How I did it: I signed up for NOW CASTING back in October 2008. Now Casting is one of the best and least expensive outfits for connecting actors and work. That first day, I submitted my resume and pictures to Digital River, a company making reenactments for true crime TV shows. A week later, I was hired to play the father of a murdered woman on an episode of SOLVED, a series on the Investigation Discovery channel.

Lessons & tips: Some tips on doing reenactment scenes:

• Bring several changes of costume. (In my case, I brought six long-sleeved shirts)
• Bring something to eat in an emergency. (The shoot went about eight hours and craft services - food and drink - were a bit lean. Wished I had brought along some food,)
• Pay attention and be accommodating.
• Do NOT complain (the others are working just as hard as you are, some of them MUCH harder)
• If given direction, TAKE it.
• reenactments dialog is totally improvised  because it is not used in the final product. But don't let that be an excuse to get a laugh from the crew, that only slows the whole process.
• Make sure you have filled out the paperwork needed to get paid.
• When the shoot is done, thank the director and crew for hiring you and indicate a willingness to work for them again.

Resources: NOW CASTING
CENTRAL CASTING
INTERNET MOVIE DATABASE
LARY CREWS RESUME & PICTURES

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Feb 17, 2009, 09:03AM PST | 0 comments | 2 cheers