Travel to castings

[tykeylady]

This is all still v new to me and I have a few questions re castings please. Our agent phones us the night before which I guess is pretty standard and often the castings are a significant way away eg 200 miles ONE way so a 400 mile round trip. We've been told that we are expected to attend 'most' of these. Now some weeks we can be called 3 times! Aside from the time - each one is a full day and evening job, there is the expense and school issues. Is this 'normal'?
Thanks

[margot]

Hi Tykeylady,

I think you have to be sensible about this. When we first started on the casting circuit there were a couple of times when we spent 2 or 3 hours travelling to and from a casting, but apart from the expense and the fact that you are usually in and out in about 5 minutes, I found that my dd couldn't give it her best as she was exhausted and stressed before we even got there !. Your agent and you should be realistic about what is possible, as there are often 1, 2 or 3 recalls, and this could end up costing you a fortune !! Now she has a few good jobs under her belt we are a bit more picky and also she often gets paid to attend castings. Perhaps you should negotiate this with your agent if they are expecting you to travel so far.
Good luck and if you want any more advice, feel free to PM me.

[pg]

I would say that it really does depend what the casting is for. If these are castings for commercials then I think it's most unreasonable for your agent to expect you to attend if you have to travel that far. Agents quite understandably do want their clients to attend commercial castings (because if you land one, the pay - and the agent's commission - is good) but it should be your choice whether or not you attend.

In your shoes, I would ask to see the casting brief, ask how many people this particular CD usually sees and then assess your chances and make a decision.

If these are castings for drama, then I would celebrate the fact that your agent is getting your child seen and do your best to go if you can (again, I'd want to see the brief and make a judgement if the trip is that far). There tend to be fewer children seen for drama castings than for commercials and the choice made by the CD is a bit less of a lottery.

Some CDs only see 30 - 60 people for commercials, some see several hundred!

I know it never feels like it, but it's always worth remembering that an actor employs an agent - not the other way round. It should be a working partnership.

[francescasmum]

Once again, wise worrds from pg

[Romeha3]

Agree with PG - always has the wise words as Francescas mum says - perhaps pg should set up casting blog helpline.....
I have 3 kids who all act - it takes a round trip of between 4-7 hours for us and we have at least 1 casting per week - the most I had was 7 in a week! Gets very expensive and you and kids get tired!(I do use a railcard and love it when more than one casting on the same night - rare though!) - agent only sends to things kids are likely to get - ie as pg says you know it's not going to be 100s casting for minor role or turn up and everyone else has black hair etc...
We have being doing this for 2 years now and in the first year had fewer castings and use to go to all - jumped at the chance - now more selective and I DO turn things down if kids are too tired or can't get them there as working etc...
What I will say is when you do get a part it's fantastic and worth the effort so good luck - fingers crossed for you

[tykeylady]

Thanks everyone, this really does help. They are mainly for commercials and then when we get there we seem to be one of a hundred. We've had several call backs and a couple of pencils in but nothing yet. It's all feeling a tad soul destroying right now especially when we feel we have to say yes to them all. I'm glad I've posted on here and you have given me some perspective.

[nextinline]

In my experience, the sign of a good agent is one who matches you to the casting brief so that you have a realistic chance of getting the job. Sometimes when you first start out there is a tendency to be sent to everything. Whilst this is great for experience you soon learn that it is quality not quantity that is required. The more jobs you get the more careful you become in what you go for as school is very important and most schools will not like you to miss three or four sessions a week. Hope your ds or dd is enjoying the auditons and learning lots. Most children seem to cope very well with the demands of auditions and gain so much from the process that it is very worthwhile to have a go. Wishing you lots of luck

[Irishdancer]

tykeylady if they are for adverts then u should get a fee of about £18 less comission and for recall £55 less commision is yr agent is one of the ones who dose not hand the fee on to there clients then would change agent to an agent who will give u these payment would help a bit with your expences

[tykeylady]

Thanks, no we don't get any help towards the travel. So we had a recall last week and it cost me £200 with the first and second one and I just can't afford to carry on like this
My DS is really gaining in confidence through doing the castings and he loves it.
Thanks for all your advice,