What Really Happens on Set? - Part 2

Part 2: On the Job!

So the day on set has finally arrived, no doubt you are feeling excited, but maybe a little nervous! Here are a few tips to get you through the nerves and into feeling confident and ready to tackle your first job.

You should plan to arrive approximately 10-15 minutes before your call time and find the contact person as listed for you on the call sheet or booking confirmation. Occasionally the production can be running behind schedule and you could be asked to wait. This is when the colouring books or iPad's come in handy! Other times the production crew will be ready and waiting for you and your child.

There are usually lots of people on set who keep production going behind the scenes and they are usually set-up in separate trailers a short distance away from the actual set so not to interrupt any filming in progress with noise or movement. 

You will be introduced to the location nurse who is there to look after the wellbeing of underage talent by making sure they are safe, taking breaks at allocated times and have something to eat and drink. Your contact person will also make sure that someone from the ‘Wardrobe’ or ‘Costume’ department knows that you have arrived. They will either choose from the outfits you brought by request or have items ready to try on. Parents can help their child get dressed if necessary. On some shoots, children might also be required to go through ‘Hair and Make-up’. In general minimal make-up will be applied and sometimes none at all for children.

Soon it will be time to make your way to the actual set for filming. With younger children, parents are always allowed to stay close by or within sight, but it is important to be aware of your surroundings and not get in anyones way. 

Here are a few general rules when on set:

• Make sure you turn your phone off! 

• Do not talk or move around once the director calls ACTION until after they have called CUT.

• Do not try and tell your child what to do from the sidelines. Let the director (or whoever is working with them) direct your child.

If you do have any questions or concerns, speak to the person who has been assigned to look after you and your child on set.

Your child may film everything that is required for the day in one go or there might be a few breaks when you will be looking after them and need to keep them occupied. Snacks are often supplied and if filming has been scheduled over a meal time then you might both sit down with cast and crew and enjoy the Catering on location.

When your child has finished work (often referred to as being ‘wrapped’) the crew person in charge will let you know and you will need to sign out for the day. Take note of the time you have finished so you can let our casting department know. 

Once you have been told you can leave, collect all of your belongings and be sure to thank the crew and the people who have looked after you.

Here are a few additional tips:

Be positive! It’s nice for the crew to have someone around who is happy, easy going and helps make the day run smoothly, and they may be more likely to ask you and your child back for future projects.

Try to stay away from gossip about agents/money/other people in the industry. This can reflect badly on yourself, your child or your agency. 

Try not to bring any extra siblings or family members on set.

HAVE FUN! Enjoy the experience!

What Really Happens on Set?

Part 1: Preparing for the big day

Congratulations! Your child has finally gotten a job and now you need to know everything about your day on set so that it can be a wonderful experience for both of you.

Your agent will have confirmed the job and sent you a CALL SHEET as soon as it is available to them. Some productions are very busy and cannot confirm the details until late on the day before you are required on set, but be assured that your agent will send you the necessary information as soon as they receive it.

The most important details for you to take note of are;

• your CALL TIME (the time you are required on set)
• the exact LOCATION that you need to be at (sometimes this is a building address, but it could be a park or other public place)
• the CONTACT PERSON you are required to meet on the day (eg. in the case of extras for a television show this would be the name and phone number of the 3rd AD). You will also be given details of anything you are required to bring with you and how long you are expected to be needed for.

Research the location you are required to be at before you have to leave home. Sometimes the call sheet will provide you with instructions regarding parking and other times you will need to figure it out yourself.

Productions are busy and very costly, so it is important that you arrive at the time you have been called for so not to delay the shoot time or halt production. Arriving 10-15 minutes early is appreciated, but do not show up any earlier than this. If you arrive too early at location, take the time to relax rather than turning up and risking being in the way before production is ready for you.

Spending time with your child onset can be a great experience, but arriving unprepared can add a lot of the wrong type of drama to the day. Make sure you have any paperwork or items you have been asked to bring, but don’t take it personally if they don’t use it on the day. It happens often that they ask for items or information, just to change what they originally planned on the day and not ask for it or use it at all.

Depending on the job, clothes will be provided while you may be asked to supply your own outfits at other times. If you are required to bring clothes the wardrobe department will inform you of what is needed; often simple things like jeans, t-shirts and runners. In general, choose items that do not have any visible branding and bring a few options of each. Bright colours are often appreciated, unless told otherwise and avoid stripes as these can often bleed together and not look good on camera. Bring as many options as you think will be helpful and remember you can ask our casting department if you are uncertain about anything!

Taking some snacks with you can also save the day. The break times for meals on set can vary a lot from your usual times so have something handy to keep your child (and you!) functioning if that is the case. Catering on sets can be amazing and might be one of the highlights of your day, but it is not guaranteed that your child will like what is provided. Some productions regularly cater for children and may have an array of choices for them while others are used to looking after their adult actors and crew and may not have the things your child prefers to eat.

It is also a good idea to take toys or games to keep your child occupied, as you could be required to wait for extended periods of time before or during filming. The idea is to provide them with enough stimulation to keep them occupied, but ready to work when they are called on set.

Now you’re ready to go!

Glossary:

CALL SHEET: a document that your agent will send you from the production company, usually on the day before your job. It specifies what time you are required on set, how long you are expected to be needed for, the location you are to meet at, the name and phone number of the person you need to meet on set (or contact if you have any problems on the day) and other details .

CALL TIME: the time at which you are required to be on set. Always arrive at the location earlier than this and aim to find the person you are required to meet with 10-15 minutes before your call time.

3rd AD: 3rd Assistant Director. This is the person who is usually in charge of the extras on a television set and who you would be required to report to if that was your role for the day. For other jobs you might be asked to report to someone with a different role.

What Really Happens On Set? Part 2, will explore what happens once you arrive on the big day

How to help your agent help you!

As a parent you play a vital role in your child’s career. It is important that you update all facets of your child’s AT2 profile on a regular basis so your agent can ensure the right information is passed on for all opportunities. 

Time is of the essence in this industry with jobs turning over quickly, so the more progress updates the better!

We have put together a checklist for you to ensure you are on track and filling in your child's AT2 profile in the best way possible.

NOTE: Your agent may have pre-filled in some of the below sections. 

1. ‘PROFILE’ section  

• Select Ethnicity - this field is highly important. Note: you are able to tick more than one ethnicity.
• Select Complexion. 
• Select Hair colour.
• Select Hair Length - please update regularly in accordance with hair cuts.
• Select Eye colour.
• Away Status - when you are unavailable, such as going on a holiday, we recommend filling in this section so our casting department know when you can’t attend castings.
• Measurements - Fill in ALL fields. Update measurements & sizes every 6 weeks if your child is under 3 years and as often as possible for all other ages. 

For a detailed explanation of taking measurements and sizing we encourage you to read our previous blog 'A Fool Proof Guide to AT2 - Part 2' .

2. ‘PHOTOS’ section

• You have 10 spaces on your profile to upload photos. These can be happy snaps from home, professional shots or skill related shots (eg; playing piano or dancing) and they can be taken on your phone. 
• You MUST be able to see their body and face clearly in the images.

For instructions on how to take great head and body shots check out our previous blog 'How to take the perfect natural head and full body shot' and for how to upload check out 'A Fool Proof Guide to AT2 - Part 2'.

3. ‘RESUME’ section

• It is a good idea to upload a resume containing name, education, list of jobs, castings and extra curricular activities/classes on your child's profile. 
• If your child does not have vast experience a letter can also be great option and is a unique way to show off your child’s personality. 

Check out the following example written by Luke as a guide. 

• Ensure resumes and letters are updated regularly according to your child's developments. 

For detailed instructions on what to include and how to upload a resume check out our previous blog 'A Fool Proof Guide to AT2 - Part 3'.

4. ‘SKILLS’ section

Ensure you have gone through all fields and inputted all of your child's skills:

                 - Accents

                - Languages

                - Instrumental

                - Dance

                - Vocal

                - Circus

                - Sports

                - Performance Skills

• It is vital that you fill out this section, clients often look for specific skills for a campaign, so the more they know the better!

5. ‘VIDEO’ section

• We suggest that you record a chat to camera of your child and upload it to their profile. This will provide clients with an insight into your child’s personality and show off their ability in front of the camera. 

For hints on how to create a chat to camera and upload to AT2 please read our previous blog 'Hits and Tips for how to film a chat to camera'.

If you require any help with any aspect of AT2 please contact Bettina HQ via the email address: info@bettina.com.au or call our office on 1300 888 611.

We are always happy to help :)

How to take the perfect natural head and full body shot

Clients often  request up to date  images of our talent so they can be considered for a potential job or casting. These images need to be up to date, natural and taken within the past week so the client has an accurate representation of the child in the present moment. These images are a key element in your child’s success. First impressions are everything so it is vital you send our casting manager appropriate images to send to potential clients.

What type of shot do they require?

Our casting manager will request ONE head shot and ONE full body shot for the client. But what is a full body and head shot?

• Full Body Shot: a photograph that shows a person from head to toe. 

• Head Shot: a photograph of a person's head and shoulders.
  

We don’t need you to be a professional photographer but we do need you to meet these following requirements when taking pictures on your smartphone;

Checklist

• Keep the background of the image as plain as you can; e.g white wall/neutral colours, avoid busy backgrounds
• Ensure no other faces or people are in the shot
• Natural and even lighting is key. Ensure there are no shadows on the child’s face or body. The client wants to see your child the best they can!
• No filters are to be added to the final shot
• Photo must be taken front on only
• Ensure the camera is level - no tilted angles
• No eating or drinking in shot. The little ones often have accidents and dirty clothing cannot be helped but we cannot stress enough the importance of a clean face in the shot
• Hair down but off the child's face
• No hair accessories
• No dummies in the child's mouth
• Only send 3 photos max, time is of the essence! Pick your top 2 and send them. The quicker you send them to the casting manager the quicker they can be put forward to the client
• Ensure the topic of your email is the child's full name. Labeling your photos correctly quickens the process

We understand the challenges of getting children to stay still but it is vital that you keep your child as still as possible for the shot so the image is not blurred or the child is not positioned at an awkward angle. The main focus of the shot is the child’s face and body so it is crucial that the client has a clear and front on view.

Below are examples to give you an idea of a preferable and not so preferable image to send to the casting manager. 

Non preferable head shot for baby                               Preferable image
- food on the child's face                                                 - looking directly at camera
                                                                                                  -  front on camera angle

Non preferable full body shot for baby                               Preferable image
- child is sitting, cannot see the whole body                           - looking directly at camera
                                                                                                        -  front on camera angle
                                                                                                               - can see from head to toe

Non preferable head shot for young child                               Preferable image
- food on the child's face                                                 - looking directly at camera
- cannot see child's face                                     -  hair down but can still see entire face

Non preferable full body shot for young girl                                Preferable image
- food on the child's face                                                     - looking directly at camera
- sitting down, cannot see child's entire body                                  -  front on camera angle
                                                                                  - can see entire body, hands by her side                                          
                                                                                             

Preferable head shot for older child                               Preferable image

- smile
-hair down but can see entire face                                 - looking directly at camera
                                                                                                  -  front on camera angle
                                                                                            - clear view of child's full body

Feel free to refer back to these images when sending our casting manager images for a client.

Just remember to ask yourself is the image natural and is it the best representation of your child? 

A big thank you to our models Sienna, Holly and Lisa for helping us create this blog post!

Spot The Difference!

Ever wondered how TV and movie directors ensure their child stars settle in to film on cue? Well the truth is, there usually isn’t one baby playing the role. Our twins Griffyn and Nedrick know the industry tactics first-hand. The identical dynamic duo has just wrapped up filming the third and latest season of Channel Nine’s House Husbands.

House Husbands is a warm, fuzzy and amusing take on the everyday lives of four modern families, focusing on the one thing they all have in common, men! House Husbands has had two successful seasons with the third soon to be aired on our televisions.

Why do they need two babies for one character? Simply because children are unpredictable, their temperament can change depending on time of day etc. It is also by law in Victoria that a child under 3 years of age can only work for 4 hours a day, meaning the director can achieve more in the short time limit.

The bubbly, loud and happy boys have made us proud at Bettina for their recent work with House Husbands.  Mum Kristy shared with us that the boys love to play with their cars and trains and often had challenging times on the set, but also had many rewarding moments too. Who wouldn't have a shy moment when you’re in the spotlight?

A huge thank you to the boys’ parents for making it all possible, our fingers are crossed for further opportunities for them both.

Keep your eye out for the new season and see if you can spot the difference!

Left: Nedrick

Right: Griffyn

Industry Lingo

Booked - This means talent have been confirmed for a job with one of our clients. Congratulations!

Brief - A brief is a notice the casting department receives from a client. The brief is an outline of roles the client are looking to cast. This is how we know who to put forward, e.g. 4 year old girls or 10 year old boys of Asian descent. 

Call-sheet - A call-sheet will be sent to talent the day before a job, usually for film and TV. It is generally sent late in the afternoon and it will have all the details about where talent need to be, what time and what scenes need to be shot on the day. 

Call-time - A call-time is what is found on the call-sheet. It will have talent name, role, agent and what time talent will be required. 

Cancellation - Unfortunately the client, for a variety of reasons, is no longer is able or willing to proceed with the scheduled booking or shoot. 

Casting call - This means talent have been confirmed to attend a casting (meet and greet) with one of our clients to check suitability for a role they have in mind. 

Chat to camera - Usually popular in an audition for TV or film work, the client will ask talent to speak directly to the camera either saying a few lines or an introduction. This gives the client a good idea about confidence and speaking ability on film. 

Checking availability - Checking availability means that a client is interested in a child, but has not confirmed them for a job. In order to start organising the schedule, they often check to see if potential talent are available on the shoot dates.

Client -  A person or organisation using the services of Bettina Management to book talent, e.g. Target.

Fitting - A fitting is a paid job where a client requests a model to try on various outfits who meets specific sizing requirements. 

Show reel - Advanced artists usually have a show reel to 'showcase' their previous TV commercials and work they have featured in. They collate all the work together to put into one short video so a client can quickly see them acting in different scenarios. 

Member - A member is a person who is signed with Bettina Management for representation. 

On hold - On hold for a shoot or booking means that a child has been shortlisted for the role, and must be available - if required - for the shoot dates. 

Self-test - A self-test is an audition filmed from home. This must be sent to us so we can pass onto the client. All relevant details would be supplied. 

Wardrobe call - A wardrobe call is generally for film and TV. This is when you are called in to try on outfits and costumes before shooting or filming. You are paid for a wardrobe call. 

Weather check - If you are booked for a job, a client may let us know that the shoot is booked *weather permitting*. This means that the shoot will be outdoors, and they will need to check closer to the date to ensure the weather is suitable. If it isn't - the shoot will be rescheduled. 

Different Types of Castings

In an effort to make the casting department and types of castings more transparent, here are some examples and definitions of different types of castings that your child could be asked to attend by a client. 

General Casting: 
A general casting is often the most common. This is a casting where the client selects the children they would like to meet specifically by name. The scheduled times are booked prior and talent usually have about 5 minutes with the client. During this time, the client will take a quick snapshot of the child, follow by polite greetings (age depending). 

Open Casting:  
1. Many of you may have seen our Facebook open casting calls. These call outs to our audience search for children in our online networks who are outside of our age brackets. For instance, from time to time, we receive requests for newborns or unique requests such as grandmothers who can juggle. When we can't fill the brief ourselves, we put it out to our Bettina community to try and assist our client as best as possible, while giving others an exciting opportunity. You can learn more about Facebook open casting calls here. 

2. There is also another type of open casting calls which are sometimes open to the public. There is usually an 'open window' of time in which talent can attend and meet with the client, however there is often long waiting time because the clients likely have not selected children by name so they can get very busy. On these occasions, we do try to weigh up the realistic benefit of you attending, although we ultimately leave the final decision up to you. 

Audition: 
An audition is more of a complex casting that requires preparation before you attend. This means that the castings generally last longer, because talent will either have to learn a few lines or chat to camera so the director or client can gauge how the talent interacts and appears on camera, and possibly with other members of the cast. Although sometimes, we don't receive anything - and this is most likely because the client will want your child to improvise when they arrive. In the case of us receiving audition prep, we will ensure you have all of the relevant scripts prior to your audition so you have ample time to practice!

Self-test audition: 
A self-test audition is when talent film their audition from home and send it to us. This form of auditioning is growing with popularity as it saves time and resources. You can get some tips from this post here. 

Important Posts

Welcome back to all of our members and their families!

We hope everyone had an enjoyable and relaxed festive break.

As we launch into the New Year, we want to remind you of some handy blog posts that will help you along your journey. Whether you are a seasoned member, or new to the Bettina group, it is always helpful to refresh your memory when it comes to casting tips and etiquette, AT2 and membership advice.  

AT2
A Fool Proof Guide to AT2: Part 1

A Fool Proof Guide to AT2: Part 2

A Fool Proof Guide to AT2: Part 3












Rewards Card
Let your Bettina Rewards Card reward you







Castings
Casting 101: Part 1

Casting 101: Part 2

Casting 101: Part 3











General Advice
Why didn't I get the job?

6 Key Casting Attire Tips

First Casting Jitters













While we are on the topic of reminders, it would be handy if everyone could please make sure all SIZES on AT2 are accurate and recent photographs are uploaded to the profile.

If anyone needs any help with this, please don't hesitate to contact us - we are only a phone call away! xx

Self-test audition help!

Do you know what a self-test audition tape is? 

Recently we have had a few requests for talent to record their audition for us to send to the clients. 

This is a growing request, particularly with the expansion of easy to use technologies. These requests have also been popular in states such as Western Australia and Queensland as cities are relatively more dispersed and driving time to a casting can take longer.

To ensure all of our talent have the best opportunity possible when requested to send a self-test audition tape, we have compiled a list of essential tips. 

1. Film your audition on a plain background and ensure the actor is clearly visible. 

2. Get a family member or friend involved to read the other part of the script- they don't have to be a good actor, even if they simply say the words on the script it will bring the audition to life. 

3. Be wary of background noises while making sure you are clearly audible. Even the slightest background noise such as muffling or distant voices can detract from the audition. 

4. File must be in appropriate format: .mov .mp4 .m4v - you can convert a file to mp4 here simply by uploading your video.  

5. Label your file - most casting directors will alert us to how they would like the file to be named, but if they don't, ensure it is labelled with Name_Project_Role. A file named '12345audition.mp4' has the capacity to get lost or to be discarded. 

6. Shoot the audition in a medium close up, which means a shot from the actors shoulders up, followed by a long shot at the end where the actor must state their name, age and height to the camera. 

7. Upload to a free video sharing site like Vimeo or Hightail. You can find easy to use instructions for these sites here and here. Then all you have to do is send us the link and cross your fingers!

The above points are a guide, remember we are here to offer advice and further tips during business hours if your child is requested to cast for a self-test audition. The casting director will also have specific requirements relevant to their processes which will need to be adhered to, these will be sent to you with your audition request!

My child did a shoot, how do I find the photos?!

Waiting for a catalogue to come out can be really frustrating, we are all anticipating that exhilaration when we see a familiar face representing one of Australia's leading brands.

Usually no designated date exists, so we are unable to pen it in our diary or scribble it on the whiteboard next to the fridge. It's a waiting game, and what a wait! Most large retailers like Target, Myer, David Jones, Best and Less, Kmart, Big W and Aldi can be quite spontaneous with a time frame, which is usually around 4-12 weeks before the catalogue is produced.

So what does this mean for you as parents and us as an agent?

Luckily, with the acceleration and prominence of online shopping and brand presence, we all have easy access to catalogues at the touch of a keypad (or mouse)! Most companies publish their new catalogues on a Wednesday or Thursday. After the shoot, check the relevant website to make sure you don't miss it - we do the same. Also, it can't hurt to 'Like' the company page on Facebook as well, it is common for companies to do status updates to alert customers when a new catalogue has become available or they may use your child's picture in an alternative source of advertising on the Facebook page.

We will try to get to the image in question first and email you/ post it on Facebook, but if you happen to beat us to it with speedier fingers or an earlier coffee - do let us know, we love seeing the final products and congratulating all the kids involved.

XX

Jayda & Lucy for Target www.target.com.au

Welcome!

This space is dedicated to providing Bettina Management members and parents an insight into tips and tricks of the trade, relevant news, advice, member reviews, feedback and much more! 

It can be a little daunting joining an agency and entering the exciting world of child modelling - most of us have never had the experience of being with an agency and don't even know where to begin! 

Here, we will try to make the processes second nature, we will be a secure source of information and most importantly, we will walk you down the path to stardom and try to make it a little less bumpy! 

We are always open to suggestions for posts or feedback.

We hope you enjoy it!

Love, The Bettina Team XX

This is Chloe, star of all SEED campaigns - to see more head this way > http://www.seedheritage.com