Archive for March, 2009

The Actor and His Taxes

// March 27th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Acting

So, I finished my taxes a few weeks ago, and man did I learn a lot this year. I finally decided that a lot happened in 2008 that I needed to hire a CPA (Certified Public Accountant, not Celebrity Personal Assistant); I had gotten married, gotten laid off, became a web developer contractor, and more craziness.

I wanted to just pass on some information that I learned over the past couple of years of doing acting taxes and what I learned new from the CPA.

  1. If you aren’t deducting stuff as an actor, you need to be, this is your business, and you should be treating it as such
  2. Make sure you keep all your receipts and keep detailed track of where you are spending money when it comes to acting
  3. The easiest way to show that your acting is a business is to have a separate checking account where you spend money only for acting
  4. If you are using your phone, computer, or any other “shared” equipment, you can only deduct part of it
  5. If you have an office, it must only be used for acting, otherwise it is not tax deductable
  6. Make sure you keep accurate track of mileage on your car, mileage to and from anything acting related is deductible

Update April 1, 2009:
Here are some great resources that were shown to me.
1. Dana Kaminski’s blog on Actors and Tax Deductions.
2. Chuck Sloan & Associates CPA explain taxes in laymen terms.

This is just a few things that you should consider, obviously I am not a CPA so make sure you do your own research. And, as always, if you have any other things that you know, comment and I will be sure to add them later

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“Unions” in Entertainment

// March 23rd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // News

Majority of the time there is a mention of ‘union’ in the entertainment business, they are not actually a union. A union specifically seeks out employment for their members, where as a guild does not. A guild helps protect it’s members from getting screwed over; there is protection in larger groups.

1. SAG : Screen Actors Guild – This is the main guild that actors belong to when they say they are part of a ‘union.’

2. AFTRA : American Federation of Television and Radio Artists – This is the second largest ‘union’ for actors.

3. WGA : Writers Guild of America – This is the main guild for writers that are considered ‘union.’

4. IATSE : International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes – This, as far as I know, is probably the largest of all the ‘unions.’ They cover a mass majority of people in post-production and pre-production.

5. DGA : Directors Guild of America – This is the main guild for directors, assistant directors, stage managers, and production associates. This is actually considered a “craft union.”
6. Equity (formally British Actors’ Equity Association) – This is the “trade union” for actors, stage managers, and models in the UK.

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Tutorials: After Effects

// March 10th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Tutorials

Adobe After Effects 

I really find that having a good rounded experience in your field helps you understand how all the pieces work. In the entertainment industry there’s three major sections, and within them multiple roles:pre-production, production, post-production. One of the jobs in post-production is that of the editor. They are responsible for taking what the director has filmed and turning it into the final product that you see on screen. There are a lot of tools that editors use, and one that is used for special effects is Adobe After Effects. Below are some of the sites that I have found with some really great tutorials from beginner to semi-expert level.

Update: New tutorial pages added on March 10th, 2009

And, as always, if you guys know of any more great websites to get tutorials from, post them in the comments, and I’ll update the post as they come in.

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Callback: Webseries

// March 9th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // News

Just a quicky, and I’m sure a lot of you already know because of my twitter post. I got a callback for a webseries audition I did a few weeks ago. It’s today at 6pm. Be keeping me in your thoughts around then!! I’m gonna kill it!

Web and it shows

// March 6th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Web Series

There are so many new web series coming up through the ranks. Some really good, some… not so much. But, the great thing about the web is that there is always an audience to watch you. I’ve listed below some places that, if you’ve created a web series, they would love to blog, share, and/or show, your series.

Blogs – reviews web series
New Tee Vee
Tube Filter
KoldCast TV Blog
Tilzy TV

Sites showing web series
KoldCast TV
Blip TV
Strike TV

Meetups
TubeFilter Meetup
Big Screen Little Screen

And again, as always, if there are any places that you know of, please let me know.

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Background Casting Offices

// March 4th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // News

This is the list of casting offices that I know of that do Background casting for film, TV (including soaps), and commercials.  Let me know if you have submitted to any other casting offices and I’ll add them to the list.

I’ve also created a map of all the film/TV and commercial agencies just in case you want to go to their offices: Google Map

FILM & TELEVISION

CENTRAL CASTING
220 S. FLOWER ST. BURBANK, CA 91502
REGISTRATION: 818-562-2755
UNION CASTING HOTLINES: MALES 818-260-6100 / FEMALES 818-260-6110
$25 PHOTO FEE

BACKGROUND PLAYERS
Crossroads of the World
6671 SUNSET BLVD., BLDG 1585, # 101 LOS ANGELES, CA 90028
REGISTRATION: 323-790-0138 EXT. # 17
$20 PHOTO FEE

BILL DANCE CASTING
4605 LANKERSHIM BLVD. # 401 NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91602
REGISTRATION: 818-725-4209
CASTING HOTLINE: 818-771-8450
$25 PHOTO FEE

CAROL GRANT CASTING
5155 W. ROSECRANS AVE. BOX 1124 HAWTHORNE, CA 90250
CASTING HOTLINE: 323-692-7779

JEFF OLAN CASTING
14044 VENTURA BLVD. # 209 SHERMAN OAKS, CA 91423
REGISTRATION: 818-377-4475 OFFICE: 818-285-5462
CASTING HOTLINE: 310-285-3375
$25 PHOTO FEE

RICH KING CASTING
6671 SUNSET BLVD # 1597 LOS ANGELES, CA 90028
REGISTRATION: 323-993-0186
$15 PHOTO FEE

SANDE ALESSI CASTING
13731 VENTURA BLVD. SHERMAN OAKS, CA 91423
REGISTRATION: 818-623-7040
CASTING HOTLINE: 818-771-5717
$25 PHOTO FEE

COMMERCIALS
ACT (formerly known as DGS Extras)
11054 VENTURA BLVD. # 475 STUDIO CITY, CA 91604
REGISTRATION: 323-645-2356
$25 PHOTO FEE

ALICE ELLIS CASTING
P.O. BOX 1828 VENICE, CA 90294
REGISTRATION: 310-314-1488
$30 PHOTO FEE

ATMOSPHERE CASTING
9903 SANTA MONICA BLVD. # 412 BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90212
REGISTRATION: 888-858-7090
$40 PHOTO FEE

BURBANK CASTING
224 E. OLIVE AVE. # 213 BURBANK, CA 91502
REGISTRATION: 818-325-2074
$40 PHOTO FEE

EXTRA EXTRA CASTING
11693 SAN VICENTE BLVD.# 279 LOS ANGELES, CA 90049
REGISTRATION: 310-859-6951
$30 PHOTO FEE

IDELL JAMES CASTING
15332 ANTIOCH ST. PMB #117 PACIFIC PALISADES, CA 90272
310-230-9344

PRODUCERS CASTING
P.O. BOX 1527 PACIFIC PALISADES, CA 90272
REGISTRATION: 310-454-5233

DAYTIME DRAMAS / “SOAPS”
Soaps fall under AFTRA contracts. Each show has its own casting director for background commonly referred to as “Atmosphere” on Soaps. Mail your headshot & resume and they will contact you if they would like you to work. There is no registration process and no fees involved. Once you have worked the show you will most likely be given an availability line to call in the future. Most of the Background Casting Directors on Soaps also cast “U/5” roles (under- five lines, principal / speaking parts).

THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL
CBS-TV 7800 BEVERLY BLVD. # 3371 LOS ANGELES, CA 90036
Background Casting: Shannon Bradley

DAYS OF OUR LIVES
CORDAY PRODUCTIONS 3400 W. OLIVE AVE. # 315 BURBANK, CA 91505
Background Casting: Linda Poindexter
Note: Tapes at NBC Studios in Burbank

GENERAL HOSPITAL
ABC PROSPECT 4151 PROSPECT AVE. HOLLYWOOD, CA 90027
Background Casting: Gwen Hillier

PASSIONS
CBS RADFORD 4024 RADFORD AVE.
ADMINISTRATION BLDG. # 280 STUDIO CITY, CA 91604
Attn: Background Casting

THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS
CBS-TV 7800 BEVERLY BLVD. # 3305 LOS ANGELES, CA 90036
Background Casting: Marisa Rodriguez

Acting and our laurels

// March 2nd, 2009 // 4 Comments » // News

Do you have laurels, views, standards, morals, or a world view that you try to live your life by? How does that affect your decision to play a part, audition for a role, or even consider submitting to a film, TV, or theater, before it even starts?

I personally try to hold myself to standards that I hope is seen through my work. My personal life, I believe, should always be reflected, some how, in my work life. This weekend’s audition made me realize that there are several places where my standards and morals help me draw lines that I do not need to cross.

I am able to read a script, breakdown, or other information about an audition, and turn it down completely, because of the position that it would put me in.

I am able to audition for a show although the show is bad to the core. I am able to practice my craft, and learn something more about myself. If I get the part, I can just as easily not accept the role.

I am able to take a role in a movie where that movie that is preaching a belief that I personally do not agree with. Is this the way to go? Do I play the forgiver in the movie that prostitution? Do I play the prostitute?

For each of us there is an answer to each of these positions that we find ourselves in, do I step forward through these or stay where I am standing? I believe that with each submission, audition, and part we find ourselves having to fight through these battles.

I hope that your morals and world view help you choose the correct lines to cross, and not let the sands of time blur the those lines completely.