON SAG jobs.

Don't let your eligablity run out, however, go for the card a few weeks before eligablity runs out.

Answer 2

You can find out about auditions on almost any acting website. But most of the time you cant schedule an audition without an agent. Most casting directors dont really take people seriously without an agent because that looks like n agent wanted you. Auditions are also held in Canada, Chicago, and some other big cities. Usually the auditions for a movie are held all over in big placces. You go to the one you are closest to.

Answer 3

You need an agent to audition for movies.

If it is union movie (Screen Actors Guild) you have to be a union member, - it's expensive to join.

Movies are filmed in major cities, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami.

If a movie is being filmed in your area, the information may be posted in the section that has information, on what is playing at the theater and at the movie theaters. As, they sometimes will offer small roles to local residents.

Also, call the theater department of the universities, and ask if they have a bulletin board that lists movies being filmed in your area.

Answer 4

It's much easier with an agent. They have access to the audition info and can schedule an audition for you. There are some open calls though, mostly in NYC and LA. Read casting notices in the newspapers "BackStage" and "BackStage West".

Answer 5

open casting calls. where ever they're making a movie. indies might be easier to get into.
My brother and his friend got into a few movies shot in Seattle. His friend was a part-timer in a series that was supposed to be in Alaska.

Answer 6

yes except for open calls then no