To Be a Real Actor....

While looking around on the internet I frequently see comments from real actors and from wannabe actors.
Wannabe's say 'Real agents work on a percentage of what you make'. And while that is certainly true for
REAL ACTORS that have worked, studied and struggled to get where they are, this statement hardly applies
to those that have done very little to nothing to enhance their skills or careers. What is ten or fifteen percent of
nothing. Oh yes, it's nothing right. Many beginners feel that they are naturally talented enough to compete with
trained serious actors. That is almost laughable.
Just an observation. Think about it, if you are one of those 'naturals'.
Want to breathe some life into your acting career? Try getting prepared first and go a little beyond your friends and
neighbors telling you how they think you would fare.
Once again. ' IF YOU KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOU ALWAYS DID, YOU'LL ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU ALWAYS GOT".

william reynolds

Are You a Part of It?

The expansion of the thriving film and television industry in Georgia is wonderful.
The industry historically has offered many, many good jobs and careers to those
associated in this, and with this endeavor From the actors/actresses to the producers,
directors and all of those incredible crew members that we hardly ever see, but play
such an integral role in the entire product.
We are glad to be a part of it

William Reynolds and staff.

"ARE YOU ARE PART OF IT?"

Do Your Research!

Here is some other resources when doing your research when for looking for an agency.

http://www.cometourgeorgia.com/artic…/how-to-become-an-extra

http://www.georgia.org/…/film-and-tv-casting-crew-jobs-cla…

Comments on acting from an actor.

With this role I wish I'd had a chance to meet Rene. In general, I don't know if I can answer that.
I was acting since I was a kid, going to drama classes and being involved in every school play
and musical that I could get my hands on. So it was part of me from a very early age. It has
always felt like a very organic process and ongoing journey. That's what I've love about it, the 
journey. That is the joy of it ,not knowing certain things and discovering them along the way.
I imagine that happens until the day you die.

You'd have to be there to understand.
wr

Be Prepared

Actors love to act, but fear the audition. Why?

Because if you don't get the audition done correctly and well, then the casting director or director cannot see you ability, and you will be sitting at home watching someone else doing 'your job', while you prepare for your next audition. Right?

We (you) can only do what you can do. You portray the character to be as you see the character. You can control your preparation. And while i'm on that particular subject let me interject this. {WAY TOO MANY BEGINNERS THINK THEY ARE PREPARED WHEN IN FACT THEY ARE NOT EVEN CLOSE}. That said let me continue. Actors can get so focused on the audition, the scene, trying to be perfect that they blow the whole thing. If you have actually studied acting and not just watched other actors, then you are almost there.

My advice. relax and enjoy yourself.

william reynolds

Passion is Key

They have a passion for perfection.

The most important thing to know about true genius, It is that it's not simply analogous to intellect. "At a certain point in your life, it becomes apparent that smart people are a dime a dozen. What really makes someone special is if they're imaginative. If they think different," 

So, when in pursuit of whatever it is that you want to do with your life, be serious about it 'AND MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND'. You are going to get advice from everyone from your parents to your friends. And they are going by WHAT THEY THINK THEY KNOW about what YOU want to do with your life. Certainly, they are trying to help, they care for you and want you to succeed. It's just that most of the time they, at the core, probably really don't know much about the career YOU want.

Be nice.

william reynolds

If You Want It, You Have to EARN It

"If someone is not attacking you, it means you aren't doing your job."

Sean Hannity

" I think sometimes people don't pay enough attention to what they do. I've done well, but the reason why is pretty simple, I've worked my ass off."

Justin Timberlake

The Blog..

The only real way for people to know who you are, who you really are is to look back on your failures. These can be defining, explaining some of the areas you are least confident. Many times these failures point the true path forward.

I've said this many times before, and I was not the first one to do so. "IF YOU KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOU ALWAYS DID, YOU WILL ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU ALWAYS GOT"

William Reynolds

The Truth About Head Shots....

Quotes:

" I always tell the truth, even when I lie"

Al Pacino

"When you are talking about a great actor, you are NOT talking about Tom Curise"

Lauren Bacall

HEADSHOTS:

Richard Fisher - Agent L.A.

Your headshot needs to be a natural representation of who you are in your daily life. There is nothing worse than to have an actor show up for an audition looking nothing like their headshot.

Benton Wiley - Casing Director

You want to look your best, but not like someone you're not. So be sure your headshot accurately reflects your personality as well as what sets you apart.

_________________________

I talk about this every single day when interviewing and/or auditioning both beginners and experienced talent. So many, way too many have photos that are simply 'not good at all'.

And I tell them that. They respond by saying 'they were done professionally'.

Truthfully that means very little. Just because you paid for them does not necessarily make them good, or even marketable. Many are out of focus, with the wrong type clothing. Or too much make-up, or not enough. Sometimes taken outside in front of a tree, and they look like the branches are growing out of the top or their head.

Your headshot, your photo is the start of the casting process. That process could continue, or stop right there.

William Reynolds

Give Your All!

"Actors, never give them what you think they want. That's mediocre and commonplace. Give them something they've never seen before...your soul."

"With any part you play, there has to be a certain amount of yourself in it. There has to be, otherwise it's not just acting. It's lying."

Success in acting is all about being in the right place at the right time. Your job is to be ready.

Internal Process of Acting

Hey guys! Thought I'd inspire you with some acting quotes from some our favorite big name actors out there!

"I'm curious about people. That the essence of my acting. I'm interested in what it would be like to be you."- Meryl Streep

"Whatever character you play, remember they are always doing something. They are not just talking!"- Tom Hardy

"Acting is a very personal process. IT has to do with exposing your own personality, and discovering the character you're playing through your own experience- so we're all different."- Sir Ian McKellen

Study Study Study!

AND ONE MORE THING ABOUT ACTING, AND ACTUALLY STUDYING ACTING.

 Actors who think there isn't much to learn about acting in an acting class have likely never been in a great acting class. If acting classes are a low priority to an actor, I find they know very little about acting and the work of great actors. And they don't have much respect for acting.

Most great actors studied acting for years, and even when they are not working, they are working on their craft in some aspect.

Stay in Character!

You know when we train (and pay for) actors to study 'real' acting most have a problem staying in character for more than just a few seconds. For most as soon as they finish talking or listening, they drop their character altogether.

Read what DAVID OYELOWO says about staying in character.

“I stayed in character for the three weeks we shot Nightingale and for the three months we shot Selma,” he explains. “Ava [DuVernay] would call me out of the blue at times just to check — I think she was shocked that I was going to go through with this. This is how bad it got: I remember, my wife, we were moving house at the time and my wife called me and said, “So what do you think? Should we go for the gray curtains or the brown?” And I literally went, [in the voice of King] “Well, I think we should …” and she went, “Stop! Stop! I cannot talk curtains with Dr. King, we’re going to pick this up afterwards. What on earth are you doing?” So that was the moment I thought, “OK, I’m all the way in, here.” But yes, I just felt, for me, personally, I just felt you can’t half-do Dr. King.” 

Your Time is Now!

Old Chinese Proverb: "The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now."

 

"Whether you think you can, or you can't, you're exactly right."- Henry Ford

 

"Whatever must be done will not be done by waiting for the perfect moment or conditions. The fact is you 'can' take the first step and then the step after that, no matter what the conditions may be."- William Reynolds

 

Take Your Shot!

 "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take."- Wayne Gretzsky

"I've missed more than 900 shots in my life. Lost almost 300 games, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed, I've failed over and over again all my life, and that is why I succeed."- Michael Jordan

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did."- Mark Twain

Feel good about what your doing!

Once again, the main reason that aspiring actors/models don't do much, or anything at all in the industry is:  Bad information, usually from others that are either

a. Not in the industry at all

b. Have done very little more than playing an extra. 

c. Had little quality training themselves.

d. Are basically in the same place as far as moving up the ladder, as you are.

And YOU have done very little research on agencies, maybe looked at a modeling school or something similar that will tell you just about everything you've been wanting to hear.

Don't waste your time, energy, effort and money after any, or all of these have been happening to you. Check out a few 'real' agencies. Check us out. Call or google the Better Business Bureau, look at their reviews. Is the place you are going basically a school, selling classes?

And lastly, feel good about what you are doing.

wr

Do your research

DO YOUR RESEARCH; ALL AGENCIES ARE 'NOT' THE SAME!

 

Talent agencies have certain requirements from talent that they choose to represent. At least the real ones do.

Some agencies require that you have everything in place when you see them. Photos, resume, training, experience etc.

Others will try to help you however they can with the limited resources you have provided. EXTRAS casting agencies really don't need professionals for the most part, just a body to put in a place. Of course these background roles don't pay much, but even for those trying to forge a career will have to do these parts to build a resume. Those playing background roles with nothing else to offer except their look for a day or so, are probably going no further than that, because they are not qualified to do so.

Other so called agencies are there to sell you expensive modeling classes or so, so acting classes. Some costing into the thousands of dollars. There are too many of these types scams to get into here.

So, DO YOUR RESEARCH, YOUR 'OWN' RESEARCH. Don't listen to gossip from those that are in exactly the same place as you, with exactly the same training as you (if you have little or none). So, do your own.

ALL AGENCIES ARE NOT THE SAME.

WE INVITE YOU TO CHECK US OUT. THIRTY SIX YEARS IN BUSINESS IN ATLANTA AND AN A+ RATING WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU.

CHECK IT OUT.

 

wr

SAG/AFTRA

A lot of people here are missing the main way you get into SAG/AFTRA.
While you need to be in the union to PERFORM in a union project, you do not need to be in the union to AUDITION for the project. The catch is if you get cast in the part, then you have to join the union. Also, depending on your state laws, you can usually do one SAG contract without being forced to join, but on your next job you would have no choice.
Casting directors don't care if you are in the union or not. Their only concern is finding the best actor for the job. In theory, an actor could audition for a role, get cast and be required to join SAG in order to be in the project, and then refuse to join (though I don't know why). If they did, the role would be recast and that actor would never be called in for an audition by that office (or most offices) again. It is the stage actors union that is the real Catch-22 to get into. Many times you can't attend the union auditions for theater unless you are already in the union.

TL;DR Most actors join SAG/AFTRA simply by being cast in the role, regardless of union status, because CDs don't care about that.
Source: I was a union actor and now work for Backstage.com where I deal with CDs everyday. END:



I sincerely hope you enjoyed these comments, and do what you feel is best for you. You probably already know that everyone you talk to has a different opinion about becoming a successful actor/actress.

William Reynolds/William Reynolds Agency Atlanta, GA.  [THE NEXT HOLLYWOOD}

Getting Started

 Starting your acting career and SAG/AFTRA!

Many actors just beginning, hopefully, a career as an actor, too many times think they must be with a Franchised (SAG/AFTRA) (UNION) agency, I don't necessarily agree with that premise. Most, if not all Franchised agencies work on and with Union projects. That sounds pretty good, right? Maybe not if you are non-union and their projects are union. You many not even get the opportunity to audition. While that statement is not set in stone, there certainly is a lot of merit to the substance. The brief article below is from an actor who now works for BACKSTAGE, a highly touted and well respected magazine in the entertainment industry.
Further I believe one major fact is missing here. About 90% of the members of SAG/AFTRA earn less than $10,000 per year and to join, once you finally get a principal is about $3,000. However that is the direction in which you should be headed. Just not too soon, first you need to get the proper training, the proper photos, start building a resume any way you can. Even background actors can advance their respective careers by getting an upgrade. This means playing that ‘extra’ role and then, while you are there on the set gets a chance to speak. This is the opportunity you've been waiting for correct? Now is your chance to show your skills, your ability, and your knowledge about acting.
I believe you should not try to start an acting career with a SAG/AFTRA agency without first being prepared.
Success happens to those that prepare themselves for success. There is not 'hard' standard of how one should go about this process. Find an agent, a real agent and not some sub-standard place that is trying to sell you classes. Do some research, set some goals, be realistic, and then you will be better positioned to make those all important decisions about your next step and your future, and be able to step up when that opportunity presents itself.
wr

MOVIE Hotspot The ATL

The Next Big Hotspot for Making Movies Is Not New York or Hollywood Image (And while you are reading remember that this article was written back in 2013. Georgia has done over 150 movies/TV shows since then) Begin here!

Hunger Games' fans, Panem is real. Or at least, parts of it are. President Snow's mansion, District 12 and even the arena for the 75th Hunger Games can all be found in and around Georgia — the state known for its peaches and now an increasingly booming film industry.

In 2001, four movies were made in Georgia; in 2013, that number shot up to 142. This upswing didn't happen by accident. Thanks to a 20% tax credit for productions spending over $500,000 in state, Georgia is quickly becoming its own little Hollywood — a good shake up for the status quo. In total, Georgia's film industry generated an estimated $3.3 billion in economic activity in 2013, a figure that puts it firmly on the map as a film location destination.
High-profile films shot in Georgia over the last two years include Fast & Furious 7, Dumb and Dumber To, 42 and The Internship — which used the Georgia Institute of Technology as a stand in for Google's campus.

Wander over to the south side of Atlanta and you'll find the site of the Hunger Games Quarter Quell — which in real life was home to the 1996 Olympics volleyball tournament. Head over to Turner Field where Clint Eastwood shot Trouble With the Curve. Or walk through downtown Atlanta which was used for high-speed chases in The Fast and the Furious, while the small town of Senoia was the backdrop for AMC's zombie-filled series The Walking Dead. Georgia landmarks are quickly becoming Hollywood mainstays.

Atlanta's doing so well as a city-double that it can even pass itself off as Los Angeles. Recent scenes from Liam Neeson's Taken 3 were set in L.A. but shot in Georgia's capital.
So what kind of threat does Georgia present Los Angeles? In a nutshell: No industry is immune from disruption, and Georgia has more going for it than a discount. It would be a challenge to unseat the Hollywood throne, but it wouldn't be impossible.
The chinks in L.A.'s armor are already showing. Film L.A. announced a massive slump in the number of top 25 blockbusters shot there — down from 64% in 1998 to 8% in 2013. END

Give yourself the respect and the chance to actually have a shot at working for a living in something that you love. Prepare yourself. Do some 'real' research and find the agency that is best for you. Be realistic and know that to move up the ladder of success, and not only being an extra. Listen to those that are actually IN THE INDUSTRY and not just fiends and neighbors. You cannot do all this on the computer; you are going to have to be pro active
Good luck to all of you.

William Reynolds

Good Advise!

Dwayne Johnson's candid interview with Variety Magazine.

Some good advice.

Dwayne Johnson’s last movie ‘Furious 7‘ was a box office hit. His new TV show for HBO ‘Ballers‘ hits TV screens on June 21st and his new movie ‘San Andreas‘ will be another huge movie to add to his IMDB profile. But, the point of all these movies and TV shows is to show the world how versatile Dwayne Johnson is.

The idea behind all of these projects, says Johnson’s WME talent agent Brad Slater, is to demonstrate different sides of Johnson through both scripted and unscripted TV and film projects, including his TNT reality program, “Wake Up Call.”

“As long as you can give your fans something great, they’re going to be there,” Slater says. “With that, we always talk about not being scared to take risks. A lot of the things he’s chosen to go into were just a little bit outside of the box from what he’d traditionally been (doing) in the earlier part of his career. If he keeps doing great work, all of these avenues are going to continue to be there for him.”

It ultimately comes down to taking risks. Johnson points out that when he first ventured into acting in Hollywood there wasn't a blueprint for an actor like himself. Instead, he took risks on movies, TV shows, and other productions in order to land himself as one of the top earning actors in our generation.

“There wasn't a blueprint of the half-black, half-Samoan former football player-wrestler, who then made his way to Hollywood,” says Johnson, who made a well-documented move from CAA to WME during the transition. “I was willing to take the risk and then I became myself — it sounds funny to say that.”

When a casting director hands you extra work, turn it into a speaking role.

Source: Variety

END

Unfortunately there are a lot of wannabe actors that think that they will be discovered. Once a director of some sort sees them, the wait is over, they are on their way. However this simply is not true and most likely will not happen in this lifetime.

Most successful people in just about any job or vocation have spent time, energy, effort and yes money to learn and hone their craft, whatever it may be. That does not mean that you run out and sign up for some modeling school or some talent showcase, where you will be discovered. No it does not. Spend a little time and do some research. There really aren't that many real agencies or companies that 'will' be able to help you.

Good luck,

William Reynolds

Being an Extra!

BEING AN EXTRA HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT TO A PERSON, AN ACTOR THAT WANTS A SPEAKING ROLE MORE THAN ANYTHING. READ ON

 ‘The Background Extra’ we asked Jamie Lynn Catrett, the casting director behind ‘The Hunger Games’ and Heather Taylor, the casting director of USA’s ‘Satisfaction’, how important are background extras to Georgia’s growing film industry and their responses are motivating, honest, and ultimately inspiring.

IN AN RECENT INTERVIEW WITH. The Background Extra’ we asked Jamie Lynn Catrett and Heather Taylor, two top Atlanta casting directors, how can an extra land a speaking role or job on set of a TV show or movie. Here is what they had to say: What do you believe a background extra can do to either land a speaking role or a job on a film set in Atlanta? Jamie Lynn Catrett: Oh man – this is such a loaded question! :) Sometimes, it’s just being in the right place at the right time. On rare occasions someone can be pulled from background to say a one-liner. Doing background work is great because it allows you to see how a set is run from the inside, and it also allows you to be paid to watch and learn from some great working, actors. Most of the time though, it’s a matter of the actor studying and booking roles with principal casting directors. Landing a gig as a crew member is a little different.

I've seen background actors connect on set with various departments and change their careers. Some people start out as background actors because they want to be on-screen, but end up in the wardrobe or the props department a few years later because they realize they are better suited or more passionate about another area of the industry. The best policy is to get on set, watch everything that is going on and figure out what YOU are naturally drawn to and go from there.

 Heather Taylor: –That"s an easier one than you think. Readiness, Meets Preparedness, Meets Opportunity. I have had the privilege of helping cast several principal roles, 2 roles actually just worked yesterday. If you are aware of your surroundings, are always on time & show up, you start to stand apart from all the others. If you also perfect your craft by taking acting classes, working on small student films or independent films, having a 1 minute monologue filmed, and a slate of yourself filmed on hand (meaning saved on drop box or your cell phone) – you would be surprised how much those things will work to your advantage when that moment of opportunity comes knocking. But with that being said, being a background performer is vitally important to this process.

I see so many people get jaded and tend to turn their nose up at being an “extra”. Some people feel that they are an “actor” and therefor they will not work as BG, but working as a BG one day on set is how you make it to the next level – it is all about exposure. *Here is a short Personal Story* I started out as an extra that knew nothing about anything in film (with only a background in theater). A few days after working on that set I became a stand in. How you may ask? Because the ADs saw me on set when I was booked as an “extra” and felt I looked similar to their actress – they also liked my willingness to learn and my ability to catch on very quickly. Truth is every day I was on set I payed attention to my surroundings and observed everyone’s jobs, including Stand Ins. So many times I see people come to set and don’t take it seriously, they goof off, talk loud, and expect they will be an actor in no time – when you are quiet and observant it goes a long way.

From Stand In work I then was asked to do Photo double work and Makeup tests for that and other actresses. I did well on camera and followed direction given. From their I got the opportunity to audition for a speaking role– and I got it! From there on out I was able to meet people on the production side. My 6 years of previous business background in NYC, and my life long dream to work in the film industry came fill circle back to my favorite expression, that was taught to me by other Casting Directors in Florida…. “my Readiness, met Preparedness, which met the perfect Opportunities.

Now, I am the owner of an Extras Casting Company, Casting TaylorMade and my daily job as a Extras Casting Director makes me feel as I have finally reached my goal, but I am never done learning and growing! Now I can make others dreams new to this industry (or old) come true – the same way the Extras Casting Directors / Casting Directors did for me. “Pay It Forward

HOPE THIS WAS A LITTLE ENLIGHTENING TO ALL OF YOU THAT FROWN ON BEING AN EXTRA AND WANT TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE 'SPEAKING ROLES' EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY NOT BE SAG/AFTRA.

Film & TV Agent, William Reynolds

Hi, I am Williams Reynolds, Film & TV agent for The William Reynolds Agency of Atlanta, (SINCE 1978)  This is my first blog of many to come.  I will be writing and posting information on the burgeoning Film Industry in Atlanta, currently number 2 in the USA behind Los Angeles.  These comments will include information on the film industry and from time to time casting notices.

My first "official" blog will be tomorrow May 20, 2015.