This section will answer most of your
questions so we encourage you to read it before giving us a
call.
Kam Models and Talent supplies extras and actors for film,
television productions and commercials that are filmed in and
around the Auckland region. Extras make up the background action
within each scene so the roles offered can be incredibly varied.
You might be a fireman one day, a business man the next and the day
after a worried father. It all depends on your look and age. The
makeup and costume departments help to create your character.
Generally extras have no dialog, so there are
no lines to learn. However you may get a featured role that will
require a higher level of performance.
Extra work can be long days so be ready for
plenty of waiting, though it is fun and rewarding to be part of the
filming process.
Extra work for international films can pay
around $180 per day. Some local productions pay around $13 per
hour. Though $13 per hour is not high, it is a great way to get on
set experience and exposure. We really recommend people who are new
to the agency to immerse themselves in a variety of
productions.
We receive new casting
briefs daily for new commercials. If you fit the casting brief, we
submit you for the role. If you are selected for an audition we
will contact you to check your availability and discuss the
role. We only call you if you get
selected.
TV commercials pay well - for featured extra
or fully featured - anything from $500 - $10,000.
As a background extra, pay can vary from $180
to $250 per day.
We get a variety of photographic
work. This work varies from billboards, magazine and promotional
material for local and international clients.
Pay for photographic work varies enormously
and it can be lucrative.
As soon as you register with us, we start
working for you.
Our role is to promote you to casting
directors. When we receive a new submission for T.V or film work,
we look at who fits the criteria. If you fit that criteria,
we will submit your profile to the casting director.
A casting agents or directors job is to decide
who they want to see. When they choose
you they will call us. We will then
contact you to arrange for you to attend an audition. Be aware we
are not given much notice - we send in your profile one day and
they may call for you the next.
When background extras are needed for film and
TV productions, we will call, text or email all those who fit the
criteria and ask if you are available. Remember, there are
hundreds of people wanting to get involved, so first in first
served. Anything from 5 - 100 people may be required for one or
more days of filming. The more flexible you are the more likely you
will get this type of work.
We cannot guarantee you work though we can
guarantee that we will work hard for you.
Your look, who you are, reliability,
availability, work ethics and how you present yourself can make a
huge difference. Though at the end of the day it is about the
particular effect the director is going for and being in the right
place at the right time.
In N.Z. the film and TV industry is very tight
knit and you can easily make a good name for your self. If you are
reliable, friendly, professional, and flexible with a good
attitude, casting directors and assistant directors will remember
you, increasing your chances of being asked back for auditions or
more work.
On the other hand, if you are late, always
asking to leave the set, unprofessional and have a bad attitude,
your first job will most likely be your last job. Casting
directions and film directors remember who has caused them
problems.
After the audition, go home or back to work
and relax. Don't stress out over the audition. You may do lots of
auditions over the year and only get one job. Don't let this upset
you, as sometimes the reasons for not getting the job has nothing
to do with you or your acting ability. It can be as simple as you
had the wrong colour hair or body shape.
To increase your
chances and your confidence, we highly recommend you take our
On Screen Audition Skills
Workshop. Please read the Training
section or contact us to make a booking on
630 9208.
You don't have to
be Tom Cruise or Julia Roberts. Anyone can do well in this line of
work.
Directors look for a wide range of looks and
personalities - it all depends on the story they are telling and
effect they are after. Some of the people who have earnt the most
have distinctive and interesting looks. There is a need for people
of different ages and nationalities. All you can do is give it a
try.
Babies:
There is generally limited work for babies and is very
competitive. We will promote you baby to the casting directors and
if they want to meet the baby, we will be in contact.
Children:
Children of all ages can get work. It is very important to come
back and get new photos every six months to a year as children
change so much .
Most jobs are Auckland based so if you live
further a field it is up to you to make yourself available and
arrive on set on time.
Transport:
You must have RELIABLE transport for work..
Auditions are mostly held around Grey Lynn or Ponsonby areas. If
you are called to work out of town the production company generally
supply (but not always) transport to the location.
Many of our talent are in full time work. Work
can be any day or time, so you really need to be in a position to
take the occasional afternoon or day off to do commercial work.
Auditions are generally held during the day and commercials are
filmed in one or two days. Television and film productions may
require a bigger commitment. The better your availability the
better your chances of getting work.
You can send us some good quality photos,
though we will choose what photos are appropriate. Quality and
consistency in promotion is vital. We always take photos as part of
the sign up process, so if you are looking to register don't
worry about sending us photos.
You can belong to a specific modeling agency,
but you can only belong to one talent agency.
Payment can take a long time in this
industry.
It can take between 6-8 wks for the money to
come through, so please be patient and wait for us to send the
money through.
Yes you do. Commission and tax is at 20% each
and is taken out before you are paid.
Yes there is a
membershipo fee. It is $150 for adults (13 years and older) and
$100 for children (0 to 12 years old). You need to pay $50 up front
(upon signing up) and then we will take $100 (or $50 for children)
from your first paying job. This is per person.
A good attitude, reliability and
availability.
When casting directors call KAM they want to
know that we will send excellent people, ready to do whatever is
needed to make the production a success.
ON TIME
Make sure you arrive early - let us know
if something happens and you are running late.
OPEN & ENTHUSIATIC
Directors look for people who are good
communicaters. They can tell at a glance if you are open and
enthusiastic. Step forward they are watching you.
READY TO TAKE DIRECTION
Follow instructions and you will get work.
Our job is to make the directors life easy!
AVAILABLE AND RELIABLE
Be honest if you cannot make an audition
or work. When you take on the work you are committed 100 percent.
This is no different to working any where else. They
are counting on you.
BE PREPARED
Read all the information given to you and
if you have lines to learn, then learn them. Dress for the
part.
You won't get the part if you don't look the part.