John Casablancas Blog

The Differences Between Agents And Managers

John Casablancas — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:32 +0000

Behind every great actor is a team of people responsible for managing their business interests and each of these people serves a different but equally important role. At the forefront of this team are the agent and manager. Many actors who are new to the business mistakenly think that agents and managers are the same, but they are actually quite different. Understanding the roles that an agent and manager are supposed to play is very important and will help you make a sound decision when it comes time to sign with an agency and/or management company.

A talent agent’s sole priority is finding work for an actor. An agent will promote actors to a buyer (casting director, advertising agency, production company, or photographer), submitting talent that fit the appropriate age, race, sex, look, talent, etc. that the buyer is looking for, for their project. Usually, an agent will submit an actor’s headshot for consideration. If the buyer feels that the actor could be right for the role, they will be called in for an audition. Once the buyer has seen all of the talent submitted for a project and made a decision, they will contact the agent of the actor who booked the part. The agent will coordinate all the details of the job, from wardrobe to directions, etc., as well as negotiate the contract and pay. Since agents work on a commission basis, they only make money when an actor does—10% of the gross earnings for every project they negotiate for the actor. No reputable agency charges for representation, but they may suggest steps that will cost money, such as headshots and acting classes or workshops, which are necessary for an actor to get work.

A talent manager differs from an agent, in that they are responsible for guiding the professional career of an actor. They will keep in close contact with the actor’s agent to make sure they are on the same page. A manager’s job is not to get auditions for an actor—that is the agent’s job. Handling public relations, business matters and ensuring their actors stay on a path towards a successful acting career are a talent manager’s main focus. Actors will receive more personal attention from their manager than agent, because the agent does not have the time to manage the day-to-day affairs of an actor– their focus, after all, is getting the actor work. Just like agents, managers do not charge money up-front to represent an actor. Depending on the actor’s experience, a talent manager will receive 10-15% of their earnings.

While the differences between agents and managers is notable, their responsibilities are geared towards the same goal—advancing an actor’s career and getting them more jobs so the actor makes more money. The more money the actor makes, the more money the agent and manager make, so it is in their best interest to work hard for their clients so that at the end of the day, everyone is happy.

The Ultimate Make Up Sponge Applicator!

John Casablancas — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:00:24 +0000

Check out the BEAUTYBLENDER! It was created by Hollywood makeup artist, Rea Ann Silva. It will give you a professional finish and a flawless complexion. The Beautyblender’s elliptical shape gives you a foolproof way to reach those hard-to-reach areas on your face. Beautyblender is latex free, non-allergenic and oder free!

Actor Categories

John Casablancas — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:00:33 +0000

PRINCIPAL ACTOR: The actor who has the main role, or lead actor.

CONTRACT ACTOR: An actor who is hired for a specific period of time only.

SUPPORTING ACTOR: An actor who is not the lead actor.

DAY PLAYER: An actor hired to play a supporting, speaking role. They are hired on a daily basis without a long-term contract.

UNDER FIVE: Any actor who has fewer than five speaking lines.

EXTRA: Minor actor used in crowd scenes (the background).

What Is Foundation Primer?

John Casablancas — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:00:57 +0000

Foundation primer smoothes your skin, extends coverage, minimizes pores and blemishes, absorbs oil with salicylic acid and often times offers camouflage to skin problems. If you want an ultra-professional look, use a primer!

Primer is applied over moisturizer and under foundation. Some of our favorite primers are:

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
Ultimate Face Transformer Primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Yves Saint Laurent Matt Touch Primer
MAC Prep+Primer Skin

Really Cool & Inexpensive Beauty Tips!

John Casablancas — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:00:48 +0000

HONEY will soothe a curling iron burn! Be sure to apply a first aid cream afterwards to prevent an infection.
Apply CLEAR MASCARA over your brows before tweezing. The mascara makes it easy to grab one hair at a time so that your plucking is precise.
Use OLIVE OIL or POWDERED MILK in your bath to soothe dry skin or eczema! Remember the bath tub will be slippery so be careful moving around and getting out. Scrub bath tub afterwards!
For a super cheap facial mask to tighten up those pores, use EGG WHITES. Just crack an egg and apply to the face. Wait 15 minutes and rinse off with cool water.
Soak fingernails in DENTURE CLEANER to remove those nasty stains from dark hued nail polish.
CUCUMBERS are the perfect cure for puffy eyes! Cucumbers contain an astringent that may help to constrict blood vessels around the eye. Cucumbers also have a cooling effect on inflamed, irritated skin.Slice two thin rounds of cucumber. Lie down and place a cucumber round over each eye. Relax 15 minutes and then remove.

Professional Modeling Height Requirements

John Casablancas — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 07:00:58 +0000

High Fashion/Editorial Model:

Female: 5’8 – 6’0
Male: 5’11 – 6’1

Commercial Print Model:

Female: 5’7 – 5’8
Male: 5’11 – 6’1

Petite Model:

Female: 5’5 – 5’8

Plus-Size Model:

Female: 5’8 – 6’2

Big & Tall Male Model:

Minimum height of 6’2

Promotional Model:

Many clients prefer tall models because they are easier to see in a crowd. However, it is not a definite requirement to be tall.

Art Model:

No height requirement for art models

Part’s Model:

A particular height is NOT a requirement. Instead, your hands, feet, nails, teeth, neck, arms, legs, etc. could lead to a modeling career as a part’s model!

REMEMBER……..The modeling industry frequently makes exceptions to the height requirements. If someone says you are too short or too tall, don’t listen! Keep following your dream and don’t give up.

Lip Care & Lip Balms

John Casablancas — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:00:29 +0000

Now that winter has taken its toll on our lips, it’s time to start nurturing our kissers back to health! Chapped and dry lips are embarrassing and very unattractive. The most common reasons of cracked lips are habitual licking and biting of the lips and dehydration.

In addition to staying hydrated, the use of lip balms is a very effective way to achieve soft pink lips not to mention having a beautiful smile. You can apply lip balm as often as you like.

Our favorite lips balms are:

C.O. BIGELOW “ROSE SALVE”
CHAP ICE
BURT’S BEES BEESWAX LIP BALM
CARMEX FRESH MINT LIP BALM
THE BODY SHOP LIP CARE STICK

Basic Shoe Wardrobe For Every Woman!

John Casablancas — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:00:45 +0000

If you have these shoes, you’ll never have another “what to wear” worry moment!

Black ballet flats
Black boots (ankle or knee high)
Nude color heels
Canvas sneakers (we love Converse!)
Black heels
Metallic sandal heels
Leather flat sandals (not flip flops)
One pair of extravagant, over-the-top, heels that make you smile every time you wear them!

Top Six Spring 2012 Fashion Trends!

John Casablancas — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 10:00:31 +0000

PLEATS – You are going to see pleats in everything! Skirts, dresses, jackets, tops – even pants!
DENIM BLAZER – Not your jean jacket but a finished blazer – looks great with everything but especially worn with a black pencil skirt.
LEATHER SHORTS – Real leather or faux leather – doesn’t matter! Pair them with opaque tights!
TANGERINE COLOR – We’ve said it before but this is the HOT new color!
COOL COLLARS – Fancy collars (think beaded with faux jewels, pearls). The PETER PAN collar is the hottest of all collars for Spring!
VIBRANT PANTS COLORS – Bright red, cobalt blue, lime green, hot pink – you get the idea! We especially love the vibrant jeans.

Liquid Fat Trap

John Casablancas — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:00:03 +0000

If you stop drinking one soda and one juice per day, you will eliminate the equivalent of 17 ½ cups of sugar in 30 days! That is 13, 475 calories which equals 3.85 pounds! Substitute water for all sugary beverages and you can lose weight without exercising!