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GETTING STARTED IN THE INDUSTRY
The
first thing you need to do when you decide to be a performer,
whether you want to do it as a hobby or as a career, is to take it
seriously. For some reason, a lot of people don't realize that even
in Alberta we have a $165mil industry and that in order to build on
the reputation that we have made for ourselves, we have to be
professionals.
You
have to be prepared to do a lot of leg work and to invest in your
professional development through workshops and headshots. I know a
lot of performers who will take the day off of work to perform an
audition that they were ill-prepared for but won't take the day off
work to participate in a workshop that will help their audition
technique. The opportunity cost you pay for not undertaking
professional development opportunities and for being unprepared at
auditions is huge. Casting Directors may choose not to see you for
auditions again, and in the big picture your shortcoming will
reflect badly on our industry in general.
There are however workshop providers who will try to take advantage
of your desire to become rich & famous.
Click on "Avoid Scams in the Film and
Television Industry" for more important information!
You
must also come to the realization that our industry has slow
periods, so work is often sporadic. And when there is work to be
had, you have to be prepared for rejection. Keep positive: get
feedback on the auditions that you did not get the role for, make
changes, and move on the the next project.
So... how do you find out about auditions?
Get
a Talent Agent. That's it, plain
and simple. Unless you already have a relationship with a
Principal Casting Director, you
won't hear about auditions any other way. (There are other benefits
to having a Talent Agent: they help weed out the projects that you
are not suited for, and they take on the role of collections agent
when dealing with miscreant producers.)
You
can also book Background/ Extra work through an Agent, or you can
contact the
Background Casting Director directly for that type of
work.
TALENT AGENTS
Click on "Avoid Scams in the Film and
Television Industry" for more important information!
Choosing a Talent Agent to represent you is one of the most
important and difficult tasks you will encounter as a Performer.
Talent Agents negotiate your above-minimum rates and working
conditions for all the productions for which you will be hired.
Your relationship with your Agent is crucial. Choose wisely and
always do your own personal research into any agency you are
considering for representation.
If a Talent Agency charges an exhorbident “sign-up” or “administration fee”, they
are already making money without having to actually find work for
performers. Talent Agents should make their money by charging only
the industry standard commission rate, 15% plus GST, on work they
procure for you in the film and television industry. Also, an Agent
should help you with your resume and give you pointers on headshots;
you should not be required to use a particular photographer/ make up
artist, etc. If they force services on you, the Agent is likely
making more money off of an unsuspecting performer. If an agency
guarantees you work, or tells you that they are working with a
particular production, these are likely false claims.
WE CANNOT GIVE OUR OPINION ABOUT WHETHER A PARTICULAR AGENCY IS
LEGITIMATE OR NOT.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!
Points to Consider
When Choosing an Agent
-
Does the Agency currently represent ACTRA Full Members,
Apprentice Members and ACTRA Additional Background Performers?
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Is the Agent familiar with all the Collective Agreements
negotiated and administered by ACTRA?
-
Are they registered with a breakdown service (i.e.
Casting Workbook,
Breakdown Services)?
-
Does the Agency use pressure tactics, discounts, and promises or
guarantees of work and money?
-
Does the Agency charge you for services performed on your
behalf?
If yes, what
are the services and how much do they charge? Are the fees
reasonable for the services they claim to provide to you?
-
Does the
agency require you to take classes and workshops from them?
Agencies may offer classes and workshops, but you should not be
required to take them as a condition of your representation.
-
Does the Agency require you to use an in-house or specified
photographer? (They may recommend photographers, but they should
not require you to use a specific photographer.)
-
Does the Agency ask you to sign a contract without giving you
time to think about your decision or without suggesting you
check it with a lawyer?
-
Are you comfortable with the cancellation terms in the Agency
contract?
-
Who receives residual payments on your behalf after you
terminate your relationship with your current Agent? Remember
to speak with other Performers about their own personal
representation and experiences. This may also assist you in
making your choice for the right Agent for you.
-
Talent
Agencies are businesses. Contact the
Better Business Bureau of Southern Alberta to see if a
complaint has been lodged against the Agency you are
investigating.
Below, you will find a list of Talent Agencies that operate in
Calgary and Edmonton- THEY ARE NOT FRANCHISED AGENTS.
ACTRA does not endorse, promote or recommend Talent Agencies.
This listing is simply a courtesy. Before settling on one agency,
DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Meet with different agencies until you find the
one that will represent you to the extent you desire.
ACTRA is not responsible for the business practices of any of these
agencies and does not have any recourse against an agency should you
feel you have been scammed.
ACTRA reserves the right to add or remove agencies from this listing
at its sole discretion.
CALGARY AGENCIES
A & G Talent (Principal and
Background)
2820-46 Street SE
Calgary, AB T2B 2N8
Contact:
Gena Watkins
Phone: (403) 470-6839
Website:
www.agtalent.net
Callback Artist & Management Inc. (Comedic Talent)
422-11 Street NE
Calgary, AB T2E 4N6
Contact:
Nancy Beaven
Office: (403) 532-7601
Fax: (403) 532-7607
Cell: (403) 860-5922
Chacon International Model & Talent (Principal & Background)
1116A-17 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2T 0B4
Contact:
Nellie & Christopher Chacon
Office: (403) 228-3658
Fax: (403) 212-1363
Christi Talent Management Group Inc. (Principal and Background)
304, 222-58 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2H 2S3
Contact:
Christi Mason
Phone: (403) 521-0077
Cinematic Artists (Principal and Background)
P.O. Box 130
Barons, AB T0L 0G0
Contact:
Sharon Broccoli
Phone: (403) 757-0071
Fax: (403) 757-0076
Dagaz Talent (Principal)
3014-28 Street SW
Calgary, AB T3E 2J4
Contact:
Roxanne Ellison
Phone: (403) 230-3220
Website:
www.dagaztalent.com
Dean Stewart
Talent Management (Principal)
Contact:
Dean Stewart
Phone: (403) 230-8831
Details Model & Talent (Model, Principal and Background)
Site 31 Box 16
RR#8
Calgary, AB
T2J 2T9
Contact:
Kelsea Forzani
Phone: (403) 801-9555
Empire Talent House (Principal)
Contact:
Glenda Philipchuk
Phone: (403) 301-0085
IModel Management Inc. (Model
(emphasis), Principal and Background)
1B, 1230A-17 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2T 0B8
Contact:
Len Mastaler
Phone: (403) 697-8554
Website:
www.imodelmanagement.ca
JaxWax Entertainment (Principal and
Background - emphasis on culturally diverse talent)
Contact:
Jacquelyn Marx
Phone: (403) 808-5972
Website:
www.jaxwaxent.com
KELS Talent (Principal and Background)
3236 Oakwood Drive SW
Calgary, AB T2V 0J9
Contact:
Karen Snyder
Phone: (403) 454-7111
Website:
www.kelstalent.ca
Kontakt West (Model, Principal and Background)
Bldg. 8, Unit 37, 2526 Battleford Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T3E 7J4
Contact:
Mireille Harris
Phone: (403) 240-7447
M&M Talent (Principal, Background, First Nations)
Contact:
Melanie Wall
Phone: (403) 803-0433
Website:
www.mmtalent.com
MAG Models (Model, Principal and Background)
Contact:
Micheline Rae
Phone: (403) 541-0189
Mode Models (Model, Principal and
Background)
1322-15 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T3C 0X7
Contact: Bill Giofu
Phone: (403) 228-4948
Website:
www.modemodels.com/calgary
Numa Talent (Model, Principal and
Background)
6402 - 1A Street SW
Calgary, AB T2H 0E2
Contact: Abby deForest
Phone: (403) 455-6862
Website:
www.numamodels.com
Patti Falconer Talent (Model, Principal and Background)
2523-17 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2E 0A2
Contact:
Patti Falconer
Phone: (403) 249-8222
SilverScreen Inc. (Principal and
Background)
164, 200 Barclay Parade SW
Calgary, AB T2P 4R5
Contact:
Shauna Forman
Phone: (403) 228-2988
Website:
www.silverscreeninc.com
Talent Incorporated (Principal and
Background)
Contact:
Paul Ritchie
Phone: (403) 948-7460
Website:
www.talentinc.ca
EDMONTON AGENCIES
Circle Talent (Principal and Background)
Contact: Bea Janisch
Phone: (780) 458-2676
Darryl Mork Talent Management (Principal and Background)
P.O. Box 52120
Edmonton, AB T6G 2T5
Contact: Darryl Mork
Phone: (780) 455-4215
Ebbels Talent Alberta (Principal and Background)
Contact: Elizabeth Ebbels
Phone: (780) 988-9342
Great West Canadian Talent (Principal and Background)
Contact: Bill Davidson
Phone: (780) 944-1591
Serendipity Talent Management (Principal and Background)
Contact:
Sherry Packolyk
Phone: (780) 902-8623
Silverscreen Edmonton (Principal and Background)
Contact:
Joanne Autio
Phone: (780)
669-2033
CASTING DIRECTORS
These Casting Directors operate in CALGARY and EDMONTON. You can
cross reference this listing with the
In Production
list to discover which casting directors are currently casting for
shows in Alberta. Casting Directors do not charge sign-up fees or
commission. They are an employee of the Producer whose job it is to
find suitable candidates for the types of roles that a production
needs to fill. Casting Directors book auditions and hire performers
through their Talent Agents in most cases; if you do not have a
Talent Agent, it is very difficult to know what roles are available
& when. Audition sessions happen so quickly that ACTRA does not have
an opportunity to post them - it is up to you to find out about them
either by keeping in contact with the Casting Directors or through
your Talent Agent if you have one.
Note: Performers should not be charged for courses conducted by
Casting Directors on how to be a Background Performer or set
etiquette as a condition of their employment.
The Casting Line Canada Inc. (COMMERCIAL & PRINCIPAL CASTING)
Louise Mackiewicz, CDC
Ph.: (604) 676-3172
Email:
thecastingline@shaw.ca
Classic Casting (EXTRAS & COMMERCIAL CASTING)
Alyson Lockwood
Box 345
#300, 8120 Beddington Blvd. NW
Calgary, AB T3K 2A8
Ph: (403) 948-4563 Fax: (403) 948-6771
Email:
alysonlockwood@shaw.ca
Deb Green Casting (PRINCIPAL & COMMERCIAL CASTING)
Deborah Green, CDC
#232, 16 Midlake Blvd SE
Calgary, Alberta T2X 2X7
Ph: (403) 931-3181 Fax: (403) 931-3979
Email:
dgmgreen@canadafilm.com
Geraldine Carr (PRINCIPAL, EXTRAS & COMMERCIAL CASTING)
Edmonton, Alberta
Prefers contact information to remain unlisted.
Hershon, Marcy (EXTRAS & COMMERCIAL
CASTING)
3014 Dallaire Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T3E 7T4
Ph: (403) 606-5989 Fax: (403) 251-7530
Submissions: Photo and Resume submissions are accepted by mail only.
Email:
marcyhershon@gmail.com
Jackie Lind
Casting Ltd. (PRINCIPAL CASTING)
Jackie Rooney
email:
jackielindcasting@gmail.com
Kris Rurka Casting (PRINCIPAL, COMMERCIALS & EXTRAS CASTING)
Ph: (780) 940-2278
Email:
kriscasting@hotmail.com
Kotyk, Carmen (PRINCIPAL & COMMERCIAL
CASTING)
Ph: (403) 242-0182 Fax: (403) 242-0182
email:
ckotyk@canadafilm.com
Rhonda Fisekci Casting Inc. (PRINCIPAL & COMMERCIAL CASTING)
Rhonda Fisekci, CDC
P.O. Box 55143
7196 Temple Drive NE
Calgary, AB T1Y 3N1
Ph: (403) 861-9270 Fax: (403) 285-8213
email:
rfisekci@canadafilm.com
Search 4 Casting Services (PRINCIPAL,
COMMERCIALS & EXTRAS CASTING)
Carrie Byrnell
17512-59 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T6M 1H2
Ph: (780) 298-0788
email:
search4casting@gmail.com |
