How many mainstream opportunities are casting speaking roles down there? I hear orlando is really coming up for behind the scenes work however, what about castings? Also atlanta. I know vamp diaries is down there and walking dead. I have 0 interest in Tyler Perry. Would you say that there are substantial mainstream opportunities to get cast in these areas or are the usual highlights still extra work like when I left Atlanta.

Im not sure much of the Flordia market except their print so I can't really offer the advice for that but for ATL, or Charleston or NC, most roles cast, unless you are named, range from extra/"featured" work to U5. It's rare that someone gets bumped up to a speaking role, BUT it does happen and you do sometimes see a request to audition for a speaking role, but for the most part, it is probably the same as when you left, granted the amount of more work here.

I don't know too much about the Orlando market myself which sucks because I am only an hour and half drive from it but Miami is pulling it's weight.

James,

Hi, I'm new to the board. Can you offer any advice on good training in the South Florida area?

I lived and worked in Orlando/Tampa/Miami.
The Orlando Market: HUGE market for Live Performance and Improv/Musical theatre with the Theme parks and touristy dinner theatre and attractions (if you can crack that nut)

Orlando has a pretty good underground Theatre scene but don't expect to get paid.

The NON-UNION commercial market is pretty steady. It's a right to work state so most agents are non-exclusive so you can have a few. Orlando & Tampa is one market for Film/TV & Commercials.

Occasionally you will get a feature that will film in the central Florida area and everyone and their mother is up for those day player roles.

Orlando is know for their NON-UNION Commercial market.

I also had an agent in Miami and I auditioned quite a bit but it was for commercial mostly and you have to be willing to drive 4 hours down there for a 10 minute audition and the drive back.

If you got the right agent in Otown you will be submitted for shows that film in the southeast in general which is a great thing.

Hope that helps.

I'll weigh in on the Atlanta market:
*Technically, there's no such as U5 anymore because that's an AFTRA term and SAG-AFTRA have merged and thus contracts are written utilizing SAG's terminology, so you'd be a co-star (if you're at the same level of an U5, previously).
**There are MULTIPLE studios here in Atlanta, including Tyler Perry Studios, Screen Gems Studios, and now Pinewood has signed a deal to open just South of the city next year. Pinewood is probably the most famous studio in the history of film and this is their first American studio.
***Speaking from personal experience, along with industry peers in town, YES, a great majority of the roles being cast here are co-star level, but there are also many guest stars auditioning and casting here, along with recurring guest stars. On occasion, there are a few top of show guest stars, and series regulars cast out of Atlanta, but that is definitely rare. That said, it's definitely more than just the above mentioned "range from extra/featured to U5."

Now, just to clarify a bit more, being an EXTRA is not an acting job. It doesn't require acting. Extra work should never be on a professional resume. Featured is a glorified way to say extra. Featured should never be on the resume either. Anyone saying otherwise is not correct. If you booked a union job on a union show, you'll get a union contract, for either co-star, or guest-star.

Now, the additional challenge in the Southeast market is that LA actors are putting themselves on tape and having their agent/manager submit that tape to either the LA casting director for a show shooting in the South, or the local casting director (Fincannon's, Jackie Burch, Kilpatrick, etc. etc.) so LA talent ARE being seen for the majority of the roles and either a)choosing to say that they will be local hires in the South, or b)getting bigger quotes and thus being paid to fly out.

No one said it would be easy, but there is MORE than enough talent in the Southeastern market to fill EVERY SINGLE co-star, guest-star, recurring guest star and YES, I'll say it, even some of the series regular roles for the shows that shoot out here. And if production companies were smart, they'd start hiring even more locals and save themselves a lot of money each season in travel and lodging costs.

quote:

Now, just to clarify a bit more, being an EXTRA is not an acting job. It doesn't require acting. Extra work should never be on a professional resume. Featured is a glorified way to say extra. Featured should never be on the resume either. Anyone saying otherwise is not correct. If you booked a union job on a union show, you'll get a union contract, for either co-star, or guest-star.

Now, the additional challenge in the Southeast market is that LA actors are putting themselves on tape and having their agent/manager submit that tape to either the LA casting director for a show shooting in the South, or the local casting director (Fincannon's, Jackie Burch, Kilpatrick, etc. etc.) so LA talent ARE being seen for the majority of the roles and either a)choosing to say that they will be local hires in the South, or b)getting bigger quotes and thus being paid to fly out.

I agree with both of these statements! Extra work should never be on a resume and peanut is 100% correct. LA & NYC actors are willing to work as locals in the southeast. I still get put on tape for burn notice, army wives, Glades etc... Southeast talent is VERY strong but sometimes they just want an LA/NYC Actor. The competition level has been bumped up because of technology and willingness to work as a local. Because out here in LA people wanna see a laundry list of co-stars at the very least.

Well Said Peanut!

quote:

Originally posted by peanut112:
It doesn't require acting.

Except when it does.

Being an extra does NOT require acting. Ever. It requires the ability to take direction, which is a part of being a good actor. However, unless words are coming out of your mouth, you are not acting. You are, perhaps, emoting. You could be conveying a sense of emotion.
You know how you're acting on a production? You have a contract that says so.