Having an updated profile is key as it widens the scope of casting search criteria which can identify you as a potential fit. It can improve your chances for a specific role. 

If an agency is searching for a 35-year-old and finds a profile of interest but finds the most recent headshot is of a 22-year-old—that could rule you out.  

Not only is an updated profile key for matching you with a role, the information on the Productions Plus Talent Portal is used to send mailings, payments, and contact and communicate with you. If any of your contact information is outdated, you may miss out. 

If you aren’t sure if your profile needs a touch-up, reach out to your agent with any specific questions. This is a collaborative effort that we are glad to be a part of! 

Productions Plus is the largest SAG-AFTRA franchised agency in the Midwest that also specializes in events and product demos. 

Not Productions Plus talent yet? Create a profile and register with us here. 

The post Updating Your Profile appeared first on Productions Plus.

Well, before you get invited to suit up in the latest superhero franchise-

You need to start AUDITIONING!

And GOOD NEWS –

If you live in LA or NY, there are big studios casting ALL THE TIME for projects!

But wait… you don’t live in either of these major markets?

And you can’t afford to drive/fly to the coast for every project you’re asked to audition for?
Hmmm…

Don’t Panic. We live in the digital age, and MOST projects accept taped auditions! And many agencies, like ours, will film an audition for you.

Seriously.

We do it for free!

But if yours doesn’t, you can also pay many private studios to coach and film you.

BUT if it’s after hours or you need to turn around a project quickly, you need to become a black belt in the art of the SELF-TAPE.

Think of Productions Plus as your sensei because we are starting a new series of videos to help you perfect this practice.

Wax On, Neil.

Did you take notes? Here’s what we want to make sure you didn’t miss-

Make sure you are well lit. Shadows are no one’s friend.

And competition is fierce. Don’t make casting guess at what you look like.

Don’t let the background steal focus. Keep it as plain and simple as you can.

Hang a sheet or find a blank wall because an unmade bed behind you is not the way to fast-track to stardom.

Frame yourself properly. The crazy thing is most actors shoot from the wrong direction with their phones.

Resist the vertical! It feels wrong but holding your phone horizontal is so, so right.

Did you know casting directors will reject submissions if they are shot wrong?

Don’t take that risk. You’ve been practicing your lines for too long.

Right?

Because you should be off book. Or at least holding your script out of frame.

This is acting! Not reading ????

Let’s talk about eyelines next, because you shouldn’t be looking into the camera unless instructed.

Trust us.

You look really crazy. And maybe that’s the role you were going for, but superheroes are not usually the crazy ones.

Except maybe when Robert Downey Jr. is the star.

But RDJ probably doesn’t need to self-tape anymore, sooooo…..

Always have someone to read with you off camera. You can and should look and react to them as you would an onscreen partner.

Got a take you like? Make sure you send that submission back to your agent properly.

Never send huge movie files on in an email. Servers will reject them or compress them to a grainy quality.

We like Google Drive, Drop Box or We transfer.

And when you’re ready to take your training a step further… We’ll have more videos coming in the upcoming weeks covering topics like:

– Self-Tape Lighting
– Self-Tape Equipment
– Self-Tape Slating
– And more!

Thanks for watching and don’t forget to thank us in your awards acceptance speech.

The post How to Master a Self Taped Audition appeared first on Productions Plus.

When and how did you become an agent for models?

Well, it was a complete fluke! Being a talent agent was not on my radar as a career path. I actually had a business background, and wanted to be a CPA. At the time I really needed a job, and applied at another local agency. They hired me as a temporary secretary to an agent. They liked my work, and offered me a permanent position working for four other agents. I worked there for two years. I was then offered an assistant’s position to an agent at Affiliated Models. I ended up working for two print agents, and when one of them left, I was offered the print position. I worked side by side with Ricka Fuger, and learned the print business. So I guess that makes sixteen years at Affiliated Models, nine years at The Talent Shop, and now almost nine years at Productions- Plus!

What’s the biggest change in modeling that you’ve seen over the course of your career?

The digital age. Printed comp cards are almost all gone, as are actual portfolios and tear sheets. Now my talent carry around Ipads with their portfolio loaded digitally not the big black folders that everyone used to have to lug around.

The other big shift I’ve witnessed is how much more inclusive brands are trying to be. Ethnic diversity is huge! It used to be that everyone wanted the tall, amazonian blondes… to represent everything! Now blondes are the minority.

What types of jobs do you book on a regular basis?

Print and video, but really my emphasis is always on print. We have two theatrical agents at P+, so they usually handle our on camera bookings. Detroit is the Motor City, and thus we do a lot of commercial print, especially lifestyle shoots with cars. We also do online catalogue shoots for national companies that are based in Michigan. I also book some live fashion jobs, which include runway or presenting clothes for an audience, designer or retailer.

What’s been the booking you are most proud of?

That’s hard one. There have been so many over the years. Recently, I want to say Shinola. They have been doing a lot of work/shooting here in Detroit but historically, they bring most of their models in from New York. So, when I get a talent approved, it’s very exciting for me. The brand has a huge national following, and when I tell the talent that their booking is with Shinola, I can hear the excitement! I’m having fun building that account.

What’s the most common mistake you see new models making?

Paying a lot of money for photos before getting the advice of a talent agent to even see if you are even marketable! I would prefer talent sent me current headshot and full length digitals before booking a session with a photographer. Also new models need to remember to include their stats. I want to know height and clothing size range when assessing potential talent. I also wish more people were smiling in their headshots.

If I like a model’s digitals I’ll bring them in to further assess their look. Some people are more high fashion while others should focus on commercial print. Most photographers are only good at shooting one style, and once I’ve met you in person, I can recommend who to shoot with and what types of looks to go after. Of course some talent can overlap categories, but this way you are not spinning your wheels or spending more money than you need to.

What fact or idea do you wish all models knew?

Do your homework. There’s so much information online. I used to have young models buy Marie Anderson’s book on modeling but a lot of that is obsolete. I have recently directed talent to watch to watch runway shows in NY (you can find them on youtube) and go to the magazine rack to see what kind of work is out there. I want talent to get a feel for what type of people are being booked and what aesthetics are popular.

Agents don’t have a ton of time to explain the industry, so come in armed with as much research as you possibly can. You’d do that for a job interview, so why not for a meeting with an agency?

What tools do new models need to break into this business?

These days you need really great pictures! I see it time and time again, that the talent with wonderful pictures are chosen. It’s hard to define a good picture but we need a really clear image of who you are. Don’t cover yourself with hats, hair or big jewelry. Clothing should just be simple and plain. I’m not selling your clothing, I’m selling you! I tell my talent to wear muted colors that don’t steal focus. Honestly, the saying “less is more” is very true. Don’t glam it up, girls that do that don’t get work, because clients can’t see through all the makeup. They think you are hiding something. Show yourself and your natural beauty. There are very few live auditions anymore, so you don’t get to sell yourself in the audition room. The talent pictures are your first and sometimes only introduction to a client.

What’s a red flag for anyone new to the industry?

When a so called agency asks you as the talent to pay money to be with them. A legitimate agency does not charge you to register with them. Also be careful if an agency insists you shoot with a certain photographer, that probably means they are getting a cut. They should only make money when they get you a booking/job.

What type of new talent are you currently scouting for?

Ethnically ambiguous. It’s a term used a lot in the print world but basically, it’s someone who could be of multiple backgrounds, you can’t clearly define their heritage. Fashion is loving that. More than ever, ethnic talent is needed, and I’m always scouting for new interesting faces.

If you are interested in submitting to be represented by our agency, please join our database.

The post Modeling Tips & Advice from Veteran Agent Marsha Bassi appeared first on Productions Plus.