The following is a list of things you should take note of when joining our agency. These tips will help you along your way.
Please be sure to save the following email into your email contacts.
We don’t want you to miss anything because our emails are being sent to your junk folders: sylvia@shineagency.ca
Follow our social for tips and to build community!
If you are on Facebook, and let’s be honest… who isn’t? Please find and friend us here. We often post helpful tips and exciting news about the industry we all love so much. You can also find us on Instagram and Twitter!
We love questions!
If you ever have questions, please do not hesitate to ask. It is always better to ask for clarification as opposed to make a mistake because of lack of knowledge.
Please note that if we are calling out auditions, we probably have a few to call out at a time. If you have any questions regarding the specific audition itself please feel free to ask. However, if you are interested in discussing your career path please call back at another time, or better yet shoot us an email. We always like to catch up and chat with our actors, let’s just make sure it is a time that is suitable so we are able to give you our full attention.
Regrets are unacceptable
Please make a point of sending us your away dates and “BOOK OUT” times as soon as you know. Email is the best way to communicate dates.
When sending us your away dates please be advised that if you are giving us less than four days notice there is a good possibility that we have already submitted you for projects. Please try and keep this in mind and give us as much notice as possible. It makes us all look good.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR WINS!
We do try our best to see our Actors/Models in action, and at the very least we make a point of posting your good news on our social media outlets. Send us a photo or video and a short blurb via email and we will attach it to our sites. On that note, we always have the intention of making your news our news but time can often be an issue. The better our open and easy communication is, the easier it will be for us to help you get the word out. Same thing goes if you are producing or acting in an independent or short film. Let us know if you are looking for actors and we will happily email you our roster list.
Emails from us
If we have something that we feel numerous people on the roster may be interested in (i.e. open auditions, classes, workshops) we will EMAIL it our to our full roster. If you don’t fit the specs or are not interested in this particular email, there is no need to respond (unless a response is requested). We are just sending out information that we feel may be of interest or help to you. You may or may not fit the specs in every case.
Tapings
We are happy to help you tape your auditions. If you schedule a taping please be aware that you may not be the only one. Please come in prepared, organized and on time, ready to go! Have your sides memorized; reading from the script is not acceptable. Be in correct wardrobe/attire and be well rehearsed. We want you to always feel comfortable but please do your rehearsals at home. If you choose to bring your own reader that is perfectly acceptable, otherwise one of our Shine Team will be happy to help you out.
Importance of being present on Casting Workbook & Actors Access
If you are interested in a serious acting career, we highly recommend signing up for Casting Workbook and Actors Access. These are investments in yourself and in your career, it shows that you are willing to stay current, going the extra mile and can sometimes be the difference between booking and not booking.
Please be sure that once you have signed up for Casting Workbook and Actors Access all your online information and resume is correct and current. Make sure to also fill out your special skills, please check all appropriate boxes including skill level and equipment acquired. Update your profile as necessary with new headshots, hair colour changes or other important details. Also, be sure to link your profile to Shine Agency!
Casting Workbook
There have been some general questions about the notifications that Casting Workbook sends you via email; Casting Workbook automatically generates email notifications and we cannot modify this. If you have any questions regarding the website call us or refer to the support section on the CW website. This notification is only to warn you that you have an audition that we will be calling out shortly. Please feel free to call or text us when you receive these notifications, we LOVE that!!! Casting Workbook has recently unveiled lots of new features; take a few moments next time you’re on to familiarize yourself with the changes, CW is a great resource for Agents and Actors alike. Having said that, please DO NOT print your resumes off of Casting Workbook. The contact information for the agency gets cut off and they just don’t look as professional as the ones we would provide you with. Please always use your PDF resume sent to you by us.
To find audition information in Casting Workbook:
1. Log into CastingWorkbook.com (linking from your notification email is not an option)
2. Go to Inbox > Messaging to find any audition information you may need. Here you will find breakdowns, notes and sides (if there are any). If you have trouble with this still, please call them so they can walk you through this. It is very important to know all the information and dates before you audition.
This industry can throw curveballs, be flexible and prepared
We always give you all the information we can but sometimes Casting Directors, Directors and/or clients will make changes last minute and sides will be waiting for you at your audition. Please always be ready for anything, this is one of the joys of your job. You are all professionals and it shouldn’t be an issue. If you ever feel like we haven’t given you all the info you need please contact us so we can fill in any blanks for you.
Notify us of any important changes such as a Change of Address
Please advise us as soon as possible if you happen to move to a new residence so we can all avoid unnecessary charges; if you need a stop payment due to change of address please take note of a twelve dollar fifty cent ($12.50) charge that the bank dings us with. This charge will be applied to your receipt. This becomes costly when people forget to give us their change of address.
Role of Agent and Production Team
Your Agent not only books you they also deal with your contracts. Details such as your wardrobe fitting (time, place, what you need to bring) and your call time (when and where you will be shooting) will be given to you by production directly. They normally call thcast the day before, and can call as late as 8PM, sometimes even later for Background Performers. Normally, these production people are on set all day and arrange the next day’s shooting schedule after wrapping the current day.
If production calls you directly, please take down all information and ask questions if you are confused about anything. There are a lot of factors going into your call time, so if you haven’t heard from production by 10PM the night before you shoot, feel free to call/text your agent to make sure everything is in order. We prefer you ask these questions or voice these concerns as soon as possible. We don’t always get all the information you receive and cannot help you if you have any questions when it’s too late.
If you are asked to call back to confirm you call time, please be sure to do so, be professional and represent yourself (and Shine) well.
Take Note: While on set, production will occasionally ask you to sign something… Don’t! If it is something that you are unaware of or something you agent hasn’t previously explained to you, politely let production know that you do not want to be difficult but you would like to call your agent before you sign anything. If it is easier you can also have production call us. We are definitely not trying to hold up production or be difficult (and just so you know this really doesn’t happen often) but we need to make sure we are taking all the right steps in order to properly take care of you! We will always do our best to get these scenarios sorted out immediately. We are here to help you guys. Always!!!
Dear Parents…
If you are reading this on behalf of your child, please summarize the important and relevant information. Responsibility starts early in this career and if they are serious about it they will be thrilled to be a part of the process. This of course, is relevant to their age.