AboutPeter Messaline Expertise Career advice for high-school students and beginning performers.
Canadian tax advice for artists of all sorts.
Research resources for those looking for performance-related answers.
Experience I am a Canadian performer, tax preparer and writer.
I have supported myself as an arts entrepreneur for thirty-five years.
I am the most-published writer in the business of being a Canadian artist.
I have written on arts tax matters and prepared performer taxes for fifteen years.
Organizations belong to ACTRA, CAEA, AEA, British Equity.
Publications CAEA Newsletter
ACTRA Branchline
The Agents Book
Actor's Survival Kit
Tax Kit 2000+
Making It (Federal government career management for culture workers)
Question QUESTION: Is it normal procedure for a casting agency to ask you to pay $35 to take a screen test? I've never heard of this. Please advise, and I will be glad to give you the name of the agency.
ANSWER: I should say that I know of nowhere where this is normal and accepted.
However, who knows what is the custom in places like LA or NYC, where it seems impossible to get any sort of foothold at all. Wherever, I feel that the odds are against getting casting from a screen test that you've used a shortcut to get into.
People will often ignore their gut feeling and believe the 'your big opportunity' lies told them, when it looks like a chance at realising their dream.
I should follow your instincts and stay away from anything that charges a fee upfront.
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QUESTION: This agency is in Bethlehem, PA, so I am not trusting the fee requirement.. especially because I'm an experienced film actress (independent films.. I have 35 credits to date), and was just considering some work in TV. You've confirmed what I was thinking. Thank you.
Answer I compliment you on your courtesy.
35 independent film credits!
Perhaps you should go the directorial route and self-produce video.
Do you find Bethlehem is too close to NYC to fully develop itself? I knew Allentown some years ago, and it was a commuter town even then.
