Wayne State University and the Screen Actors Guild partner to help student actors land film and TV jobs in Michigan
September 9, 2008An Actor's Survival Guide to Working in Film and TV • "Actor Basics" covers the tools an actor needs: pictures, resumes, demos, wardrobe, make-up, continued training and five skills that will set you apart from the others: driving, teleprompter, ear prompter, film terminology and computer skills. • "The Agent" covers the relationship between the actor and the agent, what your agent expects of you and what you should expect from your agent, the audition process and after the audition when your agent calls, "availability," "right of first refusal," "Hold," "Firm Booking" etc. • "The Job" covers what is expected of a professional actor on the job. There is a lot more to it than acting, i.e. contracts, appropriate behavior, eating right on the shoot and film terminology used on the set. • "After the Job" covers what procedures you must follow after the job is over: paying the commission, what is commissionable, when to expect payment and what to do if you haven't been paid. There will also be a packet of valuable handouts for each participant. Light refreshments will be served. |
Wayne State University's College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts (CFPCA) and its departments of theatre and communication have teamed up with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) to present an exciting experience for aspiring actors in southeast Michigan seeking employment in the film and television industry. The free workshop "An Actor's Survival Guide to Working in Film and TV" is offered on Saturday, Sept. 20, 1:30-4:30, at Wayne State's Hilberry Theatre.
The SAG workshop reflects the first of many educational opportunities expected to emerge from the partnership between SAG and Wayne State, which is hosting a SAG membership meeting on campus that morning. SAG and Wayne State are also planning "conversations" for WSU students with experienced visiting actors, writers, directors, producers, etc.
"The recent passage of tax incentives by the Michigan Legislature has created an unprecedented opportunity for Wayne State students to gain practical experience in the TV and film industry here in Michigan," said SAG President Marcia Fishman. "Understanding the protocol of the industry can mean the difference between being hired or not. This workshop attempts to teach student actors the unspoken rules of the trade, so as to improve their chances for earning film credits and, ultimately, becoming SAG members."
As Michigan's only urban university, Wayne State University is uniquely positioned to maximize opportunities with SAG for the people in Michigan's population center to find jobs in film and television.
"Wayne State is committed to workforce development for our students in this region," said CFPCA Associate Dean, Steve Peters. "We train generations of southeast Michigan actors, dancers, musicians, designers and mass electronic media professionals. This partnership helps translate that education and training into careers that keep talent in Michigan and drive the state and local economy."
Student actors, members of the community and other aspiring actors who attend the "Actor's Survival Guide to Working in Film and TV" workshop will learn from local SAG professionals, develop contacts with SAG members, establish networks that provide entrée to jobs with new film productions in Michigan and gain confidence and insight into this glamorous yet complex aspect of the film/TV industry.
"SAG has many Wayne State alumni among its ranks - in Michigan, Hollywood and around the world," Fishman added. "We are thrilled to join this prestigious institution in helping Michigan's youth to engage in and benefit from Michigan's emergent film industry."
Established in 1986, CFPCA is educating the next generation of visual artists, musicians, communication professionals and professional actors and dancers. The college offers 16 undergraduate and 12 graduate programs, many of which are nationally accredited, through its five departments of Art and Art History, Communication, Dance, Music and Theatre.
As the university's cultural gateway, CFPCA plays a major role in enlivening the social cityscape of Detroit by inviting the public to campus for a variety of experiences and by taking outreach activities into the community. CFPCA's location in a major metropolitan area and, more specifically, in Detroit's University Cultural Center, offers students easy access to museums, galleries, professional performance venues and internship opportunities in industry, advertising, public relations, newspapers and national broadcast network affiliates.
In this setting of cultural diversity and advanced technologies, students benefit from expert faculty and state of the art resources and win top rankings in national and international competitions and tournaments. CFPCA's alumni include a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and recipients of and nominees for the Grammy, Emmy, Tony, Golden Globe, Obie, Screen Actors Guild and Caldecott awards.
Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 12 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students.
- Contact: David Romas
- Voice: (313) 577-5448
- Email: ac2942@wayne.edu
- Fax: (313) 577-5355
- Website: www.media.wayne.edu
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