Category Archives: Insider tips

Acting Tips, Beauty Tips, Fashion Tips, Insider tips, modelling tips

#TipTuesday: Keep Your Hands Loose and Fluid During Photoshoots

#TipTuesday is a series Max Agency — one of the top Toronto modeling agencies  — will be doing every week where we share helpful tips for the industry! This could be tips on auditions, bookings, beauty, fashion and more!

This week’s tip is: During photoshoots, keep your hands loose and fluid.

Our talent Cora H. demonstrates this in the photo below.

Keeping your hands all clumped together is not very visually pleasing, especially if they are a focal point in the photo. Always be aware of what your hands are doing when posing during photoshoots.

Make sure to show the sides of your hands instead of the backs of them as it makes your hands appear nice and slim.

For more industry/style tips,  be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and tune in every week to the blog!

For more of our awesome talent check out our roster at http://www.maxagency.com/

If you want to become one of our talent, apply here! http://www.maxagency.com/application.php

Acting Tips, Auditions/Bookings, Insider tips, modelling tips

Max Agency’s Top 5 Tips for Nailing That Audition!

Max Agency is a successful Toronto talent agency, representing men, women and children. Max Agency is involved in providing actors, models and entertainers for the film, television, fashion and advertising industries as well as appearance in trade shows, promotions and special events.

With so many of our talent going out for auditions every day, we thought we would share a list of our Top 5 Tips for Nailing an Audition!

1. Always go to auditions

Just as the classic saying goes: “Practice Makes Perfect”. In order to get better at performing at auditions, you must actually attend them. The more auditions you go to, the more comfortable you will get with the process and the better you will perform. Do not believe that you will always get a booking after one audition (although it is possible and does happen). You should attend as many auditions as you can to build up your skills.

2. Show up on time

Casting directors work on a tight schedule and will not be pleased if they have to wait. Aim to be a little early in case you have to fill out any paperwork or in case you can get in early. If you absolutely know that you will not make it on time, be sure to let your agent know so they can pass it along. That way the casting people will be aware.

3. Dress appropriately

Most casting directors will provide instructions on how to dress for an audition. Always be sure to follow them if they are given. For example, they may ask you to dress according to the character you are trying out for (lab coat for doctor, athletic gear for athlete, etc.) If directions werent given, just be sure to look professional or even make the initiative to dress like your character if you have the information.

4. Come prepared

Besides dressing appropriately, you must also make sure to review the sides for the audition. If you have any lines or specific acting requirements, be sure you are aware and have them memorized if possible. Doing this shows you care about the project and putting in work right from the audition, along with ensuring your performance will be the best it could be.

5. Be confident

Confidence is something that may grow with time and with each audition you do. Its okay to have some nerves but just make sure youre being your friendly and expressive self. Hold your head high, have good posture and speak clearly when performing lines or simply speaking to the other people in the room. Dont be afraid to show some personality and make yourself memorable!

Anything else industry related that you are curious about? Let us know and wed be happy to explain in our next blog post!

For more weekly industry related tips,  be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and tune in every week to the blog!

For more of our awesome talent check out our roster at http://www.maxagency.com/

If you want to become one of our talent, apply here! http://www.maxagency.com/application.php

Acting Tips, Insider tips

The Key Terms You Need to Know As an Actor or Model

Max Agency is a successful model and talent management agency in Toronto. Max places its talent with a wide spectrum of companies such as Nike, Coca Cola, Sony, McDonald’s , Hugo Boss,  and LOreal  just to name a few.

With so many talent auditioning and being booked daily, we wanted to share some definitions of the jargon that gets used on a daily basis within the agency.

These terms are extremely valuable to understand for every working actor and model in the business.

Self Tape or EcoCast

A self tape audition (frequently referred to as an EcoCast as well) is essentially a video audition. This is not done in person but rather the talent films their audition from home on a camera or phone to be submitted electronically. The self tape audition is growing in popularity so chances are you will have to do one at some point. For tips on how to create the best self tape, check out Maxs Top 5 Tips!

Slate

In almost every audition scenario, you will be asked to slate. What this means is to introduce yourself, which agency represents you and often times your role. This is the first impression you make on the casting directors so you must always be clear and professional. You may often times be asked to show your profiles or your hands during this time as well. Simply follow direction while staying calm and confident.

SOC Roles

SOC stands for Silent-On-Camera. What this means is that you are auditioning for a role that has no lines. You will simply be using your facial expressions or physical actions for the role. This is very common in commercials especially. Even though you do not have lines for an SOC role, still make sure to practice your facial reactions before the audition!

PP Roles

PP stands for Principal Performer. What this means is that you are the star. You will be the main performer in the centre of the commercial and have a lot of screen time. Often times this performer will be the ones with important lines or the one demonstrating the product/service.

Callback or Recall

A callback audition is a second audition for the same role or project you previously auditioned for. What this means is that the casting director/clients liked you and want to see you again before they make the final decision. It is like making it on to the next round. Perhaps you did a self tape the first time and now they want to see you in person, or vice versa? Either way, it is a very good sign to get a callback, however theres still a chance you wont be booked.

Holds

If your agent calls to put you “on hold”, this is a very good thing, however it does not mean you are booked quite yet. Being put on hold means the clients like you and might want to book you but are not 100% sure yet. It might mean they are still deciding between you and someone else for the role or perhaps you are the backup incase their first choice is unavailable. This also means you must keep the shoot dates open and available for them in the case that you are booked. They will either release you from the hold or book you once a decision is made.

Release

When you are released from a hold, it means the producers have decided to go in another direction and do not wish to hire you. You are free once again on the hold dates to do as youd like. While this is disappointing, you should still be proud to have been put on hold in the first place because that means they did like you and you were close to booking the part.

Booking

Getting a booking means you are getting hired for the part. You may have been put on hold first or they may have booked you right away. This means you were available for the necessary shoot dates and they liked you the most. From here you will attend any fittings required and then the actual shoot! Your agent will be in touch will all the details on location, wardrobe, makeup, etc.

Buyout

A buyout is a flat payment made to you for a job (commercial/photoshoot/etc.) instead of getting paid residuals every time they use the work. In other words, you are only paid once up front for your work which they are free to use for a certain length of time. This payment is normally quite high for a short amount of work since they are able to use the commercial or stills as many times as they want within the time frame they paid for.

We hope these definitions helped any new actors who may have been confused when hearing these terms.

If there are any other words or acronyms that confuse you, let us know and well be more than happy to explain!

For more tips on the industry,  be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and tune in every week to the blog!

To see our awesome talent check out our roster at http://www.maxagency.com/

If you want to become one of our talent, apply here! http://www.maxagency.com/application.php