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Managing your Acting Career in the Digital Age

AUDITION? Got it.

DID YOU EVER

WONDER...

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Casting Director receives script from Studio or

Production Company

Casting Director sends script to

BREAKDOWN SERVICES

BREAKDOWN SERVICES staff writers read script and write Breakdown of

role descriptions

HOWBREAKDOWNS

WORK?

CastingDirector

approves Breakdown and we post it on

BREAKDOWN EXPRESS and/or ACTORS ACCESS

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6Casting Directors view submissions

then send audition requests via

CMAIL

BREAKDOWN EXPRESS/ ACTORS ACCESS send

notifications to you and your talent representative to

submit on Breakdown

CONTENTS10131417192024252728313236

EXPERT ADVICE: MEETING WITH AN AGENT OR MANAGER

VIRTUAL CHANNEL NETWORK

SLATESHOT

TALENT LINK

EXPERT ADVICE: THE ACTOR POSTCARD

EXPERT ADVICE: THE SECRET TO A PERFECT SELF TAPE

CASTINGABOUT

ECO CAST

EXPERT ADVICE: HANDLING YOUR AUDITION LIKE A PRO

SHOWFAX

ACTORS ACCESS

BREAKDOWN EXPRESS

BREAKDOWN SERVICES

6 BREAKDOWN SERVICES TIMELINE

5 A LETTER FROM GARY MARSH

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What began in October of 1971 as a means of paying my way through UCLA is today the service that is relied upon to transmit casting information throughout North America. Reading scripts and analyzing the roles contained in those pages, and then hand delivering the “Breakdowns” to talent agents was a simple beginning to the complex needs of today’s industry; an industry that requires instant transmission of not only roles and submissions but actor auditions to studios, networks, producers and directors.

The industry has evolved to make use of the available technology, and so has Breakdown Services. Our role and the breadth of services we provide have adapted and significantly expanded over our forty-three year history.

I welcome you to take a look at the Breakdown Services timeline located on the following pages for a better sense of when key services debuted. It is with a certain sense of pride that I can point to this timeline to show how Breakdown Services has always been the leader in introducing new services and finding new ways to use technology to provide services for the casting process.

While Breakdown Services has embraced technology, we haven’t lost sight of the fact that we are simply a utility that allows the creative process to flow more smoothly. We exist to serve the community of actors, agents, managers and Casting Directors.

I invite you to read the summaries of the various services Breakdown Services provides. The range of these services covers the entire process from Submissions to Auditions… and beyond!

A LETTER FROM GARY MARSH

Gary Marsh began his career as an actor after emigrating from England in 1963. He discontinued his acting career to create Breakdown Services. A 1976 graduate of UCLA, Gary Marsh is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The family of companies that he has created employ over 100 people.

Pr esident and Founder of BREAKDOWN SERVICES

19781971 1979 1982 1986

1971: Created BREAKDOWN SERVICES, Ltd., a service for talent agents that synopsizes scripts for the

purpose of casting

1978: Created THE GO BETWEEN, Inc. a messenger service which specializes

in the entertainment industry

1979: Opened the New York branch of BREAKDOWN SERVICES

1982: Created the first method of transmitting Breakdowns for commercials via satellite to

Talent Agencies

1986: Opened the VANCOUVER branch of BREAKDOWN SERVICES

THE BREAKDOWN SERVICES TIMELINE6

THE BREAKDOWN SERVICES TIMELINE

1988 1996 1997 2002 2003

1988: Opened the TORONTO branch of BREAKDOWN SERVICES

1996: Developed the first website to distribute casting information to talent agents, allowing them to submit

actors’ pictures and resumes via the Internet

1997: Created ACTORS ACCESS to supply actors with Breakdowns as PDF files

1997: Acquired SHOWFAX, a service that provides audition material to actors via the Internet

2002: Introduced BREAKDOWN EXPRESS which coordinates the release of casting information,

submissions from talent representatives and online auditions

2003: Created ACTORSACCESS.COMto allow actors to access casting

information online and submit pictures and resumes to casting

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1982: Created the first method of trans-mitting Breakdowns for commercials

via satellite to Talent Agencies

20052004 2005 2005 2007

2004: Created the process that allows casting directors to post

auditions to the Internet

2005: Created EXTRAS ACCESS which allows background actors to submit

pictures for extra work

2005: Added the ability to submit Demo Reels and Voice-overs along with

pictures and resumes

2005: Introduced TALENTPRO for Talent Representatives, which provides a suite of management tools that allow agents and

managers to better track their client’s careers

2007: Created VIRTUAL CHANNEL NETWORK to broadcast original programming for

the education and entertainment of members of the entertainment industry

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2008 2009 2010 2013 2014

2008: Partnered with SPOTLIGHT in England and SHOWCAST in Australia to create the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TALENT DIRECTORIES that allows the easy transmission of

casting information to major centers of production

2009: Acquired CASTINGABOUT An online database of casting assignments

in Los Angeles and New York

2010: Introduced ECO CAST, expanding the ability of casting directors to upload auditions online.

Using ECO CAST, Casting Directors can now invite actors to audition from any remote location

2013: Introduced SLATESHOT to allow actors to create a video slate as part

of their picture submission

2014: Endorsed by the CASTING SOCIETY OF AMERICA as the preferred online resource

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Casting Directors choose

to communicate their casting requirements to Talent Representatives.

Exclusively endorsed by the Casting Society of America

because of its professional standards, BREAKDOWN SERVICES is also the service of

choice of all legitimate talent representatives in North America.

BREAKDOWN SERVICES releases approximately 700 separate projects per week through

its offices in Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver, Toronto, Chicago and

throughout North America.

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WE STARTED IN 1971 BY PROVIDING BREAKDOWNS

TO TALENT AGENTS AND BEGAN PROVIDING THEM TO ACTORS VIA

ACTORS ACCESSIN 1997!

TODAY, BREAKDOWN SERVICES ENCOMPASSES

WEBSITES LIKE BREAKDOWN EXPRESS,

ACTORS ACCESS, CASTINGABOUT, AND SHOWFAX!

BREAKDOWN SERVICES CREATED THE PROCESS OF PROVIDING A SYNOPSIS OF ROLES AND THE WORD

“BREAKDOWN” HAS BECOME THE INDUSTRY

STANDARD WHEN DESCRIBING A CASTING NOTICE.

BREAKDOWNS OF UNION PROJECTS, IN MOST CASES,

ARE CREATED BY A MEMBER OF THE WRITING STAFF AT

BREAKDOWN SERVICES.

DID YOU KNOW?

CASTING DIRECTORS MAKE THE DECISIONS REGARDING WHETHER

BREAKDOWNS ARE RELEASED TO TALENT

REPRESENTATIVES THROUGH BREAKDOWN EXPRESS

AND/OR ACTORS THROUGH ACTORS ACCESS.

THEY ALSO DECIDE WHAT REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY

THE BREAKDOWN IS RELEASED TO.

BREAKDOWN SERVICES SCREENS ALL

PROJECTS RELEASED TO BOTH TALENT

REPRESENTATIVES AND ACTORS ACCESS

TO MAKE SURE THEY ACCURATELY

DESCRIBE THE REQUIREMENTS

THAT WILL BE PLACED ON THE ACTOR.

DID YOU KNOW?

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www.breakdownexpress.com

BREAKDOWN EXPRESS?

DID YOU KNOW?

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What’s the difference?

You might wonder what the difference is between BREAKDOWN SERVICES and BREAKDOWN EXPRESS.

BREAKDOWN SERVICES encompasses a wide range of services and websites that help the entertainment community.

BREAKDOWN EXPRESS is the website used by Talent Representatives to monitor projects, submit talent and communicate with Casting Directors. It is also used by

the Casting Directors themselves to review submissions, schedule auditions and manage audition videos.

www.breakdownexpress.com

BREAKDOWN SERVICES?

BREAKDOWN EXPRESS?

Adryenn Ashley @adryennWow! I did not realize just how powerful @ActorsAccess was until today! Color me impressed and appreciative!

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ACTORS ACCESS is an extension of Breakdown Services that works in tandem with BREAKDOWN EXPRESS,

allowing you to keep your photos, resume and media up to date for yourself and your

Talent Representatives, thus giving your representatives the best chance

to get you auditions.

Hey! Guess what?Submissions made on ACTORS ACCESS

are seen right next to submissions made by Talent Representatives

on BREAKDOWN EXPRESS.

ACTORS ACCESS gives you the tools to book your next role!

Submissions made on ACTORS ACCESS are seen right next to submissions

made by Talent Representatives on BREAKDOWN EXPRESS.

www.actorsaccess.com

ACTORS ACCESS gives you the tools to book your next role!

• Register and receive 2 photos, a resume, a profile and your first SLATESHOT for FREE!

• Manage a media-rich profile including photos, video, resume, and slateshots

• Connect to your Talent Representatives so they can submit you through BREAKDOWN SERVICES

• Get notified when roles fit your profile• Submit yourself to Casting Directors when they are

looking for direct submissions from actors• Manage audition schedules and get notified of new

auditions through CMAIL• Get invited to ECO CAST auditions: Record and upload

your best audition online• ACTORS ACCESS has no Annual or Maintenance fee

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Our mission: Provide a service that protects the integrity of the actor’s career.

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I love actors,“ “Mark Teschner, CSA Casting Director of General Hospital

but one of my major peeves is when an actor does not resemble their headshot.

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Download sides and audition materials at SHOWFAX, the companion website to ACTORS ACCESS

WHAT SHOWFAX DOES FOR YOU:

Subscribing to SHOWFAX gives you unlimited free submissions on ACTORS ACCESS

Our exclusive ‘Revised Sides Alert’ feature automatically notifies you when there are updated sides for your role.

Sides are downloadable 24/7

Use real audition materials to practice your skills

“So... tell me a little about SHOWFAX.”Glad you asked.

www.showfax.com

We want to“ “Krisha Bullock, CSA

and Jamie Snow Bullock & Snow Casting

see an audition that could be moved directly onto the stage to shoot today. We don’t want to guess at how much better or more prepared you might be on the day.

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EXPERT ADVICE: Handling Your Audition Like a Pro

Bring your A-Game. Prepare. Rehearse. Eat. Sleep. When a casting director invites you into their office — choosing you over other actors — the least you can do is offer them your best.

Map out the route to the audition beforehand, then give yourself enough time to deal with the unexpected: traffic, parking, subways or even the (sometimes considerable) walk from the street to the waiting room. Rushing in at the last minute is almost guaranteed to knock you off your game.

Do your research. Know the names of everyone in the office, and have a working knowledge of what projects they’re working on.

Remember, this is a job interview. Be professional. Be polite. Don’t bring props. Don’t touch the CD during the scene. Leave your friends at home. Don’t wear tons of perfume or cologne.

Look like your headshot. If a CD has scheduled you, giving you a time slot over someone else, you need to walk in looking like what they expect. Otherwise, it might be a while before you’re invited back.

Book the room. You can’t control whether or not you actually book the job — there are way too many variables, even if you give the best read. Focus instead on making fans out of people in the room. Come in, be a pro, do good work, say thanks and leave them wanting more.

Blair Hickey has been a working actor for over 20 years. He received a Theatre Arts degree from Brown University, started his career with stage work and recurring daytime roles in New York, and now works regularly on television in Los Angeles. He is a co-founder of CastingAbout, the online casting and production guide.

By Blair HickeyWorking Actor for over 20 Years

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Casting Directors only have time to audition a small number of actors in person. ECO CAST lets them

invite actors to submit self-taped auditions, allowing them to see more local talent

or actors from across the country.

ECO CAST is also the system that is preferred by Casting Directors to record, upload, and store

all of their audition videos and audio files when they audition actors in the room.

Mikie Beatty @MikieBeattySubmitted an Eco Cast audish for the 1st time today. Gotta admit it was a blast putting togeth-er. Thanks @ActorsAccess Technology + Art = Rad

WANT MORE AUDITIONS?THAT’S WHAT ECO CAST IS ALL ABOUT.

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BUT WHAT DOES ECO CAST DO FOR ME?

• More possibilities – Opportunities to audition for projects casting outside of your local market

• Convenience – Film your audition on your own time, in the comfort of your own home

• Submit your best take – Do it as many times as needed to get it right

• Eco Cast uploads are FREE to Showfax subscribers

breakdownexpress.com/ecocast

OK, SO HOW DOES ECO CAST WORK? IT COULDN’T BE EASIER.

• Get invited by casting• Tape your audition• Upload & submit online

That’s it.

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The more“ “Edward Norton Actor

you do your homework, the more you’re free to be intuitive. But you’ve got to put the work in.

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The more

The Working Actor’s Casting and Production Guide

Being a professional actor means building strong relationships with casting directors. CastingAbout makes it easier to track the careers of CDs, and keep them informed about your own work. It gives you access to all the info you need to keep in touch, build your network and stay in the know.

• Access the most precise listings of casting personnel and projects in the industry, updated daily.

• Find info for CDs, associates and assistants, as well as projectaddresses,loglines,officialsitelinks,andcriticalproject notes.

• Searchandsortspecificprojecttypes:TV,filmand NY theater.

• Save your own notes for projects or people.

• Customizemailinglabelsforyourspecificneeds.

www.castingabout.com24

The information you need, when you want it.

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EXPERT ADVICE: The Secret to a Perfect Self-Tape

Any self taping advice? I would highly recommend having a blank wall (preferably with a blue or grey backdrop which can be accomplished with a sheet tacked on the wall). Nothing should distract the person viewing the taped audition. Make sure your sound quality is good. The person reading the scene with you, who should be standing right next to the camera, should speak in a quieter voice as they will be closer to the microphone.

Shoot yourself in a mid range close-up (chest and up) and make sure to do a full body slate at the beginning or end. It’s a good idea to do two separate takes in two separate links to allow the CD to forward on the most appropriate choice.

Double check that your sound works before you press send, and make absolutely sure that it is a PRIVATE not public link.

As someone who hires many actors from their tapes all over the country, I can’t emphasize this enough.

Sharon Bialy, CSA - Bialy/Thomas Casting

Kaitlin Moose @kaitlinMooseAuditioned via video today for Les Miserables Thanks@ActorsAccess! Fingers Crossed!

By Sharon Bialy, CSA Author of “How to Audition on Camera”

We do still“ “Krisha Bullock, CSA

and Jamie Snow Bullock & Snow Casting

enjoy a hand written note or post card, but sending a hardcopy of your headshot every other week does nothing for you, or for the planet.

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We do still

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EXPERT ADVICE: The Actor Postcard

Building and maintaining working relationships with casting directors is essential to any acting career. This means staying in touch, and the most effective tool for that is still the mailed postcard — one with your headshot, name and contact number.

When preparing a mailing, start with research. Avoid mass mailings, and instead, build a target list of CDs who regularly cast your type — those most in need of actors like you.

Personalize your message. Hand write the card and address it directly to someone in the casting office.

Don’t be needy. Relationships, by definition, go both ways — the best marketing messages are the ones which suggest “here’s how I can help you.”

Give the casting director a reason to remember you or bring you in (for example, you often play a type they need; you previously performed in the play they’re doing now; you once worked with their director…) Just liking their show, or wanting to come in, is not enough.

It doesn’t always have to be about you. Follow the careers of those on your list and perhaps send a congratulatory note when the office picks up a new project, or when a staffer you know gets promoted.

Remember, relationships take time. You may not hear back from a CD right away, but trust that if your message is professional, respectful and clear, you will be remembered.

With experience in public relations, marketing and business communications, Brian Wold has been a website consultant for nearly two decades -- in government, education, and entertainment. He is a co-founder of CastingAbout, the online casting and production guide.

By Brian WoldMarketing and Web Site Specialist

Are you doing all you can to control who represents you?

Promote yourself to agents

and managers seeking

new clients

sm

Lifeofcyn @lifeofcyn

used #TalentLink & I got multiple agents & managers contacting me! It works! Thanks

#BreakdownServices & @ActorsAccess #ActorsAccess

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Promote yourself to agents

and managers seeking

new clients

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TALENT LINK is a way to promote yourself to agents and managers who are actively looking for new talent.

TALENT LINK is posted weekly as part of the daily breakdowns and talent representatives can see at a glance your headshot and what type of representation you are seeking. With one click your photos, resume and videos are available.

TALENT LINK is a popular and much used resource of agents and managers.

Control is in the actors hands. Interested talent representatives are instructed to email us and we forward any inquiries to the actor. Your contact information is kept completely confidential.

• Proven success. More than half of the actors profiled are contacted for representation.

• Weekly postings keeps your TALENT LINK in front of agents and managers.

• Secure. Your contact information remains private.

Call to sign up for the next TALENT LINK release in either Los Angeles or New York.

LA 310.276.9166 NY 212.869.2003

breakdownexpress.com/talentlink29

Thanks to“ “Ron Dickinson, Actor

Talent Link, in less than three weeks I received seven replies from agents and managers. By the end of the month I signed with a new manager!

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Thanks to Having good representation is crucial for an actor. Here are a few tips when preparing to meet and choose an agent or manager.

Know who you are and what your career goals are. Have a realistic view of where you are in your career and where you fit in the industry. Have a career strategy. Listen to what your prospective representatives might propose. You are going to be a team.

Know the company and people you are meeting. Use all resources to find out the names of the agents or managers and their clients. Knowing their staff is a plus.

If you ask a question, know how to interpret the answer. Does it really matter to you how many clients they have? Do you want your reps to represent people like you? Truth is, you do! No company has only one actor of a certain “type”.

Most importantly, remember that your agent or manager works for you. You pay them so they are your employees. You should never feel like they are doing you a favor. On the flip side you want to treat your reps with the same respect you expect from them.

Lastly, all reputable agents and managers work on commission. They make money when you do. All talent agencies in LA and NY must be licensed by the state.

Ben Freiberger was a talent agent and personal manager for over twenty-five years. He is the creator and division head of Breakdown Services’ Talentproplus agency/ management software.

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EXPERT ADVICE: Meeting with an Agent or Manager

By Ben Freiberger Over 25 Years in Management and Representation

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Why should you watch VCN?That’s easy.

sm

To view free acting coach videosTo gain a new perspective on preparing a scene

To see a particular Casting Director before you go in for an audition

To go behind the scenes and see what really happens at an industry awards show

or a network showcaseTo know more about the journey of

an Actor, Talent Rep or Casting DirectorTo be better prepared for a career of your own

Grant Harling @grantharling@virtualchannels - Thanks for VCN! Always informative, thought-provoking and entertaining - It’s like PBS for actors and others in the biz!

The Virtual Channel Network (VCN) was created to provide educational information for those interested in pursuing diverse careers in the entertainment industry. We are known as the community service arm of Breakdown Services, Ltd. because we provide a platform for casting directors, agents, managers, directors, writers, etc. who voluntarily give back valuable information to the community at large. Our goal is to create content that serves as a guide to aspiring, on the rise, and veteran talent on how to successfully build and sustain a career in their various fields of interest. Our in-depth interview format with notable industry insiders provides insight, wisdom, and advice on navigating the ins and outs of a constantly changing and evolving industry. In addition, the VCN has had the opportunity to bring audiences behind the scenes of some of the most exclusive and highly regarded events. Some examples include, the Casting Society of America’s annual Artios Awards, honoring Casting Directors for outstanding work; the CBS Diversity Showcase, which presents diverse talent and opens doors to help advance the careers of ethnic and LGBT talent; the Media Access Awards, which honors disability awareness and inclusion in media and entertainment; and the Heller Awards, presented by the Talent Managers Association to honor Agents, Managers and Casting Directors.

VCN strives to be a resource for you to have the best information available as you continue your journey in your entertainment career of choice.

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BREAKDOWN SERVICES’ Commitment to the Acting Community

www.virtualchannelnetwork.com

From Seth Coltan and A’da Woolfolk Producers, Virtual Channel Network

The thing“ “Daniel Day-LewisActor

about performance, even if it’s only an illusion, is that it is a celebration of the fact that we do contain within ourselves infinite possibilities.

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IT ’S ALIVE!!! Your headshot, that is...

SLATESHOT is a revolutionary change in the way casting views your submission. No longer is casting limited to a flat picture that gives them limited information about you. Now when casting views your

picture it comes alive and your animated ‘Slate’ projects your personality and your voice.

Each SLATESHOT is customized to the submitted photo. You record a slate matching the clothes, tone and even the pose of the headshot.

At seven seconds long, there’s plenty of time to slate your name, show a little personality and capture the attention of the Casting Director.

You can add one SLATESHOT per headshot posted on your ACTORS ACCESS account to match your different looks.

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breakdownexpress.com/slateshot37

Your headshot, that is...

• Give your submission that extra edge and get noticed!

• Headshots with a SLATESHOT go to the head of the queue,

appearing first in the Casting Directors submissions

• Casting Directors can see how you look and sound

immediately

• Customized to each photo

• Available for use by you and your talent representatives

How much do we believe in SLATESHOT?

breakdownexpress.com/slateshot

...FOR FREE.So much that we’re giving you your first one

DID YOU SAY FREE?”

“HELLO. MY NAME IS... WAIT...

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SlateShot“ “Scott David, CSA Casting Director

is a must use device for actors to keep casting directors informed of what your CURRENT LOOK is and what you SOUND like if we do not know your voice. Also, in the short seven seconds I can watch & listen to you and get your vibe!

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Avails Means that you should be avail-able to work on the dates of the shoot. It is almost as if you have a 50% chance to get the role. Often, a Casting Director will put several people on avail, until

they receive confi rmation from their fi rst choice for the role. That could be you... who knows? any way you look at it, it’s a good thing.

Booking Being hired for an acting job.

cMail The messaging tool enabling you to receive audition notifi cations from actors access and Breakdown Express, as well as Eco Cast invitations. Demo Reel A video or audio presentation of past work designed to showcase your talents to Casting Directors.

Eco Cast A self-taped audition and the tool used by Casting Directors to record, upload, and manage auditions.

Sides The script pages you use in an audition.

Slate For on-camera auditions only. You will be asked to state your name and sometimes the agent that sent you to the audition before you begin the scene. This goes on the tape for the casting director’s reference.

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Fi

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Fi

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Actors Access Canada

Actors Access New York

Breakdown Services

Actor Symposium Series

CastingAbout

Virtual Channel Network

@ActorsAccess

@ActorsAccessCAN

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@breakdownsvs

@symseries

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@virtualchannels

Check out our Breakdown Blog to learn about new features and read insider interviews and advice.

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