How to Act & Eat at the Same Time, the Sequel: The Do’s and Don’ts of Landing a Professional Acting Job

Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Part I: The Don’ts
	Chapter 1: Don’t Apologize
		Who Actually Casts the Show?
		The Many Ways Actors Apologize
	Chapter 2: Don’t Beg
		“The Speech”
		Gimmicks Equal Begging
		Don’t Lie to Us—That’s Begging!
		The Beverly Theory
		Would I Hire a Beggar?
		Sob Stories
		The Dreadful Request
		Don’t Be Impolite
		Crashing an Audition
	Chapter 3: Don’t Hang Around the Audition so We Can Tell You How Good or Bad You Were
		Time Spent in the Audition Means Nothing
		Directors “Bargain” Roles
		Leaving the Audition Room
	Chapter 4: Don’t Ask Us What We’re Looking For
		Other Questions You Shouldn’t Ask
		Questions You Should Ask
	Chapter 5: Don’t Put Down Another Actor in the Audition
		What to Do with an Inexperienced Partner
		“Dissing” Your Agent
		“Dissing” the Script
		Copping an Attitude
		Upstaging Your Fellow Actors
	Chapter 6: Don’t Audition in Clothes That Would Embarrass the Family Doctor
		What You Shouldn’t Wear
		What You Should Wear
	Chapter 7: Don’t Come into the Audition Playing the Part
		Taking Direction
		Don’t Play the Extremes
		Getting Personal
		Playing to Your Personality
		The “Purist” Actor
	Chapter 8: Don’t Get Too Nervous
		Why You Get Nervous
		Is the Room Full of Experts?
		Social Media
		Owing Favors
		The Importance of Training
		The Waiting Room Competition
		Reality Check
Part II: The Do’s
	Chapter 9: Do Get Professional Photos
		What Is the Purpose of a Photo (to a Director)?
		Finding the Right Photographer
		The Types of Photos You Will Need
		Prepping with the Photographer
		When to Shoot Your Photos
		Out-­of-­Date Photos
		Personality in Photos
		Should You Use Makeup?
		Should You Retouch Your Photos?
		Photo Wardrobe
		Revealing Your Face
		What About Glasses?
		Photo Backgrounds
		Where to Focus Your Eyes
		Hiding Weight (or Anything Else)
		What About Borders?
		Product Names
		What Separates a Good Photo from a Bad One?
		Printing Your Name on the Photos
		Reproducing Your Photos
	Chapter 10: Do Compose a Good Resume
		The Purpose of the Resume (to a Director)
		Contact Information
		Listing of Unions
		Your Age
		Height, Weight, Eyes, Hair
		Film Credits
		Television Credits
		Commercials
		Stage Roles
		Theatrical Training
		Special Abilities
		Writing Cute Things About Yourself
		Dates
		Local Awards
		Order of Credits
		Background Actors
		Background Work
		What to Do with Your Resume
	Chapter 11: Do Obtain the Best Agent Possible
		What an Agent Can (and Can’t) Do for You
		Who to Contact for Representation
		Determining Which Agents to Contact
		Helpful Publications and Online Services
		Contacting the Agents
		Should You “Drop by” an Agent’s Office?
		The SAG-­AFTRA Conservatory
		Performing in Showcase Plays/Workshops
		Keep Trying!
		Big vs. Small Agent
		The Importance and the Role of the Acting Unions
		On Union Affiliation
		Taft-­Hartley
		Submitting Footage of Yourself
		Managers
	Chapter 12: Do Come Prepared for Your Meeting With the Agent
		How to Dress
		Be on Time
		what to bring
		The Chitchat Session
	Chapter 13: Do Have the Best Possible Working Relationship With Your Agent
		Agency Contracts
		Escape Clauses
		One Agent or More?
		Actor/Agent Relationships
		Is Your Agent Working for You?
		Leaving an Agent
	Chapter 14: Do Understand the Entire Casting Process
		TV and Film
		Non-union Productions
		Union Productions
		Self-­Tapes
		Theatre
		Types of Equity Productions
		Equity Principal Auditions (EPA)
		Work Permits and Minors
		How Long Is a Minor Allowed to Work on Set?
		Coogan Law
		Food for Thought
	Chapter 15: Do Pursue Acting in Commercials
		The Bucks
		Getting into Commercial Auditions
		During the Audition
		Commercial Callbacks
		Unions and Commercials
		Voice-­overs
		Obtaining a Voice-­over Agent
		Parts Models
	Chapter 16: That’s a Wrap
		Logistics
		A Good Attitude
		“Character” Does Count
		Final Words
Appendix A: List of Websites
Appendix B: List of SAG­AFTRA Offices
Appendix C: List of Equity Offices
Appendix D: Steps to Joining SAG-­AFTRA
	Proof of Employment
	Employment under an Affiliated Performers’ Union
	Appointment for Admission
	Submitting proof of SAG-­AFTRA Eligibility
Appendix E: How to Join AEA (Equity)
	Equity Contract
	Four A’s: Associated Actors and Artistes of America Affiliation
	Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) Program
	Aliens/Foreign Actor Rules
	Rejoining Equity
	Dues and Fees
	Dues
	Check Off Deductions
	Billing Periods
	Membership Refund Policy
Appendix F: Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) Program
	Registration
	EMC Work Weeks
	Joining Equity
	Important Notes
Glossary
	Abbreviations
About the Author