Casting Notices and Rip-Off Websites - Wannabe an actor or a wannabe

Can't see embedded HTML, Videos etc.... VIEW THIS AT BLOGSITE
http://www.waltfrasier.blogspot.com/

Are you getting emails and text messages daily from websites promising acting work?

If not, you are very lucky. I get more spam from these rip-off artists than African inheritance commission promises and Canadian Pharmacy deals. The emails were bad enough. Now I have to get text messages?

I just got a Facebook Message form a colleague from High School and College asking about the reputation of two companies. I am far from the expert on the subject and there are hundreds of legitimate casting directors and agents that I would not recognize.

I have two perspectives on the subject.
One as performer; Two as Producer/Casting Director from my own projects.

As a performer, I know every teacher I have ever worked with said NEVER pay up front to agents for acting or models. Legit Agents and Casting Directors never ask for money from talent. They are paid on commission or directly by producer of project. I did spend money to list my resume and info for a few months on more than one site. I never got any work that warranted the listing. I did get some promotional work as a result but the ROI was minimal considering all the time I put into the setting up of resumes etc. Many of these sites cost $10-15/month. Great deals on 6-month and annual subscriptions.

AS a producer, casting the Improv show, EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH, and its spin offs, I post notices now in Backstage and Playbill ONLY. I get submissions from amazing professionally trained talent that are really in the know. Or at least as much in the know one can be. But most are studio or college trained with some credits coming in. These are talented individuals that understand the need to audition and audition often to forward their careers. In the early days I would post notices on a number of sites that were free to me. We did get some great talented folks but at each audition there would be one amazing performer amidst twenty wannabes. I always says New York has the best and worst to offer in every area of the arts and culture. We would the most extreme examples.

If you want to be an actor....

Read Backstage weekly and check out the auditions. Even if you do not plan on auditioning, know what is out there.

AUDITION every week. Preferable 2-3 times/week if not currently working/rehearsing a project.

Pick up ROSS REPORTS once a year to have updated list of agents and casting directors. I personally get little out of the articles monthly and listings do not change that much month to month. Over the course of a year however, enough agents and CDs change addresses, companies, open and close.

If you are going to pay for online casting websites, backstage and actors access seem to be the ones to go to. I do neither but know plenty of folks benefiting. Actors Access does get a lot of legit audition notices. Backstage online is an extension of the printed newspaper and updates daily. Most of the other sites are just hijacking listings from those two anyway.

Check out Playbill.com from time to time to see what is up in the professional theater world. They have some interesting articles on new talent going into long running shows etc. As a producer, I love to see Broadway Grosses to keep up with what is really going on in our world.

ALWAYS BE CREATING - Write - Perform - Direct - Paint - Blog - WHATEVER
Keep the talents and the mind in creative mode. Warm up the performance body and voice every day whether you have an audition, performance, rehearsal OR NOTHING to do creatively that day.

I do not really write this blog as a how-to manual for upcoming talent but as a way to force myself to keep thinking about career and moving forward. This is why I produce horrible videos of me singing etc. It keeps me from being idle and lazy.

LAST THING
Another NO-NO I was told - NEVER pay to audition for an agent or casting director. I have met a few now that said the only way they get to meet new talent is through the one-on-one type networking nights where you get to auditions for 1-10 agents or casting directors. Don't waste too much money on these but find the right deal for you and check them out. I am meeting a lot of folks and promoting the Improv Troupe as well as my own talents. FYI - DONT DO WHAT I DID TOO MANY TIMES!!! GO IN PREPARED - I definitely wasted some opportunities not choosing the right scene or not being prepared etc. LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!@!!

ABC
ALWAY A
BE
CREATING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvh7f6I00Uc

NYC High School Kids learn Improv

The COMEDY HALL OF FAME, http://comedyhalloffame.com/, has employed Walt Frasier and EIGHT IS NEVER ENOUGH / IMPROV 4 KIDS to bring its residency program to NYC High Schools. The pilot program started last week with Spero Chumas, Laurice Fattal and Chris Catalano joining Walter to perform a showcase demonstrating various Improv Games . This week the kids begin an 8 week course leading up to a showcase performance (or two) MOre to come.

MORE INFO AT

http://www.eightimprov.biz/
http://www.improv4kids.com/
http://www.absentmindedcomedy.com/
http://www.waltfrasier.com/
http://www.comedyhalloffame.com/

Walter Sings

Videos made from NYC apartment singing some classic Broadway tunes plus clips from live shows. I have been very lazy over the years and this is a way for me to force myself to learn new music etc.
www.waltfrasier.blogspot.com

Poor Chris Brown

AP - Chris Brown says he is unsure about how the public perceives him since he attacked Rihanna.

Seriously. I am pretty sure. Anyone still respect this creep. Drop it low, Chris.

Want to know your image? Check out the image of Rihanna from your fist...
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/3029551/Rihanna-humiliated-by-leaked-pic

If I were you I would start learning a skill like accounting, telemarketing or waiting tables. You might be able to sing, but these days any pretty face and mediocre talent can be propped up by producers and sounds studio edits. You are lucky to not be in prison right now.

GREAT HALLOWEEN - The Yankees Win

October 31, 2009 - WALKILL NY

Laurice, Spero, and I along with EIGHT cast members Andree, John and DMG - OH and Sandra too!) drove up to the Chumas ancestral home to celebrate the holiday. Mother and Sister Chumas had prepared a tremendous spread that was paced all day long. Sandwich buffet assortment and deli favorites (Mac Salad, Pot Salad) waiting for us, I was cursed for driving up with a PB Sunday from Stewarts. Afterwards we all take out time getting into costumes. Kids arrive around 6pm. Small group - Large Groups. Many family groups. At one point one would think an entire block traveled as a unit.

Spero poses as a statue with a scary mask. Ask kids near, one arm shoots up with a candy treat. Andree followed suit with a great Skeleton Mask. Laurice was kind of a scary punk with pink hair etc. David dressed up as Nicely Nicely but served the role of Freak Circus MC/ Sister Chumas and Beau dressed as Vampires. Even the dogs had costumes. John showed up late due to GPS sending him to another town, but made up for his absence with a great Gorilla Suit and agile movements. I was lacking in costume but added my voice and natural creepy charm. Bored a changed looks a few times. I was a little disappointed that I had not planned this out better. SO I did my freeze move. Using bad ventriloquism, I would project a scray growling voice "HAPPY HALLOWEEN - HA HA HA" HACK.... I think a few thought I was actually a smoker or asthmatic. This alternated with a haunting chant "DON't PULL THE FINGER" Some kids were eager to jump in. If they did I made a serious of Fart noises. Some rhythmic and musical. Ah yes, variety is the spice of life. One young 6yo said "THAT's DISGUSTING"

Inside there were snacks waiting for us again. Homemade Spinach Dip, Hummus, Cheeses and Chips. I did better than usual not to fill up on these. The game was rain delayed so we tried to watch CURB on demand. Time Warner SURPRISED US (please detect sarcasm here) that om demand did not work. Dinner was ready and seconds later the game started. The best baked ziti and Italian sausage were worth missing Werth hit the solo home run. But Spero and I were in front of the TV in time for Pettite to briefly fall apart. He looked stressed the first couple innings. As if he was trying not to cry. That might be the from the rain, but he just did not have the fierceness in his eyes. However he seemed to get it back by the fourth and was great after. Yankees went to work and racked up the points. GO YANKEES!!!

After the game - MORE FOOD. Homemade Apple Crisp and Apple Pia from Meredith's Bread Stand, which we found on the highway rest stop off of 87.

As I type this I am working up the appetite for Pancake Breakfast at he fire house. I am writing this blog to stall while the other actors sleep. I am cursed for being a morning person in an business where late night romps are more normal than 5am fishing trips. Oh well, time to start planning Veterans Day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yc6D_5ULL0