Happy New Year!

Here's to a more prosperous year in the entertainment industry!
2010!

Holiday Slow Down

The holiday slow down is in full effect right now. Except for a few projects, most productions are down until the week of January 4th. (As always, still block out if you are not available.)

We will be closed for Christmas Day and New Years Day. Other than just those two days, we will be in the office. Without specifics, we may have limited office hours over the next two weeks depending on how busy (or slow) the casting directors are. And as always, even if we are not physically in the office, we are still on call for casting.

AFTRA card on file

Are you a paid up AFTRA member? Have you gone to Central to show them your card yet?

Central now likes to have paid up AFTRA members go over to update their files in person to show the card. (While you're at it, it's always good to do a photo update too!)

In general, clients are less likely to be booked by Central on AFTRA jobs if they have not gone over to show their card to update their Central file.

Marking off for the holidays

Just a reminder, make sure to mark off for the upcoming holidays. As always, never assume that you won't be working just because the industry slows down for the holidays, so please remember to give us ladies in the office a call if you need to block out for any days.

Prime's Do's and Dont's

I found a list of Do's and Dont's for background on Prime Casting's website. Most of it applies to everyone working as background in LA, it's good stuff... check it out

Click Here

Pet Names

Just for fun, from 10/29/09 to 11/30/09 we kept track of all the pet names we were called here in the office. These came from clients and casting. Enjoy!

PS: Honey was the CLEAR winner. (thanks JJ)

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Our office will be closed though the weekend, though we are always on call for casting.

Enjoy the holiday!

Slowness in the Industry

So we do get asked many times a day on the phone and some of you asked on the Facebook, so.... I'm here to answer.

The slowness in the industry. How could I sum it up in a blog post? There are several factors and I'll try to list them, but some may be just generalizations and not apply to everyone and every situation.

The Not So Good Stuff

The Economy: Yes, it's effecting our industry too, and it has been for a while. People are not investing the money in projects and studios are tentative about creating large scale productions. As a result, not only do we have fewer projects, but of the ones that are up and running, they are scaled back.

Run-Away Productions: This is mainly a problem with features, but there are many incentives for productions to shoot out of Los Angles and California. Governor Schwarzenegger pushed to get production incentives through last February (LA Times article), but most other states have greater incentives than California. Thought it helps, it does not level the playing field. Productions leave because it's cheaper to shoot elsewhere.

Union Issues: Failures of union leadership, infighting, SAG versus AFTRA. Most new television productions are AFTRA. SAG productions are down. It's funny that when there is an election we hear from SAG and AFTRA almost daily, and now when we need the unions to push to keep work in Los Angeles and fight for it's members... nothing... not a peep.

Holidays: Yes, the holidays are upon us. It's usually slow at this point, but this year, it's slow on top of slow... so here we are.

On The Lighter Side

I know we've been saying this for a while, but we do expect productions to pick up. When? Hopefully soon, maybe after 2010 rolls around.

There are studios in the works to be built around LA. (Disney/ABC To Build Huge Production Facility & Double Soundstage Space in LA County)

AFTRA productions seem to be increasing. (You can view this as a good or bad, depending on your situation.)

What To Do?

Other than reasonably hustling for work (without driving us or the casting directors crazy of course), there are a few things you can do to help yourself and improve your chances of getting work.

Make sure your files are active and up to date with casting. Many people have encountered their Central files going inactive lately. Has it been longer than 2 years since you registered with them? Have you changed your look? Maybe you should go update your pictures with them and any other casting you have registered with in the past.

Was there a look that worked for you in the past better? Examine your look and type so you make sure you submit for roles that are realistic. Did you decide to dye your hair a color that is not found in nature? Are you an 18 to look younger type who has decided to grow a beard? You get the picture.

Further yourself. Take a class or volunteer. Just because you're not working doesn't mean you have to sit by the phone and cry (just kidding!) Trust me, I know it's easy to sleep in until noon, do a bunch of nothing all day, and before you know it, it's time to go to bed again. Be proactive.

(proactive |prōˈaktiv|adjective(of a person, policy, or action) creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than responding to it after it has happened : be proactive in identifying and preventing potential problems.)

Please comment if you have anything to add. Thanks!

Favorite Industry Blog - DHD

Want to know what's going on in our industry in LA?

Check out... http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/

This is my favorite blog to find out what's going on in LA movie/tv world. People call and ask us questions often and this is where I get most of my reliable information.