MODELING BUZZ WORDS

Hey There!

You have to know the buzz words for any industry you enter. Below is a small sample of some of the common lingo used in the modeling industry.

Advertising Agency: - Advertising agencies use models, actors and voiceover's for print, radio and television commercial campaigns that they create for their clients who have a product or service to promote to consumers.

AFTRA: - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Nationally, AFTRA represents professional actors, news broadcasters and writers, announcers, vocalists, and others who work in the fields of television, radio, sound recordings, and industrial productions.

Agent: - An individual whose job is to represent an author's work to various publishers. Agents also negotiate contracts for their clients. The usual commission is around 10 to 15 percent of the advance/royalties ac quired. Agents receive their payment as a percentage of what they make for you.

Buy-out: - this is a one time payment or flat fee for a project that will not provide residuals. Residuals are payments talent receives each and every time a television commercial is shown. A buy out fee should be negotiated with this in mind and should be more than an hourly rate.

Callback: - this is a result of the audition you went on. They liked what they saw and want to see you again. This generally means you are in the running for the project. A callback is when they ask back specific people from the first audition to read again to make a decision to cast them for a part in their project.

Character: - This is a type of person (profile) an actor is going to play. Characters are anything from a gangster to a business man, to a doctor or teacher in a film, photography shoot or television commercial project.

Composite Card: - Comp Card. - A model or actors material with 3-5 photos of actor or model printed with their stats. These cards are used to market and submit to prospective clients, for auditions and casting calls. The most popular size is postcard. All cards display a headshot and smaller shots that showing your versatility or characterization.

Casting Agent: This is a person who sets up the calls and auditions for models, actors and extras to fill roles needed. They work for the director and producer of a project.

Casting Call: - A determined time and place is set up when a project is ready for talent. You will be given a script or side to read from for a part in the project or asked to submit photos and resumes for a callback.

Demo Reel: - This is a sample video tape (there are demo tapes for voiceover) of your previous work. Your demo real should display your versatility. When creating your demo, try and keep it short, up to 5 minutes of clips showing they many types of characters you can portray.

Headshot: - This is an 8x10 photo which is needed to submit with your resume to get into an audition or casting call. You need to maintain a current photo. Production personnel depend on photos to choose you for consideration. There is nothing more frustrating than picking a photo of a person for a specific character/model type and the actor/model looks nothing like their photo. When you change your look, you need to update your photos.

Model Release: - you will be required to sign a model release agreement which gives the client or photographer rights to use your photos for the project you have been contracted for as the model. Also called a Photographer Release.

Open Call: is similar to a casting call but generally means anyone who fits the requirements for the project such as extras, bit players and even actors can attend regardless if they have agent representation.

Prop: - any movable articles or objects used on the set of a play, movie or photography layout. It is separate from scenery and costumes.

Resume: You need to prepare a written copy of all modeling and acting experience or training you have completed. Keep in to one page. Your resume outlines all the projects you have been involved in, the roles you played, the companies you have modeled for, the training you have and any skills or talent you have including dance, singing, sports or any talents other talents you think might be worth mentioning.

SAG: - Screen Actors Guild Foundation - Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s premier labor union representing actors. SAG represents nearly 120,000 actors in film, television, industrials, commercials and music videos. The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits on behalf of artists. SAG is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.

Screenwriter:- someone who writes screenplays. This is normally the person who wrote the script for the project you are auditioning for.

Tear Sheet: - Gather all the tear sheets you can. While you build your resume collect materials to enhance the package/portfolio with ads from publications you have appeared in. This gives the client more visual information about your performance skills.

Zed Cards – See Composite Cards

If you don't see a word from the above list and you need to know what it means contact me.

I hope this helps!

As always if you have any questions, let me know.

MODEL-MAGIC