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Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:

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Originally posted by Morgin Felicia:
I thought imdb did not allow extra work to be listed. hm....

I guess they changed it to extra to teach him a lesson. Now he's stuck with that stigma for lying.

I guess so. It is better than just removing them, I suppose. I still think he is a fraudulent loser. JMO...

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Originally posted by miss stone:
You can't even afford training? Then you CAN't AFFORD TO ACT and are wasting your time competing with the thousands who can afford to put the right time and money into their craft by whatever means necessary.

Yikes. Miss Stone, I was reponding to TruthTeller's post - that some people may believe that the 'best' training is to spend a lot of money, taking classes at expensive schools or hire a private coach. I think you read my post the wrong way.

I've always been an advocate on actors continue their training, and keep sharpening the skills. Or else, I wouldn't have post a bunch of links to acting schools in other forum posts.

Like what Turthteller said:

quote:

And to clarify, training from the best does NOT necessarily mean to blow more than $500 on some "Guru School" where you won't get to work every class. Sometimes it's the low key schools that rock

For Actors who are experiened, or have done some research, they will find classes that are suitable for their budget.

Those who knows me in real life, I'm always in class.

What I was saying (again, personal point of view) is that training is part of (and the beginning) of every actor's career. But that doesn't mean a well trained Actor will always book a principal or a leading role to put on the resume. Sometimes, it's about the look, the schedule, chemistry between the actors, producer's decision, star-power, etc, etc. The best actor (audition) doesn't always get the job.

Like I said previously, I think starting actor who lists Extra works on the resume, and honestly specifing it as "Extra" is fine. And replace them as the actor gain more experience and booked more jobs.

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Originally posted by transfergirl:
Wayne, you ever seen that IMDB guy? Never heard of him.

Transfergirl, Nope... I have never heard of him, or seen him on set.

Just to be fair, many times production lists all the cast members, including the background actors, and many times bg actors names are in the credits at the end of the film. It's not always in the actor's control. Also, what's the big deal, anyway! Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, as well as several other working principal actors, have some bg credits listed on IMDb. I think too much time is wasted on making such a big deal about bg work listed on IMDb. It's up to the actor to do the research and know that bg credits "should not" go on their regular acting resume. But, if you are just starting out and insisting on putting those credits on your resume until you have better ones to replace them, it's up to you to be sure and list the credits honestly, not making it look like you had a principal role. Casting will catch you every time. Whatever you do, just be honest.

OMG, the stigma of being an extra.

If you don't want to do it, and can afford not to, then don't.

I found it to be an extremely great learning experience.

And for those who posted that having extra work on a resume until they build more credits to replace that extra work, there's no shame in that. Just indicate that it was an extra work.

As far as IMDB, extra work is listed as "uncredited". As long as you are truthful, you will not be denied.

And in the end, you are picked if you have the right look, attitude, or that 'certain something'. Lots of people are NOT PICKED because they went to some school and spent money.

I always bring up Johnny Depp in this situation, and he's a prime example of how talent and looks and timing and tenacity can get someone places, and it's not necessarily "Oh I went to so and so school".

It doesn't happen like that kiddos. There are so many stories out there and there are many many paths to get to the big time, and not necessarily mapped out by what school you went to or how much money you spend on classes.

There are actors out there who can't act and there are actors out there who spent tons of money or who had parents to foot the bill and they wonder why they're not getting any work.

This has been discussed ad nauseum. Do what you will but don't lie about one way being the only way, people.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ressydm:

And in the end, you are picked if you have the right look, attitude, or that 'certain something'. Lots of people are NOT PICKED because they went to some school and spent money.

I always bring up Johnny Depp in this situation, and he's a prime example of how talent and looks and timing and tenacity can get someone places, and it's not necessarily "Oh I went to so and so school".

QUOTE]

Timing is the word here.

Thre was no tenacity involved at all. They met over a monopoly game after Johnny Depp played a gig and Nicolas offered to help him. He had no intention of being an actor and was in a band at the time.

And your comments about money? Maybe quite right in regards to training but as a general note, anyone who thinks this business isn't based on dollars is fooling themselves. It's like bribing politicians. Greasing the right palms will get you everywhere.

People need to ask themselves- if they are still doing the same thing after five years then maybe it's not working?

Connections and cash. Good connections and lots of cash. That's what opens doors.

But you don't need both- just one or the other. Mind you, one usually helps you acquire the other!!

It's who you will MEET in these schools that may help you out. That's why they can be worth the cash.

The children of celebs that train as actors- they ain't going to the community college for classes!!!

Think about it.

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Originally posted by ressydm:
And for those who posted that having extra work on a resume until they build more credits to replace that extra work, there's no shame in that. Just indicate that it was an extra work.

This is BAD advice for an LA Actor. I guess it flies in NY where there are fewer film/tv opportunities, but NOT in LA. Every top CD and agent whom I've met has said to NEVER list extra work, period! Even if you disguise it as "featured," they'll find out!

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Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:

quote:

Originally posted by ressydm:
And for those who posted that having extra work on a resume until they build more credits to replace that extra work, there's no shame in that. Just indicate that it was an extra work.

This is BAD advice for an LA Actor. I guess it flies in NY where there are fewer film/tv opportunities, but NOT in LA. Every top CD and agent whom I've met has said to NEVER list extra work, period! Even if you disguise it as "featured," they'll find out!

You are better off making up a few plays rather than adding extra work. Yeah yeah- don't pad your resume blah blah blah. But reading the play thoroughly and adding that you did it in a community theatre in Alabama or what not is not a deal breaker, people. Just be sure to have training on there (for real) as well.

Regarding listing extra work, this isn't about poo-pooing extras at ALL. This IS how it is. This IS what agents etc say and how things are.

quote:

Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by ressydm:
And for those who posted that having extra work on a resume until they build more credits to replace that extra work, there's no shame in that. Just indicate that pinio
No, it's bad in NY, too. That is just ressydm's o
This is BAD advice for an LA Actor. I guess it flies in NY where there are fewer film/tv opportunities, but NOT in LA. Every top CD and agent whom I've met has said to NEVER list extra work, period! Even if you disguise it as "featured," they'll find out!

No, it's bad in NY, too. That is just ressydm's opinion. We're pretty up to date.

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Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:

quote:

Originally posted by ressydm:
And for those who posted that having extra work on a resume until they build more credits to replace that extra work, there's no shame in that. Just indicate that it was an extra work.

This is BAD advice for an LA Actor. I guess it flies in NY where there are fewer film/tv opportunities, but NOT in LA. Every top CD and agent whom I've met has said to NEVER list extra work, period! Even if you disguise it as "featured," they'll find out!

As far as submitting a resume, I don't 'pad' the resume. I state upfront that I have mostly background work and a couple of actual featured (meaning spoken lines) work -- do they still want to see the resume? That's when I am told yes or no. So far, it's worked for me and has not held me back from getting jobs if they want me.

If you have zero experience or just starting out, most people in LA want to see some kind of a resume -- correct? I think if you are upfront about what you have done, and leave it to the casting director as to whether they want to deal with you or not without the blasted resume, then that brings some power back to your game.

As I've clearly pointed out, if you indicate it as background/uncredited, it will not be held against you. Being honest is not a bad thing -- so I'm not telling the LA person to lie, so I don't know where you got that idea.

"Featured" to me means HAD ACTUAL LINES TO SAY. I indicate my actual featured work in bold in my resume and write "featured" so the casting director can easily see it. If I'm just happening to be in the scene coloring the background, I am an extra or BG'er, that's not 'featured'. Unless you have a line, it's not featured, folks.

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Originally posted by Mominbiz:
Just to be fair, many times production lists all the cast members, including the background actors, and many times bg actors names are in the credits at the end of the film. It's not always in the actor's control. Also, what's the big deal, anyway! Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, as well as several other working principal actors, have some bg credits listed on IMDb. I think too much time is wasted on making such a big deal about bg work listed on IMDb. It's up to the actor to do the research and know that bg credits "should not" go on their regular acting resume. But, if you are just starting out and insisting on putting those credits on your resume until you have better ones to replace them, it's up to you to be sure and list the credits honestly, not making it look like you had a principal role. Casting will catch you every time. Whatever you do, just be honest.

Kudos, MomInBiz.

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Originally posted by ressydm:

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Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:

quote:

Originally posted by ressydm:
And for those who posted that having extra work on a resume until they build more credits to replace that extra work, there's no shame in that. Just indicate that it was an extra work.

This is BAD advice for an LA Actor. I guess it flies in NY where there are fewer film/tv opportunities, but NOT in LA. Every top CD and agent whom I've met has said to NEVER list extra work, period! Even if you disguise it as "featured," they'll find out!

If you have zero experience or just starting out, most people in LA want to see some kind of a resume -- correct? I think if you are upfront about what you have done, and leave it to the casting director as to whether they want to deal with you or not without the blasted resume, then that brings some power back to your game.

As I've clearly pointed out, if you indicate it as background/uncredited, it will not be held against you. Being honest is not a bad thing -- so I'm not telling the LA person to lie, so I don't know where you got that idea.

"Featured" to me means HAD ACTUAL LINES TO SAY. I indicate my actual featured work in bold in my resume and write "featured" so the casting director can easily see it. If I'm just happening to be in the scene coloring the background, I am an extra or BG'er, that's not 'featured'. Unless you have a line, it's not featured, folks.

If you don't have many or no credits, then you show that you're serious by having training and special skills/abilities that would make you marketable as well as a GREAT headshot.

Every major CD whom I've spoken to in LA has stated NO background work, PERIOD! It doesn't lead to anything but more background jobs.

Also, "Featured" at least in LA is commonly misconstrued as background. A lot of wannabe actors list a bunch of credits as "featured" even though it's clearly extra work. Because of this common dishonesty, featured will naturally be interpreted as extra. If you spoke, and was NOT the lead, just put supporting for film and under-five/guest star for television.

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Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:
If you spoke, and was NOT the lead, just put supporting for film and under-five/guest star for television.

Gotta jump in here on this one. Supporting and Under 5 is fine and the best option (although Under 5 usually refers to AFTRA jobs), but never list Co-star or Guest Star unless it is written in your contract, or you have been officially bumped in writing.

I have a few questions about being featured as an extra since many of you seem to be fearless about giving your opinions.

I have been featured twice and told that I was featured by AD's. I went in for regular extra work and was in the right place at the right time.

The first time I was with 2 other girls and 2 main characters talk about us as the camera goes between them and us, then one came up to us, asked us a question and we walked away laughing. The director had us do 5 takes of this part in different ways and gave us feedback on it. It ended up in the final product and you can clearly tell who I was.

The second, I was told by an AD that I was featured. I am standing with one other person next to the 2 main actors and given specific guidelines on what I should be pretending to do. In this case it was reacting to an animal.

My questions are should I have been given a union voucher for these roles and can I put them on my resume if I am just starting out?

Thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by lmm520:
I have a few questions about being featured as an extra since many of you seem to be fearless about giving your opinions.

I have been featured twice and told that I was featured by AD's. I went in for regular extra work and was in the right place at the right time.

The first time I was with 2 other girls and 2 main characters talk about us as the camera goes between them and us, then one came up to us, asked us a question and we walked away laughing. The director had us do 5 takes of this part in different ways and gave us feedback on it. It ended up in the final product and you can clearly tell who I was.

The second, I was told by an AD that I was featured. I am standing with one other person next to the 2 main actors and given specific guidelines on what I should be pretending to do. In this case it was reacting to an animal.

My questions are should I have been given a union voucher for these roles and can I put them on my resume if I am just starting out?

Thank you.

Extra work is Extra work, so NO, it does NOT go on your resume.

SAG vouchers don't mean anything. If it was a principal role, you would have been given an upgrade and filled out a different form.

You did not speak in both jobs. Also, are you actually credited? If a casting director saw these two jobs on your resume and looked on IMDB, would they see it or would they not see it and assume that you're a liar?

quote:

Originally posted by lmm520:
I have a few questions about being featured as an extra since many of you seem to be fearless about giving your opinions.

I have been featured twice and told that I was featured by AD's. I went in for regular extra work and was in the right place at the right time.

The first time I was with 2 other girls and 2 main characters talk about us as the camera goes between them and us, then one came up to us, asked us a question and we walked away laughing. The director had us do 5 takes of this part in different ways and gave us feedback on it. It ended up in the final product and you can clearly tell who I was.

The second, I was told by an AD that I was featured. I am standing with one other person next to the 2 main actors and given specific guidelines on what I should be pretending to do. In this case it was reacting to an animal.

My questions are should I have been given a union voucher for these roles and can I put them on my resume if I am just starting out?

Thank you.

As I stated here, if you have a line to speak, then you are featured. Otherwise, you are background or extra. That is all.

Here's another example. Years ago, I was hired as non-union bg specifically for the part of the "Washer Woman," in a feature film with several A-list actors in it. I was fitted with specific wardrobe, had full hair and makeup done (sitting right next to the A-list actors) to look like a silent film movie actress because "my" specific scene was in black and white as in the silent film days and I was the only one acting in that scene that was set up just for my character, but it was without sound (MOS). It was so fun because the director was treating me like one of the principals and was giving me all sorts of direction about my character and to make it big as in theatre (which was so much fun). After all that, I was still considered bg since none of my improvisation or lines were heard because that part of the film looked like a silent film with no sound. I had a great time, was treated very well as if I was a principal actor and could sit, eat or go wherever I wanted as the principals could. It was a great day! BUT, I was still bg and not given a credit (as of yet, anyway, since it still hasn't been released). The nice surprise was that I discovered I had been given a SAG voucher with SAG bg pay when I received my check. At least that was something! But I was still considered bg and given no credit, so it's not listed on my resume.

Now, when the film is finally released and my name happens to make it into the credits and production sees it in their hearts to add it to IMDb, then heck yeah, it's going on my resume! lol

[/QUOTE] Also, "Featured" at least in LA is commonly misconstrued as background. A lot of wannabe actors list a bunch of credits as "featured" even though it's clearly extra work. Because of this common dishonesty, featured will naturally be interpreted as extra. If you spoke, and was NOT the lead, just put supporting for film and under-five/guest star for television.[/QUOTE]

Mine was for a PSA. I had spoken several lines. So where would this fall? Certainly not under your guidelines as I'm not a 'guest star' in a commercial.

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Originally posted by ressydm:
Mine was for a PSA. I had spoken several lines. So where would this fall? Certainly not under your guidelines as I'm not a 'guest star' in a commercial.

You spoke in it, so you can list the PSA on your resume.

PSA's are different. They're the commercials that you CAN list on your resume.

It would go:
Names of PSA/Supporting/Director or Production Company.

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Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:

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Originally posted by ressydm:
Mine was for a PSA. I had spoken several lines. So where would this fall? Certainly not under your guidelines as I'm not a 'guest star' in a commercial.

You spoke in it, so you can list the PSA on your resume.

PSA's are different. They're the commercials that you CAN list on your resume.

It would go:
Names of PSA/Supporting/Director or Production Company.

Or a more appropriate option for PSA is using Principal instead of Supporting, since it is like a commercial. Supporting is usually only used for film. Also, when you gain several credits on your resume and are running out of room, you can combine your PSA credits with the commercial category so it would say Commercials and PSAs: List and conflicts available upon request. Sometimes it is advised to do this anyway and not list the PSA just like you don't list commercials, so your PSA doesn't look like a conflict to a CD who is casting for the same type of product or cause and choses not to call you in, even though it is no longer a conflict. When you have an agent or manager, be sure to list your credits the way they want them listed.

Thanks TT and mominbiz