FALL 2015 On Set

performers
ON SET
Fall 2015 Issue 15-2
The ABCs of Working Background
Report from the ACTRA Toronto Fall Conference 2015
Approximately 75 members came out to the panel called The ABCs of Working
Background at ACTRA Toronto’s 2015 Fall Members’ Conference. VicePresident, Internal Theresa Tova moderated the panel with top Background
Casting Directors Zameret Kleiman and Donna Dupère-Taylor, as well as
ACTRA Toronto Independent and Broadcast Production Senior Advisor
Barbara Larose.
The Full Member Background Committee and the Apprentice and AABP
Caucuses had prepared their questions for the panel in advance. Tova also
took questions from the floor. The following key tips emerged.
Photos
There is no need for a professional 8 x 10 headshot. In fact, it was discouraged.
A medium headshot in colour against a white wall with no make-up or special
hair styling is best. Use a natural, neutral expression, no big smiles, but not
grumpy. Character shots in costume are not useful. Most importantly, your
headshot must be current. (A special note for men with beards: either indicate
you are willing to shave it off or change your headshot as your beard changes
or when you shave it off.)
Zameret Kleiman (left) and Donna Dupère-Taylor (right) discuss
the ABCs of Working Background at the Fall Members’ Conference.
CastingBackground.ca
Zameret and Donna are definitely using this database. You are strongly encouraged to be on it and your profile
must be complete and accurate. The database is especially useful to them when a performer changes agents
or when your agent is not available and they need access to your photo.
Agents
It is okay to have multiple agents but no more than three. Two to three is ideal.
Database Profiles
Your skills are more important than your credits. Be honest. Check a skill only if you are
actually proficient at it. Make sure your measurements are complete and true.
Wardrobe
A business suit is strongly recommended. Colours should be neutral such as black, grey
and navy. No bold colours or busy patterned fabrics. Your wardrobe should be pressed.
Have something in your closet for every season. Bring lots of options for the
wardrobe department to choose from.
Arrive on time
By this, they mean 15 minutes early.
Zameret and Donna agreed that they re-use background performers they
have found to be reliable, professional and punctual.
Zameret, Donna and Casting Director Jane Rogers have started a
closed Facebook group called Toronto Background Casting News.
If you are on Facebook, ask to join and get up-to-date news about
shoots and background casting needs.
Say Something Nice
By Dave Sparrow
Mom used to say, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” She
may have been talking about marketing. We are drawn to enthusiastic,
motivated, optimistic people. It’s how you win friends and influence people.
As actors, our careers are fueled by reputation. The words, “I’ve worked with
her, she’s great,” have probably booked you more than your agent. Being seen
by production as positive, prepared and professional makes you a sought-after
performer. Treating the crew and your fellow actors with respect shows you
take the entertainment business seriously. Those are the kind of performers
people like to work with.
Our industry, too, is fueled by reputation. Last year, we saw production in
Ontario rise close to $1.3 billion and employ close to 30,000 people. It’s a
shame, then, when people in our industry speak negatively about Canadian
shows. As workers in the film and TV sector, we are the best ambassadors to
win public support for Canadian programming and, by extension, our jobs.
Public support won’t happen if we don’t watch Canadian shows and talk them
up. Celebrating Canadian voices and artistic
creators builds audiences and more work
opportunities.
Our union is an alliance of independent
contractors who have banded together and
built a professional reputation that our name
– ACTRA - symbolizes. Producers know the
value that ACTRA performers bring to their
productions. That’s why it is so important,
especially in times of negotiation and antiunion sentiment, to accept the part you play
in setting the public and industry perception
of ACTRA. Your words - on set, on social
media, at casting facilities and in holding
areas - have an impact. They are overheard,
remembered and repeated. They can work for
Members’
Picks
We think performers have
a good eye for quality
entertainment. So we
asked ACTRA Toronto
members what Canadian TV
shows they’re currently watching. Here are the top 6
results of our (very) informal survey:
Murdoch Mysteries
Flashpoint
Saving Hope
The Strain
or against our best interests.
We all need to work every day to make our union better and stronger.
Sometimes that means pointing out what isn’t working so well. However, we
should have those union-building discussions using our “inside voice.” I
encourage you to email me or our Executive Director, Sue Milling, your
constructive ideas and thoughts on the IPA or your union. But, when we’re out
and building our collective reputation, let’s be positive and say things that will
improve work opportunities for ourselves and every one of our 13,000 members.
A wise person once said, “If you had a friend who talked about you the way you
talk about you, you wouldn’t be friends with them for very long.” Let’s support
each other and our Canadian shows this fall. Pick a favourite Canadian TV show
and post about it. See a Canadian film… in the theatre. Share what you’re doing
to build your career. Stay positive and help attract more productions to work
ACTRA. Say something nice about your union everyday.
ACTRA Toronto = Professional Talent. (Just getting the ball rolling…)
David Sparrow
Actor
ACTRA Toronto President
performers ON SET
Publisher: David Gale: [email protected]
Editor: Chris Owens: [email protected]
Staff Editor: Karen Woolridge: [email protected]
Rick Mercer Report
Schitt’s Creek
So there you have it.
Watch these great TV
shows and tell your
family and friends to
watch them too. And
your neighbours, and
your enemies, and your social media friends, and your
overseas contacts … Don’t be shy now…
MISSED THAT CANADIAN FILM?
Rent it from CanadaScreens.ca. Canada Screens is an
online video rental service for Canadian film curated
by awesome performers Paul Gross, Tatiana Maslany,
Zoie Palmer, Sarah Gadon and Jason Priestley as
well as top directors and producers.
Your IPA Bargaining Team
These wonderful ACTRA Toronto members have agreed to serve as team members or alternates on the IPA Bargaining
Committee: Catherine Disher, Shawn Doyle, Sarah Gadon, Grace Lynn Kung, Rick Howland, Julian Richings, and David Sparrow.
This is time-consuming, challenging work. If you see these nice people, please give them your thanks.
Catherine Disher
Shawn Doyle
Sarah Gadon
Grace Lynn Kung
Rick Howland
Julian Richings
Katie Boland
Angelica Lisk-Hann
David Sparrow
Key Observers:
Katie Boland, Angelica Lisk-Hann, and Constantine Meglis
Thank you for supporting
the bargaining team
Constantine Meglis
For Your
The ACTRA Toronto members on the IPA
bargaining committee appreciate your support.
Just what happens in bargaining? On the first
day, both sides present their wish lists. Lots of
high-profile performers and industry partners
are in attendance. After that, both sides get
down to the detailed business of working
through the list of proposals from each side,
trying to reach agreement. ACTRA's proposals
were drafted following focus groups and
research conducted with the membership over
the last year. The parties tend to deal with nonmonetary issues first, discussing proposals on
working conditions or respect issues. Proposals
that come with a price tag then follow. Once
your bargaining committee has reached a
tentative deal, they will be in touch with you
about the details. A new deal doesn’t come into
effect until it is ratified by the voting members
of both sides. Until then, the current terms and
conditions of the IPA continue.
IPA Turnaround (called Rest Periods in the book) What are the rules?
ADULTS:
11 hours set-to-set
MINORS 12-17:
12 hours set-to-set
MINORS UP TO 11 YEARS OF AGE:
12 hours door-to-door
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Top 10 Set Terms
from Nathan Hoppe
1.
Speeding has to do with sound recording,
not with how fast you’re driving in the HOV lane.
2.
Turnover means they are about to start
shooting. Not the 1st A.D. asking for a pastry.
3. Rolling means the camera is actually on.
Nobody is preparing an illicit cigarette.
4.
Adamo Ruggiero has been acting professionally for
years. A veteran performer, with credits including
Degrassi: The Next Generation, Make the Yuletide Gay,
The Neverending Story and The Next Star, his
accomplished career features stage, film, TV and PSA
credits.
Adamo was one of the first performers to join Creative
Arts. He has his finances with the credit union, as well
as a number of other accounts to support his day-today banking needs.
“I trust Creative Arts with my finances and thank
them for being an ally to the Canadian arts
community.”
Turnaround is flipping the camera around to
get the opposite angle. They're not telling you to
do a catwalk spin. Please do not start singing Total
Eclipse of the Heart. Everyone will want to kill you.
5.
Video Village is where the Director and the
monitors are held. Not a magical place where
musicians make music videos.
6. Honeywagon is a trailer with your very own
room in it. Not a little red pull cart with jars of
Winnie the Pooh’s favourite treat.
7.
BG Holding is a place with blue fold-up
chairs and free apples. Not where they hug the
Bee Gees before they go on stage.
8.
Craft table. This is where food is kept. You
can't make origami here.
Creative Arts Savings & Credit Union
Main Floor, 625 Church Street
Toronto, ON M4Y 2G1
416.642.6749 | 877.643.3660
www.creativeartscu.com
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FOLLOW ACTRA TORONTO ON:
9.
Check the gate means the Director is happy
with the take. Not a reminder to call home and
make sure you shut the fence door.
10.
That’s a wrap!
The day’s work is done
and you get to go home.
Not one crew guy arguing
with another about the
difference between a
chicken salad on bread and
one encased in a flour tortilla.
Nathan Hoppe is an ACTRA Toronto
member and humourist. Not a
confused actor on set.
@ACTRAToronto
www.facebook.com/ACTRAToronto
www.youtube.com/user/ACTRAToronto
performers
after-hours email and phone number
for critical on-set emergencies:
ON SET
1.855.201.7823
[email protected]