Student Films: A Great opportunity for actors

18 11 2008

So looking to work your acting chops huh? Well don’t discount student films. There are tons of Film Schools here, constantly searching for actors to cast in their short films. So get out there and audition for them.  Some great benifits in auditioning for student films are: its keeps your skillls fresh.  You may be in a scene study class, but you always want to put those skills to work and the easiest way is to get in those student films. Student films help build reel material. We are in the “show me” internet age. No longer do agents and CD’s want a headshot; they want to see what you can do before . Participating in these student films and then linking them to your myspace page or your official website, giving you the exposure you need. On the set of student films you meet great (and sometimes not-so-great) actors and crew, who you can become friends with and have lasting relationships here in LA. For those of us who move here by ourselves this is really helpful when trying to get out and meet people.  And finally, these student directors,editors, and cinematographers are going to be the Hollywood directors, editors and DP’s. That’s right! Can you imagine how many doors opened for the actors who worked with Quentin Tarantino on his first student film. Exactly!  So get out there and get to auditioning for these student films. They usually list casting notices on www.nowcasting.com, www.actorsaccess.com, and www.lacasting.com. I actually got cast in a short film at Loyola Marymount Film School this past weekend ,through actors access. I met a great director and phenomenal cast of actors, who I happened to gel with quite naturally. Its going to be great to see the finished product and The cast and I are all going out for a round of fun at a disclosed location in LA :)

Some very reputable schools to look into are:

University of Southern California (Home of George Lucas), Loyola Marymount University (great reputation, professional film school), LA  film School, LA valley College, The Arts Institute LA, New York Film Academy (LA) 

Just to name a few. I don’t know them all but below is a link to a website that has a list of schools. You can put your headshot and resume on file with some of these schools and they will call if they need for an audition. Others just post auditions when necessary. Good Luck!

http://www.filmschools.com/?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_n=edu_google_film_gsfilmdr_caflmschsbrd_200609&s_kwcid=film%20schools%20in%20california|1701906843





The BEST photographer for Headshots!!

4 11 2008

Finally, I can say that I have found one of the best photographers in Los Angeles, CA and it has truly been a search. I have gone months without new shots and horribly needed them. Initially, my naivety and impatience sent me to an amatuer photographer who charged me professional rates. I walked a way with a useless portfolio with overexposed pictures. With no more money to invest in headshots, I had waited and was getting a little down because everyone I searched was really expensive or hardly experienced and then I found that Diamond in the rough. While I was at dress rehearsal for my last show, one of my co-actors referred me to Robin Emtage. I went to her website and I mean, the work literally speaks for itself. When you’re looking through her gallery, you think, “geez, I can’t afford such great shots” WRONG…she has packages that work with us actors on a budget. I got the quickie session (two looks) I did a commercial and theatrical shot. My total for that day was 295.00 and this included make-up. There was a 50 dollar deposit and I paid the balance in cash to receive my CD the day of the shoot. The first photographer charged me 500.00 dollars and my pictures were not “send to an agent quality”!! I submitted and got no response from any castings directors. I uploaded my new headshots on Saturday and receieved a Casting Notice on Monday! 

If you are looking for a photographer in LA, Robin Emtage, is definitely the lady to see. Check out her website, she has all kinds of packages to fit those looking to build a portfolio and those who need shots to get to an agent. Do your career a favor and check out her website. Let her know Ashlee Katrice, from AlreadyFamous, referred you!!

www.robinemtage.com

 I’ve included the 500 dollar shot by Rick and the 295 dollar Shots by Robin Emtage. You tell me which one is worth it! That just goes to show you can spend a lot of money and get average shots, or you can find a great photographer and save a couple bucks!

500 dollar Headshot by Rick

500 dollar Headshot by Rick

295 dollar headshot by Robin Emtage

295 dollar headshot by Robin Emtage

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