CONFLICTS (A Potential Nightmare In So Many Ways)

First, there are two different types of conflicts.  One is a product.  The other is a shoot/scheduling conflict.  We want you to understand what these are so you don’t accidentally talk yourself out of a potential booking! Ask yourself this - would you be willing to turn down the booking over a scheduling conflict?  If the answer is yes, then it is a conflict.  If the answer is no, then don’t bring it up.  For example, if you have to go to a wedding, but you CAN get out of it for this booking, then it is NOT a conflict.  Don’t lose a job or audition because of not understanding this… it happens all the time.

MREs and understudies…. If you have either, chances are, you don’t have a conflict.  You can always check with your agent.  If you’re up for a job shooting locally, there might not be any issue with asking for theatre releases.  Just make sure your agent is aware of your call time and where your theatre is located.  This will affect your release time from the shoot.

Just remember, we don’t get to talk to you directly, so your agent has to answer for you.  Therefore, we hold the agent responsible for knowing your life story.  You need to make them aware of all the projects you’re working on, whether it be film, theatre, travel plans, current commercials airing, etc.  They need to know what they can or can’t submit you on, based on your availability and product conflicts.  Maybe you can’t travel out of town for the next six weeks due to theatre, so your agent won’t submit you on out of town shoots.  Make sure your agent/agents know of all your current products airing or in print, so they know all your product conflicts.  This is especially important if you are multi-listed.  You need to be responsible and know that these exist and should be clearly spoken to with your agent, known to the casting people, and checked on again if you are getting booked which is just a final check.

Knowing your availability becomes much more significant if we want to put you on a first refusal.  This is where the client tells us they like you and wants to check your availability for the shoot dates so they can set up their shooting schedule.  Surprise!  You are not the only person they have to schedule for their shoot!  So when you tell your agent you are available and on a first for the shoot dates, nothing short of an emergency should come up to change that.  Later, if I tell your agent you’re booked, they should be able to confirm that booking without checking with you.  Since you’ve told them your life story, and you’ve kept them informed of any updates, the agent should have no problem confirming on your behalf.  This is common for agents to do this on your behalf. 

Hopefully this is clear.  But we will be addressing this issue in future blogs.

Peace out!  OCC