NotaPushyMum.Com

Can you help,

DD has been invited to her first casting next week for a short film called the Swan. The producer is called Gabriella Leidal and the company is Livestock Media.

Really excited for her but how do I go about checking it is all above board etc before we go any further - any advice would be great, thanks

G

Assuming you don't have an agent as they would be first port of call. I always run things by my ds's and dd's agent first before applying for anything if I don't know the people involved. Secondly this site itself is a great start as usually someone else will have heard of the people involved or be going to the casting themselves. Somewhere on this site there is a reference to a book that tells you the names of all the casting directors. I must be having a senior moment as I can't remember its name offhand. Hopefully someone else will remember.

Hi minnie10

Just to add to nextinline's advice -

I presume you have looked at the Livestock website although having a website is no proof of legitimacy these days, it can at least give you a feel for what the people are potentially involved with.

If you google the names associated with this production - Richard Honey and Gabriella Liedal - then you find other links, for example to actors in Casting Call pro.This can help give you more idea of whether they are legit.

If you have not spoken to Gabriella or Richard directly then I would suggest doing so. It doesn't matter what you ask them - after all, you are new to taking your dd to auditions then you can say this and ask pretty much anything! You could ask about the purpose of the film and have they cast anyone else yet.

Also, if you have not had a copy of the script, ask for this.

It would appear to me to be a student production, in which case it would not be unusual to find little on the internet. But you could ask which course they are on and then contact their Uni to check it out.

You have done the right thing asking if any NAPMers know more.

Good luck to your dd if you decide to go forward!

Nothing much to add to the excellent advice from doris and nextinline except to say that there can be a tendency for students/fledgling companies to be a bit heavy-handed with the hype. Many seem tempted to try to exaggerate their experience and the likely (hoped for?) impact of their work. Don't be concerned about pulling out of anything if it doesn't seem right to you.

Having said that, these could be immensely talented people with a great future and this could provide showreel material and good experience. It's not always easy to tell, but do make sure you see the script before auditioning so that you know whether it's the sort of thing you feel will be useful experience for your daughter.

I think trusting your instincts is really valuable - as well as asking here!

Where did you find out about the casting?

pg wrote: Where did you find out about the casting?

I think I saw it on talentcircle

Thanks for all the advice

Yes i saw it on talent circle.

My mum and daughter are down in london tomorrow for a couple of days so ive messaged the producer back just asking where the location of the casting will be so they check it out as we don't know London that well. So im awaiting the email to see if she replies and what is said and will go from there.

Found Gabriella's details on a website called filmcrewpro where it gives her information and some others bits she's done. I will be extra wary as don't want DD's first experience etc to be negative.

Will keep you informed

Thanks G