Dear Addison,

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday.  I recently received a question from an actor, and posted my response.  I thought this might help other new talent that are trying to navigate the shark-infested waters of Hollywood.  

Dear Addison,

I enjoyed reading your reply, and since I have recently moved to LA, and need all the help I can get, I was wondering if you could give me some direction based on your experience. You stated the agent/CD lists are wrong, but I really don't have much else to go on. I posted a question about Miramar Agency and no one replied to me. I don't know if it would be better to go with a small startup agency or be part of a bigger group in a big agency. If you could give me any advice on where to go I would appreciate it. I know it depends on type, so if you could, please go to my imdb to see my info and advice me on where I would best fit in. Thank you in advance for your help, and for standing up to the people who think they know everything. 

Thank you,

XXXX

Dear XXXX,

I would be happy to help you. The first thing I will say, looking at IMDB, is that your photos are not great. I would definitely recommend getting some very professional headshots, as that will always help you get in the door. At the very least, some amazing headshots will make you look like you know what you're doing. Bad photos make people think you are not taking this seriously. You have to remember that for an agent, manager, or casting director, this is a career. We rent office space, buy computers, hire staff, if you can't invest the money or time in your career, why should we?

Second, from the photos you have you seem to be very attractive. Now, Los Angeles is FULL of beautiful people, but one thing you have to remember is that beauty always, and I do mean always, sells, its timeless. Trends are constantly changing. Right now the hot ticket commercially speaking is improv, specifically UCB. Now, in a couple of years that will change, but beauty will always be in fashion.

To address your question about Miramar Agency, I do not know them enough to speak intelligently about them. Remember in regards to talent agencies, size does not matter. What matters are, first, is the person who takes you as client excited about you? If they are, they will make the push for you to get in the door. After you get in a few doors, you do the rest. Second, is the agency reputable? My best advice would be to find some working commercial casting directors, who also teach classes, and take their class. Once you're there you can kill two birds with one stone. You can get in the door with someone who could potentially call you in for a casting, and two they can offer their opinion as to who you would be best suited to pursue as an agent.

I hope that begins to help. Feel free to contact me should you have any further questions.

Addison DeWitt

Dear Addison,

I recently came upon a question from an actor asking what happens when they are booked on a commercial, but then are canceled.  Here was my response:

The SAG commercial contract states "When a principle performer is engaged and not used for any reason other than his/her default, illness or other incapacity, he/she shall be entitled to a session fee, or his/her guarantee, whichever is greater."

In my experience, regardless of whether or not you have been booked for one day or ten days, if you are canceled or "unbooked" you are only entitled to one session payment, or your guarantee, if one had been negotiated for you prior to callback, or at the time of avail.

The term cancellation fee is then used to describe what you are paid instead of a session payment, but it is equal to the same amount.

Dear Addison,

Ha! After reading your blog I realized maybe I asked the wrong question. I asked what happens if I am released from a job, but I wonder if I was actually downgraded from a principle. In the (blank) spot I was hired as a principle, shot on the set, but they cut me out of it. The exact wording in the letter they sent me says, "...your performance has been completely cut from the commercial listed above. As provided in the SAG 2009 Commercials Contract Section 27cB you are released from your employment contract and no further payments will be due you."


Is that a release or a downgrade? If it is a downgrade should I get another payment? Like I mentioned this has never happened before so I am in the dark. Thanks for the blog and thanks for the answers to all our wacky questions.

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

The answer to this question is that you have neither been released, nor have you been downgraded.  You have been outgraded.  To be outgraded means that you shoot a spot and when the spot is edited you are completely removed from the final edit.  When you are outgraded you are not entitled to an additional session payment.  

Addison DeWitt

Dear Addison,

Because I was released from the (blank) spot, does that mean I get another payment for the release or is the initial pay all I get? I've actually never been released from a spot before...

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

Unfortunately, the answer is no.  You are only paid a fee if you are downgraded. 

Please be mindful that, if, there is more than one spot - the performer should be careful to make sure which spot(s) exactly is being released - a title or a code # should be indicated at time of release.

Addison DeWitt

Dear Addison,

If the spot you shot was broken down into 3 separate 15 second spots and you appear in the background in one and principal in another...do you qualify for a downgrade fee?

Thanks in advance!

Dear Arianna,

The scenario you describe is similar to Lauren's.  In the spot where you only appear in the background,  you are entitled to a session payment for the 15 second edit, which is also called a "mechanical lift", and to a downgrade fee.   

Hope that helps.

Addison