The “breakdowns” are basically constant minute-by-minute daily casting calls that are sent electronically (usually via email or a secured website) from the studios or film and/or television production companies to talent agents and managers through a company called Breakdown Services, Ltd. Though there are many casting call services and websites out there, Breakdown Services, [...]
Want to know more about Hollywoodland? Well, Hollywood is a district in the city of Los Angeles, California, situated west-northwest of Downtown Los Angeles. Due to its fame and cultural identityas the historical center of movie studios and movie stars, the word “Hollywood” is often used as a metonym of cinema of the United States. The nickname Tinseltown refers to the glittering, superficial nature of Hollywood and the movie [...]
A movie studio (aka film studio) is, in the established sense of the term, a company that distributes films. Literally, however, the term denotes a controlled environment for the making of a motion picture. This environment may be interior (sound stage), exterior (backlot), or both. In general parlance, the term is synonymous with “major film production company,” due largely to [...]
A cold reading is a term used by actors and other performers in theatre, television, film, and performance fields. A cold reading is a reading aloud from a script or other text without any rehearsal, practice or study in advance. It is also sometimes referred to as sight-reading. Cold readings are employed frequently in [...]
An audition is a sample performance by an actor, singer, musician, dancer or other performer. It involves the performer displaying their talent through a previously-memorized and rehearsed solo piece: for example, a monologue for actors or a song for a singer.
For actors, the audition piece is typically not from the show being considered; an actor wishing to be cast in Hamlet would not likely do [...]
An acting workshop is a meeting of actors or others of one specific trade to learn how to hone their skill and to network with other actors or casting directors. Many actors will critique their peers and offer tips on how to enhance their abilities.
Acting workshops are often staffed by professionals, which can include [...]
The Golden Globe Awards are presented annually by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) to recognize outstanding achievements in the entertainment industry, both domestic and foreign, and to focus wide public attention upon the best in motion pictures and television.
The formal ceremony and dinner at which the awards are presented is a major part of [...]
The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Awards, recognize achievement in live American theatre and are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are for Broadway productions and performances, as well as discretionary non-competitive Special Tony Awards and the Regional Theatre Tony Award, and the Tony [...]
The Emmy Award, also known as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Oscars. They are presented in various sectors of the television industry, including entertainment programming, news and documentary shows, and sports programming. As such, the awards are presented in [...]
The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are awards of merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers. The formal ceremony at which the awards are presented is among the oldest, most prominent, most prestigious, and most watched film award ceremonies in [...]
A character actor is an actor who predominantly plays a particular type of role rather than leading ones. Character actor roles can range from bit parts to secondary leads. However, character actors often play supporting roles, for characters who do not undergo a major change in the course of the plot, and whose role is less prominent. While movie-goers may not recognize [...]
“That’s a wrap!” is a term you’ll hear from a television or movie production’s first assistant director after a long hard day on the set. It means you’re done for the day!
Most crew and actors are happy and relieved to hear these words. Hot lights, heavy make-up, and not to mention working your [...]
In the acting business, the term “pilot” doesn’t necessarily mean a person who flies an airplance. Think of a pilot as a new TV show. Not a TV SERIES. A TV SHOW. Just ONE show–with potential. TV studio execs usually test out pilot shows to see how they do in the ratings first before they greenlight it as a series.
Very [...]
You’ll hear the term “call time” a lot as you become a working professional actor. A call time is the time at which an actor must be on the set and ready to work. You’ll usually get a phone call from the first assistant director or stage manager (depending on the project you’re working on) a day or [...]
First you have the initial audition. This is the first call you get from your agent. You go out, do your best on the audition and if they like you, they’ll (the casting agent) want you to come back a second time–usually for the producers and/or director. You’ve got a “callback”. [...]
