CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR CSA HEADSHOTS!
A reminder you can use these shots for your own personal and business use. You may crop your photo but please do not edit in any other way. We love seeing our headshots and family photos used for our students’ social media profile pictures!
We will be uploading all the individual headshots and clapper shots, plus some of the group shots to our facebook and instagram pages, so stay tuned if you were in them. Plus – share away and celebrate your great work!!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR HEADSHOT: (this information will also be posted in our Cooper Screen Academy Package Students 2021 facebook group, for easy future reference for you.)
HEADSHOT CHOICE:
The first pass of shots are vetted and cropped by Dan Cripps (national multi-award winning portrait photographer), the second pass of vetted and cropped images by the CSA office, and final choice of main photo for CSA Listing approved or changed by CSA Director. You should receive 5-10 headshots. The number you receive will be based on the number of useable photos. Remember, like auditions, the actor learns from every headshot shoot. As your comfort level increases each shoot, you will find the number of useable shots does also.
If you have a strong preference for another of the headshots in your folder, please email a thumbnail of your preferred shot to [email protected] and we will adjust accordingly. If we disagree with your choice, we will be in touch to explain why. Remember – A parent or student’s ‘favourite’ shot may not always be the most suitable for casting purposes.
ABOUT OUR CSA LISTINGS
The CSA Listings enable our students to be found by all levels of the industry. Each Listing includes footage shot in class time, a professional headshot and a contact form for producers, directors and casting personnel to contact the actor
You can view our Listings at our website under SERVICES.
Many of our students land both independent and professional work, as well as international auditions via the listings.
The Listings are password protected, and accessed by vetted industry personnel including:
- Professional production companies and casting personnel
- Media Departments of Schools and Colleges
- Independent filmmakers
LISTING FEE
*$495 GST inc per calendar year, or included in a package offer. Listing fee must be paid at time of headshot shoot. Payment accepted by cash or card.
Listing fee includes:
- Professional headshot shoot
- Folder of downloadable shots (websized and high res)
- 12 months maintained Listing on the CSA Listings (or pro rata, thereof)
- Suitable workshop scenes and Chats to Camera uploaded to Listing
HOW TO ACCESS THE LISTINGS
When you are logged into the CSA website you will have access to the Listings. You can view your own and other students’ listings.
If you do not currently have a Listing you may be offered one when your skill level is deemed appropriate and when we have space for a new Listing. This will be charged at a pro rata rate.
AM I FREELANCE OR REPRESENTED?
We created the CSA Listings so you can be found! Unless otherwise negotiated, we do not function as an agency and do not take commission for work you secure through us, unless otherwise negotiated.
If you seek representation with another agency it’s important to let both us and the other agency know so we forge an agreement and stay in touch, and so Casting Directors don’t get confused as to who to contact.
A note on TAS CASTING AGENCY & TAS TALENT AGENCY:
Tas Casting Agency is a casting agency – they DO NOT REPRESENT ACTORS. They are employed by producers to find actors and ANYONE CAN BE LISTED WITH THEM. They have cast Rosehaven The Gloaming and much more.
If you are listed with them, they are not your agent. Tas Casting Agency have full access to our listings and we happily work alongside them to get Tassie actors seen and employed.
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU LIST WITH TAS CASTING. You can do this through their website. Use your CSA headshot so they know you’re training with us!
Tas Talent Agency is an actors’ agency based in Tasmania, and they represent actors. You can approach them to sign with them, as well as being on our Listings. They take commission for work gained, like any actor’s agent. They are usually keen to take people on their books who have a CSA Listing, as they know their skill level and industry knowledge is great! If you sign with them, please let us know.
If in doubt, contact the office: [email protected]
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Listings are only available for current students of CSA. Please see link for further T&C’s:
https://www.cooperscreenacademy.com/about/terms- conditions/#3
FOR ALL LISTINGS ENQUIRIES
WHAT TO CHECK ON YOUR LISTING
To ensure you get seen by the most producers possible, if your age is close to the edge of an age group, make sure your listing has you in both age categories.
i.e. If you are in Grade 6, make sure your listings shows up in both the PRIMARY and TEEN category. If you are a young adult who could still play a teen, then ensure you are listed in both ADULT and TEEN.
Your end of term scenes should be uploaded by the CSA office. If you have a past scene you like which has been taken down you can email [email protected] to request it be reinstated.
Make sure your height is correct! Especially if you’re in a ‘sprouting’ phase!
Keep an eye on your listing and report anything which needs adjusting to [email protected]
WHEN SOMEONE CONTACTS YOU
When contacted through the Listings students must:
- respond to the contact within 48 hours. Please respond even you are unavailable/uninterested.
- clearly communicate any dates you are unavailable well in advance.
- ask questions about anything you are unsure of.
- keep all correspondence professional and polite. You are representing the Academy through the Listings
- Respond promptly to any further communication regarding your involvement with the project.
WHO MAY CONTACT YOU
Via the CSA Listings you may be approached by people at all levels of the industry, from novices to student and emerging filmmakers, to professional filmmakers. They may be wishing to make a short film, a web series, a pilot (a test example), or even a feature film.
The Listings enable producers and filmmakers to have direct contact with you via email.
You may be offered a job straight away, or asked to audition/screen test for the role.
How do you know when to say yes?
The best case scenario is that an actor should get all of the following benefits from their experience on set:
- It’s a fun/learning experience.
- It pays.
- You get some great footage at the end to use for your showreel.
If you get all three from your involvement – SUPER! If you get two, or even only one, then you still may consider that worthwhile.
Following is some advice we suggest you consider when choosing whether or not to get involved in a project for NOVICE, STUDENT, INDEPENDENT and FUNDED films.
NOVICE:
If someone says they are making a FULL LENGTH FEATURE FILM always ask to see examples of their work before auditioning. A feature film is a massive undertaking and sometimes people are unaware of what it entails. Someone with the skills to take on shooting a feature length film should have some short films under their belt and be able to show these to the actors being asked to give substantial unpaid time commitments. If not, and they are a complete novice, then there is a high chance they may be unaware of the rigors and demands of a feature shoot, and either your time may be wasted, or you may never see any finished footage. Still, the choice is yours to be involved or not.
STUDENT FILMMAKERS:
Student films often make short films and these are a fantastic way for an actor in training to experience being on a small set. Sometimes the product is great, sometimes not, but you know that you are learning alongside the people making the film, and this makes for a relaxed stepping stone for you, as you explore your craft.
Other advantages are that there is a teacher/College/Media Department overseeing the production and you will always have a ‘go to’ person for enquiries,
INDEPENDENT:
Generally independent filmmakers will have runs on the board and should be able to show you examples of previous work. You can also ask around locally to get a feel for the experience previous people have had on set with them.
Find out whether :
- they were well looked after (watered, fed and kept warm!).
- the shoot stuck to time.
- the cast and crew were treated with respect
- any out of pocket expenses were promptly reimbursed
- communication was clear and concise
FUNDED:
If a project has Government funding (Screen Tasmania, Screen Australia), or funding from the networks, you can safely assume the filmmakers have already gone through a rigorous selection process and have runs on the board. If you get the chance to audition for a funded production this is a fantastic opportunity.
WHAT YOU SHOULD RECEIVE WHEN CONTACTED:
When contacting you through the Listings producers are asked to provide the following:
* Project type: (i.e.: student film / TVC / feature film / web series / voiceover)
* Project synopsis
* Character description and age range
* Audition dates if applicable
* Shoot dates
* Fee (if applicable). If no fee, they should state this.
* Shoot location
* Script
* Usage: Period, Region and Media types
Independent filmmakers:
* Links to previous work
* Links to credentials
Media students:
* Name of School
* Email contact and name of supervising teacher at your school
If they do not provide any of the above, feel free to write back and request the information.
Duty of Care and payment:
* If contacting under 18’s they should have a Working with Vulnerable People Check.
* They should have all relevant insurances.
* For information on industry rates of pay they are directed to contact MEAA: https://www.meaa.org/
*If you are ever not given any of this information you are entitled to ask.
ADVICE FOR PARENTS
KNOW WHAT YOU AND YOUR CHILD ARE SIGNING UP FOR
Parents of under age actors, you should vet the script beforehand, be in touch with the producer and give parental consent for your child to be involved. Be aware of physical violence, any sexual content, swearing, in the script before agreeing to an audition or role.
PARENTAL PRESENCE
With independent productions we recommend a guardian is both at rehearsal and on set at all times with their child. Funded productions comply to strict NSW regulations on the use of children in the entertainment industry and a parent shouldn’t have to be present.
ALWAYS ASK TO SEE THE SCRIPT
If they cannot release the entire script you should still be able to see the synopsis (story description) and the scene you’re auditioning for. If you audition with only this information, you have a right to ask to see the entire script before shooting. A reminder: Under 18’s – always get your parents to OK the script and production before getting involved.
ALWAYS REMEMBER
If you have auditioned and you then find out information which makes you uneasy about your involvement in an unpaid project – you are entitled to pull out.
RECEIVING FOOTAGE
Always ensure the filmmaker agrees to provide you with a copy of the footage when the edit is complete. Sometimes this can take many months, and occasionally independent and even professional work never gets completed. Even, so, you should still be able to request some footage from your work.
A WORD ON CONTRACTS & INSURANCE
Funded productions: will have standard industry contracts and you will be paid at the standard industry rate.
Independent films may use a deferred payment contracts. A deferred payment contract means you agree that if the film makes money they will then pay you. It is an extremely rare occurrence that you will ever see payment from a film made under these terms. Generally if you sign a deferred payment contract you can expect to never see any money from the project. This does not mean the film is not worth doing for experience and showreel material. Actors many years into their career will still do unpaid films if they like the project and the working team.
Novice: (someone initially ‘having a go’) may just hope you pitch in with them with no contracts. If they have no insurance then you are accepting all risk involved in the project.
EXTRA ADVICE
Will I get cast?
Casting is the icing on the cake, and there are no guarantees. At times casting decisions can feel as fickle as Tassie weather… – and we need to find ways to keep our chin up! This being said, we think seeing over 150 castings of our students in 2016 alone is quite terrific. The best attitude to have is to learn from every class, audition, and training opportunity, and value the importance of all of these moments, as well as celebrate when you and your classmates are cast.
Also – live life! Casting directors are forever saying they’re interested in actors who really live. So build your skill set- play an instrument, dance, undertake outdoor sports and activities, – you never know when these extra skills will come in handy – and they grow us into interesting people – therefore interesting actors. 🙂
Will I be famous?
We don’t know! Will you? What we do know is that you will be no more valuable then than you are now. So don’t wait for a future event in order to appreciate and enjoy your wonderful self. Whether you’re performing to 1 person, or 1,000, whether you have millions of instagram followers, or your friend just saw you do a great handstand – you’re valuable. Learning to breathe, relax and be present in the moment is the most important skill you can develop to be a good actor. Seeking future fame and fortune takes us from the present moment and robs our audience of what they came for!
It’s also important to know that the acting industry is notoriously difficult, with over 95% of actors out of work at any given time. Actors must be creative, resilient, and learn to find the support they need to keep travelling in such a tough arena. We are very proud of the environment we foster at CSA, and of the many students who continue to get cast both while in, and after leaving, our classes. And most of all, how they develop and grow as humans.
What skills do I need to be an actor?
We believe the most crucial skill an actor needs is to be able to be present and very honest in the current moment, and listen. Listen to the story you’re telling, listen to the actor performing opposite you, listen to, understand and apply the direction you’re being given.
We also believe honesty, openness, generosity and the ability to collaborate are essential skills.
It really has little to do with looking glamorous on the red carpet, after all!
On top of these skills, acting is like any other job; people who are punctual, polite, professional, and proactive are very valued.
GOOD LUCK!!