Indie productions

SAG-AFTRA Approves 39 Independent Projects for Filming Amid Strike, Featuring Two A24 Films. In a recent development, SAG-AFTRA has given the green light to 39 indie productions to proceed with filming during the ongoing strike, ensuring they have no affiliations with AMPTP companies. Notably, A24, the renowned independent production company, has two projects on the approved list. The first is "Mother Mary," a star-studded film starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel. The second is "Death of a Unicorn," featuring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, with filming set to commence shortly in Hungary. It's worth noting that A24 is not associated with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, as confirmed by a company spokesperson. The list of approved projects also boasts other exciting titles, including "The Rivals of Amaziah King," headlined by the talented Matthew McConaughey. Additionally, there's "Flight Risk," directed by Mel Gibson and starring Mark Wahlberg, "Dust Bunny" with Mads Mikkelsen and Sigourney Weaver, "Bride Hard" featuring Rebel Wilson, and "The Chosen," a compelling TV series chronicling the life of Jesus. SAG-AFTRA introduced interim agreements known as "waivers" for independent films and TV productions as part of the strike resolution strategy. On Tuesday, the union published the list of the 39 projects that have been approved thus far. Some of these projects are already complete but require waivers for actors to participate in promotional activities. For smooth production processes, the approved projects must adhere to the terms of the latest offer presented by SAG-AFTRA during the contract negotiations. Ultimately, they will align with the final deal negotiated by AMPTP. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the executive director of SAG-AFTRA, emphasized the union's encouragement for actors to engage in these independent projects. By demonstrating the ability to move forward on the union's terms, these productions undermine the notion by studios that the union's demands are unrealistic. The strike, initiated by SAG-AFTRA, marks the first in 43 years against film and TV companies. The primary concerns at the heart of the dispute include artificial intelligence, streaming revenue sharing, and fundamental minimum increases to keep pace with inflation. In conclusion, SAG-AFTRA's approval of 39 indie projects for filming during the strike, including A24's notable productions, reflects a positive step towards resolving the ongoing film and TV industry dispute. The union's support for independent productions strengthens its stance during negotiations with AMPTP. More Project Casting Resources: Discover the Best Casting Calls in LA on Project Casting Do you dream of scoring your big break in Hollywood? If you are an aspiring actor or performer, being part of the entertainment industry in Los Angeles can be a... How to Find Jobs Between Acting Jobs 5 Simple Tips to Boost Your Productivity and Achieve Your Goals in Between Acting Gigs In the competitive acting world, it's not uncommon to experience gaps bet... How to Film a Video Audition 6 Steps to Creating a Professional Video Audition If you're an aspiring actor or performer, chances are you'll need to do a video audition at some point in your...

Read our Acting audition tips for aspiring and working actors. The hardest part about becoming an actor is the fact that each Casting Director is different and have different approaches to how an audition should work. For example, at the moment, the Casting Society of America does not have a set of rules each casting director should follow. It is important to note that before the pandemic, many auditions took place in person. That said, new safety protocols have made nearly all auditions virtual. Actors must audition through video submissions with meetings ZOOM and other video conferencing software. That said, an actor's prerogative should always be to do their job and perform a scene an actor should be remembered for their efforts and do their job. Here are audition tips every actor should know Focus on the audition Auditions are about creating connections in the entertainment industry. The chances of landing a role are always small, and many factors go into who producers and casting directors decide to hire on a project. Most working actors audition for at least 20 projects for every role they land. At each audition, it is crucial to show the casting director you are prepared and talented, even if the role is not right for you. If you are a reliable actor, then you will be remembered for future projects and productions. Memorize your lines The most professional actors know all of their lines. The best actors know all of their lines and everyone else in the scene. The actors who consistently get acting jobs are those who know their lines. No one is going to hire an actor if they cannot memorize their lines in the audition. The performance should be as perfect as possible. If you need help memorizing lines, check out our guide here.  Do your research The most important thing for an actor is to prepare for an audition. Outside of memorizing lines, an actor needs to learn what kind of roles does the casting director cast. For example, watch TV show episodes which were cast by the casting director. Focus on the pacing, intensity, and style of the characters. Research the directors, writer, and producer, so you are familiar with their previous work as possible. Keep your sides in your hands. While you may know all of your lines, it is vital to hold your sides. Casting directors may ask you to reference your sides or make changes to your audition. Also, sides can be used as a prop and offer a reminder to anyone watching your video audition. Be Nice. It is important to be charming, personable and invested n your work. The director may be working with you for an extended time, and you do not want to be someone that the production can not see themselves being around. It also does not hurt to smile. Don't wear a costume and bring props. Actors should dress in the spirit of the character or production but not in costume. Nothing shouts unprofessional more than an actor dressed up as a pirate for an audition. Actors need to make your acting show more than any prop or costume. Also, you don't want to interfere with the director's vision. Make a statement It is better to make a firm acting decision about your character. By doing so, you will become more memorable even if this does not lead to actually booking that particular acting job. Continue Reading: TV Audition Tips: How to Get More Television Acting Jobs TV audition tips - Learn how to get more television acting jobs. The differences between movie and TV productions are very different. In our previous guide, we discussed film auditions. We also discussed how the... Movie Audition Tips: How Land More Acting Jobs Movie audition tips: How to land more acting jobs. The differences between movie productions can vary. In this guide, we will breakdown the differences between indie productions and major budget feature films. The goal of... How To Create an Amazing Self-Taped Audition How to produce a great self-taped audition casting directors and directors will love. Self-taped auditions is quickly becoming the go-to for casting directors across the country. Instead of an actor having to travel to a casting...

Shailene Woodley opens up about her acting career. Shailene Woodley opened up about a terrifying physical situation she experienced in her early 20's at the pinnacle of her acting career while making the Georgia-filmed "Divergent" movies. In an interview with the New York Times', Woodley says she was "very, very sick," forcing her to "let go" of her acting career and leading roles. “I haven’t spoken much about this yet publicly, and I will take one day, but I was very, very sick in my early 20s. While I was doing the ‘Divergent’ movies and working hard, I also was struggling with a deeply personal, very scary physical situation,” she said. “Because of that, I said no to a lot of opportunities because I needed to get better, and those jobs ended up going to peers of mine who I love. They went on to a lot of success, but there was a mix of people saying, ‘You shouldn’t have let that go!’ or ‘You shouldn’t have been sick!’” [caption id="attachment_155922" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] LOS ANGELES - FEB 7: Laura Dern, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, Reese Witherspoon at the "Big Little Lies" Series Premiere at TCL Chinese Theater on February 7, 2017, in Los Angeles, CA - Image ( Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com)[/caption] Woodley is currently starring in the romantic drama "Endings, Beginnings," which went straight to Video-on-demand this weekend. Following critically acclaimed roles in "The Descendants" and "The Spectacular Now," she landed the leading role in three "Divergent" movies. The actress has since worked on indie productions and TV shows, including "Big Little Lies." That said, according to her interview with the NYTimes, it did not come easy. She explained passing on projects while taking care of herself “combined with my internal process of, ‘Am I going to survive what I’m going through right now and ever be healthy, or even have the opportunity to work on projects I’m passionate about again because of the situation I’m in?’ I was in a place where I had no choice but to just surrender and let go of my career, and it brought out this negative voice in my mind that kept spinning for years and years afterward.” She says she is in a better place now. “Now I’m on the other side of it, thank God.” Her next big production is with Benedict Cumberbatch in the war drama "Prisoner 760". She will also appear in "The Last Letter From Your Lover," starring Felicity Jones. Continue Reading: Atlanta Filmed ‘Divergent’ is Becoming a TV Series Lionsgate is taking their Divergent feature film and turning it into a TV series. In a fantastic movie, Lionsgate is transforming their Divergent Series from a feature film into a TV series. According to The Hollywood Reporter, sources say the... How to Audition for a Role on ‘The Divergent: Allegiant Part 1’ Learn how to audition for a speaking role and extra-role on 'The Divergent Series: Allegiant - Part 1' The Divergent Series is a feature film series based on the Divergent novels by Veronica Roth. The series...

Chris Pratt shares the details behind his acting technique. Every actor has their acting technique. Whether it's how they memorize lines or get into character, each actor is different. And Chris Pratt is no different. Pratt explained in a GQ Magazine interview, his acting techniques he developed while working on Delivery Man with Vince Vaughn. Related: Hang Out on the Set of 'Guardians of the Galaxy 2' With Chris Pratt "I came up with some awesome techniques on that movie that I still use," he declares. "Some awesome techniques for acting that I think I might have invented." [caption id="attachment_155469" align="aligncenter" width="667"] Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger at the World premiere of 'Avengers: Endgame' held at the LA Convention Center in Los Angeles, USA, on April 22, 2019. - Image (Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com)[/caption] Orange Post-it Notes "In that movie, I used bright orange, like blaze orange, as a reminder that my [character's] mother doesn't believe in me and that she believes I'm a failure." Pratt then placed orange post-it notes around the set, out of shot. "Then," he says, "it would catch my attention halfway through the scene, and it would affect me emotionally underneath." "Acting Music" Playlist Pratt also said he uses music to get into character. Pratt revealed that he has 110 songs in a playlist called "Acting Music," which has five categories: "Love," "Sadness," "Wonderment," "Action," and the vaguely mysterious "Volume Five." Related: Chris Pratt: Atlanta Film Crew Members are "Total Rock Stars" Pratt than plays those songs to get into character. For example, in his playlist, you can find the following songs: "Ethereal Reaction," "The Long Walk," "European Town in Ruins," "Wonder of Life," "Leaving Home," and "Brother's Funeral." [caption id="attachment_154812" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] VENICE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 10, 2016: Chris Pratt during the 73rd Venice Film Festival 2016 in Venice, - Image (Matteo Chinellato / Shutterstock.com)[/caption] "Three Legs of the Acting Table" Chris Pratt also says he thinks the "three legs of the acting table" are your body, your voice, and "the rhythm of your spirit"; Pratt says his music collection is the "rhythm of your spirit" and essential to his acting abilities. "It's hard to manipulate the rhythm of your spirit," he points out. "That's something I've been thinking a lot about. Like, I had road rage just yesterday…." Move like an animal Chris Pratt said he also found another technique online, which he started practicing on the set of Jurassic World. You think about what animal your character would be to determine how they would watch a movie. In this case, Chris Pratt decided his role would be a dolphin, and because dolphins lead with their foreheads, Pratt agreed that's how all of his movements will look in the Jurassic Park sequel. Related: Jennifer Lawrence: I Got "Really Really Drunk" for a Sex Scene with Chris Pratt Put it all together before every scene He explains his whole thought process as follows: "Flow core, no TC, volume up point five, Eric Church." Related: How to Get A Casting Director Interested in You "Flow core" reminds him of his posture, "no TC" reminds him of No Triple Chin, "volume point five" reminds him to talk louder, and Eric Church reminds him of a song he listened to over and over to get into character. Related tips for actors: How You Can Learn How To Act Without Acting Classes Learn how you can learn, acting without acting classes. Many aspiring actors start early and would like to get actual knowledge about acting and acting techniques. However, with time constraints, and lack of funds, it… 44 Film Grant Programs Every Filmmaker Should Know Film grant programs that every actor, screenwriter, director, and producer should apply for. Have you ever wanted to join the film industry but, you didn’t have the connections, the money, or even know where to… Movie Audition Tips: How Land More Acting Jobs Movie audition tips: How to land more acting jobs. The differences between movie productions can vary. In this guide, we will breakdown the differences between indie productions and major budget feature films. The goal of…