Hi, for a newbie, can someone explain some of the lingo and what it means for non-union auditioners?

i.e. Submissions only -- what does that mean, who can submit, and how do you do it? What happens next?

EPAs or ECCs - what are the chances of getting seen at these?

Agent vs. Manager -- what's the difference? Do you need one? If you don't have one, what does that mean for you?

Thanks! I've tried searching the forums, but it's hard to find any concrete info on this.

Submissions only - What was the context? I've seem "electronic submissions only" and I've seen "non-union submissions only," but just "submissions only"... that seems like a mistake to me. Maybe it means that there are no open auditions?

Agents and Managers are not very different for those of us on the lower levels. In theory, Agents are the only ones with breakdowns and they submit you for them, and a manager managers your career in a more general way. In practice, they often really do pretty much the same thing.

As for EPAs or ECCs, can't help you there, I am a film/TV actor. I didn't even know what those were until I looked them up. I can tell you that, in the TV/Film business, it's VERY hard to get a union job, or even an audition for a union job, if you are not union.

Regarding EPAs and ECCs - if you're talking about a child actor (since your screenname is "MamaJo"), I can give you advice there!

If an EPA or ECC is for child roles ONLY (such as the Matilda and Billy Elliot calls), then non-union children will be seen. The reason is that at any given moment, there are only a small number of children who are Equity members AND fit the breakdown (age and height etc.). So at an EPA or ECC for children, there may be a handful of Equity kids who are seen first, but that still leaves plenty of time for non-union kids to be seen.

If the EPA or ECC includes adult roles too, then it's more likely to be very crowded because there will be lots of Equity adults there, in which case there is less chance that non-union will be seen. (It doesn't mean they WON'T be seen, but I'd recommend getting there very very early to get on the list.)

Here's a thread that talks about ECCs and EPAs.
http://bbs.backstage.com/group...=446107483#446107483

Also, if you are auditioning in NYC, check www.auditionupdate.com - it provides real time status from other actors about auditions - whether or not they are seeing non-equity performers, how busy the calls are, who is in the room, etc.

Submission Only is also a funny and successful web series set in the NY acting world http://youtu.be/GN68pp_1HIM

Vircon, I LOVE "Submissions Only"!!! It is so funny and SO on-target!

I'm the biggest Submissions Only fan! I saw Kate Wetherhead at Telsey a few months ago and told her I have my SO magnet on my fridge!

Thanks folks. The web series rocks. The phrase is listed on all the Broadway and Bway National tour listings on Backstage's casting page. i.e. there are no audition dates listed, just "submissions only." What does that mean and who/what/where/when/how do you submit?

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