>Information for Actors

If you are interested in featuring as an ‘actor’ or ‘extra’ in  a TV commercial, documentary, corporate video, film, voiceover and/or other related media, please contact us for further information as we require a diverse range of looks, ages, ethnicity, sizes and talent on our books.
To date, Drawcard Entertainment has been involved in casting Canberra based and regional actors/extras (from babies through to 80 years of age) in a range of fun and exciting assignments on behalf of clients such as Film Australia/ Screen Australia, Channel 10, Grey Advertising, Adcorp Advertising, Bearcage Productions, Neon Productions, Nimic Productions, Believe Studios, Mud Media, SilverSun Pictures, Euro RSCG, Cut Through Advertising, and a number of other well recognised and respected companies and clients.
To be considered as an actor or an extra, you must possess a confident personality, a reliable and friendly nature, and have a reasonably flexible schedule (as most ‘shoots’ occur during business hours on weekdays). To get started we require that you provide us with a current, black and white, head and shoulder photo (known as a ‘headshot’) that has been taken in a studio setting or is of a very high standard.  Preferred photo format for our website is JPEG 150 pixel wide x 200 pixel tall at 72dpi. We’d also like you to tell us a bit about yourself and encourage you to submit any relevant experience.
Further information:
Non-speaking roles (‘extras’): do not generally require an audition, so experience in acting is not essential, however you should still be able to follow directions and be comfortable in front of people and a camera. Photos provided must be very current, as directors and producers often select talent based on a required look. If you change your appearance your photo must be updated.
Those that have not had any acting, public speaking or theatrical experience should initially apply for ‘non-speaking roles’ unless they are very confident and keen to audition for speaking roles.
Speaking roles: Photo ‘headshots’ provided to us must always be kept current, as directors and producers generally shortlist people for an audition based on the required look first prior to meeting with prospective talent.
Experience in acting, public speaking, theatre, media and related fields is desirable, should you wish to be considered for speaking roles.
Photos of actors and extras will be displayed on our website with basic particulars (such as age, and physical characteristics) in a search engine format, so please view the search engine and terms before you apply.

To find out more, please email tina@drawcard.net.au

Frequently asked questions:

Do I need acting experience to be considered as ‘Talent’ on your books?
What do producers and directors look for?
Should my ‘headshot’ photo be a glamour shot?
Do I need to audition to get offered a role?
Will I get feedback after an audition and how will I know if I get the part?
Can I use more than one agent?
Does Drawcard Entertainment charge any agency fees?
What is the payment process?
Am I guaranteed to get offered a role?
How can I increase my chances of being offered an assignment?
I’d like my children to be considered for roles, what do I need to know?
Do you only cast actors and extras in Canberra and regional projects?
Why should I use Drawcard Entertainment as my agent?
I don't have an ABN. What form do I need?

Do I need acting experience to be considered as ‘Talent’ on your books?
A: No, however experience in acting, public speaking, theatre, media and related fields is highly desirable if you would like to be considered for speaking roles, although many of our inexperienced ‘talent’ have auditioned for a client and have been offered a role because they possess ‘raw talent’.
Non-speaking roles (‘extras’): do not generally require an audition, so experience in acting is not essential, however you should still be able to follow basic direction and be comfortable in front of people and a camera.

What do producers and directors look for?
A: All ages, looks, sizes and ethnicity. Producers and directors often seek ‘real, everyday people’ that audiences will relate to. Next time you’re watching a TV commercial for example, you’ll notice that the majority of actors featured, are just like you and me. Producers, Directors and clients may also have a specific look they need to cast for a particular character or role, which is why a diverse range of looks, ages, sizes and cultural backgrounds are required.
Should my ‘headshot’ photo be a glamour shot?
A: Absolutely not. Your photo should be a good representation of how you actually look, and should be kept current. A client may narrow down their selection based on a character or ‘look’ they are seeking, and are expecting you to turn up to an audition or to a ‘shoot’ looking very similar to your ‘headshot’.  
For example, a client may be seeking a female actor who has long red hair and is a voluptuous size 16 figure for a particular role, and will request a meeting with an actor on our database based on their headshot photo. Imagine then, if the actor turns up to a meeting with short brown hair and a thin frame, because they neglected to update their photo. It’s a waste of time for everyone involved.
It’s very important to keep your photo current and to be yourself.
Do I need to audition to get offered a role?
A: It is very rare that you will be required to audition for a non-speaking ‘extra’ role as on most occasions an extra is used in the background of a scene and just requires a certain ‘look’.
On occasion, a Director may request an audition if the non-speaking role requires expression or actions that are featured in the scene.
Speaking roles do often require an audition, and every audition will differ depending on the Director, but generally you will just be required to read lines from a script and follow some direction regarding the particular character or role they are casting.
Will I get feedback after an audition and how will I know if I get the part?
A: It’s rare to get feedback from a client after an audition. The production team and your agent are often dealing with dozens of people and responding to as many enquiries. As much as they would like to contact everyone with feedback, in most instances, time just does not allow.
Your Drawcard Entertainment agent will contact you as soon as they hear that you have been offered an assignment, so it’s unnecessary to contact them for updates.
Keep in mind that your agent may be dealing with a number of clients, assignments, administration duties and talent enquiries, so they need to use their time productively in order to get you more acting opportunities.
Can I use more than one agent?
Some actors and extras have more than one agent if they are represented by agencies in different states or territories. In the Canberra region however, it is important that you support one agency so that there is no confusion for clients as to whom you are represented by. In addition, it’s important to support the agent that is supporting you.
Does Drawcard Entertainment charge any agency fees?
Drawcard Entertainment does not charge any upfront fees or have any hidden costs. We currently only receive a payment (agent’s commission) when actors and extras get paid.
On occasion you may be invited to attend workshops, photo shoots, or other organised activities which may have an associated cost, however these are completely at your own discretion and you are under no obligation to attend.
It is the responsibility of talent to provide their own photographic ‘headshot’ at their own cost.
What is the payment process?
All talent are sub-contracted on a per job basis. Talent are required to invoice Drawcard Entertainment at the completion of the ‘shoot’ or assignment. Once Drawcard Entertainment receives payment from the client we deduct our commission and transfer the agreed balance to your nominated account.
Talent will be advised of the agreed fee (as payment varies depending on the assignment) prior to your acceptance and the commencement of a ‘shoot’ or assignment.
The standard payment terms after the completion of a ‘shoot’ are generally 30 days, however this can differ depending on the client’s terms.
Am I guaranteed to get offered a role?
A: We cannot guarantee that you will receive any bookings through Drawcard Entertainment, as it is very competitive industry, roles can be based on a required look, age or talent request and for the most part we are under instruction from our clients as to whom they would like to book for an assignment. Please read on to see how you can increase your chances of being selected.
How can I increase my chances of being offered an assignment?
A professional looking ‘headshot’ photo does statistically increase your chances of being selected for a role, as your photo will be compared with other actor/extra’s photos. Your photo is the first impression a Director, producer or client has of you. It sends an immediate message to the client of your professionalism, how much effort you make, and how much you want the job. A very poor photo will not inspire confidence in the client. A headshot photo on our website will increase your chances of being selected as the search engine will be the main tool used by a majority of clients to narrow down their selection. If you do not appear on the website, they may not be aware that you exist or may overlook you as an option.
Actors/extras who are readily available and who are flexible with their schedule make our job a lot easier, so are often selected for numerous assignments.
Being easy to work with and having a good attitude, will earn you a great reputation and you will be a more popular choice than an actor who has a reputation of being demanding, difficult or taking themselves too seriously.
Be reliable. A big ‘no no’ is to accept a role and then cancel without a great excuse. It’s a huge waste of time for all concerned and can create a lot of stress for the production team. Make sure you are certain of your availability before you accept an assignment. The client may be wary about booking you for future opportunities.
Make sure you can be easily contactable. Keep your phone numbers and email updated with Drawcard Entertainment and check for messages regularly.
I’d like my children to be considered for roles, what do I need to know?
A: A parent or guardian should accompany anyone under the age of sixteen (16) to an audition and to the film location if they are selected for a role. They should remain at the venue for the duration of the audition or for the ‘shoot’.
Most ‘shoots’ occur during business or school hours so the parent and child may both need to be flexible with their schedule. On occasion a production team may arrange to do filming after hours or on a weekend however this is not the majority.
If a parent cannot be present, they must arrange for an alternative guardian to attend, unless arrangements have been made with the client.
Filming can be quite long and may have a bit of waiting around in between takes/scenes, so it’s a good idea to take toys, books or similar distractions along to the ‘shoot’ that will keep young children occupied.
Drawcard Entertainment requires you to provide us with a photo ‘headshot’ of your child or children. The photo should be updated regularly as children’s features change far more quickly than adults. As a result, we don’t expect you to consistently have professional photos taken, however please make sure photos are of a high quality and are taken in front of a plain background.
Parents should be aware that photos are displayed on our website with the child’s age and basic particulars.
 Do you only cast actors and extras in Canberra and regional projects?
No we have been involved in casting a number of actors/extras of all ages in nationally televised documentaries and Television Commercials, which is why it’s important to have a current ‘headshot’ photo on our website for interstate production teams to view.
Why should I use Drawcard Entertainment as my agent?
We do not charge any registration or upfront fees, and we only get a commission when actors and extras get a paid assignment.
We have a great reputation as an honest, efficient and reputable agency and receive repeat business from clientele.
We do not require you to organise an expensive photographic portfolio, we only require that you provide one black and white photo head and shoulder shot (‘headshot’). We can recommend a range of photographers, however we encourage you to choose someone that you are happy with and that suits your budget.
We are recognised as being able to provide a range of talent, looks, ages and ethnicities to clients and are not just marketed as a modelling agency, all our talent are beautiful in their own way.
We have been involved in casting both regional and national projects.
The Drawcard Entertainment team consists of creative people who have had experience in the entertainment industry, so they understand both the actor/extra and the client’s requirements.

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