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Greetings ALL... Heidi Eklund here owner of Hudson Valley Casting It is always my intention to blog as a CD. I almost never have time to do so. There is so much to do and there is so much that actors need to know. Many know lots about acting, and the business side of acting, and other's have just begun. I am going to try to blog regularly from now on, so that those who are just getting started can have a reference to check on while they are growing in this career. This blog post is focused on a brief pep talk about getting inspired to practice the art of acting ON YOUR OWN and eventually creating useful clips to show what you are able to do as an actor. WHY? Here's WHY!!! There are so many actors...some who are doing a lot of theater (almost NO theater clip is useful to see if someone can act on camera), some who finally decides that they are going to pursue their dream, others who start off doing background work and then realize that they want to do speaking roles. No matter what your path it all leads to the same place ... WHERE/HOW do I get to the place where I can compete for, book and sucessfully act in a speaking role in a film or commercial? Sometimes it occurs easily and naturally for actors... others have to practice... yes PRACTICE... The best way to practice is by DOING. HOW DO WE DO? Get out there and DO... grab your smart phone and some text or dialogue and WORK on it... do it... memorize those lines and work on it until you believe yourself, until the words seem like you are saying them for the first time.... try it , and work on it over and over... just like you would a song on the ukulele or piano or driving a stick shift or typing ... you practice... once again PRACTICE! THERE IS SO MUCH COMPETITION FOR SPEAKING ROLES. We as casting directors receive THOUSANDS of submissions and we as CDs are looking for a way to winnow down the masses of people who submit. So... we look at clips and reels to see if this actor could fit into our project... We can't really tell that from a photo, so we have to dig deeper, see the person actually acting... so... getting at least one clip you can confidently share with others to show what you can do can really help you get more speaking roles. Doing your own mini movies or scenes is so helpful because it can be focused on you, and it gives you the opportunity to star in something and shine in that starring role created just for you. AND you WILL learn even if you fail in getting it accomplished. And if you do end up failing, like with anything else, if you stick with it, you will eventually get it and accomplish it if you want it badly enough. So with all that said here are a few things I personally learned when creating our own scenes with family and friends: THE BASICS, You need: 1. A GOOD SCRIPT with at least YOU and one other person. For the first one... keep it short, be sure there is conflict. WRITE your own script with a character YOU can play. A character that challenges you and inspires you... write it and then share it with others ... read it aloud so you can make it better and better. BE HONEST with yourself... is it good? does it work? you can do a little research about writing a good scene ... with the internet you can find lots of resources to help you. 2. A person who knows how to work a video camera well. HINT... your smart phone is a video camera and it has become easier than ever before for you to video yourself with some simple tools. 3. A single location that can be dedicated to your filming without interruption. 4. TIME: with the right team, a single scene can be filmed in one day if you stay focused and keep it simple. 5. Lighting: hint... outdoor lighting is easiest and free... the sun, some shade on a sunny day... play with it and figure it out ***remember... you have a smart phone and you can test everything right then and there... if it doesn't work... adjust and try again... benefit is that you LEARN about making film by doing it... and therefore become better at the WHOLE process. There are also very inexpensive lighting kits you can get online if you do some research. 6. A DIRECTOR So... this can be ... you... or someone with experience, or your camera operator... an audience of one who helps you make adjustments so the whole project has what it needs to tell the story. If you are just starting out I recommend finding someone to help you who has experience. Here in the Hudson Valley we have several colleges where students are studying filmmaking... SUNY NEW PALTZ, SUNY DUTCHESS, ALL THE SUNY's, VASSAR, MARIST and there are programs for high schoolers like THE ART EFFECT https://feelthearteffect.org that show these kids how to make film and video... find them... they are eager to help you and they are good at what they do. It is a win win for both sides. 7. A way of cutting the material together ... this is a decent computer with some kind of editing software. That filmmaker student will likely have access to this... and be able to do it. I have edited on an IPAD or even my iPhone... with IMOVIE though I don't recommend working on a small device. We do a lot of research before doing the work so we can learn more and more...and get better at the whole filmmaking process...  This is one of our favorite YouTube filmmakers D4DARIOUS www.youtube.com/channel/UCYaIdC5pbkpECxXLjf0Lzaw He gives amazing tutorials about making low and no budget shorts... I highly recommend his YOUTUBE channel for reference and many many tips!!! Below are some examples of self-produced work... check them out!!! Menja and Bjorn in the Wylde Woods https://youtu.be/GNh8srOlkRc This is an experiment with two child actors we did with friends early Summer 2019 with no budget and a bunch of eager participants. The goal was to gain clips for the young actors and give them the equivalent of an on set experience in leading roles.  ON THE RUN youtu.be/is7q84aThTg This was a family effort that was completed from concept, to script, to production and launching on YouTube all in ONE DAY. Less than 12 hours was spent on this and the kids had a huge input to the process. It was a blast and we all learned a lot!  Rob Figueroa and his two daughters did this one...
ALONE https://youtu.be/hW-3ZGm4abE "So, I showed my girls the movie Paranormal Activity. They were scared and thought it was real. The three of us made this movie 4 yrs ago. Still good today. Only iPhone and iPhone headsets used. Check it out. It’s short." -Rob Figueroa ***If you have a scene that you filmed on our own or produced with friends or family that you would like to have considered to be an addition to this blog, please send a public link along with a still photo from the scene to hudsonvalleyfilmcasting@gmail.com subject: self produced scene... please note that not every scene that is sent in will be featured.***  NON-UNION COMMERCIAL DATES: Sometime in AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER IN ORANGE COUNTY, NY Casting: Hudson Valley Casting WOMAN (non-union) 40-50 Caucasian, professional and successful, great speaking voice, experience with on camera speaking, professional presentation and commercials, a plus. RATE $500/ day. A self-taped script read is required for this audition. BUSINESS OWNER (non-union) male mid 40s ALL ETHNICITIES. NON- SPEAKING but will require a self-taped script read for the audition. Rate $300/ day. BANKER (non-union) male 45-55 ALL ETHNICITIES. NON- SPEAKING but will require a self-taped script read for the audition. Rate $300 /day. TO BE CONSIDERED: SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS BELOW Hudson Valley Locals, for this NON UNION casting we are using Actors Access. https://www.actorsaccess.com/register/benefits.cfm At the very least it is free to put your photos and resume on the site and start an account. If we are to consider actors for professional projects we need to use professional software to present you and your auditions to our clients. Please email Heidi at HudsonValleyFilmCasting@gmail.com with OC commercials in the subject line & the role you submitted for with your picture attached (please label your files with your name so we know who you are) and link to your actors access profile (that is complete with your resume and photos) CHECK YOUR SETTINGS ON AA AND BE SURE YOU HAVE IT SET TO SEND YOU NOTIFICATIONS WHEN YOU RECEIVE AUDITION INVITATIONS. If you do receive an invitation to audition you can send us your videos directly through email as long as they are downloadable files... NO YOUTUBE. Please state what town you live in within your submission note & if you have a car to self report to locations in Orange County NY. ALSO list any standing conflicts you have in AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 2019. 
This is a SAG-AFTRA short Shooting in: Eldred, NY Day Rates: Speaking is $125 per day Writer, Director: Matt Sukkar Producers: Miranda Kahn, Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman Dates Aug 5th and 7th, 2019 Casting: Samantha Basso LOCAL HIRE AND SELF-REPORT SPEAKING $125 for 8 hours (SAG-AFTRA Please) LILA (middle aged, Curvy or Plump, Caucasian, smoker's voice, lots of makeup, 80s hair) SIMON (any race, late 20s, early 30s, Church-goer, sweet but creepy vibes, think young Crispin Glover) DOCTOR (all genders and ethnicities, interesting look with an authoritative vibe) Non-Speaking $75 for 6 hours BG WAITRESS (middle aged, Caucasian) BG BURLY MAN BG FAMILY (3) (Woman, Daughter, Dad) ALL MUST BE OVER 18 years daughter preferred to be over 18 to play 12-17years BG STRANGE/UNIQUE (Doctor’s office) (very unique or strange looking! Male or female) TO HAVE YOUR SUBMISSION CONSIDERED IMMEDIATELY send to Samantha Basso hudsonvalleyextrascasting@gmail.com INCLUDE IN THE BODY OF YOUR EMAIL: Name Phone # Height Sizes/ Measurements UNION STATUS ROLE YOU ARE INTERESTED IN: Location where you reside and receive mail Attach the following: full length and close up photos (labeled with your name) and Resume and Reel (we need a clip or reel for the speaking roles)  We are casting a Lifestyle photo shoot. This can be UNION or NON-Union models.
Pay is $200 per day. The photos will be used on a website. The shoot location is a private residence in Rhinebeck, NY If you meet the following requirements and are interested in being considered, please follow submission instructions below: IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SENT IN FOR THIS THEN NO NEED TO RESEND WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW FACES
SEND TO Heidi HudsonValleyFilmCasting@Gmail.com SUBJECT: JULY27 Send your cell phone photos of you taken TODAY... one close from shoulders up and another full length (don't forget to change the filename to your name). ALSO send two other shots of you... professional would be great. In your email include your name, phone and email address, your height, weight, sizes... for men shirt, pants shoes chest, waist, pants length ... for women pants/dress/skirt, blouse, bust, waist, hip, pants length **PLEASE LABEL YOUR PHOTOS WITH YOUR NAME AND CHANGE THE FILENAMES OF YOUR PHOTOS TO YOUR NAME** Thank you so much.  PROJECT POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE UNTITLED FEATURE FILMING IN: KIngston & Middletown, NY Local Self-Report a must DATES: July 21- Aug 28, 2019 RATE: SAG-AFTRA low budget scale $630 per day for dayplayers LOCAL CASTING: Heidi Eklund SEEKING: All Roles are local-hire, self-report to Kingston NY and Middletown NY (within 1.5 hour's drive) [WALTER] 50s-60s. Any non-Caucasian Ethnicity. Professor type. Involved and energetic. 3 SCENES. [Lily] OVER 18 to play 16. ALL ETHNICITIES. Is seen reading tarot cards for her friends, and skillfully playing the guitar at Gatherings. MUST PLAY GUITAR [PETE’S MOM] Mid-late 40s, SEEKING ASIAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN MOM TYPES Firmly yells at her son to do his chores. Shoots a pistol. 3 SCENES. {Jaime] 18 to play 16, Any non-Caucasian Ethnicity. GENDER FLUID/GENDER QUESTIONING Jokester. Is seen tubing on the river with their classmates on the last day of school. SEVERAL SCENES TO HAVE YOUR SUBMISSION CONSIDERED SEND YOUR ACTORS ACCESS LINK if you don't have one you can sign up for free By July 3 send to hudsonvalleyfilmcasting@gmail.com INCLUDE IN THE BODY OF YOUR EMAIL: Name Phone # Height Sizes/ Measurements UNION STATUS Location where you reside and receive mail Attach the following: full length and close up photos (labeled with your name) and Resume and Reel (if available) NO ENTITY OTHER THAN HUDSON VALLEY CASTING MAY POST THIS POST ON THE INTERNET This means you are not permitted to repost this... you may only share the link to this post 
This is a NON-UNION BFA senior thesis short, Emerson College Shooting in: Franklin, Sidney, Gilbertsville, and Masonville, NY. Day Rates: Supporting $75/day, Featured $50/day – meals provided Writer, Director: William Schwartz Story: When a junior high student in 1963 suspects his teacher of being a communist, he investigates the truth to gain approval from his father. Ted Langely, 12, (SEEKING OLDER TO PLAY YOUNGER) is a gloomy young man who craves the approval of his unsympathetic father. Despite being intimidated by his father, he doesn’t wear his emotions on his sleeve. When he’s hanging out with his best friend, Cliff, he tends to be more open and excited than at home. Being friends with Cliff gives him real comfort and Cliff is the only person Ted feels as though he can trust. LEAD Cliff Conrad, 12, (SEEKING OLDER TO PLAY YOUNGER) is an adventurous, funny instigating kid who always seems care free. He’s best friends with Ted not only because they get along, but because Ted’s more rational head sometimes cools down Cliff’s worst impulses. He trusts Ted immensely and also feels somewhat protective of him. LEAD PETE LANGELY (man, late 30s-50s, Caucasian) A buttoned up, impatient businessman who never says more than he needs to. As a patriarch, he always expects to have the final word. His sharp tongue is his greatest asset in disciplining his son. As a public figure, his collected demeanor is constantly being tested by a union that is uprooting his business. FILMING: 3 days – 7/13, 7/14, 7/15 (SUPPORTING) Filming: Franklin, Sidney MR. RUSNAK (man, late 20s-30s, any ethnicity) Ted and Cliff’s junior high history teacher, and an enigma to his students. He is a husband and father of two who is attempting to adjust to the responsibilities of being a dad in a new, growing family. In school, he is passionate about teaching, but he struggles to expand his students’ perspectives and help their interest. He takes his job seriously and feels as though he has to establish his authority to a group that resists him. FILMING: 2 days - Thurs. 7/11, Fri. 7/12 (SUPPORTING) Filming in Sidney & Gilbertsville MYRA LANGELY (woman, mid-30s to 40s, Caucasian) Ted’s mother has given up the dream of a functioning household for a few years now. Her husband and son’s constant disagreements have worn her down, but she still attempts to be the peacemaker in the household. She is protective of her son, while not wanting to anger her husband. FILMING: 1 day - Sat. 7/13 OR Sun. 7/14 (SUPPORTING) Filming in Franklin TERRENCE CONRAD (man, 30s- 40s, any ethnicity) Cliff’s dad is an optimistic unionizer with a kind, lively spirit. His efforts to unionize Pete Langely’s shipping company have made him a person of controversy not only in the Langely household, but around town as well. Terrence wants a happy life for his family, but will continue to stand up for what he believes in. FILMING: 1 day – Sat. 7/13 (FEATURED) Filming in Franklin MS. ESTABROOKE (woman, 30s to 50s, any ethnicity) A substitute teacher at Ted and Cliff’s junior high school; a businesslike instructor who brings a standard teaching experience to her students. FILMING: 1 day - Fri. 7/12 (FEATURED) Filming in Sidney Actors will be asked to submit a self-tape from sides once we receive your submissions TO HAVE YOUR SUBMISSION CONSIDERED By June 28: send to lessonsinredbfa@gmail.com INCLUDE IN THE BODY OF YOUR EMAIL: Name Phone # Height Sizes/ Measurements UNION STATUS this is NON UNION Location where you reside and receive mail Attach the following: full length and close up photos (labeled with your name) and Resume and Reel (if available)  Casting hundreds of HS looking BACKGROUND for Charlie Kaufman Feature
Location: Middletown/ Newburgh, NY Casting Directors: Heidi Eklund and Amy Hutchings Rates : SAG-AFTRA $170/8 hours local hire, self-report NON-UNION $11.10 per hour with an 8 hour minimum guarantee DATES: On or around April 17 and April 18, 2019 (other possible dates March 18-April 18 weekdays) We are seeking: YOUNG MEN to LOOK LIKE HIGH SCHOOL AGE (OVER 18 YEARS )preferably with BLACK TUXES or BLACK SUITS. YOUNG WOMEN to LOOK LIKE HIGH SCHOOL AGE (OVER 18 YEARS )preferably with FORMAL GOWNS. ** MUST BE LEGAL TO WORK IN THE US** PLEASE FILL OUT OUR FORM if you are interested in being considered: https://goo.gl/forms/EdI2OREY93YUpvSh1 ***BE PREPARED TO UPLOAD Full-Length PHOTOS OF YOU IN YOUR FORMAL WEAR, and your headshots** If you don't have formal wear, send a full-length photo anyway, you will still be considered. We would love for you to share our post, however, we respectfully ask that you don't this in your own way or leave out information... it causes confusion and misinformed submissions. Please repost this and our form in it's entirety. THANK YOU!  Untitled Charlie Kaufman Film
FILMING IN: Middletown, NY Local Self-Report a must DATES: March 18 to April 18 (must be available all weekdays during this time) RATE: SAG-AFTRA scale $199/8 CASTING: Heidi Eklund and Amy Hutchings Need (over 18 years) STAND-INs for the following SAG-AFTRA preferred: Male with Light Red/ Blonde hair, Blue eyes 30-40 years Height 5' 10" (1.78 m) 195+lbs . sturdy build Male with Salt and pepper receding, Blue eyes 50-65 years Height 6' 2½" (1.9 m) 175 lbs slim build Female with Red or Dark Blonde shoulder length hair, Blue eyes 40-55 years Height 5' 8" (1.7 m) roughly size 6 -8 Female with Red or Dark Blonde shoulder length hair, Brown eyes 20-35 years Height 5' 7" (1.7 m) roughly size 2-4 TO HAVE YOUR SUBMISSION CONSIDERED **when filling out the form put Stand-IN after your name** When you upload photos please label your photos with YOUR NAME Please fill out this form: https://goo.gl/forms/eMmIc0TQ9wRe9pV72  1. The Vassar College Film Department is holding an open call for their Senior Narrative Films. Seeking actors LOCAL to the Hudson Valley area. There are many films and many roles for ages 18 and up (please refer to the films and roles below to see the specific needs of each project and where you may fit in ). We are open to all ethnicities/genders and abilities. 2. The auditions will be from 3-7pm on Feb 13, 2018. 3. You must sign up and let us know you are attending by filling out this form and you will be sent the location and a scene to prepare: CLICK HERE to sign up (it is the only way to get the details) !!!! It is potentially possible for us to work with SAG-AFTRA(student agreement contract) and NON-UNION actors. **Please do not submit children under the age of 18, as there are no roles appropriate for children** WE DO NEED A VERY TINY AND ADORABLE PURSE DOGGIE COMMITMENT: Shoot dates are varied and are likely to be only two or three day commitments on weekends in early March and perhaps a tiny bit in April. Filming takes place mostly near Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. There will not be any filming during March 8-24, 2019 **There is a special in class acting/ directing exercise that we hope all actors who are cast in roles will make themselves available for. That is on February 20th at Vassar College from 10am to 1pm. *There is no pay for this work, but in return for your volunteerism, a copy of your work and meals will be provided. Casting Director: Heidi Eklund Casting Intern: Anna Blake Casting Intern: Lauren Salvador
 Casting Untitled Short shooting in New Jersey
This is a short shooting in Closter, NJ ( we are looking for locals to drive self-report) Director and Producer Clayton Combe Casting Director: Heidi Eklund Pay is $100 per day and it is a SAG-AFTRA short so actors can be either SAG-AFTRA or NON- UNION Shoot dates February 2nd and 3rd (February 16th and 17th as weather backup) Casting a boy 6-9 years old to pass for 5-7 years old who can deliver an authentic performance with innocence and skill. (the audition will involve a self-tape reading from the script and possibly an in person session with casting and the director) TO HAVE YOUR SUBMISSION CONSIDERED Please fill out this form: https://goo.gl/forms/eMmIc0TQ9wRe9pV72 and send us an email when you have completed it. send to HUDSONVALLEYFILMCASTING@gmail.com INCLUDE IN THE BODY OF YOUR EMAIL: Name Phone # Height Date of Birth (for minors): Sizes/ Measurements UNION STATUS Location where you reside and receive mail and attach your full length and close up photos (labeled with your name) if you have a reel or clip please ATTACH IT TO YOUR EMAIL or send through google or dropbox |
AuthorHeidi K. Eklund is the owner of Hudson Valley Casting and has been in the entertainment business for over 25 years. Archives
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