04.02.20 BACKSTAGE.COM The Social Media Issue Making work and staying creative in an increasingly digital space is more important than ever before Taking Over With her own Want to become TV show, an influencer? production Experts weigh in company, and record label, there’s nothing
Agents and CDs ISSA RAE look at your social can’t do accounts—here’s what to know
3+ Pages OF CASTING NOTICES PREPARE TO PLAY THE LEAD
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@nyconservatory Contents vol. 61, no. 09 | 04.02.20
Cover Story The Green Room 4 T alent agencies go the influencer route Height 6 This week’s roundup of who’s casting what starring whom of Her 7 J an from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” on musical Powers theater training and more Issa Rae is headlining Advice two studio features 9 NO TE FROM THE CD this year, returning CDs + social media with “Insecure” Season 4, and 10 #IGOTCAST Geneviève J. Galliani continuing to produce for 10 SECRET AGENT MAN underrepresented The social media gap creatives—all while making the Features Hollywood 3 BACKSTAGE 5 WITH... system work Gavin Leatherwood in her favor page 12 8 MEET THE MAKER Rudy Mancuso, YouTube creator
9 THE ESSENTIALISTS Sam Katz, strategy manager
11 IN THE ROOM WITH Gil Eyal
17 TIKTOK TITANS How future (and current) influencers can put the behemoth social media platform to work for them
18 YOUTUBE-TURNED-EMPIRE How influencer Lilly Singh transformed 15 million followers into a book deal, a documentary, and an NBC talk show 19 GETTING PAID TO POST Nearly one-third of U.S. kids and teens want to become an influencer—here’s what to know 24 ASK AN EXPERT Heidi Dean, Melanie Forchetti, and Lenka Silhanova on social media Casting 20 New York Tristate
20 California
21 National/Regional
Issa Rae photographed by Stephanie Diani on Feb. 10 in NYC. Hair by Felicia Leatherwood. On this page: coat by Madiyah Al Sharqi; dress by A.L.C. On the cover: dress by Beaufille; earrings by Alexis Bittar. Cover designed by Ian Robinson.
backstage.com 1 04.02.20 BACKSTAGE EDITOR’S LETTER Backstage was founded in 1960 by Ira Eaker and Allen Zwerdling
Dear Backstage Reader, OUR INDUSTRY IS FACING ONE OF ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE CHIEF FINANCIAL CHIEF TECHNOLOGY CHIEF MARKETING VICE PRESIDENT, most considerable challenges in history, and OFFICER OFFICER & PRODUCT OFFICER CASTING many of us are dealing with the prospect Joshua Ellstein Michael Felman OFFICER David Grossman L uke Crowe of a trying road ahead as our community James G. Reynolds navigates this escalating crisis. Today, I want CORPORATE to take a moment to reassure you that our CONTROLLER & top priority remains the safety and health of VICE PRESIDENT, our staff and all those who use our services. FINANCE We remain steadfast in our commitment to Michael Madia providing you with up-to-date information on the business of entertainment, access to safe audition opportunities, and the community Backstage is known for: a place to learn, the Editorial Art Casting Product Advertising tools you need to succeed, the voices you EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DESIGN DIRECTOR MANAGING ENGINEERING Sales need to carry you through, and the space to Briana Rodriguez Ian Robinson CASTING EDITOR MANAGER voice your own concerns. EXECUTIVE Melinda Shishir Bankapur DIRECTOR, MEDIA As such, Backstage will continue to be MANAGING EDITOR ART DIRECTOR Loewenstein Kasey Howe available across all usual platforms, and then Benjamin Lindsay Margaret Ruling LEAD PRODUCT some! If you’re curious about how we’ll be ACCOUNT DESIGNER MEDIA approaching our content channels, here’s a DIRECTOR OF MANAGERS Jeff Lilley OPERATIONS quick brief: CONTENT Elijah Cornell Samantha OPERATIONS Production ENGINEER LEAD Jill Heller Sherlock The Magazine Allie White PRODUCTION Tom Achtemichuk Our print magazine will be more focused on MANAGER CASTING the unremitting topics most affecting actors SENIOR EDITOR, Mark Stinson SPECIALISTS QA MANAGER right now. This week we’re taking a look CASTING Victoria Beal Cassie Haffner Marketing at social media’s influence on performers’ AND INDUSTRY Neill Kennedy SENIOR FULL GROWTH careers—from how YouTube and now TikTok NEWS Christina Elyse Roth Social Media STACK ENGINEER MARKETING are launching their success, to tips on how to Kleppinger DIRECTOR maximize exposure on your own platforms. Mike Lewis AWARDS EDITOR SOCIAL MEDIA Christine Ryan Remstad Our cover star, creator of HBO’s “Insecure” Jack Smart SPECIALIST McKenna-Tirella FULL STACK (and former YouTube hit-maker) Issa Rae, is a Katie Minard Hannah Williams ENGINEER PARTNERSHIP perfect example of what’s possible when you U.K. EDITOR Joe Zeleny DEVELOPMENT use what’s at your disposal online. Check out Pete Martin CASTING EDITORS DIRECTOR her interview on Page 12 to learn more about Customer Elaina Crockett PLATFORM Ryann Thompson her journey from internet sensation to TV SENIOR STAFF Service Riley Fee ENGINEER series boss. Representing the next generation WRITER Daniel Gelb Agata Neltz DESIGN MANAGER of savvy social influencers are “RuPaul’s Casey Mink OFFICE EXPERIENCE Lisa Hamil Caitlin Watkins Drag Race” Season 12 contestant Jan, and + PEOPLE MANAGER Effie Reich PRODUCT DESIGNER ASSOCIATE EDITOR CONVERSION RATE Instagram musical genius Rudy Mancuso. Jenny O’Donnell Jan Cantor As a bonus, we’ve got the casting director Lisa Granshaw REGIONAL OPTIMIZATION advice and the equipment list you need to get CASTING EDITOR MANAGER SENIOR COPY CUSTOMER SERVICE started at home yourself! Byron Karlevics Stanley Zuo EDITOR MANAGER Advisers Richard Burridge USER ACQUISITION Online + Social Media Brandy Colbert RESEARCH EDITOR SENIOR ADVISER Rebecca Welch MANAGER Backstage.com is as active as ever, COPY EDITOR CUSTOMER SERVICE Peter Rappaport ASSOCIATE Nikita Rubetskoy highlighting updates on various pockets Regan Hofmann of the entertainment industry, as well as Stephanie Chung COMMUNITY offering the advice and tips you need to EDITORIAL Anna Szatkowski Accounting MANAGER mitigate the current climate’s impact on ASSISTANT Ben Wasserman Liz Farris your career. As part of our desire to be of Franchesca Viaud STAFF service in this difficult time, we’ve launched ACCOUNTANT GROWTH the Slate, our online talkback, seminar, and CONTRIBUTING Kailyn Ciancarelli MARKETING Q&A series featuring actors, casting directors, WRITERS ASSOCIATE professional coaches, and more to ensure Alex Ates Ben Carleton you’re staying fit and sharp in the coming Marci Liroff weeks and months. Visit backstage.com/ Allie Volpe magazine for the full schedule. 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BACKSTAGE, vol. 61, no. 09 (ISSN#53635 USPS#39740) IS A WEEKLY PUBLICATION, WITH OCCASIONAL DOUBLE ISSUES IN MARCH, MAY, Stay safe, SEPTEMBER, FEBRUARY, JUNE, AUGUST AND DECEMBER AND ONE ISSUE PUBLISHED IN APRIL AND JULY (except the fourth week of December) by Backstage LLC, 45 Main St., Brooklyn, NY 11201, $3.99 per copy, $99 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY 11256 and additional mailing offices. Printed in USA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Backstage, 45 Main St., Ste. 416, Brooklyn, NY 11201.Publication Mail Agreement No. 40031729. CAITLIN WATKINS ©2017 Backstage LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Backstage LLC: Joshua Briana Rodriguez Ellstein, Chief Executive Officer. Editor-in-Chief
BACKSTAGE 04.02.20 2 backstage.com Backstage 5 with... Gavin Leatherwood
By Benjamin Lindsay
If you’re a young actor who wants to be put on the map, you should already know the names Lyndsey Baldasare and David Rapaport. The casting directors behind the CW’s various DC Universe series and “Riverdale” consistently spot the hottest Hollywood up-and-comers—and their “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” breakout Gavin Leatherwood is just one. The 25-year-old actor recently sat with Backstage to discuss his audition for Netflix and the power of social media.
You have 3 million followers on Instagram. What are some practices you adhere to when posting on social media? It’s something that I didn’t really expect or know what to do with at first. I feel like there was a lot of trial and error. The saving grace with me and social media and blending the two worlds of being an actor and having a following was realizing that it’s a beautiful platform for marketing and advertising—to attach something personal that in some positive sense felt some reason.” My first audition was for David Rapaport, and in more beneficial to people than going in-depth or spreading the notes he included, “Nick Scratch is the most confident guy [negativity] and complaining. It just felt better to promote in the room.” So I tried to walk in with that in mind. Head held what’s going on, show bits of personal life, and attach a high, make eye contact, the whole thing. personal message to it. What is one piece of advice that you would give your Has social media ever been a useful tool in your acting younger self? Just be patient. I feel like I’m still learning that, career? As far as that advertising stuff goes, yeah, absolutely. too. It’s a tough thing, because I was one of those kids who at I mean, creative things have popped up from it. I did a spot a very early age would sit and think: How do I do this thing? for Degree; the creatives of that [project] told me, “We saw a [Acting] had been a lifelong dream since I was a kid in theater, video of you being a goofball playing ‘Blackbird’ on your guitar where I was like, “I really wanna be an actor!” And I still am, and just belting it out,” and they loved that goofy nature. you know what I mean? It’s sort of this insatiable thing. There’s no end to it. There’s always this next performance or this How did you first get your SAG-AFTRA card? You know what? next character that you want to be playing, and I feel like if This. “Sabrina.” I got my SAG card from doing this. you get too far ahead of yourself, it’s only detrimental to your progress. So just sink in, relax, look at where you are, look at What was your audition for “Sabrina” like? I connected really how far you’ve come, and continue learning and growing and strongly with the material. I was like, “I know this character for progressing in all those ways.
“More often than not, in the other people’s lines, you learn more about your character.” ILLUSTRATION: NATHAN ARIZONA/PHOTO: CAITLIN WATKINS CAITLIN ARIZONA/PHOTO: NATHAN ILLUSTRATION:
backstage.com 3 04.02.20 BACKSTAGE HAVE YOU BEEN CAST IN A PROJECT THROUGH A BACKSTAGE CASTING NOTICE? Share your story with us and you might be featured in an upcoming issue! Just tweet @Backstage using the hashtag #IGotCast and we’ll be in touch to hear your success story!
@BACKSTAGE FACEBOOK.COM/BACKSTAGE @BACKSTAGECAST
company is making a global impact as a go-to agency for companies looking to connect with Generation Z.
Shade Not to throw shade, but some- times agency talent pools lack racial diversity. Shade is a firm for black and brown talent in the social media space. Offering representation and management, Shade’s goal is to give creators the tools to turn their brand and audiences into self-employment: “Get paid for your dopeness.” Offering opportunities, strategies, legal counsel, studios, and analytics (along with brand perks, too), Shade has clients like SoulCycle, CVS, and Sally Beauty.
Shine Influencers Industry INF Influencer Agency With offices in Los Angeles, This millennial-run Montreal, and Toronto, Shine firm boasts a roster of balances traditional marketing Talent Agencies trendsetters with big per- tactics with editorializations sonalities—and even bigger to get as many impressions followings. Coordinating as possible. Focusing on Are Going the everything from casting to genuine content, Shine pairs contracts, INF makes the case talent with brands that can be Influencer Route that “influencers are the new authentically promoted while celebrities.” Although INF is also coaching influencers Turning traditional marketing on its head, these only six years old, its sibling to hit a brand’s deliverables. six agencies are looking for social media stars company A&F Music has been The agency also offers Shine in the biz for over 45 years. School, a tuition-based series By Alex Ates With a female-focused lineup, of webinars on distinguishing INF specializes in fashion, yourself in the vast social POSTING YOUR LIFE FOR York City made its name rep- lifestyle, wellness, and travel media landscape. a following on social media can resenting reality television brands. Notable clients include make you an opinion-maker, talent. But now, CEG is all Lululemon and Hello Fresh. Viral Nation trendsetter, or—as it’s officially about using its stable of stars This award-winning firm has known—an influencer. And for social media marketing. Pulse Talent Management influencer marketing down companies have taken note. With a focus on cutting-edge Having partnered with H&M, to a science, and spans every With Adweek calling influencer pop culture, CEG works with T-Mobile, Adidas, Uber, Disney, digital platform imaginable. marketing a growing necessity clients to match brands with Gucci, and Marriott, Pulse Representing social media RAWPIXEL.COM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM for any PR strategy, Backstage influencers through online credits its success in the celebrities, gamers, athletes, has rounded up agencies that marketing or appearances at marketplace with strategic and content creators in six spe- represent professional social events. From “mom influenc- storytelling. Pulse’s approach cific categories of impact from media stars. ers” to “Real Housewives” cast is to align talent with a brand “celebrity” to “ambassador,” members, CEG pulls in a wide that will serve as a vessel for talent within Viral Nation is Central Entertainment Group range of talent to foster brand- the influencer’s story. With booked for events outside of the This 20-year-old firm in New to-talent partnerships. offices all over the world, this news feed to build followings.
BACKSTAGE 04.02.20 4 backstage.com The Slate The Actor’s Quarantine Resource We’re not letting creativity + productivity stop in the face of coronavirus. We’re taking you directly to industry power players through Backstage Forums AMAs, Instagram takeovers and Q&As, YouTube Lives, and most excitingly, Zoom-hosted seminars for interactive group classes!
Guests include:
Fitness Coach Steph VS
Casting Director Melanie Forchetti
Agent Assistant Abigail Millar
UK Casting Director Sophie Kingston-Smith
Makeup Artist Bridie Coughlin
Yoga Teacher and Actor Kristin Calabria
Dialect Coach and Casting Assistant Coco Kleppinger
Voiceover Actor Laurie Burke
Voice Teacher Andrew Byrne
Casting Associate Brett Hahalyak
and more!
To get all the details and view the full schedule, please visit backstage.com/magazine. underway in Los Angeles before the industry was put on hold, but will finish its space mission once it’s safe to return to set.
“Showtime” HBO is getting the dream team back together. Known as one of the great basketball dynasties, the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, which included Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, were hailed as an unstoppable force in the National Basketball Association. HBO is moving forward with the drama series from Adam McKay that tells the story of the iconic players’ lives on and off the court. Francine Maisler is casting the proj- ect and has already attached Quincy Isaiah, Solomon Hughes, Jason Clarke, and John C. Reilly. Production on the L.A.–based series is tentatively set to resume shooting in May.
“Turner & Hooch” Disney+ is following its anima- tion model and reconfiguring beloved properties for its suc- What's Casting while the White House may be cessful streaming platform. On serious about the sci-fi–sound- the docket is a serial version of ing initiative, for Netflix the idea the 1989 cop comedy “Turner Productions Are will be rooted in pure comedy & Hooch.” The series is being and likely take inspiration from retrofitted to make the 31-year- beloved space-based franchises old film more contemporary, Still on Pause of the past. The series will focus but will follow the main outline on a general who has been given from its predecessor: A detec- Netflix, HBO, and Disney+ eye late-spring restarts a special assignment to lead a tive reluctantly inherits a large, By Rebecca Welch new branch of the United States drooling dog that has a pen- Armed Forces, the Space Force. chant for solving crimes. Eric STAY IN THE LOOP ON or altered shooting dates. Check With plans to plant themselves Souliere Casting has already industry and casting news Call Sheet online for updates to on the moon by 2024, the team attached a handful of actors with our write-up on who’s these and other productions. of ragtag employees treat the to the project, including Josh been slated for recent film and mission as just another day in Peck, Lydnsy Fonseca, and Carra television roles! “Space Force” the office. Steve Carell, who’s Patterson. The team is hoping Please note that due to the Tales of intergalactic warfare no stranger to the workplace to have cameras rolling by late spread of COVID-19, certain are common in entertainment, comedy, co-created the series May or early June in Vancouver, projects have halted production but they have little reality to with Greg Daniels and will British Columbia. draw from—until now. Netflix also star in the project. Casting is taking an idea from a real-life director Allison Jones has For the latest news, check out
political promise to create a already loaded up on actors: backstage.com/resources to CANNON QUAYLE MARGAUX Get cast! For more upcoming productions new branch of military service Ben Schwartz, John Malkovich, find thousands of production and casting news, visit that directly patrols space and Tawny Newsome, and Jessica listings, casting directors, backstage.com/news/casting. protects Earth from whatever is St. Clair will also star in acting classes, agents, and lurking in the vast galaxy. And the series. Production was more! CAITLIN WATKINS CAITLIN
BACKSTAGE 04.02.20 6 backstage.com Jan Sport Take it from a drag queen: Voice health is a priority! “I try to be conscious of it when I’m on the microphone, because it’s hard to do a show for two hours five or six nights a week trying not to scream on the microphone but being very energetic. It’s so weird, but I had my deviated septum fixed a year ago, and that really changed the game for me. I was somebody who would always get crazy sinus infections, like a lot of singers out there do. Allergies in New York are horrible. I take an allergy pill in the morning and at night, and I drink tea, Throat Coat, [and use] peppermint oil, scarves. Just anything that I can do to bundle up and preserve, I try to do. But I would say my saving grace is also a steamer. The Mypurmist steamer—obsessed with it. It’s so hard to do it in drag, though, because I don’t want this makeup to come off!”
If she could give one piece of advice to all performers… “Start taking dance now. Start taking it yesterday. That’s the Backstage Live training and the difference one thing that always tripped between drag and theater. me up when I was really going for it in theater. I would say Jan, Jan, Jan! Drag really isn’t that different don’t be afraid to make mis- from theater. takes. Don’t be afraid to be ugly The “Drag Race” standout talks training and more “I went to the Boston and go to those places, because By Lauren LaMagna Conservatory, graduated with a if you’re surrounded by people BFA in musical theater. I think who you trust, like a director, a The following Backstage Live was compiled by Backstage readers that drag is just an extension of teacher, they’ll be able to coach just like you! Follow us on Twitter (@Backstage) and Instagram theater. You are on a stage, but you and help you refine those (@backstagecast) to stay in the loop on upcoming interviews and there’s differences. I’m creating skills. And it’s so clichéd, but do to submit questions live on camera. my character. I get to create the more so the director can pull material that I do. I get to say you back. You never want some- “RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE” IS What Happens Live,” plus, of the lines that I want to say. I get body to feel like you’re doing back with its twelfth season course, a smattering of weekly to direct, costume, hair—all of less than. So give it all you got. and a bevy of new queens com- shows around New York City. those things are in my control. Don’t be afraid to fall on your peting for the title of America’s Social media, it turns out, has That’s the biggest difference. face, and take care of your Next Drag Superstar—and Jan had a major role in her suc- While I’ve used so many of the voice. Get a good voice teacher. is one to watch. The New York cess, too! (For a taste, check tools that I learned at school in Preserve the bells.”
MARGAUX QUAYLE CANNON QUAYLE MARGAUX City–based multihyphenate out her weekly music video my drag, it’s two separate enti- singer and drag queen is no re-creations of each episode’s ties, and I’m happy that I can Want to hear more from stranger to the spotlight, with lip sync song.) In conversation really do what I want to do and Jan Sport? Watch our full guest stints on NBC’s “The with Backstage, Jan (aka Jan be my own boss when it comes Backstage Live interview at Voice” and Bravo’s “Watch Sport) chats her musical theater to that.” facebook.com/backstage. CAITLIN WATKINS CAITLIN
backstage.com 7 04.02.20 BACKSTAGE culture @BACKSTAGE FACEBOOK.COM/BACKSTAGE @BACKSTAGECAST Spotlighting the people and projects you need+ to know
Meet the Maker
like Netflix’s “Stories From Our Rudy Mancuso, YouTube creator Future,” a digital three-part By Ashley Steves musical series, or Facebook Watch’s “Tempo.” The latter shows Mancuso’s breadth of inspiration and creativity. Each episode jumps through different genres—a classic movie musical, a Western, a spy thriller, and so on—but each is fully musicalized. It’s an eight-part culmination of a lifetime of pulling from the people and art he finds inspir- ing: Martin Scorsese, Roberto Benigni, Walter Salles, Hans Zimmer, and Ennio Morricone, to name a few, and especially Charlie Chaplin, whom he cites as his biggest inspiration—a sto- ryteller who did it all and who has clearly motivated Mancuso to do it all, as well. For anyone looking to start producing videos online, the pro- cess can seem overwhelming. Mancuso’s advice? Do it anyway, Rudy Mancuso and let the variety of material out there serve as inspiration, not hindrance. There’s more con- RUDY MANCUSO HAS A stories on platforms that are in and pitch a story and they tent than ever, and platforms are story to tell. And another one. more intriguing to me.” say, ‘Great pitch, we see it as a born and die every day, as he’ll And another one. During his sophomore year of 22-minute episodic comedy on tell you. But there’s also more Even if you are not among college, where he was studying network television,’ I say, ‘No opportunity. The gap between the extremely online, it’s likely video production, Mancuso problem, I’ve done far worse.’ ” those who want to tell stories you’ve seen Mancuso’s work. began delving into the six-sec- Storytelling has fueled and those who can is all but The 28-year-old filmmaker, ond world of Vine. At the time, Mancuso “for as long as [he] can bridged—you just need a phone actor, and musician cut his he was “pretty off-the-grid”—no remember.” The child of immi- and a willingness to adapt. teeth on the now-defunct Twitter, no Instagram—but grants, his work pulls from both “Start and try telling a story. microvideo app Vine, where he despite his disdain for social his Italian and Brazilian heri- Find a way to tell the story or garnered 10.54 million follow- media, he was intrigued by tages but also, as much as he deliver a message and do it, ers before its shutdown in 2017. the platform’s constraints; can, from the world around him. then keep doing it until you feel He and a number of popular to tell stories in just six sec- His early Vine work, especially, like you’re the best at that thing Vine stars moved to other onds required him to rewire included his family, and stories and just put it out and see what platforms, including YouTube, his instincts, making him a his parents told turned into happens,” Mancuso says. “I where he now has more than smarter, better storyteller. ideas for videos and characters. have a shortage of time because 7 million subscribers. His most “It’s been so up and down For Mancuso, a story can there’s so much I want to do, popular video, “Circle of Love,” and all over the place that now, come from anywhere and be but one thing I’ll never have a has been seen more than 52 it’s a lot easier to acclimate to made anywhere, with little shortage of is ideas. YouTube million times. There and else- new rules,” he says. “So, if I go preparation (see: his recent videos and Instagram and where, his work never stops. “The Mandalorian” parody with formerly Vine and now TikTok “I never saw [Vine] as an end “I think I was King Bach, which, beyond get- and all this stuff, that’s not it. I to my creative journey—quite professionally born on ting the costumes and finding think I was professionally born JUNIOR MARQUEZ the contrary,” Mancuso says. the internet, but that’s the location, was improvised) on the internet, but that’s not “I saw it as a segue to telling not where I’m dying.” or with heavy preproduction, where I’m dying.” ILLUSTRATION: MARGAUX QUAYLE CANNON; KATZ: SOCIAL STUDIES INC.
BACKSTAGE 04.02.20 8 backstage.com culture + Spotlighting the people and projects you need to know
THE ESSENTIALISTS SAM KATZ strategy manager By Casey Mink
Influencers have always Social Studies will find existed. your perfect brand-in- “[It’s] one of the oldest fluencer pairing. means of marketing in “If someone is trying the world. In the 1920s, it to increase awareness was not appropriate for of their new product in women to smoke out- Tuscaloosa, Alabama, side, so they had these and the product is women walk through a targeted at moms and parade smoking outside, dads over the age of and they got press—that’s 35 with an interest Though it’s a buzzword an influencer campaign. in coffee, we will put right now, “influencers” Now it’s just that it’s together a list of 50 have existed since on social media, which moms and dads in the dawn of culture. leads me to [ask]: Why is Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Influencer as paid ‘influencer’ a dirty word? with X followers to advertising, however, The [influencers] are bring to the brand…. is a newer practice. not just purely there to They know what But with the help of influence. How did they their audience likes. professionals like SAM get there? They’re cre- That’s how they’ve Note From the CD KATZ of influencer ators…. [They] don’t even been able to build agency Social Studies, have to be that special, this audience. The brands are seeing the [they] just have to speak purpose of this is for full potential of this non- to a specific audience in brands to tap into these CDs + Social Media traditional marketing. a specific way.” authentic voices.” By Marci Liroff
YOU’RE ALL AWARE OF HOW following me on Twitter and to use social media to find Facebook. She said she could be acting jobs and connect with considered a “local hire,” and my search. We sent out a press of followers on Twitter, I’ve filmmakers and casting direc- were there any roles for her? release and created a website often had CDs ask me to send tors. But let’s flip the script (We were shooting on location to receive the self-tapes. At first out a casting notice for them and talk about what it’s like on in Lawrence, Kansas, and didn’t it was a bit overwhelming, but so it’ll get more eyeballs. I did my end. There are ways CDs have the budget to bring in because it was a finite group of this last year for the new “West use social media to cast their actors from L.A., aside from boys of the right age who used Side Story.” Little did I know projects, too! the lead characters.) She sent a wheelchair and could act, it that I would then be besieged on I use the usual online sources her demo reel, and within the narrowed down pretty quickly. Twitter and email by thousands to cast my projects (Breakdown week, we had auditioned her If you’re a casting director of actors vying for a role. My Services, Backstage, YouTube, and hired her for a pivotal role who’s going to tweet or use tweet was quoted in publica- etc.). But sometimes I need to in the movie. Here’s what she Facebook about an upcoming tions worldwide! The problem dig deeper when I’m doing a did right: She used good Twitter project, be specific about your was that I wasn’t the one casting big search. This is where the etiquette. She was polite and needs, set a deadline, use an the project. My colleague had internet comes in. I joined had already established a sort alternate email address (don’t neglected to note that she was Twitter in 2009, kicking and of “relationship” with me on use your personal one!), and the casting director on the flyer, screaming. I just didn’t see the Twitter and Facebook before be ready to wade through so everyone assumed it was me. point, and I surely didn’t under- tweeting her request to me. thousands of submissions. I Word to the wise: Make sure to stand the power of it. “Why do Several years ago, I was cast- also sometimes use Instagram. include all the specific and rele- I need to know what kind of ing a TV pilot for Paul Reiser There, you can post a detailed vant information in your tweet. sandwich you had today?” Boy, to star in. I had to find an actor flyer with all the info for your It was a lesson learned. was I shocked at the width and to play the role of his son, who search, but, unfortunately, it breadth of that platform. used a wheelchair. On Twitter, I doesn’t allow you to post hyper- When I was casting my movie reached out to the Christopher links in posts, so you’ll have Want more? “The Sublime and Beautiful,” and Dana Reeve Foundation, to link to your website in your Read the full interview at JUNIOR MARQUEZ I was contacted by an actor which provided me with many profile bio. backstage.com/magazine. in Los Angeles who had been national resources to help me in Since I have a decent number ILLUSTRATION: MARGAUX QUAYLE CANNON; KATZ: SOCIAL STUDIES INC.
backstage.com 9 04.02.20 BACKSTAGE culture + Spotlighting the people and projects you need to know
that’s the right move. Why? Because each group has a dif- #IGOTCAST. ferent mindset. For example, Geneviève J. Galliani younger actors have a natural understanding of social media By Franchesca Viaud because they grew up at the same time these platforms were U.K.-based created; older actors remember actor GENEVIÈVE Prodigy chatrooms; and the J. GALLIANI in-betweeners remember music sees every they used on Myspace. role that If you’re a young actor, creat- comes her way as an ing an online presence could opportunity be a smart move if you have to develop something specific that can be new skills. branded. A generic Joe Shmoe With a little assistance from Back- who wants to be a star is not a stage, she’s well on her viable brand. But a performer way to building a solid with a singular take on the portfolio. world could do quite nicely! A Follow through with distinct voice has the potential your follow-through. to attract a lot of followers and “This is the time in your some industry eyeballs. life when you can be Secret Agent Man I’m constantly seeing open to the world. Have a goal, master your breakdowns that require me basics, and learn new to submit my client’s picture, skills. Identify your weak- The Social Media Gap résumé, and number of social nesses. Be patient and followers—but it’s worth noting don’t take it personally if you don’t get a part.” THE AGE RANGE ON MY CLI- that a really good audition class those roles are always in their ent list starts at 18 and goes might help, he ignores me. teens or 20s. That’s telling, but You’re the lead in all the way up to “somewhere I also represent a character here’s what all actors really someone’s movie; around 80.” Despite their actor in his 50s with an exten- need to know: The number of find it. “Anyone who wants to differences, all these actors sive résumé. The man earns six followers you have can and will succeed needs to focus have two things in common. figures a year and he’s not even get you in the room, but you still and prepare. Persevere First, they’re talented perform- on a series. That makes him one need talent to book the job. and be constant. These ers with plenty of potential. of my best earners. Last week, Now, what about grownups? days, acting is a global market, and I have Second, they want to know he called to ask if he needed There are exceptions, but decided to follow my more about social media. to get educated about social building a brand and attracting dream anywhere in the When I get approached about media, admitting that that followers may not be the most world.” this, the questions are pretty whole world was pretty over- effective way to go. Instead, Lay a foundation with much the same from each age whelming to him. Heck, the guy actors of a certain age can use the essentials. group. The younger clients didn’t even know Instagram is social media to strengthen their “I consider myself
want my advice on how they owned by Facebook! He thought relationships with industry under development, ILLUSTRATION: SPENCER ALEXANDER; GALLIANI: ANIA PANKIEWICZ can use their social media they were competitors. professionals. Friending and and I’d like to build a strong background for presence to advance their Now, you’d probably imagine following casting directors is the moment that I’m careers. The older folks want the best course of action for a terrific way to improve those a professional [actor]. to know if they even need to an agent like me would be to connections. (Just don’t use the Backstage provides be involved in all that “social merge these two people into platforms to ask for work—that’s easy access to a huge and reliable platform for media nonsense.” a Frankenstein media mon- a major no-no.) worldwide networking. I represent a 25-year-old dude ster who could succeed on All this social media talk has Here, people can see with a massive following on both fronts, but I’m not sure made me wonder how many who I am and all that I’ve Instagram. He’s always telling likes I’ll get when this article is done.” The number of followers me that I need to use those posted. If the numbers are high TO SEE YOUR SUCCESS numbers to create more oppor- you have can and will enough, I might just get moti- story in print, tweet tunities, but here’s the rub: The get you in the room, vated enough to figure out what @Backstage using kid goes out all the time but but you still need the hell a TikTok is! Ah, what a thehashtag #IGotCast, talent to book the job. or email us at igotcast@ never books. And when I explain time to be alive. backstage.com. RAQUEL APARICIO
BACKSTAGE 04.02.20 10 backstage.com culture + Spotlighting the people and projects you need to know
In the Room With what it would look like if you were on their commercial or if you were a spokesperson for the Gil Eyal company. Make sure your con- An influencer marketer explains what to do to help a brand find you tent is of high quality. Don’t mix it in with junk and content that By Elyse Roth you can’t really stand behind. Definitely stay away from con- troversial topics. Follower count is something that’s become less and less important, as the platforms have made it harder for big influencers to reach all of their audience. There’s an understanding of the value of activating a lot of smaller influ- encers instead of one big one.
What are some characteris- tics that make an influencer stand out to a brand? It’s not always something that you can identify. Sometimes they go with their gut, sometimes it’s between 5,000 and 50,000 literally data-driven. Generally ads per day. They just can’t speaking, in almost every consume that, but what they campaign you see, they pick a do retain is what other peo- few of the regulars and then ple are saying to them. It’s they say, “This person has such human nature to view others a unique look,” or, “I fell in as a source of confirmation or love with this post,” and those decision-making, especially if things will be deciding factors. we view them as an expert or someone who has an under- What advice do you have for standing in the subject. Brands people hoping to become the are quickly turning to this, even kind of influencer who collab- if early on it was very hard to orates on these campaigns? convince them. Ensure you have a very clear bio and just stay away from Is there a type of campaign very controversial topics. If SO MUCH OF AN INFLUENCER’S SUCCESS IS ABOUT DATA, AND that most brands are asking you post racist content, the brands rely on those numbers to figure out who their best partners influencers to do? I’d say 80% system will pick it up. One of
ILLUSTRATION: SPENCER ALEXANDER; GALLIANI: ANIA PANKIEWICZ might be. That’s where HYPR comes in. It’s a brand marketing of the time, it’s about posting the things we look at is audi- company that, instead of running casting sessions for the perfect on their feed. Other times, ence quality, so don’t buy fake brand-influencer fit, has designed software to help bring the two they’re either attending an followers and don’t buy fake together. But that doesn’t mean there’s no personal element involved. event or participating in a cam- engagement—the system will HYPR founder Gil Eyal spoke with Backstage about how influencers paign that’s more mainstream. recognize it. It’s about creat- can best position themselves to be discovered and chosen by brands, ing content that engages an why a larger follower count isn’t necessarily better, and what will What do you find brands are audience and helps our system make him work with an influencer more than once. looking for in influencers understand that you’re influ- today? Generally speaking, ential in that space. How has advertising changed really crowded. If I asked you there’s a big shift to micro. So, since you started HYPR? At what the last advertisement if you don’t have a million fol- first, brands couldn’t believe you saw online was, odds lowers, it’s not a big deal. What Want more? that people would be market- are you wouldn’t remember. really matters is that you have Read the full interview at ing channels. But traditional Advertising is becoming less really, really good content on backstage.com/magazine. marketing channels are getting and less effective. People see there that helps them envision RAQUEL APARICIO
backstage.com 11 04.02.20 BACKSTAGE Height of Her Powers Issa Rae is headlining two studio features this year, returning with “Insecure” Season 4, and continuing to produce for underrepresented creatives—all while making the Hollywood system work in her favor
By Benjamin Lindsay - Photographed by Stephanie Diani
ISSA RAE HAS LONG BEEN THE TYPE OF need to be more broad or you need to add opened in terms of how her blackness could creator to make her stars align rather than a white kid, that’s the gateway,’ ” Rae says inform her art. wait on them to right themselves. Since her of her once-niche, now broadly resonant “My English teacher, who was also the rise to online and indie prominence in 2011 perspective. “Thank god for the internet, or drama teacher, used to find these hid- with her hit semiautobiographical web series else we would be led to believe that, and I den-gem black plays, and there was just “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl,” might’ve given up.” something about seeing the medium for us. I the 35-year-old multihyphenate’s career in Rae began writing short stories and hadn’t seen that,” she says. “I was always like, front of and behind the camera has been a plays in grade school while growing up in ‘Oh, we do the black-and-brown adaptation cultural litmus test for the DIY format: Can Maryland—not to perform in them herself, of “West Side Story” or “Grease” or whatever.’ talented, self-starting millennials use the but to put on with her friends. She’d direct. But it was, ‘This is specifically written for us.’ internet to get their foot in the door of estab- It wasn’t until a fifth-grade production of “A As a creator and as an actress, I felt fulfilled lishment Hollywood? If her hit HBO series Midsummer Night’s Dream” that she first felt in terms of trying to do that on that level.” “Insecure” and a pair of studio features are the itch to get onstage. It’s a torch she carried with her to the pre- anything to go by, the answer is a resounding “I was one of the few black kids in my dominantly white Stanford University, where yes. Yet, Rae and her contemporaries are tak- school, and they cast me as Demetrius. My she studied African and African-American ing it one step further: Now that they’re in, mom was like, ‘What the—they’re gonna cast studies while immersing herself further can they rewrite the rules as we know them? this little black girl as a boy?’ ” she remem- into different pockets of fledgling creativity. While young creators are often told to bers. “But I really liked it, and my teachers “[Writing] in college became about: I wanna make their own work in this age of accessi- were really encouraging, and it was my first create because there are no opportunities for ble technology, Rae was among the first to time kind of performing [and] acting some- us,” Rae says. “The plays at the time didn’t find real-world success doing so, and she one else’s words.” resonate with black kids.” Getting behind the was certainly the first to find it while telling Then her family relocated to Los Angeles scenes to alleviate that tension eventually culturally specific, black-centric stories and she enrolled in the predominantly black translated itself into “Dorm Diaries,” her of everyday life—love, loss, and everything King/Drew Magnet High School of Medicine mockumentary-style web series about being in between. and Science. She remembers it as a time black at Stanford that featured her friends “It’s an ‘aha!’ to the people I was trying to when she “really, really got into acting” while and their experiences around campus. sell scripts to in the past that were like, ‘You continuing to write, and her worldview It was around this time that digital tools
BACKSTAGE 04.02.20 12 backstage.com backstage.com 13 04.02.20 BACKSTAGE BACKSTAGE 04.02.20 14 backstage.com and specifically social media began playing like New York City to sharpen your “New a major hand in Rae’s creative output. To this York hustle.” “What excites me day, she acknowledges that you can’t over- “L.A. doesn’t necessarily have that same are people’s own emphasize the importance that YouTube and hustle. I feel like people who come from New Facebook played in both helping her work get York and go to L.A. thrive because they’re perspectives that seen by people outside of her natural social able to surpass all the bullshit, all the people circles, and in helping her hone her voice as who are just like, ‘Yeah, I’m working on my either clash with mine a creator. script,’ you know? I was able to bring that or make me think “Even though I hate it now, Facebook was New York hustle back to L.A. and just gun it. the shit for me back in the day, just because It was a great training ground. It’s hazing. about things in a way of the audience that I was able to build from You’re getting hazed when you’re out here writing statuses and from engaging with every day.” that I’ve never thought people,” she says. “It started off with friends, It was also during that time that “creating about them before. but then I started adding different commu- this specific archetype that I felt was lack- nities, I started adding other people that I ing” began percolating in the back of Rae’s I feel like we’re just just knew in randoms and things like that.” mind. While she was faced with options like While she primarily uses today’s plat- law and business schools upon her return scratching the surface forms like Twitter and Instagram for to L.A. (“My dad is very, like, ‘This should be of so many stories that promotion of what she has coming up (“It’s your plan B, you should always have some- such a time suck, so I take hella breaks, [but] thing to fall back on’ ”), she also got to work we haven’t heard.” whenever I have something coming out, then on the web series that would launch her to I’ll re-engage with it”), she recalls how her viral fame. Producing specifically for YouTube meant the friends would make fun of her for always Rae created and starred in “Awkward Black immediacy of the online audience became a being the one to hype the next big thing. “I Girl” as J, a woman who lives up to the series’ sort of focus group for her. was the one that was like, ‘You need to get namesake while interacting with friends and “With ‘Awkward Black Girl’ specifically, on Facebook! You need to get on Snapchat! co-workers through everyday discomforts. It we would release the episodes every month,” This is it!’ marked not only Rae’s definitive breakout (the Rae explains. “I would write it one week, “And because I spent so much time on series was covered all over the web, landed shoot the second week, edit it the third there, I was like, ‘I have to make this pro- Rae on Forbes’ annual 30 Under 30 in 2012, week, release it the fourth week, and so ductive in some way,’ and had the idea that and won best web series that same year at the on. So I had time to see audience feedback, since people were engaging with things that Shorty Awards), but it’s also when she really and sometimes there would be critiques I would write or post, maybe they would do began finding her stride as a creative force. about character development, there would the same with my videos while [I was] trying to break into the film industry,” she contin- ues. “I was just like: Let me just make content and make my own online soap opera show and see if this is an opportunity for people to gauge my work and potentially share it. And that happened in college.” After graduating from Stanford in 2007, Rae made her way to New York City for a fellowship to work at the Public Theater. While working various side jobs at Univision and the New Federal Theatre, she was also renegotiating her focus from theater to film. She soon created a community-driven short film collective online and was “trying to break into the film industry by networking and meeting other aspiring filmmakers who are in the same boat.” That effort was just getting off the ground when it came to a screeching halt thanks to an apartment rob- bery that saw all her film equipment stolen. She moved back to L.A. shortly after. “New York is a tough track,” she says of those early days. “It’s a tough city. And it made me realize how many resources I had at home, because it’s hard if you’re out here to ask for shit if you don’t know people. There are so many different types of people in one spot who are looking for an oppor- tunity and looking to build, but you can get so lost in the hustle and bustle that either sometimes you won’t create something, or there might not be anybody who’s willing to see it or have the patience.” There were, though, a number of positives gained from her few years slogging it on the East Coast. There’s nowhere in the world backstage.com 15 04.02.20 BACKSTAGE With Yvonne Orji on “Insecure”
which she said in a 2018 statement will continue “creating access for underrep- resented writers.” Reflecting on what she looks for in collaborators, and specifically the kinds of voices she wants to get behind with ColorCreative and her new record label Raedio, Rae says she wants to see “hunger, passion, [and] a fresh voice—someone with a point of view that I don’t necessarily share.” “You know, when you create something, like with ‘Insecure,’ people sent more ‘Insecures’ my way, and I was like, ‘I already do this, why would I want to keep producing shit that I already have a point of view on?’ I’ve done that, so now I want to do more. What excites me are people’s own perspec- tives that either clash with mine or make me think about things in a way that I’ve never thought about them before. I feel like we’re just scratching the surface of so many stories that we haven’t heard.” She cites the “Parasite” sweep at this year’s Academy Awards as indication that there’s a hunger for different perspectives in the mainstream. “Especially as the world gets flatter and we have access to different parts [of it], you want to know more about these different seg- ments that we don’t fully know about. That’s what excites me: being able to give people the platform and getting out the way.” Asked how upstart creatives can best find and strengthen their voice, Rae culls from her own experience to offer some advice: “I be critiques about physical production like a contemporary black 20-something in L.A. had a realization driving one day where I was lighting and sound and things like that. In “This character, I say, is five years removed like, ‘Oh, shit, I’m me. And there’s nobody else that way, I was able to use that as feedback from me, and that gap widens and widens like me.’ Yes, we have things in common, but to incorporate into the next episode. You’re the more we do it and the more time passes,” no one thinks or has the same experiences getting a sense of what your audience Rae says of Issa, a role that’s earned her two or has been through what I’ve been through, responds to and not necessarily tailoring Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy nod and that’s what I need to mine, that’s my cur- it but keeping that in mind, which I found since her series’ 2016 premiere. rency at the end of the day.” valuable at the time.” She’s used that platform and acclaim to The one tool that Rae can’t live without She is quick to clarify, however, that her launch into film work, in the last two years while building that currency to its full worth impulse is to do the exact opposite today: “It’s starring in studio features “The Hate U is time alone with her journal. Others should so funny, because now I would never do that. Give” and “Little,” and this year headlining literally take note. I hate audience story feedback when it comes Stella Meghie’s Valentine’s Day release “The “That has been crucial to being in touch to ‘Insecure.’ ” Photograph” with Lakeith Stanfield, as well with my feelings,” she says. “It’s also where I Which brings us back to Rae’s beloved as Michael Showalter’s upcoming crime put a lot of my ideas, where I test things that HBO dramedy, now premiering its fourth thriller rom-com “The Lovebirds,” on which I’m uncomfortable saying out loud. Through MERIE W. WALLACE/HBO season April 12. Inspired by “Awkward she’s also executive producer with co-star that process over the years, I think just Black Girl” and reworked for cable with Kumail Nanjiani. writing it down has made me more comfort- co-creator Larry Wilmore and showrunner Outside of “The Lovebirds” and “Insecure,” able with saying it, with knowing it. It’s my Prentice Penny, “Insecure” stars Rae as she’s currently producing through a mul- constant truth on a page, and the more com- Issa, a floundering but well-intentioned tipicture deal between Columbia Pictures fortable you are with your truth, the more creative grappling with real-world issues as and her ColorCreative production company, comfortable you will be with your voice.”
BACKSTAGE 04.02.20 16 backstage.com “My experience with TikTok is that it truly is a platform for growth,” Tangorra tells Backstage. TikTok Titans “You could have just downloaded it, have zero followers, and go viral How future (and current) influencers can put the behemoth on your first post.” social media platform to work for them Going viral will always rely somewhat on luck. But By Tyler O’Neill Tangorra found that his creative partnership with TikTok and Creator Partner Manager Jeff NOW, MORE THAN EVER, YOUR Peters amplified his efforts. One big break might just be resting in such example was a challenge the palm of your hand. The social pegged to his original single, media revolution has created “Break Your Phone.” Marked numerous new entry points into with the hashtag #WillItBreak, the Hollywood talent pipeline. the simple challenge involves One-time YouTube performers attempting to break an object to like Troye Sivan, Bo Burnham, and the tune of the single. To date, Florence Pugh charted a path the hashtag has clocked more from their laptops to red carpets. than half a billion views. TikTok, with its manic energy and So how can a creator starting global ubiquity, has become a for- from scratch hope to hitch a ride midable starmaker. on the algorithmic rocket ship? Built upon elements of earlier Tangorra recommends videos in social networks and short-form the 11–15 second range—watch video apps, the addictive silliness time is important to landing in of TikTok’s lip-sync karaoke is the “For You” tab—that are true arguably the key to its virality. Yet, to your personality. If you’re what began as a hybridized curio trying to popularize an original favored by teenagers and cringe- challenge using your own music, posting adults evolved into a he says, set the barrier for cultural behemoth. As the most engagement low by making the downloaded nongaming app action memorable, fun, and easily worldwide in 2019, TikTok is now replicable. Singer Cameron J. a powerful platform for aspiring Henderson (@TheKingOfWeird), artists and influencers. Backstage a popular YouTube performer spoke with TikTok artists to learn and sketch artist who has nearly how the app has presented 800,000 TikTok followers, them with new audiences and emphasizes discipline and opportunities, and to collect their strategy in planning content. best advice on how to make the “A rookie mistake is not same happen for you. called the Creator Program), egalitarian, bottom-up approach planning and micromanaging No better proof exists of which links promising TikTok means even new and low- your to-do lists,” says Henderson, TikTok’s ability to launch a song users with a coach or “creator follower accounts can get a spin whose videos often involve a to worldwide fame than Lil partner manager” tasked with on the viral roulette wheel. green screen and additional Nas X’s “Old Town Road.” The helping them hone their craft and Nick Tangorra (@NickTangorra) performers. “Spend just as much country-rap smash went from maximize their reach. Pelchat saw this effect firsthand. The time planning and revising your SoundCloud meme track to now makes money from brand New York–based singer and stage ideas as you do working. Working the longest-running No. 1 hit in partnership deals and promoting performer had used Twitter, nonstop doesn’t always mean history. Credited with discovering musicians’ work to his 1.7 million Instagram, and YouTube to share you’re being productive.” the future earworm was then- followers. Reaching that point covers and original music, but Peters credits TikTok as an 21-year-old Michael Pelchat. was due, in part, to the way TikTok had not reached the level of “amazing promotional tool” for After coming across the song on pushes content. success he sought. During his his influencer clients. If Tangorra Twitter, Pelchat reached out to “You don’t need followers to first week on TikTok in February is a test case, the evidence Lil Nas X for permission to rip it get likes, and that’s amazing,” 2018, Tangorra posted a cover is hard to argue with. In the from SoundCloud and add it to Pelchat tells Backstage. The of Camila Cabello’s “Havana.” last year, he has hosted the the TikTok audio library. Under his TikTok algorithm doesn’t simply The next morning, he woke iHeartRadio Music Awards red handle @NiceMichael, he used feed users content from popular up to nearly a million views; by carpet, announced nominees in-app editing tools to sync the accounts. Instead, it searches Valentine’s Day, another of his for the American Music Awards, track to the rhythms of a goofy for new posts from all levels videos topped 1 million likes. and done promotional work with cowboy-quick-change vid that of users. If a post starts to get Months later, TikTok contacted Warner Bros. for its upcoming “In spawned millions of imitators. a high ratio of engagement Tangorra to help create the Heights” film adaptation. Soon thereafter, TikTok reached (shares, likes, downloads) relative behind-the-scenes content for Follow the lead of these savvy out to Pelchat to become part to views, it will be shown to Beautycon NYC 2018, and a close TikTokers, and you could be in for of its Next Level Program (then more and more accounts. This partnership followed. a huge career boost. XANDERST/LSHUTTERSTOCK.COM
backstage.com 17 04.02.20 BACKSTAGE Another of Singh’s videos, “Types of Commercials,” offers GETTING another teachable (and crucial) CAST lesson: being “in” on it. The OFF OF bit, from May 2016, is a nine- SOCIAL minute takedown of all the MEDIA different commercial tropes: By Casey Mink medical commercial, perfume commercial, infomercial, and so on. It’s racked up over 19 From Broadway to “Saturday Night Live” million views. What’s most to an Oscar-nominated notable is the way Singh kicks feature, these actors it off. “These days, ads are skipped the audition everywhere. There’s probably room and were cast straight from one right there; there’s social media. probably one right there,” the personality says with her trademarked effervescence as she points to different corners of the frame. “You probably watched one before this video started to play, and you didn’t click ‘skip’ because you want BRIA VINAITE: “Where Lilly to have nice things.” did she come from?” One of the reasons YouTube was the question on is such a great place for everybody’s lips when YouTube- Sean Baker’s indie “The up-and-coming content Florida Project” debuted creators is that by its very in 2017. The answer, nature, it removes the fourth about its tattoo-laden Turned- wall; you can upload your art star: Instagram! without asking permission, and without having to be anything other than who you are (or, more accurately, who Empire you want to be seen as). You How influencer Lilly Singh transformed can take part in the game— acknowledging that you
15 million followers into a book deal, a make money from ad sales, CAMERON DALLAS: SINGH: SCOTT ANGELHEART/NBC; VINAITE: KATHY HUTCHINS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; DALLAS: DFREE /SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; “Fetch” took on a whole documentary, and an NBC talk show as Singh does here—while new meaning when this showing more, not less of your social media savant was By Casey Mink authentic self. cast as Aaron Samuels in Finally, let’s break down Broadway’s “Mean Girls.” one more video that, unlike IT’S A 21ST-CENTURY Not too bad! But how did the others, finds its success “Cinderella” story—only instead she actually do it? Or, more in acute specificity that ends of landing a handsome prince, it’s importantly, what can you learn up registering as universal. It’s a talk show; and instead of a glass from how she did it? For answers called “How to Stop Parents slipper, it’s YouTube. to both, let’s take a look at a From Comparing Kids,” Lilly Singh began making few of Singh’s most successful and is all about the age-old BOWEN YANG: Now a
content for the video platform online contributions to parse her experience of having your DFREE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM BALLINGER: O’CONNOR/NBC; YANG: ROSALIND highlight of “Saturday in 2010, back when the social precise appeal. parents compare you to other Night Live,” Yang has site was by no means fledgling, A great place to start is with kids (read: better kids). Here, been going viral on Twit- but certainly before it was the Singh’s “How Girls Get Ready...,” Singh plays herself as well as ter with his spoken-word legitimate creative platform it is a video that is seven years old, a version of her own parents, lip syncs for years. today. Fast-forward a decade, but with 30 million views and who are Indian immigrants. and Singh has turned her pastime counting, clearly continues to The takeaway is, well, kinda into an empire. More specifically, resonate. The three-and-a- beautiful: No matter the she’s turned it into “A Little Late half-minute clip is exactly what background, parents will With Lilly Singh,” the talk show it sounds like: a step-by-step always be disappointed by she hosts on NBC, a book deal breakdown of what it typically their children, and children (“How to Be a Bawse: A Guide to means for a girl to get ready. will always be annoyed by Conquering Life,” which reached From hating everything in your their parents. COLLEEN BALLINGER (aka No. 1 on the New York Times closet to knowing for sure you’re Obviously, there is no one Miranda Sings): Sugar, best-seller list), a world tour Whitney Houston while singing in way to find YouTube success— butter, YouTube was the and subsequent documentary the shower, the clip hits just right but 15 million subscribers later, it recipe for success for following that tour, and an because it’s universal, it’s truthful, is safe to say Singh’s way is one this web video star to get cast in Broadway’s estimated net worth of $16 million. and it doesn’t try to do too much. of them. “Waitress.”
JACOB LUND/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM;JACOB CAMERA: COURTESY CANON; TRIPOD: COURTESY MANFROTTO;MICROPHONE: COURTESY RODE; LIGHTS: COURTESY SAMTIAN
BACKSTAGE 04.02.20 18 backstage.com Getting Paid to Post Nearly one-third of U.S. kids and teens want to become an influencer—here’s what to know
By Benjamin Lindsay
THE FIRST THING TO KNOW what you’re posting, and just be about making money on social confident about it.” media as an influencer is that while many make the lifestyle look It’s only after taking these steps, glamorous and carefree, getting building a foundation for your there requires hundreds of hours voice and content and finding of hustle. Your grid, your timeline, a dedicated audience, that your feed—they all need to be money can be made. Brands will treated like a full-time job. back what you’re doing through “If you’re saying you want to initiatives like brand ambassador make it your career, you have to deals, ads bought within YouTube really go into it with your eyes channels, invitations to participate open and know that it takes a in affiliate marketing campaigns, lot of time, a lot of persistence, and more. When those factors and a lot of patience,” Money are all lined up, you’re ready to do Crashers consumer expert and some outreach and ride the wave. head of marketing Carly Fauth “Once you start to gain a bunch tells Backstage. “In order for it to of followers and you start to gain become your career, you need to some traction, reach out to some be putting so much time into it brands with ideas of how you can that you almost don’t have time dedicated niche content, not building an audience interested in be a brand ambassador—and for anything else.” your family and pet photos. Fauth what you have to say. “You need don’t be afraid of rejection. Don’t That’s not just about hours in advises aspiring influencers to to find something that you’re be afraid of putting yourself the day; wannabe influencers make two profiles: one for pro- passionate about. When you’re out there,” Fauth says. Much as should settle in for the long haul. fessional content, the other for passionate about something, you would write a cover letter “In order to reach the point where private friends and family. “Don’t you’re more creative with it.” when applying for a job, create a you have brands coming after be posting a bunch of different LASTLY, FOR CREATIVES template to send out to those you SINGH: SCOTT ANGELHEART/NBC; VINAITE: KATHY HUTCHINS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; DALLAS: DFREE /SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; you and to make it something things. Try to keep it in your niche.” 4 LOOKING TO VLOG OR want to work with, personalize it like a career, you have to realize SPEAKING OF NICHE, NAIL CREATE A WEB SERIES, DON’T to the brand you’re pitching, and that there’s a lot of trial and error 3 YOURS DOWN TO STAND BE AFRAID TO TAKE RISKS. wait for a response from your involved. It doesn’t just happen OUT FROM THE CROWD. Fauth “You’re putting yourself out there future collaborators. “It takes overnight,” adds Fauth. admits that it’s not always easy a little bit in the creative realm— hustle a lot of the time, especially Now that your expectations to find something to do on social you can’t be afraid of what people when you’re starting out, before are tempered from immediate media that no one else is doing, are going to think,” Fauth says. you’ve made a name for yourself.” Kim Kardashian–level success, but squaring off a singular take “You have to kind of go into it But in the end, the hustle is consider these four tips as you on something universal is key to believing in yourself, believing worth it. get started:
ONLY TAKE ON WHAT
YANG: ROSALIND O’CONNOR/NBC; BALLINGER: DFREE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM BALLINGER: O’CONNOR/NBC; YANG: ROSALIND 1 YOU CAN CARRY. When it THE EQUIPMENT YOU NEED TO START A YOUTUBE CHANNEL comes to building your online By Jenn Shadd brand, more is not always more. Dedicating yourself to regular, A great YouTube channel can capture the attention of agents and connect you with other creatives. high-quality output on one or two Before you get started, here is the basic equipment you’ll need: platforms instead of five will be to your benefit. “If you’re not going to take the time to be consistent and post on them, it almost doesn’t even make sense to have them. Why have them if you’re not going to keep up with them?” Fauth says. CAMERA: Consider TRIPOD/GIMBAL: MICROPHONE: LIGHTS: Softboxes SOFTWARE: Adobe “Pick the platforms that you feel reliable, auto-focus The Manfrotto Com- For dialogue, go are simple and Premiere Pro is an DSLRs, like the Canon pact Action Smart with a lavalier like effective for creating editor’s dream. And most comfortable with and be EOS 70D or Nikon 61” Tripod is great for the Rode smartLav+ a well-produced look. don’t forget to invest consistent with your posting.” D5600. stationary recording; Omnidirectional. For more options, in an external drive DIVIDE THE PERSONAL the FeiyuTech G6max For handheld SAMTIAN’s LED Video like the G-Technology FROM THE PROFESSIONAL. Camera Gimbal is best camerawork, a Light Kit is ideal. 1TB G-Drive to store 2 for video on the move. shotgun mic like your footage. People are following you for your the Rode Compact On-Camera Micro- phone is the move.
JACOB LUND/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM;JACOB CAMERA: COURTESY CANON; TRIPOD: COURTESY MANFROTTO;MICROPHONE: COURTESY RODE; LIGHTS: COURTESY SAMTIAN
backstage.com 19 04.02.20 BACKSTAGE Plays Musicals Film TV & Video Commercial Modeling Variety Voiceover Gigs Events
SUBMIT YOUR CALLS FOR CAST AND CREW: Visit backstage.com/findtalent and click on “Post a Notice.” Submit a Notice | Include all relevant project requirements, including any pay, fees, dues, costs, required ticket sales or nudity.
• Rehearses and shoots May-June in NYC. Potomac Theatre Project • Seeking—Ah Long: male, 17-20. Ming New York • Seeking video submissions from Equity Lin: male, 16-20. actors for a few available roles in the Casting picks • Seeking submissions from NY. Tristate Potomac Theatre Project 2020. • Send submissions to achan4811@bths. • Company: Potomac Theatre Project. of the week edu. Staff: Cheryl Faraone, Richard BY LISA HAMIL • Actors will be compensated for travel Romagnoli, and Jim Petosa, co-artistic and meals. Actors will receive a copy of dirs. the final film. • Rehearses June-8-28 in Middlebury, VT multimedia Plays and June 30-July 5 in NYC; runs in reper- ‘Working Through The COVID- tory July 7-Aug. 2 at Atlantic Stage 2, ‘A Strange Loop’ NYC. 19 Pandemic’ Southern • Seeking video submissions from Equity • Seeking—Actors: 18+. Medical professionals/first actors for “A Strange Loop,” a • Seeking submissions from NY. responders needed for Conde California Developmental Agreement production. • For consideration, submit a video audi- Nast & WIRED’s weekly online • Staff: Barbara Whitman Productions, tion of a one-minute monologue from a prod.; Michael R. Jackson, book, music, contemporary play (begin by introduc- interview series lyrics; Stephen Brackett, dir.; Rona ing self and piece) to faraone@middle- Siddiqui, music dir.; Raja Feather Kelly, bury.edu to keep it private. film choreo.; 321 Theatrical Management, • Pays $345/wk. Equity LOA Contract. Musicals general mgr.; Rebecca Scholl, CSA ‘The Man From Toronto’ (Telsey + Company), casting dir. ‘Shear Madness’ Business types needed for Sony ‘Billy Elliot,’ The Musical • Work Session May 26-June 12 in NYC. • Seeking video submissions for various Picture’s feature with Kevin Hart • Casting “Billy Elliot,” a musical. • Seeking—Various Roles: all genders, roles in “Shear Madness.” • Company: The Chance Theater. Staff: and Woody Harrelson 18+. • Company: Lake Theatre. Staff: Jarel Kari Hayter, dir.; Christopher M. • Seeking submissions from NY. Davidow, artistic dir.; Bruce Jordan, dir.; Albrecht, chor.; Robyn Manion, music • For consideration, submit a photo/ Paul Portner, playwright; Marcie multimedia dir. resume to AStrangeLoopCasting@ Friedman, stage mgr. • Rehearsals begin May 2; runs Jun. ‘Glamour Magazine’s ‘5-75: gmail.com. Tape a brief song in the rock • Rehearsals begin June 18; runs July 19-Jul. 19, 2019 at Chance Theater in or soul style and submit via Vimeo in a 9-Oct. 17 in Lake George, NY. Social Distancing’ Anaheim, CA. downloadable format. Slate your name, • Seeking—Actors: 18+. Seeking females to share how • Seeking—Billy Elliot: male, 10-15, all height, and current city in a full body • Seeking submissions from NY. they’re combatting cabin fever ethnicities, a boy who stumbles upon a shot. When singing, the frame should • For consideration, submit a taped audi- ballet class and develops a passion for be waist up. If you are using an iPhone, tion of a one- to two-minute comedic dance; must have extensive ballet tech- video in horizontal/landscape orienta- monologue, and give an introduction by music video nique and experience; vocal range: tion, not vertical/portrait. Make sure stating your name, which role you are ‘Tik Tok Music Video’ E3-C5, clear tone but not a boy you are in a well-lit room/space. interested in, and where the piece is soprano. Dad: male, 25-55, all ethnici- Child actors needed for a paid • Pays $1,250/wk. Equity Development from with a headshot and resume ties, a working class, narrow minded, Agreement Tier 3 Agreement. attached to jarel@lakegeorgedinner- narrative shoot from home single parent who tries to do the best theatre.org with “LGDT EPA” in the sub- for his family; although he comes Depot Theatre 2020 Season ject line. Submissions deadline is Apr. 10. commercials across with a tough exterior, under- • Casting Equity actors and actor-singers • Pays $520/wk. Equity Dinner Theatre neath is a man who has a big heart; for the Depot Theatre 2020 Season. Contract. ‘Financial Service App’ vocal range: A2-Eb4. Debbie Wilkinson: See online for season breakdown. TubeScience seeks actors for a female, 9-12, all ethnicities; must have • Company: Depot Theatre. Staff: Kenney ‘Turn of the Screw’ paid adviser app commercial ballet experience. Grandma: female, M. Green, prod. artistic dir; Kim Rielly, • Seeking video submissions for “Turn of 25-80, all ethnicities; vocal range: F#3- exec. dir. the Screw.” F#4. Michael: male, 10-15, all ethnici- • Season runs in Westport, NY. • Company: Franklin Stock Company. ties; must have tap and ballet • Seeking—Equity Actors And Actor- Staff: Henry James, playwright; Jeffrey • For more info, visit https:/franklin- experience; vocal range: A#3-B4. Mrs Singers: all genders, 18+. Hatcher, adaptation; Kirk Jackson, dir.; stagecompany.org. Wilkinson: female, 25-55, all ethnici- • Seeking submissions from NY. Leslie Noble and Patricia Buckley, prod. • Salary pending; current min: $392/wk. ties; must have dance experience, tap a • For consideration, prepare on video a artistic dirs. Equity SPT Tier 4 Agreement. plus; vocal range: Gb3-Bb5. Tony Elliot: one minute monologue and a full song • Rehearsals begin July 21; runs Aug. 7-23 male, 14-25, all ethnicities; good singing that shows acting range as well as (Thur. and Fri. at 7:30 p.m., Sat. at 3 and voice; outspoken, loud, up for a fight; vocals. If you can play any instruments, 7:30 p.m., and Sun. at 5 p.m.) in Franklin, vocal range: D3-F4. George: male, put those on tape as well. Submit NY. 35-60, all ethnicities, a friend of Billy’s uploaded videos to Kenney Green at • Seeking—Governess: female, 20-25, all Student Films dad and the town’s boxing teacher. [email protected]. ethnicities. Male Ensemble: male, 18-50, all ethnici- Submissions deadline is Apr. 6. • Seeking submissions from NY. ‘The Blood of Two Brothers’ ties, character men of all ages to play • Pays $354/wk. current min. (will be • For consideration, submit a link • Casting “The Blood of Two Brothers,” a Lesley, miners, officials, parents, revised pursuant to AEA tier salary level (YouTube of Vimeo) of your video audi- student film. friends, etc. Ballet Girls: 10-13, all eth- increases for 2020.) Equity SPT tion of a monologue to info@franklin- • Company: Reel Works Teen Filmmaking. nicities, to play ballet students; such as Agreement. stagecompany.org. Staff: Anthony Chan, coord. Tracey Atkinson, Angela Robson, Keeley
BACKSTAGE 04.02.20 20 backstage.com National/Regional casting
Gibson, and Tina Harner. Female • Company: MGX Creative. Staff: Michael Put Your Team Together,” presented by Jenkins, playwright; Joe Wilson, Jr., dir. Ensemble: female, 18-50, all ethnicities, Stanziale, coord. Daryn Simons, Second City for Kids Rehearsals begin Dec. 22; runs Jan. to play various roles such as Dead Mum, • Shoots remotely at the talent’s home. Improv class, and “How to Overcome 21-Feb. 14, 2021), “Richard II” (William and employees at the ballet school. No need to travel to set or leave the Mental Health Challenges,” presented Shakespeare, playwright. Rehearsals • Seeking submissions from CA. house. by Chris Smith of Looking Ahead. begin Feb. 4, 2021; runs Mar. 11- Apr. 4, • Send submissions to casting@chance- • Seeking—Bea: female, 8-15, all ethnici- • Company: Brighton Hall School. Staff: 2021), “Ironbound” (Maryna Majok, play- theater.com. ties, a young, sensitive girl with a knack J. Shine, coord. wright. Rehearsals begin Apr. 4, 2021; • For consideration, visit www.chance- for social media, apps, etc. • Expo runs May 2 (1-4 p.m.) at Brighton runs Apr. 27-May 16, 2021), and “It’s A theater/com/audition for instructions • Seeking submissions from CA. Hall School, 755 N Whitnall Hwy, Wonderful Life, A Radio Play” (Joe on video submissions. Prepare 16-32 • Send submissions to mstanziale@mgx- Burbank, CA. Landry, playwright. Rehearsals begin bars of a contemporary musical theatre creative.com. • Seeking—Expo Attendee: 8-18. Nov. 17; runs Dec. 3-27.). piece. • All self-tapes must be shot on a web- • Seeking submissions from CA. • Company: Sandra Feinstein-Gamm • Pays: Union: AEA Special Appearance cam. Self-tapes should include an • To register visit www. Theatre. Staff: Tony Estrella, artistic dir.; SUBMIT YOUR CALLS FOR CAST AND CREW: Visit backstage.com/findtalent and click on “Post a Notice.” Agreement Level 1. Nonunion: Some improvised “vlog” message that tells the YoungPerformerExpo.com. Jessica Hill, prod. mgr. Include all relevant project requirements, including any pay, fees, dues, costs, required ticket sales or nudity. pay. viewer why your mom is your hero. • All activities and seminars are free and • Season runs in Warwick, RI. These can be direct to camera. Submit open to the public. • Seeking—Equity Actors: 18+. a reel of yourself looking through and • Seeking submissions from RI. reacting to old photos between you and • For consideration, Equity members sub- your mom. This should be shot on web- mit taped audition pieces along with a Short Films cam and does not need to capture any National/ headshot/resume to auditions@gam- dialogue. Note: Mostly looking for facial mtheatre.org. Submissions deadline is ‘Dust’ (Working Title) expressions and pure emotion. If possi- Regional Apr. 13. EMC and Non-Equity performers • Casting “Dust.” ble, submit scans/files of these photos are encouraged to send headshots and • Company: Da Entertainment. Staff: as well for reference. resumes only. Video Audition Augustus Britton & Ying Yan, writers; • Pays $150/day. Preparation Instructions: Each performer Ying Yan, dir.; Betty Hu, prod.; Da will be allotted a minimum of three min- Entertainment, production company. utes and a maximum of five minutes. All • Rehearses June in Los Angeles, CA; Plays performers prepare a one-two minute shoots July in Los Angeles, CA. monologue of their choice. If you want to • Seeking—Ken: male, 18-35, Asian, Online Gamm Theatre Season be considered for “Richard II,” prepare a South Asian / Indian, Southeast Asian / • Seeking video submissions from Equity monologue from Shakespeare, prefera- Pacific Islander, age 26; strong-built Commercials & performers The Gamm theatre’s 36th bly in blank verse. No phone calls. and with a rustic macho. season. Season includes “Bad Jews” • Pays $583/wk. Equity NEAT Agreement. • Seeking submissions from CA. Promos (Joshua Harmon, playwright. Rehearsals • For consideration, submit headshot and begin Aug. 25; runs Sept. 10-Oct. 4), People’s Light Season resume. Selected actors will be invited ‘Solitaire Cube Vacation at “Travesties” (Tom Stoppard, playwright; • Seeking video submissions from actors for a video audition. Home’ Fred Sullivan, Jr., dir. Rehearsals begin (Equity and non-Equity) for the upcom- • Pays $125/day plus credit. • Casting “Solitaire Cube Vacation at Sept. 22; runs Oct. 22-Nov. 15, 2020), ing People’s Light season. See online Home.” Company states: “Premise: Your “An Octoroon” (Branden Jacobs- for season breakdown. vacation gets canceled but you already took the time off. So you decide to rec- reate a vacation time at home. What Student Films does that look like for you? In which- ever scenario you choose you’ll also pull ‘Abroad’ out your phone while you’re relaxing to • Casting “Abroad,” a story about a well- play some Solitaire Cube.” natured but shallow father traveling to • Staff: Katherine L., creative marketing America to reconnect with his hard- coord. working yet recently laid-off son. • Works online. • Company: Art Center College of • Seeking—Female Actress: female, Design. Staff: Minggu Yin, grad. student 26-40, all ethnicities. dir.; Matthew Colston, grad. student • Seeking submissions from CA. co-prod. • Send submissions to [email protected]. • Rehearses and shoots in early June • Pays $200. (specific dates TBD). • Seeking—Li: male, 47-60, Asian, COmedy Chinese. George: male, 25-40, Asian, Chinese, average height, medium build. Mrs. Wang: 40-55, Asian, Chinese, Festivals & seductive, fun, and smart. Zhao: male, from Your 25-40, Asian, Chinese. Events • Seeking submissions from CA. • Send submissions to mcolston@inside. Young Performer Expo artcenter.edu. • Seeking young performers to partici- • Pays $40/day (leads); $25/day (support- pate in Young Performer Expo. ing) and copy provide one month after Organizer states: “Young Performers cOUCh shooting. Expo helps children with talent in art and entertainment find resources that will guide them towards success. You will be connected with industry profes- sionals and discover new learning Music Videos opportunities that focus on career advancement and artistic development. Tik Tok Music Video Find acting studios, dance classes, • Casting a narrative music video will tell music programs, modeling agencies, the intimate story of a young daughter art schools, headshot services, social who’s been separated from her mother, media consultation, education solu- a nurse. Note: To add a modern and tions, managers, agents, and more.” unique effect, the entire narrative • Seminars include: “Brighton Talks: would be told through visual storytell- Seminars for Young Performers,” IMPROV • WRITING • STAND-UP • CAMPS ing via desktop screen-capture. hosted by Dianna De La Garza, “How to 800.896.8120 • SECONDCITYONLINE.COM backstage.com 21 04.02.20 BACKSTAGE casting National/Regional
• Company: People’s Light. Staff: • For consideration, submit a link to an 113. Sides provided when audition • Company: Columbia College Abigail Adams, exec. artistic dir.; Zak unlisted YouTube video of your pre- request is received. If you have not Hollywood. Berkman, prod. artistic admin.; Erin pared monologues and song along been seen at Horizon before, also • Records June 2020-July 2020. Sheffield, general mgr.; Molly Jo with electronic copies of your head- submit two contrasting contemporary • Seeking—Female Lead: female, 18-32, Gifford, company mgr. shot and resume to Brian Pope at monologues (one comic and one dra- fierce, charming and of high nobility; • Season rehearses and performs in [email protected] by Apr. 6 at 5 p.m. matic). Attach your resume in a Word must be able to sing. Male Lead: male, Malvern, PA. EST. Slate yourself with your full name or PDF document. Attach your head- 18-32, a comedic, cowardly bookworm • Seeking—Actors (Equity and non- and the play/song titles of the pieces shot as a .jpg. and love interest; must be able to Equity): 18+, all ethnicities. you’re presenting. Note: Once you’ve • Pays $493/wk. SPT Agreement. sing. Supporting Male Villain: male, • Seeking submissions from PA. submitted your video audition, you 22-48, a masculine, snake like con- • For consideration, submit a video to will receive an electronic copy of an White Heron Theatre quistador with an insatiable thirst for [email protected] with “Equity audition info sheet to complete and • Seeking video submissions from power; character actor. Female Video Submission 2020” or “Non- return. Equity actors for the White Heron Sidekick: 26-48, a hilarious, boister- Equity Video Submission 2020” in the • Pays $899/wk. Equity Non-Rep LORT Theatre 2020 Season. See season ous, protective mother type of figure; subject line. Slate your name, union C Agreement. shows online. Jewish; must be able to sing. affiliation, prepare a brief contempo- • Company: White Heron Theatre. Staff: • Seeking submissions from CA and NY. rary monologue from a play (no TV/ ‘Support Group For Men’ Lynne Bolton, president-artistic dir.; • Send submissions to tdimassimo@ movie/self-written monologues), and/ • Seeking video submissions from Michael Kopko, prod. dir. and co-artis- columbiacollege.edu. or 16 bars of an uptempo song (if only Equity actors for “Support Group For tic dir. • Submit resume, headshot and voice singing prepare a brief song). If inter- Men.” • Season runs in Nantucket, MA. over reel or samples. Note: Due to ested in “Mushroom,” share you • Company: Horizon Theatre Company. • Seeking—Equity Actors: 18+, all Coronavirus this will most likely monologue in Spanish as well. Attach Staff: Ellen Fairey, playwright; Jeff ethnicities. remain a work from home a picture and resume as well. Adler, dir.; Lisa Adler, co-artistic/prod. • Seeking submissions from MA. opportunity. Submissions deadline is Apr. 13. dir. • For consideration, submit your name, • Pay provided. • Pays $717/wk. Equity Non-Rep LORT D • Rehearsals begin June 8, 2020; runs part you are reading, a link to your Contract. July 10-Aug. 23 (Wed, Thur. and Fri. at video, headshot, and résumé (include 8 p.m., Sat. at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and links only wherever possible) to audi- Pittsburgh Public Theater Sun. at 5 p.m.) in Atlanta, GA. Dates [email protected] with the • Seeking video submissions from are subject to change. Revised dates subject line “2020 Season Submission Student Films Equity actors for the Pittsburgh Public due to COVID-19. (Your Name).” For video audition sides, Theater 2020-2021 Season. See • Seeking—Equity Actors: 18+. visit www.whiteheronauditions.org. ‘Self-isolated Couples,’ Season breakdown online. • Seeking submissions from GA. Follow instructions carefully. Note: Short Documentary • Company: Pittsburgh Public Theater • For consideration, complete a self- Equity members only. Submissions • Casting real couples for a student- Corporation. Staff: Marya Sea tape and send it to us via an unlisted deadline is Apr. 6 at 5:30 p.m. made mini-documentary that explores Kaminski, artistic dir.; Louis Castelli, YouTube, Vimeo, or Google Drive link • Pays $500/wk. Equity SPT Contract. the topic of “what happens when cou- managing dir.; Brian Pope, exec. asst. to [email protected]. ples suddenly find themselves spend- • Season runs in Pittsburgh, PA. Atlanta-based actors strongly encour- ing most of their time together due to • Seeking—Equity Actors: 18+. aged to submit an audition video. If no the COVID-19 pandemic”. • Seeking submissions from PA. email access, call (404) 523-1477 ext. • Company: Long Beach City College. Feature Films Staff: Starla Rajavuori, student. • Couples will film themselves respond- ‘The Man From Toronto’ ing to questions in their own home. • Casting the Sony Pictures feature film • Seeking—Real Couples Who Live “The Man From Toronto,” starring Together, Self-isolating Due To Kevin Hart & Woody Harrelson. COVID-19: 18+, all ethnicities, real • Company: Sony Pictures. Staff: couples who live together, self-isolat- Income Tax Service Patrick Hughes, dir.; Jason ing due to COVID-19. Blumenthal, prod.; Rose Locke, cast- • Seeking submissions nationwide. ing dir. • For consideration, submit a cover let- • Shooting dates TBD in Atlanta, GA. ter with a short introduction of your- for Performers • Seeking—Business Types: all genders, self and your partner, and your 18+, all ethnicities, looking sharp, D.C. current situation to isolatedcou- types, have hair and makeup to [email protected]. match. If men have a beard it should • No pay, but credit (names or pseud- Over 30 years of experience be well groomed beard. Buckhead onym if you prefer) and link to final Betty/Bob: all genders, 18+, casual video provided. upscale, yuppy types, you’re going to preparing income tax returns the country club, so I want your most upscale look but they isn’t like you’re specifically for performers going to a ball, have hair and makeup to match. Ball Background: all gen- Reality TV & ders, 18+, in your best suit/tux or gown look; if you have multiple Documentary Get every deduction allowable by law dresses/suits then show them off, have hair/makeup and jewelry to Military Relationship Professional expertise at reasonable rates match. Tourist: all genders, 18+, show Docuseries your best tourist look, as if you were • Casting a Lifetime Television docuse- Juilliard graduate; former Local 802 member going to visit Puerto Rico. Homeless: ries on long distance relationships. all genders, 18+, hair & makeup to • Company: Lifetime Television. Staff: match. Jennifer Sullivan Long, casting dir. • Seeking submissions from GA. • Shooting date TBA in Memphis, TN. • Send submissions to extras@ • Seeking—Long Distance Military RoseLockeCasting.com. Relationships: 18+, all ethnicities, mili- Don Aibel, • Include three pictures (include a tary couples who have never met and recent dated selfie), age, height, are ready to take the next step and weight, and all contact information. meet in person. Tax Attorney • Pays $80/8hrs. • Seeking submissions from TN. • To apply, submit at jscasting.com/ 145 West 57th St., 10th Floor, NY, NY 10019 Untitled Animated Musical military-dating-docuseries/. (212) 765-7532 Fax: (201) 767-5583 • Casting a voice over for an animated • Some pay. [email protected] musical feature.
BACKSTAGE 04.02.20 BACKSTAGE 04.02.20 22 backstage.com National/Regional casting
Submissions without this will not be • Pays $150/day. Non-union, all media • Company: Driver Studios. Staff: Eric De Demo & considered. Viable candidates will buy-out. Cordova, creative prod. receive further instructions on how to • Talent must be able to record good- Instructional submit a video. Online Product Videos quality audio from home with their own • Unpaid. • Casting online product videos. equipment. Videos Project description: “Influencer-style • Seeking—Preschool Vocalist: 18+, videos from home for various prod- males and females to sing for ongoing Industrial Video, Self Tape ucts from men’s and women’s skin- YouTube preschool web series. Must be • Casting an untitled industrial video. care, to makeup, to lingerie and able to sing nursery rhymes in a variety • Company: Knight Sky Casting. Staff: Local workout gear.” of styles. Should be comfortable sing- Molly Jane Knight, CDC & Carly • Company: TubeScience. Staff: Sarah ing in either dance/pop, island, hip-hop, Granovsky, CDC, casting dirs. Commercials Furlong, casting dir. or pop rock style. Versatility is major • Shoot dates TBD in Philadelphia, PA. • Ongoing remote work. plus. Note: Potential long-term ongoing Production will commence once social Tobacco Free Florida • Seeking—Influencer: all genders, gig. Passion for children’s entertain- distancing is lifted. Commercial 18-45, ability and some experience ment a big major plus. • Seeking—Female Role: female, 4-40, • Casting a commercial for Tobacco Free shooting influencer-style commercials • Seeking submissions worldwide. White / European Descent, warm, con- Florida. from home, have a good home set up • Send submissions to edecordova@ fident, and can express a friendly con- • Company: Mark Mullen and Associates (good lighting and a decent back- gmail.com. cern about caring for the viewer’s new Casting, Inc. ground), bonus points if you are already • Pays $150/song. vehicle, must be able to speak French • Shooting this May or June in Orlando, dabbling as an influencer. with a Québécois accent and be com- FL. • Seeking submissions from IL. fortable reading a teleprompter. • Seeking—Current or Former Vape • Send submissions to sarah.furlong@ • Seeking submissions from PA. Users: all genders, 13-24, all ethnicities, tubescience.com. • Send submissions to info@knightsky- teens and young adults who vape or • Pays $150/video. Stage Staff & casting.com. have vaped and are willing to share • Submit self-tape, headshot, CV, and their nicotine addiction story and the Tech contact information. effects it has had on their lives. • Pays $1,000/day. • Seeking submissions from FL. Gamm Theatre Season • To apply, submit at tobaccofreeflorida. Animation & • Seeking an Equity stage manager for castingcrane.com. the Gamm Theatre Season. • Some pay. Videogame • Company: Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre. Staff: Tony Estrella, artistic dir.; Multimedia Voiceover Jessica Hill, prod. mgr. • Season runs in Warwick, RI. ‘A Look At Medical Preschool Animated Music • Seeking—Stage Manager: 18+. Professionals Working Online Video Web Series, Vocalists • Seeking submissions from RI. Through The COVID-19 • Seeking creative male and female • For consideration, submit a resume to Pandemic Week By Week’ Commercials & vocalists for ongoing work for a new [email protected]. No phone calls. • Casting medical professionals, first preschool YouTube series. • Pays $699/wk. Equity NEAT Agreement. responders, and those on the frontlines Promos battling the COVID-19 pandemic around the world for Conde Nast Entertainment Commercial, Voice Over and WIRED’s “A Look At Medical • Casting a V.O. artist for a commercial. Professionals Working Through The • Company: Gareth Volevo. Staff: Gareth COVID-19 Pandemic Week By Week.” Volevo, casting dir. • Company: Conde Nast. Staff: Nicole • Ongoing projects recording remotely in Ford, casting prod. 2020. • Remote position. • Seeking—Voiceover Artist: all genders, • Seeking—Doctors, Nurses, Emergency 18+, with prior experience who can pro- Personnel, Respiratory Therapists, duce a bold and confident tone to nar- Hospital Janitors And Personnel, rate, ideal candidates must be calm Pharmacists, EMTs, And Various with a quiet work-at-home environment Medical Professionals: 18+. and must have outstanding verbal and • Seeking submissions worldwide. written communication skills, one • Send submissions to giglio.t@gmail. should be able to collaborate with pro- com. ducers on long term projects as well, • For consideration, visit https://bit.ly/ while maintaining confidentiality. Wired_Medical_Casting. This video will • Seeking submissions from IL. be published on WIRED’s platforms. • Send submissions to garethvolevo001@ • No pay. gmail.com. • Pays $1,150 per spot. Glamour Magazine’s ‘5-75: Social Distancing’ Financial Service App, Work • Casting females ages 5-75 to share how From Home Shoot they’re spending their time and com- • Casting people 18-45 for a testimonial- bating cabin fever for Glamour style commercial for financial adviser Magazine’s “5-75: Social Distancing,” an app. episode about the the COVID-19 • Company: TubeScience. Staff: E. outbreak. Kennedy, supervising casting prod. • Company: Conde Nast Entertainment. • No rehearsal. Spots shoot remotely if Staff: Arielle Neblett, video assoc. prod. chosen, with the guidance of a director. • Remote filming nationwide. • Seeking—Men: male, 18-45, attractive • Seeking—Women/Girls: female, 5-75, with personality, to talk about the need all ethnicities, must be comfortable for an app to help you keep track of sharing their age on camera and speak- your money. Women: 18-45, attractive ing candidly about their experiences/ with personality, to talk about the need routines. for an app to help you keep track of • Seeking submissions nationwide. your money. • For consideration, submit a photo, cur- • Seeking submissions nationwide. rent age, location, and full contact info. • Send submissions to casting@tube- to [email protected]. science.com.
backstage.com 23 04.02.20 BACKSTAGE 04.02.20 BACKSTAGE Ask An Expert Agents Auditions Film Headshots Social Media Theater Unions Voiceover ILLUSTRATION: MARGARET RULING/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; DEAN: COURTESY HEIDI DEAN; FORCHETTI: COURTESY MELANIE FORCHETTI; SILHANOVA: COURTESY LENKA SILHANOVA
Our Expert Our Expert Our Expert Heidi Dean is Melanie Forchetti is Lenka Silhanova a social media head of casting at Mike is a social media expert and a Lemon Casting and a consultant and a Backstage Expert. Backstage Expert. Backstage Expert. Sometimes Should I focus What do casting Q: I don’t have Q: on one social Q: directors want anything going on media site or keep to see when visiting in my acting career. multiple platforms an actor’s social What do I post on active? media? What do they social media then? —Sarah H. visit first? —Adrian B. —Laura M. Actors rocking their social media create You don’t need to be active on Casting directors and our clients search a balance of posts about their career every platform, but you do need for your social media imprint when and personal life. You’ve been told to a presence. Have an account with considering you for work. Be aware that use social media for your career, so the same username on all the major they’ll weigh what you have on display you post what the #actorslife is like. social platforms, at least: Facebook, as part of your audition. Remember But not even the biggest actors work Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. when posting pictures, comments, and all the time. By only sharing your work, Be active on one or two you have videos that you should consider them you’re going to run out of things to post fun using. You’ll do a better job part of your marketing message. Keep pretty quickly. representing yourself if you don’t everything professional. Post material Your audience wants to know about spread yourself too thin and just that highlights your abilities as an your next gig, but even more, they want actively use one that you become great actor! We look at all social media sites, to know how you’re just like them! Give at. On the others, post occasionally or with an emphasis on Instagram and your followers a glimpse of who you are just have one post pinned to the top YouTube, so make sure they all support by sharing something you care about stating that you’re not active there but your work. outside your #actorslife. You’ll become can be found on other sites. Provide a more interesting, you’ll invite a deeper link to those other sites so people can *Submit questions for our Experts connection with your followers, and find you. on Backstage’s Facebook or Twitter you’ll have a whole lot more to post accounts or via our forums page at about when you’re not booking work. backstage.com/forums!
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