Actors and Casting

I felt like it was time to touch on this topic a bit. I have tried to accumulate knowledge about my field behind the camera, but I have also been asking questions about those in front of the camera as well. So lets get started.

Casting:
Alright, I asked a few questions from casting about what they look for when a resume or head shot etc. is sent in. Now a head shot arrives at our door and I am the first one to get it. A PA. Now I look at it, and if you don't have the presence of mind to have legible handwriting, or have it addressed to the right person then it gets tossed. So Rule 1: Don't be a dumbass. So, onto step 2. Once it gets out of my hands I give it to casting. Now casting receives hundreds and hundreds of these a day. Also if they are not from a MANAGER or AGENT into the TRASH! And these are NOT what they use for casting, primarily. Casting will usually use one of several online systems they are members where the head shots are submitted by agents electronically for the show. There are usually a thousand or so a show. So Casting will go through these online ones with first pick choice, then the ones in the mail. Additionally they like to pick from stock people, ones they know from previous shows, episodes, or from other casting buddies who recommend them as good workers. On the plus side it helps perpetuate work for those who are in, for those who are not in, it makes the wall higher.
So now they are looking at YOUR head shot. Step 1, how do you look? Toss or keep. Step 1.5 (I say this because it is equally important) where were you TRAINED. Yes, trained. Schooling is one thing, professional TRAINING is another. For my show they like to see that you went to this accredited training location, or that training professional. Names and places count here. Like a comedian coming from Groundlings Acting School or the Acme Theater will be considered more heavily than someone with a simple Theater College Degree from Virginia Tech (that'd be me ;) self sucker-punch, ouch!) So, like I said, they look at your training. Step 2.0 They look at your work history. They see if you have worked on multi camera or single camera before (multi camera means a 3 walled on studio stage set with 4-5 cameras, and a single camera means 1-2 cameras in a 4 walled set or on location), they look at what you have been on for popularity, they look at all of it. And we continue. Step 3: Audition. They will bring in the few they like and audition the lot of them, some in some out. They will want someone who makes the part too. So they will be choosy. Step 4: Audition #2. Now this is your callbacks. You will actually be auditioning for the network executives to make sure you fall under what they believe to be their "Network Image". And once you pass that you have the part. TA DA!
You get payed $350 a day for every day you work if you are 5 lines or under, not bad. If you are an extra you get paid between $50 and $100 depending on your guild affiliation. But then again, you only work a couple days. The average income for the Screen Actors Guild of America is, and yes, I laughed at this, $650 dollars..... a... year. Yikes! This all came from the people in casting too so I'm not making it up. One of them advised, save up for a long time before coming out to LA if you want to be an actor, then triple that nest egg before you even think of coming out. It is harsh out here. But those are the numbers I have gotten. Oh, how much to the big people make? Starting show, 8-10K an episode. If the show is picked up 30-40k an episode. Plus residuals, plus any other stuff commercials merchandise etc. But keep in mind most shows run about 13 episodes. Most pilots if picked up only run a couple episodes before canceling. Very Very few are picked up and run more than one season, and it is a rare show that runs 26 episodes a season. Also most, almost all, pilots are done by the networks, so hopping on a pilot is the exact same audition scenario. And like I said, you need an Agent or Manager to get your foot in the door. Managers are easier to get cause ANYONE can be a Manager. They mainly just need a logo. Agents have fees, so they are a little more elite.
Okay, my brain is spent. Have fun, and let me know if you have a question.