talent FAQs
PAY
How long does it take to get paid? Around 30 days, some projects can take as many as 60 days.
What is the payment process?
For non-union jobs: Once the project wraps, RTS will invoice the production company for your time. Then once a check comes in, RTS will send payment along with a statement of compensation showing agency fees taken out.
For SAG/AFTRA and Larger Film Background jobs: You will be paid directly by production, which means that you still owe RTS the agency fee.
I can pay you via direct deposit, Venmo, PayPal or check in the mail. Direct deposit is preferable.
What if I get a check directly from a project I’ve worked on? Then the agency fee has not been paid.
How do I get you the agency fee? You can mail a check to 3939 S Harvard Ave #239 - Tulsa, OK 74135 or use Venmo or PayPal.me
What if my check doesn’t look right to me? Always let me know if you didn’t receive all that you thought you were supposed to be paid. This happens, and we get it taken care of - it just might take some time, patience, and a lot of emailing.
Is the agency fee calculated on the amount before or after taxes are taken out? Your agency fee comes out of your gross pay - so before taxes are taken out.
Casting Calls
What are actors access and casting networks? Online platforms where the majority of casting calls are posted.
Who updates my actors access and casting networks accounts? Those accounts belong to you and it’s your job to keep them updated when sizing, resume, and headshots change. Keep them accurate - they are very important.
What does buyout mean? You only get paid once and they are allowed to use the footage or stills in whichever way they need for the usage term listed.
What does in perpetuity mean? They are allowed to use the footage and stills for forever. This could be a bad choice because it could take you out of the market of that product. For example, if you do a bank commercial that is in perpetuity, you are no longer able to be in any other bank commercials in the same region because it would be a competing brand.
What is BG? Background or extra work
What is HMU or HAMU? Hair and Make-up
What if I want to do BG work? Background can be a great way to get started in the business. It gets you familiar with set life and you can meet a lot of industry professionals. In most cases, BG calls are posted to our private FB group. Sometimes I will email them out if they are higher pay BG roles. If you want to submit for a BG role, email me a screenshot or copy of the call and I will get you submitted. Simply commenting on the FB post does not get you submitted. I hardly go into FB and can’t keep track of comments there, so emailing me is the way to get submitted.
What is a day player? Someone who only works one day on the film.
What does usage mean? The length of time the commercial will be aired and your footage used. You need to know this so when the usage ends, you are free from being tied to that particular product for future auditions.
What does o/a mean? On or about
What if I am not available on the date posted on the casting call? If it is a film, that just means that’s the date they plan on starting filming and it will go for several weeks after that date - you can probably still audition and just state that one day conflict in your slate. If it is a commercial, then do not audition if you are not available on the shoot dates. That just frustrates people and wastes people’s time.
What if I have conflicts during the shoot dates? You might still be able to audition. I suggest stating your conflicts in your slate. If they want you, maybe they can work around them.
How many days on set would different size roles be needed?
Film:
Lead - most days
Supporting - a good chunk of the days, could be 3-10 days of work
Principal - 1-2 days usually
Day Player - only 1 day
Television:
Series Regular - a central character to the series, most days
Guest Star - several days, the character plays a significant role in the story, could become recurring
Co-star - characters that are periphery but have a line in the episode, likely 1 day
Recurring - the character will be in multiple episodes
What is a principal role? A speaking role in the film, but not central to the story, a periphery character
What is local hire? You are being hired as if you live as a local to the shoot location - so they will not pay for hotel / travel / or per diem because they assume you live close by and don’t need it. In my experience, if they say roles are local hire on a casting call, they mean it. Please do not ask me to ask them for money in that regard if they have explicitly stated that was the case. You submitted that audition with that understanding. If you require it, let me know when you initially submit and I can state that then. If they still ask you to audition then maybe they are more flexible and are willing to negotiate.
What is per diem? A daily allowance for meals when required to be on location.
What do the numbers in parenthesis mean on each role on a casting call? Example: …Supporting (36) That is the page number in the script where the character first appears.
Auditions
How long should I stay hopeful for a role? Casting could take up to a week in most situations. After that, assume it’s a no.
Where do you look when doing a self tape? Unless the audition asks you to speak directly to the camera, you always want your eye-line to be just off camera. Do not go profile. Your face should be towards camera, but the person you are speaking to is just next to the camera.
What is a paper slate? Slate information is listed on a piece of paper that you hold in front of you while you slate. Example
How can I get help with auditions or anything I don’t understand? Email me. Or throw your question or need onto our private FaceBook group.
What is a slate? An introduction that shows who you are in real life. A generic slate includes: Name, Height, Location, & Representation. They will specify what info they want in the slate, if they don’t specify, then give the generic. This is done direct to camera.
How do I get an audition video to you if it’s a large file? This dropbox link is the best way, otherwise, WeTransfer.com, Google drive link, Dropbox link, or Hightail are great options.
If I get an audition do I have to do it? No. I will be submitting you for projects around the world. If you get an audition, you might end up not interested in the project or not even available. You can always decline an audition if it doesn’t work for you.
Background/lighting for self-tapes Your background and lighting are important in a self-tape. If these two things are distracting, then you will not even be seen or taken seriously. Your background needs to be simple and wrinkle free (if hanging a sheet) and you do not want shadows to appear on your background.
They say my sides are posted on showfax or sidesexpress but I can’t get to them. What do I do? Email me! I can grab them for you.
Should I pay for sides to do an audition? No, you should not have to pay. Just email me and I can grab them for you.
What if there is something I’m uncomfortable with in the content? Then please do not audition for the project. You absolutely should know your boundaries and not audition for projects that violate them. Be firm and stand up for yourself! Once you confirm a role, it is too late to back out, so ask those questions on the front end. However, if you are in the midst of filming and they ask you to do something that you are not ok with and they did not disclose it beforehand - speak up! I would never want you to be in a position where you feel forced to do or say something you are not comfortable with. But if they have communicated that content on the front end and you confirm the role and sign the contract, then there is not much we can do.
What if I’m not getting auditions? Let’s sit down together and look at your profiles and see how they can be improved. RTS actors can sign up to meet with me for free here: Meet With An Agent
actors access/Casting networks
Make sure you are getting email notifications from both sites for audition requests and they are not going to spam!!!
What is a slateshot? This is a moving headshot in Actors Access. It attaches to each individual headshot and helps boost your position in front of the Casting Director. It is only 7 second long, do not say anything that could change because it lives with the headshot and you have to pay to replace it. They need to be on as many of your headshots as possible. I try and submit using a headshot that has a slate shot, if at all possible, since it gets you higher on their list.
What if I see something on AA or CN that I want to submit for? You will get many emails from both of these sites with roles you might be a fit for. You can adjust those settings within your account, if needed. If you see something you like, just email me with a screenshot of the casting call. Forwarding a link won’t work for me because I have an agency account, not an actor’s account. If I have access to the casting call, then I will submit you. If not, I will try to contact the CD directly, if possible, or let you know you will need to submit yourself if you want to pursue it.
Why wouldn’t all casting calls show up on the agent’s list? When posting casting calls, they are able to choose which regions are able to see the casting call. We are in the South Central Region (includes OK, TX, KS, NM, LA, AR). They are also able to choose if only actors see it (usually more for Real People type calls), if actors and agents can see it, or if only agents can see it. If a casting call is not on my list, I will let you know so you can submit yourself.
Why should an agent submit instead of doing it myself? Having an agent legitimizes you as an actor. Also, in Actors Access, if you submit yourself, it does not show that you have representation.
Posted Headshots Have at least 2 posted - a smiling shot and a serious shot. Actors Access allows you to change out you two *free* headshots for free whenever you want. Additional shots you have to pay to post. Casting Networks does not allow you to switch out headshots for free. Once you post 2, anything beyond you have to pay for. Make sure you have zoomed in on your face for your thumbnail so the CD can see you easily. And please hide or take off any pictures that are way too old and will no longer look like you anymore (this does not include images of different hairstyles or facial hair that you could do again). On my end, I have to hide those old images every single time I submit you - it is time consuming and frustrating. If you are no longer in your 20s, then don’t have pictures of you in your 20s on there anymore - if you are no longer 5, please don’t have headshots of when you were 5 (yes, I’ve seen it). If you’ve lost a lot of weight and don’t plan on adding weight on for a role if required, then get rid of those images. If you’ve gained weight - do NOT have headshots of you thinner, it is misleading and will only frustrate production if you show up on set looking heavier than your headshots. They must be YOU!
How can I know what all I’ve been submitted for? I can easily send you a submission report from both of these sites. Just send me an email requesting the date range you need.
General Agency/representation
Do I have to pay anything up front to be represented? No, RTS gets paid when you book jobs. But you do have to have professional headshots - so if you don’t already have those, you might have to spend some money on that. That is done on your own, though, and not through RTS (unless a photographer is offering us discounted mini-sessions, then that might go through our scheduling software).
What if I see a post about something I want to try for? Send me an email about it and I can submit you.
What if someone contacts me directly for a job? Tell them that they should talk to your agent and give them my email/phone number. Or you can reply to their email and copy me.
What’s the deal with printed headshots and resumes? These days, they aren’t used very often. For in person auditions, it is good to have one ready just in cast they are requested. If you go to an in person call back, ALWAYS have a printed headshot and resume with you.
What are the have-to’s on my profile in AA? Fill in EVERYTHING that applies to you. This allows you to be searchable.
Why is it necessary to put in all of my skills? I use your skills section to find out what you are able to do besides act. There are many casting calls that ask for singers or musicians or athletes in a certain sport or language skills, etc. If you don’t have your skills section filled out, then I assume you cannot do those things. Please only mark skills at which you are fairly proficient.
Why do I have to have professional headshots? Your headshots are your “in” to getting an audition. They are the first thing a CD sees that says to them, I want to see more from this person. They MUST look like you. And it is obvious when they are not professionally done - making you look unprofessional.
How can I get media or a demo? There are demo classes out there that can get you footage. If there is nothing professional that you can do at the moment, doing a great self-taped monologue can give you something in the meantime. It is important to have media in your Actors Access account because it gets your submission higher on the CD’s list.
What is the best way to contact me? Email is the best way, simply because I can mark it unread if I can’t address it at that moment. This allows me to not forget.
When is the best time to call me? Mondays through Fridays between 10 and 2, or I will check voicemail when I can.
Is it ok to text me? Yes. But please email self-tapes and submission requests.
What is my response time to emails? Deadlines have to come first. Beyond that, I respond to emails when I can. Remember that I am trying to get you jobs, so that can trump replying same day in some cases. Please know that am working as quickly as I can, but some things can wait. If you have emailed me an audition tape, feel free to text me when you’ve sent it and how many videos you sent so I know to look for it.
My work hours My work hours are somewhat flexible and I understand things come up in the evenings and weekends sometimes. But please be respectful of the fact that I do have a family. If your question or request is not an emergency, please email me and wait till the next business day. If there is something that is an actual emergency, please text or email with URGENT first so I am aware. Always remember that I have to deal with time sensitive things first.
How do I get SAG-AFTRA eligibility? You become SAG eligible with one (1) day of employment in a principal or speaking role in a SAG-AFTRA project. In Oklahoma, background work does NOT gain you eligibility. If you are already a member of AEA, you may join SAG-AFTRA if you are paid-up for a period of one year, and have worked and been paid at least once as a principal performer in that union. To check your eligibility status go here: SAG-AFTRA Eligibility Checker
Should I join the union if I gain eligibility? Not necessarily. Oklahoma is a right to work state, so that means that you are not forced to join if you book another SAG-AFTRA job. But once eligible, if you book in a state that is not right to work, you would be required to join (even if it’s just a regional membership). Here in Oklahoma, there are a lot of great non-union jobs that you would not be able to audition for if you were to join. Remaining SAG eligible for as long as possible allows you to pursue union and non-union work at the same time. However, high dollar SAG projects might only hire/consider SAG actors. It’s definitely a decision to be weighed carefully.
Can I have another agent in another state? RTS is located in the South Central Region of the U.S. This region includes Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Kansas, & Louisiana. Any other agent within this region falls into conflict with our agency, meaning we see the same casting calls and therefore would be submitting you for the same projects. That is why our contract is exclusive for the South Central Region. I am able to submit beyond this region, however, if casting directors open their breakdown up to the South Central Region on Actors Access and Casting Networks (and many do). If you wish to get an additional agent in a different region than ours, I only ask you would honor our contract if I secure the booking for you, no matter the region in which the booking technically falls.
on set
If I confirm a booking, how committed am I? If you confirm, then you are extremely committed. Only major illness or a serious issue can keep you from being there. You want to be trusted in this industry, so only cancel if you absolutely HAVE to.
What should I have with me every time I go on set?
Always have 2-3 full outfits (even shoes) with a variety of colors - when you are asked to bring clothes. This allows options if they need you in a different color or what you hope to wear is the same color as the background.
Don’t only have *trendy* clothing with you. You need options that cover your mid-section or tattoos. Don’t only have short shorts with you, and ripped jeans are not what all companies want in their ads - it may not be the vibe they are going for. Think about them - not just what you look fantastic in.
In the trunk of your car - have back ups for the options you walk in the door with. Have in a pair of un-ripped jeans, a couple solid colored t-shirts, a collared shirt, extra shoes, a hat, jacket, etc. They may need you to wear it.
Always a rule of thumb to avoid logos, solid white clothing, and sometimes all black is challenging for them too.
They may not want prints - have solid options.
Not all companies want plunging necklines or backless dresses. Again, it may not fit their vibe. Have other options.
Proper undergarments, camis or undershirts, just in case.
When do call sheets normally come out? Why so late? Many times, you won’t get your call sheet until the evening before your shoot day. Oftentimes, they cannot confirm call times until they wrap the previous day. This is due to the fact that plans can shift around depending on what is accomplished the day before. Plus, there are many moving factors, beyond the actors, that have to line up as well - including weather. You just need to be ready.
Who do I report to when I arrive? In most cases, you need to find the 1st or 2nd Assistant Director (AD). They may have a Production Assistant (PA) assigned to checking talent in. You will want to sign in and check that they’ve written down the right time when you arrive and leave.
What does it mean to be “camera ready?” You have done your hair and make-up before arriving on set.
Set Etiquette This is extremely important. You must understand when it is the right time to move and the right time to be chill. You are not on crew, so you need to NOT “help.” Oftentimes an actor that tries to help is just in the way and looked at as an annoyance, so please read the room and only help if asked or you know that you know that it’s ok. You do not want to get a reputation for being an annoyance on set and therefore not be asked for more projects. You are not the make up person, so don’t tell the make up person your ideas and thoughts, unless asked, and then be very respectful of their expertise - they were the one hired for the job, not you. You are not the wardrobe person, so be respectful and wear what they ask as well. If wardrobe is asking you to wear something risqué and you are not comfortable, it’s ok to speak up, but do so with respect and kindness. If you run into any issues, call me. Overall - you are hired to be an actor, so focus on that and you will gain respect as an actor. “Helping out” does not get you more connections and boost your career as an actor. Being respectful, kind, nice, on time, a good listener, focused, and hard worker in *your* field does. You don’t want to be asked back as a PA, you want to be asked back as an actor.
Attitude Always be ready. Not hiding out in the changing room. Be ready to go before you have to be and stand somewhere where they can see that you are ready. Be flexible. Be a happy person.