This section will answer most of your questions so we encourage you to read it before giving us a call.

Joining KAM Talent | Auditions & Jobs | Payment & Fees | Using our Website

Joining KAM Talent:

How to join Kam Talent?

• You need to set up an interview - date and time.
• You need to have your I.R.D and bank account number with you.
• You need to dress appropriately with some different options.

Membership fees:

• You need to pay $50 up front (upon signing up) and then we will deduct the rest ($100) from your first paying job.
• This is a one off payment. We do not charge an annual membership fee. You can stay with us as long as you like with no further fees to pay.
  

What do I get for my membership fee?

• Professionally taken photos for your profile.
• Online Profile and Portfolio
• Submission of your profile to casting agents and producers.
• Representation for LIFE! No annual fees.
• Free introduction training.

What if I live outside Auckland or Wellington?

Most jobs are Auckland or Wellington based so if you live further afield it is up to you to make yourslf available and arrive on set on time.

Will you take pictures of me?

When you have completed the sign up process we will take your photos. If you would like to supply your own photos, you are welcome to bring in some appropriate photos of yourself.

They need to be clear and simple shots:

• In portrait.
• Head and shoulder shots.
• Half and full length body shots.
• Clean and clear backgrounds.

If you have had professional photos taken of you, please bring them along as a digital file.

Why do you charge a sign-on fee?

We need to charge an initial portion of the sign-on fee to cover the cost of taking your photographs, entering you into our system, and then representing you to our clients. It also stops tyre-kickers from clogging up our database, allowing us to give you better service.

Can I belong to another agency?

You can belong to a specific modeling agency, but you can only belong to one talent agency.

What sort of people are we looking for?

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 it is very competitive. We will promote your 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 .

What if I work fulltime?

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 a day or two off to do 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.

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Auditions & jobs:

Transport:

You must have RELIABLE transport for work. There are no other options here whatsoever. Auditions are mostly held around Grey Lynn or Ponsonby areas. The shoot location can be anywhere in the Auckland region and you must be able to get to the location on time. It is your responsiblity to get to the meeting point or shoot location.

What Kam Talent needs from you?

• A good attitude
• Reliability
• Availability

When casting directors call KAM they want to know that we will send them excellent people, ready to do whatever is needed to make the production a success.

Job Performance, Availability, and Reliabiliy:

Be honest with us 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 anywhere else.

• On time:

Make sure you arrive early - let us know if something happens and you are running late or lost.

 

• Open and enthusiastic:

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!

• Being 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.

We want you to be successful!

What sort of work is it?

Film:

Kam Models and Talent supplies extras and actors for film, television productions and commercials that are filmed in and around the Auckland region.

Generally extras have no dialogue, 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.

TV Commercials:

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.

Photographic Work:

We get a variety of photographic work. This work varies from billboards, magazine and promotional material for local and international clients.

How do I get work?

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.

How regularly can I 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.

Am I obligated to take the work offered to me?

No you are not obligated to do any work offered to you. Though why wouldn't you? Throughout the year, there can be many different projects that you can get involved with - from documentaries, re-enactments, films, T.V.

If you decline a job offer or just don't show up at a job after confirming your availability for that job then you may be fined a no-show fee up to the value of lost earnings to KAM if we can't find a replacement, or the additional time cost to KAM of finding a replacement for you.

How can I improve my chances of getting work?

In N.Z. the film and TV industry is very tight knit and you can easily make a good name for yourself. 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.

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 09 630 9208.

What do I do after an audition?

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.

Am I able to do free/voluntary work?

Yes you can. So if you want to get involved with the 48 hour Film Festival or help with a student project, then get stuck in and the let us know so we can update your profile.

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Payment & fees:

How does KAM get paid?

We get paid when we get you work. In exchange for being your agent and finding you the work we take out a 20% commission from what we pay you. This is in additional to your income tax deductions.

Income Tax Obligations

We are required by the IRD to deduct income tax from your earnings. For the entertainment industry the rate is set at 20% as is refererred to as a tax on Schedular Payments (formerly Withholding Tax).

You are able to deduct expenses from your income through the IRD.

For more details on Schedular Payments and deductions please view this website from the IRD website.

http://www.ird.govt.nz/industry-guidelines/screen-production/screenprodindustry-residententertainers.html

How long does it take for me to get paid?

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.

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Using our website:

Can I access my profile?

Yes you can. When you complete your sign up process, we will send you your log in details by email. You will be able to add information and update your contact information (which is very important). You are also able to update your availability. The only thing that you can not change are your photos. If you wish to add or change your photos, please contact us.

I want to be a Model, not just Talent but you don't list me as one.

So that we are able to maintain an accurate modelling portfolio for our clients we have restricted the ability to self select where you appear on our website. If you wish to be considered a model please get in touch with us. You will need to meet some minimum requirements as set by the modelling industry as well as have a professional portfolio, or be willing to get professional photos taken.

What happens if I forget my password?

If you go to our home page, then click on "Forgotten Password", enter in your email address (the same one that you gave us) and then click on "Submit", we will send you a new password. Please be aware that the password is case (caps) sensitive.