Thank you for calling out Casting Network. They are a rip-off and go against labor laws. As a working SAG-AFTRA, Equity actor, I refuse to join Casting Networks. I did belong years ago but no more. Casting Networks is great if you're a professional extra performer.
Great breakdown. But even better are the personal tips and opinions! Appreciate calling out the predatory tactics. Love the righteous fury! You're looking out for vulnerable folks! Thanks for posting this.
Even better: Casting Frontier is owned by the same parent company that owns Casting Networks. If you pay for both, you're paying the same company twice. The default sort of people with slate shots to the top is true (I've seen the casting side of AA). I bought a couple slate shots on my last headshot update with the thought that if I'm mostly targeting student films to update my materials, the students with less experience in this space may not necessarily know to sort outside of the default. I did notice an uptick in auditions early on, but I don't know if that was coincidental timing or not. I'm back to previous numbers, and I'm due to update my pics soon, and I doubt I will pay the extra fee again.
yea i feel like the slate shot part of it is only useful when it’s self-produced work, like you said! when read CDs are on the backend, they know the platform so well, they don’t care about slate shots. but that’s a smart note for new actors potentially trying to get first credits! i think having a reel will always be more important for sure!
Wow, that was the most productive (no pun intended) and practical video I've ever seen on getting into (or, in my case, back into) acting. I just set up my Actors Access profile and will set up my Casting Networks profile tomorrow, and then start submitting. You made it so easy to learn and follow. Thanks, Sam!
Another good one Sam! I just uploaded a headshot and my reel to Casting App. So far it seems to work well. I guess we'll see what happens with it as time progresses!
What would be the best advice to combat the $22 clips for actors access? Would you keep clips to a minimum or just have a reel? Also you’re a Queen for calling out the sketchy marketing these sites do!!
i have a short coming out about this, but i would say have a reel! it can be short and sweet, just showcase you amazing acting! and follow some more CDs on places like IG, they give stellar advice on this often!
Great video! Great advice! I just found out that you can save money on AA uploading media in 2 ways. One - Post your reel & then they let you cut it into clips at no charge. Two - If you have a couple or more clips that are under a minute, upload them at the same time before paying & AA will only charge you $22 if they total 1 minute. Whereas if you upload each one & pay right away, you'll be charged $22 for each one, thereby doubling or tripling your cost.
I’m fortunate that where I live the industry is semi big so I’ve learned by being on set first- classes later - I know that’s not everyone’s story - where I live also these websites seem to be almost unusable :( but this is ALL good information.
Honestly, your camera dieing as you approached the next topic was fateful, because like you said, 'DONE IS BETTER THAN PERFECT', no Actors need to be wasting money on scams when so many things are NOT necessary to book work, and Done is better than perfect!
personal opinion: if you don’t have anything else then yes id say you can add it on there, but as soon as you have something else “on camrea” i’d take it off! but ideally we get more on-camera work and accept being new for now!
