| FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
At KAM we work hard
to promote you.
Casting agents approach
us to fill roles in TV, Film or Photographic work. We
promote you for roles that you could fit the criteria.
What sort of
work is it?
Film
Kam Talent supplies
extras and actors for all the main feature film and
television productions filmed in and around Auckland.
Extras make up all the background action within each
scene so the roles can be incredibly varied. You might
be a fireman one day, a business man the next and the
day after a worried father. It depends on your look
and age. The makeup and costume departments can help
to create your character.
Generally extras work
is non-speaking so you don’t have to learn the
script. However you may get a featured role that requires
a higher level of performance.
Film extra work can
be long days- be ready for plenty of waiting! But, it
is fun and rewarding to be part of the filming process.
Extra work for films
pays around $180 per day, local productions approx $13
per hr. It is not high pay but is great experience and
exposure.
TV
Commercial
We receive new casting briefs daily for upcoming commercials.
If you fit the profile of what they are looking for
we submit you for the job. If you are selected for an
audition we will contact you with details. We only call
you when you get selected, not to notify you of every
job we submit you for. So remember we are still working
for you even if you haven't heard from us in a while.
TV Commercial work pays
well – anything from $500 - $10,000. As an extra
from $180 to $250 per day.
Photographic
Work
We get work for stills
displayed on billboards, advertising and promotional
material locally and internationally.
Pay for photographic
work varies enormously but it can be lucrative.
How do I get
work?
As soon as you register
with us, we start working for you.
Our role is to promote
you to the casting directors. When we receive a request
for a role in a TV commercial or as a featured extra
we look at who fits the criteria asked for and send
your name away for every job that you could fill.
Our job is to put your
face before casting agents, it is their job to decide
who they want to see. When they choose you they call
us to contact you for an audition. Be encouraged if
you are called for an audition as you have been specially
selected! Be aware we are not given much notice –
we send in your name one day and they may call for you
the next.
When extras are needed
for film and TV production, we will call all those who
fit the criteria and look for you to make yourself available.
Anything from 5 – 100 people may be required for
one or more days of filming. The more available you
are the more likely that you will get this type of work.
How regularly
can I work?
We cannot guarantee
you work - but we can guarantee that we will work hard
for you.
Your look, the openness
and confidence of how you present yourself and your
availability can make a huge difference.But 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. It will never be a full time job and there are
more and less busy times in the industry. It will always
be about adding to your income rather than paying your
weekly bills. Having said that - it can be fantastic
added income.
How
can I improve my chances of getting work?
In
NZ 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.
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 have nothing to do with your (acting) ability.
It could be you had the wrong colour hair or body shape.
To
increase your chances and your confidence, we highly
recommend you take our Audition Workshop. Please contact
us to make a booking on 630 9208.
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 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 .
What
if I live outside Auckland?
Most jobs are based in Auckland 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 access to transport for work around Auckland.
Auditions are mostly held downtown, Grey Lynn or Ponsonby.
If you are called to work out of town the production
company generally supply transport to the location.
What
if I work fulltime?
Many of our talent are in full time work. Extra work
is mostly in evenings or weekend. However you really
need to be in a position to take the occasional afternoon
or day off to do commercial work. Auditions are often
held in the afternoon and filming is mostly done in
one or two days. The better your availability the better
your chance of getting work.
Do
I supply photos?
You can send us good quality photos but we will choose
what photos are used as quality and consistency in promotion
is vital. We give you a photo shoot as part of your
joining fee so if you are looking to register don’t
worry about sending photos.
Can
I belong to another agency?
You can belong to a specific modeling agency, but you
can only belong to one talent agency.
Show
me the money!
Payment takes a long time in this industry.
It takes between 6-8 wks for the money to come through
so please be patient and wait for us to send the money
through.
What
commission do I pay?
Commission and tax is at 20% and is taken out before
you are paid.
What KAM needs from you
Your
good attitude 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 communicate – people who are confident to
talk on the role. They
can tell at a 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, when you take on the work you are committed!
They are counting on you.
BE PREPARED
Read and learn all lines
and dress the part.
You won’t get the
part if you don’t look the part.
WE
WANT YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL!
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