THE ACTOR'S CHECKLIST
The Actor's Checklist (http://www.actorschecklist.com)
is a web site that offers valuable career advancement advice to the professional
actor. Topics covered include: know your type
training you will need
the headshot
the resume
cover letter and other mass correspondence
finding an agent
looking for work
preparing for an audition
joining a union
understanding the role of the casting director
raise your profile and marketability through the media
business, tax and legal considerations
launching your own independent productions
You can also check for news and events affecting your career and post your photo for others to find and view.
*************************************************8
Entertainment Industry Employment & Disability Assistance Websites
PLEASE NOTE: This is a list of websites
that MAY be useful in your search for employment in the entertainment industry;
and/or with disability issues. Be aware that there are now hundreds of such
services, many of which charge a fee (which are subject to change), that none
of them guarantee you work, and that many of them also go defunct quickly …
so let the buyer beware! Check out the free services first, and THEN decide
which, if any, of the others may be worth the expense.
-- Douglas W. Gordy, Ph.D., Media Access Office North
http://actornews.com: LA based resource for actors, posting free audition info.
www.artistwebsite.com: For both SAG and non-union performers. Charges $25/yr. currently for resume posting.
http//ata.ucla.edu: Coalition of Inclusive Arts website. www.atia.org: Assistive Technology Industry Association website.
www/backstage.com: Affiliated with the theatrical industry trade-paper, has an extensive database divided by region; charges $9.95/month for posting resume (or $119.40/yr. pre-paid), but also sends out free (limited) casting notices online.
www.bradmarks.com: Provides a no-cost executive search service for professional industry positions paying $150,000 + (fee paid by hiring company).
www.breakdownservices.com/access/awindex.htm: Has free listings of LA area projects with sides being used at auditions.
www.castnet.com: Charges $49.95 for posting services; had filed bankruptcy, but seems to have bounced back.
www.CastQuest.com: Resume posting for $6.95/month; also has free casting notices service for members.
www2.castingworkbook.com: Online talent directory of over 30,000, which fills 2,000 jobs monthly. Includes link to casting notice information. Monthly fee currently $6 for a photo portfolio, $16 for video.
www.craigslist.com: Has databases by region of free postings by people advertising for various gigs; the 'artists' section usually has quite a few opportunities for largely non-paying student films and theatre auditions.
www.crew-net.com: For below line crew talent jobs only. Current fee is $19.95 per month.
www.ddtp.org: Website for the Deaf & Disabled Telecommunications Program, for access to specialized phone equipment.
www.disabilityresources.org: Reviews materials available for people with disabilities; nothing specific on entertainment industry.
www.eej.com: [Entertainment Employment Journal] Posts (mainly non-performance) job ads online; you may also subscribe to print version. Current fee is $109/yr.
www.employnow.com: Fee-based online talent directory of the Film, TV and Commercial Employment Network. Also contains free job notice search and link for stand-up comedians.
www.film-connection.com: Training program that places non-performers in film, recording and radio crew positions in their local area. Fee-based.
www.futurecasting2000.com: Job listings for non-performers in the Internet Audio/Video field.
www.disabilityemployment.org: Official website for the Calif. Governor's Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons, which also contains a link to the Media Access Office webpage.
www.HollywoodReporter.com: Website for industry trade journal contains links to many types of industry jobs. Low cost fee (free for 1st 10 inquiries, 10 cents for each additional).
www.igodap.org: Website for the International Guild of Disabled Artists and Performers.
www.inhollywood.com: Provides production (pre/current/post) info on films for $49.95/yr.
www.laughingsquid.org/tentacle: Free mailing list that sends out postings via email.
www.members.tripod.com/cdtsuperfest: [Corporation on Disabilities and Telecommunications] Referrals for art/media employment to members; co-sponsors annual SF benefit for performers with disabilities and also an annual film festival.
http//:nadc.ucla.edu: Site for National Arts & Disabilities Center, which has a wealth of information, including applications for grants of up to $500 and a great links page to other resources.
www.natpe.org: National alliance for media content professionals, primarily TV and PSA work. Contains a job database for such.
www.ncd.gov: National Council on Disability website; helpful info on disability issues.
www.npi.ucla.edu/cddn: Calif. Developmental Disabilities Network link.
www.pacdbtac.org: Website for the Pacific Disability & Business Technical Assistance Center, which provides a wealth of valuable information and assistance on disability issues for the Western US.
www.setworkers.com: Website for United Setworkers Association LLC for above and below line crew talent only.
www.showbizjobs.com: Free job search database that can be accessed by region & other criteria; primarily non-performance jobs.
www.showbizkids.com: Talent directory for young performers to post headshots & resumes (agents have free access). Current fee is $175 per year or $49.95 initiation fee plus $12.95 monthly dues.
www.skillsnet.net: Primarily for media experts in animation, software development, etc.
www.talentclick.com: Has an exclusive contract with Westside Casting, which utilizes this talent base for about 1,000 film jobs/yr. Charges $79.95/yr. for its services.
www.thecastingsite.com: Resume/headshot posting for $40/yr.
www.thespian.net: Has free film audition casting listings as well as online resume service; otherwise primarily a fansite.
www.tinselnet.net: A website out of Las Vegas which contains nationwide postings of film, tv and theatre auditions.
www.tvistudios.com/auditions: Maintains a free posting of auditions, mostly within LA area.
www.tvjobs.com: Nationwide job searches for TV and radio, both on-air (i.e. news reporters, etc.) and crew positions. $20/yr. to subscribe.
www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm: National website on the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
www.wid.com: [World Institute on Disability] Non-profit public policy center for research on disability issue. Co-sponsors CDT's annual benefit of performances by people with disabilities. Northern Calif. Specific Websites
www.arc-alameda.com: An Independent Living and vocational training service for the developmentally disabled; part of the larger ARC network (www.thearc.org).
www.bavc.org: [Bay Area Video Coalition] Information on video and independent filmmaking in the area.
www.castingconnection.com: Provides online casting breakdowns on SF film productions. Fee is $53/yr.
www.cforat.org: The Center for Accessible Technology in Berkeley is probably the best local tech resource for the disabled.
www.creativityexplored.org.: Two galleries/workshops in SF specifically for people with disabilities who work in the visual arts.
www.deafmedia.com: Berkeley-based organization for hearing impaired artists. ww.edhooks.com: General information for actors from respected area coach/teacher.
www.filmoakland.com/whatshotline/whatshotline_castcrew.htm: Website for the Oakland Film Commission, which posts listings for current projects within Oakland.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BayAreaTheatreBums: Free email-based mailing list for theatre in Bay Area.
www.ilrcc.org: [Independent Living Resource, Contra Costa] Non-profit East Bay resource center specializing in youth with disabilities.
www.madknight.com: Link for PEP, the Professional Enrichment Program, providing help & info for theatre artists with disabilities.
www.media-casting.com/index.html: Casting Agency for Sacramento area jobs; requires registration with fee.
www.reeldirectory.com: Has extensive online database of people in all phases of local film industry, as well as print version. Costs $50 for initial listing (which includes copy of print version); $10 for each additional category (deadline mid-Feb. for submission).
www.sfcasting.com/sfindie.htm: Has a free posting of auditions in Sf Bay Area, mostly film.
www.theatrebayarea.org/public.html: Site for local center for theatre info; contains a variety of links to other resources, including limited access to Callboard articles.
www.welcome.to/icsf: Local casting service for independent filmmakers.