Non-Union Actors

Post something here:

Posted by Diana Maxfield on May 14, 2012 at 1:20pm

Sure!  Feel free to get a second opinion since nobody ever sat me down and talked me through what each title means, I've just kinda gleaned this from watching and working.

Lead = main character, highest paid role

Supporting = Several speaking lines, named character, usually helps advance the story somehow

Starring = varies depending on the project, often refers to the biggest name actor appearing in the film/episode, or the biggest/most important character in the project.  No solid, uniform usage that I know of though.

Background = extra bodies to fill out a scene, no names or lines.  Ex: people on a bus or subway, at a party, in a crowd, workers in an office.  Lowest paid parts, if any pay at all.  Usually not a good idea to put these roles on your resume, unless you are just getting started and need something to put on there since there isn't anything else.

Extra = same thing as background.  May sometimes be a Featured Extra, which means that while they still don't have any lines, they appear in a shot of just themselves, or with the other main characters.  Ex: main character's date or girlfriend, someone in a dr's office who gives a significant look to the main character to warn of danger, stuff like that.

Under 5 = you have under five lines.  Bigger/higher paid than background or featured, but don't really advance the story much. Ex: "here are the files you asked for."

Co-starring = more lines than Under 5, but usually only present for one scene.  Ex: first suspect interrogated on Law & Order that leads the cops to the next bad guy.

Guest star = more relevant to the story, present for a whole episode/whole episode revolves around them.  Ex: visiting cop friend of Stabler on SVU who ends up being the bad guy, but assists on the investigation.

Special guest star = guest star, but is played by a celebrity

Series regular = character appears in almost every single episode, same as lead, even if the story isn't about them.  Ex: Cal Lightman's daughter, Capt. Craigan, Lisa Cuddy.

Recurring = appears in several episodes, is part of a long story arch, but isn't a series lead.  Many of these roles transition to series regular roles though, like Andy Bernard (Ed Helm) on The Office.

Hope that helps!  And everybody else, feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken on something (nudge nudge Matt Bouldry).

Posted by Dan Greenleaf on May 14, 2012 at 11:23am

Help educate a newbie. I noticed various terms used in resumes to categorize acting roles. Can someone define or explain the differences between "Lead" & "Starring", "Background" & Extra", "Supporting", etc. Any preferred useage?

Industry Pro Posted by Shotgun Media Group on May 3, 2012 at 4:51pm

Attention Actors! We are looking for 2 individuals to be in our next project. Specs are:

Female:
Brunette
Look - Late 20's early 30's

Male:
Brunette
Look - Late 20's early 30's

Shoot dates: Week of May 14th

If interested and fit the profile please email info@shotgunmediagroup.com with head shot and information including height, weight and eye color.

Thank you

Posted by Greg Shea on May 2, 2012 at 12:38pm

I wasn't going to and I'm not going to.

Casting directors I've run it by also say "No!"

Posted by Diana Maxfield on May 2, 2012 at 12:29pm

I've wondered about that before too, and I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who feels uncomfortable about paying to participate in a project.  Sometimes I feel guilty/bad/weird about turning down a project, especially considering that the few times I've let slip to other people that I've turned projects down, they say something to the effect of, "Wow, things must be super good/busy for you if you're turning work away.  Otherwise you're just being stupid, work is work."  To me, it's more like I don't want to devote my time, money or other resources to a project that isn't going to benefit me in some way, in either $$ or great material for my reel.

Posted by Mary Tennant on May 1, 2012 at 3:03pm

Never pay for anything. You work for free for experience or you get paid. There is no way you pay them. Unless it is your own project or a project you and your friends are doing. There producers who think it is a great idea have the actors pay whatever to be a character. And in trade if the movies makes money you get a percent. To me they are asking actors to be a producer. and all lot people fall for this trap. 

Posted by Matt Rouillard on May 1, 2012 at 2:48pm

never sign anything you don't understand or don't feel comfortable with...  any reputable agency will understand if you tell them to send it to your agent or lawyer

Posted by Jack Burk Goldman on May 1, 2012 at 2:43pm

Doesn't sound Kosher to me.

Posted by Greg Shea on May 1, 2012 at 10:30am

New to me: Has anyone as a pre-condition for working a non-union acting job been asked to sign a contract to pay a third party "agent" a percentage of your paycheck? 

I found the casting call I submitted myself, I got the audition, then I get the "on this condition" bit. This thrid party is unknoen to me. Shouln't the production company or the client be paying the third party alleged "agent" fee?  

Posted by Heather Bonin on April 29, 2012 at 2:15am

Sure thing, Matt. I shall. Thank you! :)

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