Category Archives: Insider tips

Insider tips, Max Agency Talent Spotlight, modelling tips

Natalie S – Showcase Saturday!

Welcome back to another Showcase Saturday here at Max Agency — a successful model and talent management agency in Canada representing men, women and children.

This week we will be featuring one of our stunning and smart female talents, Natalie S.!

An introduction to Natalie:

“I’m an entrepreneur and an artist. I studied both business and fine arts at university and always found balancing those two worlds interesting. I’ve worked across Canada as an actor and dancer for many years and in 2016 I founded 123 Steps Ahead which is a national dance program for children and youth. I’m currently
working to bring this program to Toronto. ”

How she got into the acting/modelling scene:

“Acting goes way back! On my very first audition at 9 years old, I was cast for a theatre show and I really felt for my friend who didn’t get cast, as she was the one who invited me to join her. Shows come and go but at 9 years old it can be hard to accept.

Modelling was later, at 15 I was scouted by a Toronto agent to model in Asia, mainly Japan, but I was training as an athlete (competitive swimming) and I ended up sticking with athletics and university. Then at university, a friend asked if I would model in a Pontiac Wave ad with her and there you go – I was back at it.

Max approached me when I was living in Montreal and I thought it was good timing to join an agency.”

Most memorable moment from a set:

“The thing that stands out most to me is a very talented photographer who listens to 100% Disney music every time he shoots. There I was in these cool, sexy outfits
posing to the soundtracks of Mulan and Beauty and the Beast.”

Favourite things to do during her spare time:

“I really love painting and if I have time, cooking.”

Best advice for someone looking to get started in the industry:

“Be yourself, everything, flaws and all. That’s what people connect with, and this industry is based on relationships. At the same time, be an excellent person to work with – respectful, gracious and fun. People remember those that energize and inspire them. They also remember those that are takers. Don’t be a taker.”

Best advice shes received from others:

“From my amazing sister who is also a psychologist – When people tell you things you must look at their behaviours instead. Behaviours and actions speak a lot louder and are often more honest then words. I find seeing things through this lens really useful in every situation that puts me in relationship with someone else.”

Final thoughts:

“Even though business and the arts seem to be two separate worlds, there are actually a lot of points of intersection. I use my entrepreneurial skills in all of my creative endeavours and when I’m doing business I use my creativity. They are both about problem solving and connecting with people. I like both those things!”

 

For more daily content, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Never miss a moment with MAX Agency!

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

5 Tips For Making A Self Tape Audition

First of all, what is a self tape?

Self tapes are becoming more and more popular in the casting industry so you must become aware of them. Essentially a self tape is a video of your audition which you film yourself and then send to the casting director or client.

Max Agency receives self tape requests of our talent every week, so we thought wed share some of our tips for creating them!

  1. Good lighting

Good lighting is a MUST for a good self tape! You want the clients to be able to see you, dont you? In reality, even if you are the best actor for the job, if the lighting is bad in your video it could cost you the job. Do not make the mistake of having too much light as that will completely wash you out. It is best to use natural lighting or incandescent lights if possible, one pointed at your face and one pointed to your side.

A diagram from Breakdown Express can be seen here:

2. Good Sound Quality

You must be sure to have decent sound quality for the obvious reason that the person casting needs to hear how you deliver the lines. One way to ensure this is to perform the lines at a volume that the device youre using can pick up. That means no mumbling! Another way to ensure quality sound is using a digital camera with a built in microphone, no need for anything too fancy. With the quality that smartphones provide now, recording on a phone is even acceptable!

3. No distractions

When filming a self tape, the least amount of distractions the better. That means visually and orally. Make sure there is no distracting background nosies happening whether thats a loud family member or the A/C. Go to a quiet room in the house or wait until everyone has gone to bed. In terms of visuals, be sure to film in front of a solid coloured background, such as a blank wall. Make sure your clothing is also not too distracting, no logos or crazy designs just like for in person auditions! You want the focus of the video to be your performance not your surroundings.

4. Listen to instructions

Most self tape requests come along with a set of instructions from the casting director or client. Be sure to read over them carefully to ensure you are doing exactly what they want and submitting it properly. For example the instructions may say which props to use, how to act, the sides aka lines to say, etc.

5. Show your personality!

Just like any audition, the client is watching tons of actors and actresses performing the same lines over and over. Be sure to make yourself standout by showing your personality! This can be done while slating, before getting into the actual audition. Dont be too monotone or serious; be professional and friendly!

Filming self tape auditions can be great! They allow you to audition from anywhere in the world, including your own home.  However, there are many mistakes that can be made which could cost you the job, so you must pay attention to the technical side! Re-watch your takes, reshoot if you have to and remember these tips!

Good luck!

Max Agency is one of the most successful model and talent management agencies in Canada 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.

 

For more fun content, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Never miss a moment with MAX Agency!

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

#TipTuesday: “Listening is everything,” says Meryl Streep

#TipTuesday is a series Max Agency — a successful model and talent management agency in Canada representing men, women and children — does every week where we share helpful tips for the industry! This could be tips on auditions, bookings, and more!

This week’s tip comes from the legendary actress Meryl Streep:

“Listening is everything. Listening is the whole deal. That’s what I think. And I mean that in terms of before you work, after you work, in between work, with your children, with your husband, with your friends, with your mother, with your father. It’s everything. And it’s where you learn everything.”

Our interpretation of this quote is simple. You must always be paying attention to the people and things happening around you in order to become a better actor and a better person. When you understand how and why people are the way they are, you are able to portray them that much better on screen.

Meryl Streep is known as one of the best actresses of all time. She has been nominated for 21 Academy Awards, winning 3 times. She has also been nominated for 31 Golden Globes, winning 8!

Streep began her acting career in theatre before eventually transitioning onto screen.  Since then she has received 83 acting credits, including Julia, The Devil Wears Prada and The Iron Lady.

For more weekly 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