Flashback Friday!

For this Flashback Friday, we present two of our longtime favourite Bettina brothers - John and Luke! 

John and Luke have been with us since 2010 and over their 4 years with us have cast and worked for a long list of iconic brands including: Myer, Daily Telegraph, McDonalds, Kmart, Studio Bambini, Nutrigrain, Qantas, Cadbury, Bonds, Jeep, Speedo, Glen20, P&O Cruises, Just Jeans, Ksubi, Target, OPSM, GIO Insurance, Aldi, Best and Less and Toyota.

So congratulations boys, to your persistence and wonderful work over the past 4 years - here's to many more successful castings ahead!

John 2010 - current 

Luke 2010 - current 

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. 

My Target Shoot by Ashleigh-Rose

My Target Shoot by Ashleigh-Rose

Hi I recently did a video shoot for Target and it was so exciting and fun.

I liked how it made me feel like a different person because of all the microphones hanging above me and the cameras around me, it’s like I’m in another world.

I felt special with everyone fussing over me and getting my hair done. It was cool.

All the people there are so nice and made me feel important and famous.

When I see myself in the catalogues and video I feel so many different things – happy, excited, like a new person.

Thank you Bettina Management for giving me this opportunity to have so much fun.

Love from Ashleigh-Rose

You can watch Ashleigh-Rose's video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cF3sLaazb4

Flashback Friday

It's that time again! 

We take a look at some of our most dedicated Bettina talent over the years and thank them and their parents for all their hard work!

Between them - Jameson, Chloe and Isobelle have cast for and worked with brands such as Four and Twenty, Uncle Toby's, The Today Show, Sofitel Hotels, New Idea, Deals Direct, Adidas, Microsoft, Winners and Losers, Disney, KFC, McDonalds, Salvation Army, Expedia, Meadow Lea, LCM bars and Kirks!

An applause is in order for these 3... 

Jameson 2005- current

(Our longest member to date!)

Chloe 2010 - current 

Isobelle 2006 - current 

Brisbane & Perth Modelling Classes

We had a peek at our Perth and Brisbane members in action at their complimentary modelling class!

Members in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth receieve a modelling and acting class with their membership to ensure they are taught the basic skills required for photo shoots and castings. It's also a beneficial opportunity to gauge member's abilities while interacting with other children. 

Perth Modelling teacher and talent scout Gloria, says that her favourite part of the class is the fashion parade at the end. 

'To see the transformation and the look on the kids faces, the difference in the posture, and their confidence.. to me, is very satisfying.'

Children are taught Modelling 101 from stance, posture, gestures, walk, footing, turns to an array of poses and facial expression techniques. While scrubbing up on these essentials are crucial to display confidence in a casting, they are also skills that can be practiced at home and shared with friends. 

Gloria says the children 'come in shy and walk out with excitement and new friends, the parents love the fashion parade - it shows how much their child has learnt.' 

With a teacher and assistant present, stand out performances and unique skills are noted and passed over to the casting department to assist with the casting process. It's also a great way for us to meet with members and parents again to discuss new developments or extra-curricular activities. 

If you are a member and have not yet booked in for your complimentary class, please do so by emailing amg@bettina.com.au or calling us on 1300 888 611. 

Bettina Management Stories

'Mason really loved doing the Jeep commercial, this was his first job and all the people were fantastic! When I asked him if he would do it again he replied "oh yeah". We were made to feel so welcome and they all loved Mason and said he did really well, Mason was very proud of himself and this experience has given him more confidence. He liked meeting all the other children and playing hide and seek. Mason can't wait to see himself on tv!!' - Rebecca, Melbourne

'We were very excited to get the call to tell us that Charlotte had been selected to walk the catwalk at Pandora's new season jewellery release. Charlotte was so excited to go on stage and just couldn't wait for her turn. She did a fantastic job, smiling and interacting and showing off her jewellery. It was truly a wonderful experience. She was made to feel very special and comfortable. She can't wait for what else might be around the corner!'  - Michelle, Perth 

Casting 101 - Part 1 of 3

Before

The notice we receive for castings can vary from a few days to a few hours. To meet our client’s expectations we always try as best as possible to fulfill their needs and requirements, in turn, we are exceptionally grateful to the mums and dads who make these short notice castings possible.

We will always call both parents as first mode of contact; we will leave a voicemail followed by a text if no one answers (also bear in mind we call from a blocked number). All castings are considered urgent. 

You will receive a text message such as the one to the right:

If the casting is for today or tomorrow the message will say:

‘Please call Amanda regarding a casting request for your child ASAP. Phone Bettina Management on 1300 888 611.’

Please treat all casting correspondence with a sense of urgency even if the message does not stipulate what day the casting is. We still need to get back to the client as soon as possible with the confirmed children. Upon not hearing back from you, we will have to let the client know you are unavailable and proceed to choose other children in your place so it is always in your best interest to call us back ASAP so that you don’t miss out.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you receive all relevant information about the casting – after speaking to you on the phone, we will email you all the information including date, time, address, map (if applicable), and other relevant information you need to be aware of prior to attending. If you do not receive this email, please contact us immediately! We don’t know that you haven’t received the email unless you tell us. This is also not a plausible excuse if you fail to attend the casting based on the premise that you didn't receive the details. 

If you cannot make a casting due to illness/ changed circumstances you will need to let us know immediately. 

Please refer to/ refresh your memory with this blog post on First Casting Jitters to help with preparation once your casting has been confirmed! 

A Fool Proof Guide to AT2 - Part 1

The Basics

Part 1 of 3

AT2 is an integral part of the casting/entertainment industry and Bettina membership alike. 

This is the start of a 3 part series to guide you through all the ins and outs of AT2. 

Let's start with the basics, sometimes even the initial step of logging in can seem harder than necessary if you haven't received your log in details. Let's clarify why - firstly, you should receive an email sent to you directly by AT2 with your log in details. Depending on individual privacy settings, this email could automatically be delivered to the 'Junk' folder due to the fact that the email is not from an individual person, but rather 'AT2' as a name.

If you fail to receive this in accordance with the time frame set out by us initially, do call the office and we can organise for them to be delivered to you ASAP!

The link you need to go to is - http://au.at2casting.com/AU/home/online-casting-system

Once here, enter your log in details, then you will see the screen below (surname has been omitted for privacy):

Let's take a closer look at the top row of tabs:

The most important tabs you will need to use will be 'My Profile', 'Brief Inbox' and 'Messages'.

The 'My Profile' tab is where you go to maintain all personal details about your child.

The 'Brief Inbox' tab is where you go to find any invitation to participate in unpaid work. When you click this tab you will then need to click the tab 'iCast Briefs' (as shown below):

The reason that you don't stay in the tab 'Briefs from Agent' is because we will never offer you or alert you to paid work or castings through AT2. Our first point of contact is a phone call, then text, then email. 

Through 'iCast Briefs', you will receive notices and inbox messages from independent producers, boutique clothing labels, student films and more. IF you are interested in participating further you will need to coordinate all communication with them via the messaging system which can be accessed via the tab 'Message.'

Check all communication regularly! Even missing out on something one or two days late can mean that the opportunity is no longer available... which is no fun. 

Keep an eye out for Part 2 tomorrow... XX

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