Major Concern of 1999: Internet Safety

As we move into the new Millennium, we want to talk about one of our main concerns of 1999. We work very hard to offer information that you can use. Information that helps enough to actually make a difference in your career and in your life. We do what we can to make sure that only information that is going to help you is placed on the FutureCasting2000.com website. Because there is no way possible for us to be 100% sure that nothing will slip through the cracks, there is one thing we want to focus on and that is INTERNET SAFETY!

We all know just how enticing show business can be: the glamorous life with lots of money, limousines, fabulous parties, etc. All these things are possibilities, but we need to keep our heads on straight as we reach for the stars. Don’t get so blinded by the lights that you don’t use common sense. If you send a headshot and resume for the lead in what has been billed as a feature film and some guy calls to tell you that you have been cast in the role, think twice and be careful. It is very rare for someone to be cast on headshot and resume alone. It happens, but it is extremely rare and I doubt if it ever happens with a feature film. The director, producer, and casting agent at least want to see you and you will probably have to read for the role as well; at the very least, they will want to make sure that you look like the headshot.

When you are trying to contact someone via the Internet, you need to be careful. How do you know who is on the other end? This is an important question if the company that you are e-mailing is a new or unknown company. If the company has been around for a while, chances are they are probably legitimate or you would have probably heard something negative about them by now in the media or by word of mouth. This is no guarantee though because some "shady" companies are able to operate in a less than ethical manner and hide it for years.

Since you can’t be sure who is at the other end of an e-mail, take some simple precautions that will not hurt your chances of getting a job. If a producer, casting director or agent is interested in you for a job, they will contact you. If you leave them your e-mail address, they will e-mail you. Remember that they have contacted you through the web initially by posting a notice on the FutureCasting2000.com web site or whatever web site you saw they auditions notice on. They will e-mail you back if that is the contact information that you provide. If you provide a phone number, be sure that your number is unlisted with the phone directory service so "unethical" people can’t trace you. Another alternative is to provide a pager number or an agent’s phone number (if you have one).

There is no need to include your address, social security number, additional pictures, etc. to get the attention of the casting director. If a headshot and resume has been requested, that is all you need to send. Simply be sure that you have a good headshot that looks like you and a well-organized resume that has some of the best work that you have done. There is no need to give your life’s history and all of your vital information. This is simply not a smart thing to do.

When it comes to going on auditions, use the same common sense. If the audition is not at an office or if you arrive and there is no one else there or if the person conducting the audition just doesn’t seem above board, you should consider leaving the audition. Whenever attending an audition that is being held by an unknown company or person, consider taking someone along with you, particularly if you are a female or a minor. The chances of something going wrong is slim to none, but that one time that it happens, we want you to be safe. When you believe that you are about to hit the BIG TIME and your head is spinning and you can hardly think straight, take a deep breath and think about everything logically to ensure your well being. Here’s to a safe FutureCasting2000!

Note: Please notify us immediately if you ever find out that one of the casting or crew job notices listed on our web site is fraudulent in nature.

Past articles to review:

Watch Out for Scams
http://www.futurecasting2000.com/newsletters/dec98vol1.htm

Answers to the Top 10 Questions Asked by Visitors to FutureCasting2000.com

Here at FutureCasting2000.com we receive lots of e-mail with questions about the entertainment industry. While we would like to remind you that answers to most of the questions we receive can be found on the FutureCasting2000.com web site. We are listing the top 10 questions asked us by talent and including a link to the answers. To list them individually in the newsletter requires too much space.

You may want to print this edition and keep it as a reference. There will undoubtedly be times when questions will arise and you may already have the answer at your fingertips. This will make you more efficient and help you to make the right decision. The easiest way to read this article is to go directly to http://www.futurecasting2000.com/newsletter.htm because then you can click on each link to get the answers.

Here are the top 10 questions received by the staff of FutureCasting2000.com during the 12 months of the last year of the century.

1.   How do I get started and how do I get an agent?

To get the answer, go to this page: http://www.futurecasting2000.com/newsletters/answer1.htm

2.  Am I being ripped off?

To get the answer, go to this page: http://www.futurecasting2000.com/newsletters/answer2.htm

3.  How do I find a good photographer?

To get the answer, go to this page: http://www.futurecasting2000.com/newsletters/answer3.htm

4.  How do I get my child started in this business?

To get the answer, go to this page: http://www.futurecasting2000.com/newsletters/answer4.htm

5.  How often do you update your auditions?

To get the answer, go to this page: http://www.futurecasting2000.com/newsletters/answer5.htm

6.  How do I apply for the auditions on your auditions page?

To get the answer, go to this page: http://www.futurecasting2000.com/newsletters/answer6.htm

7.  How do I become an agent?

To get the answer, go to this page: http://www.futurecasting2000.com/newsletters/answer7.htm

8.  What do I put on my resume if I have no experience?

To get the answer, go to this page: http://www.futurecasting2000.com/newsletters/answer8.htm

9.  Do you think I have what it takes in this business?

         To get the answer, go to this page: http://www.futurecasting2000.com/newsletters/answer9.htm

10.  How do I become a member on your site?

        To get the answer, go to this page: http://www.futurecasting2000.com/newsletters/answer10.htm

How to Prepare for a Prosperous Year 2000

If things are slow for you right now, it is normal for this business. However, we would much rather you be busy. If you are not busy, we hope that some work is coming your way. With everybody on vacation and enjoying the long holiday, it may be difficult to get a lot of work at the moment. There are some things that you can be doing to maximize the slow season. Lots of the things you could be doing may appear to have nothing at all to do with show business.

For instance, you know all the stuff around the house that you need to throw out? Use the down time to get rid of that stuff. It is just taking up space and is another chore that clouds your mind with what you need to get done. If you get it done now, you won’t have to waste energy worrying about it later and you will be able to get more organized at home. If you don’t already know it, organization in this industry is extremely important.

You need to be able to always put your hands on a headshot and resume, or any of the other marketing materials that you may have. If you keep things in an orderly fashion, you will be able to do that. When the agent calls and says, "I need more headshots." You won’t say, "now where did I put those headshots?" You will know exactly where they are. You might even take the time to devise a plan and give everything a place. The more efficient you are, the more packages you will get out, the more agents you will have and the more work you will get.

You may want to do some theater to help keep your skills sharp. If you were fortunate during the busy season, you may have enough money to even take a vacation. Get away from it all and get re-charged for the next season. I won’t tell you that you have to promise to not think about the business. In this business, you eat, drink and sleep this business and you just can’t help it; especially, if you watch television, listen to the radio, go to the theater or see a movie.

The entertainment industry touches our lives on so many different levels that we never stop to think about. If you are out shopping and you look at the tag on a pair of jeans, it isn’t just a tag that says "JEANS." It is accompanied by a picture with a scantily clad woman, man or both. You think to yourself, I wonder how much she got paid for that print job? You are driving down the road and you hear a commercial that makes you think about a voice-over job you did a few weeks ago. You might hear in your head the way you would deliver the lines and the commercial may actually be you. When you are in this industry and a little successful, you can’t really get away from it no matter what you do.

Since there is no real "getting away" from it, enjoy it. Embrace what you love and use each one of these scenarios to hone your skills. Do those lines from the commercial in your head and use the thought of payment for the print ad as motivation to get that comp (composite) card done and send it out to those agents. This is a business where you work and when you go to play you see the things that you do while you work. If you have to eat, drink and sleep this business, let it fuel you. Let it be a constant reminder that you need to get new headshots, get that package in the mail to the new agent, get the voice reel done, get the video reel done and take your career to the next level.

Organize your closet so that you are ready for that audition or job at the drop of a dime. If your clothing is put away in a neat manner so that you can see exactly what you have, it will help you more than you realize. When you get a call about an audition, you will be able to get an idea of what you should wear. When you get the call from wardrobe (e.g. the wardrobe department) for an actual job, the same thing applies. Having your clothing organized actually helps on a number of fronts. You spend no time agonizing over what to wear. You can see you clothing and you simply pick what works best for the audition or job. You will know what is clean and what is dirty and what you will need and what you won’t need.

Believe it or not, this will save so much time that you will actually have more time to study lines and even get more sleep. Instead of studying the script, getting directions, and then saying at the last hour, "Time to get together wardrobe." Sometimes the call from wardrobe can truly be at the last minute. If you organized ahead of time, when you get the call, it will be a matter of going to the closet, pulling out what you need and packing your garment bag.

While all these things may seem to be so small and insignificant, try them and together they can help you in ways you have never dreamed of. Remember that in this industry what often gets you over is having an edge and you have to look for that edge wherever you can find it. If you are sharper because you got an extra hour of sleep last night and it helps you get the gig … it’ll be a great start to a great FutureCasting2000!

The Staff of Edwards & Hill Communications, LLC would like to wish you and yours a Happy New Year!

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