Category Archives: Acting Tips

Acting Tips, Insider tips, tip tuesday

Toronto Acting agency- Dos and Don’ts of shooting a Self-tape audition

Dos and Don’ts in shooting a self-taped audition.

We have provided simple guidelines below to help you produce great self-tapes. 

DO 

 

  • Be professional and prepared when you tape yourself. Treat this audition the same as you would if you were physically in the room with the casting director. 

 

  • Record your audition in front of a solid coloured curtain or a blank wall. Too much clutter in the background can distract from your performance. Also, be aware your outfit should not blend or contrast with the colour of your backdrop. 

 

  • Find a quality reader. Make sure your reader stands behind the camera, to ensure your focus and positioning is towards the camera. Your reader should not be seen on camera unless requested. 

 

DON’T 

 

  • Don’t use a webcam, we recommend using a digital camcorder that fits your budget and have a peer operate the camera for you. 

 

  • Overhead fluorescent lights create deep shadows on your face which can make you look aged or change your appearance completely. Ideally, use two incandescent lights (bulbs with filaments). One as a key light, set to the opposite side of the camera a little farther away and pointed at your face.  If you are filming in a bigger space and need more lighting, set a second light opposite side of the camera, pointed at your side. 

 

  • Castings has requested a certain number of takes and/or scenes. Doing more than is asked could be considered presumptuous by the casting director. Don’t do more than the castings has asked for. 

Equipment recommendations for recording your self tape.

 

Digital Camcorder, Full HD 270° Rotation 1080P 16X High Definition Digital Camcorder Video DV Camera (US Plug Black)

 

 

 

 

Emart 60 LED Continuous Portable Photography Lighting Kit for Table Top Photo Video Studio Light Lamp with Color Filters

Basic three-point studio lighting 

MAX Agency is a successful Toronto modeling agency representing men, women, and children. MAX has been successfully providing talent for the film, television, fashion, and advertising industries as well as appearance in trade shows, promotions, and special events for over 20 years.

Did you know that MAX Agency is always seeking new models and actors to fill roles in commercials, TV series/film, and print?  Don’t wait another day to pursue your dreams, get discovered by MAX today!

For more weekly MAX news, updates, announcement, and industry tips, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Never miss a moment with MAX Agency.

If you want to join our roster, apply here.

To see our awesome talent check out our roster.

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Have any questions? Read our FAQ or contact us at info@maxagency.com

Acting Tips, tip tuesday

Toronto acting agency- Four habits to improve your acting skills

With acting classes, headshots, books, wardrobe, and more, it can feel like it always cost money to improve your skills. But practicing your craft does not have to be expensive.  Here are a few ideas of how you can improve your acting skills without touching your wallet!

 

1. Tape yourself every day

Just like with any skill, practice is key. A soccer player trains every day, a musician practices every day, and a ballerina dances every day. Similarly, an actor has to practice every day too! Make sure that there is a camera recording you when you practice. Getting used to its presence will make it less intimidating on sets. Watch all your recordings to see what you need to improve.

2. Practice stand-up comedy

To be good at acting, you need to get out of your comfort zone. Stand-up is a very creative craft. You get to focus on who you are and write according to your strengths. You also go over your piece over and over again. There are open-mics all over the city where you can practice performing in front of a crowd for free! It is an amazing way to practice, become more confident, and gain exposure at the same time.

3. Organize a support group and meet weekly

Practice with others like you! Handpick other actors whose strengths you can learn from. Communicate your fears and joys with each other, read scripts aloud, practice improv, record each others work, and watch shows online.

4. Watch TV shows and YouTube videos

Stay up to date with the style of different TV shows and watch YouTube videos of actors that you aspire to be like. Analyze what it is that made you choose them. This will prepare you for auditions as you will understand what is expected of you.

MAX Agency is a successful Toronto acting agency representing men, women, and children. MAX Agency is involved in providing actors, models, and entertainers for the film, television, fashion, and advertising industries.

Do you want to be an actor or a model? Apply now to be discovered! 

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!

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Acting Tips, Max Agency Talent Spotlight, Talent Testimonials

Toronto Talent agency features actor Bobby Cole

Meet Bobby Cole. He is a talented Toronto actor who is part of Max Agencys roster!

Bobby who has Ukrainian roots, has been in various job positions over the years, including being a talent scout and manager for 5 years! Every time he starts a new job, he rushes back to the entertainment industry because that is where he feels the most alive. 

How did you get into acting?

“As a child, I always knew I wanted to be in the entertainment business. I just had to figure out the first steps and I havent looked back since. Halfway through my 3rd semester in College, I decided to get a background agent and the snowball started rolling. Soon after, I joined the Second City Training Centre for beginner classes and by the time I finished my 5th class, I was already auditioning for their conservatory class.

I went to business school prior to Second City so I had zero knowledge of improv but I did get casted for the one year program, so that was a very surreal feeling. I loved every second of it. Who knows, maybe Ill give it another shot for the Conservatory Program. I highly recommend any one who is starting off in this business to start at Second City. For me it was the perfect platform to find my place in this ever growing business. “

 Any memorable moments from set?

“My most memorable role with Max Agency has been the role of HERB ABRAMS in THE DARK SIDE OF THE RING series. COCAINE and COWBOY BOOTS is the name of the episode. It was a very intense few days on set. I dont remember much of being on set and I live vicariously through what Im told.
 
I lived through similar situations as the character did in real life, so I instantly went in to that mindset and ran with it.  About a month ago, I filmed another episode for the same show, playing a totally different character, and the crew was calling me Herb when they realized it was me. Its a feeling that really grounds you and reassures you that youve done the job they hired you for and to continue growing as an actor.”
 
Bobby shares, “When I read a script for the role of any character, I try to look at the similarities between the character and me. I look for phrases or even bad habits that we share, or shared, together. I think thats why I morphed into Herb Abrams so well, Ive lived some of the things he has. I instantly forget the crew or the camera and I just focus on the take. I let it flow as its supposed to and if it doesnt, we do it again.”
 
Bobby took a break from the business for a while, so he is now hungry for more! He would love to play the role of a psycho whom his audience will remember for  a long time, the character who has the grossest death in a horror, an action lead, or a role in  a cheeky romcom. The  more versatile the role, the better! 
 
What is the best advice that you have received about getting in the industry?
 
“The best advice I got when I started in this industry was from a colleague who once told me, “EVERY MOVE, A PICTURE”, interpret it as you wish. My advice to anyone is “WHEN YOU THINK YOURE AT YOUR WEAKEST, YOURE ACTUALLY AT YOUR STRONGEST. BECAUSE YOU KEEP PUSHING FORWARD. I say this to anyone who needs to hear it, regardless if its on set or in real life, it gives people and yourself that extra push to keep going.”
 
Bobbys experience with Max Agency

Max agency is a successful Model and Talent Management agency in Toronto representing men, women, and children in providing models, actors, and entertainers for the film, television, fashion, and advertising industries. 

Do you have a passion for modeling and acting like Marshall? Apply to be discovered now!

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