GUESS WHO IS THIS SPARTAN!

[CT]

Thanks never heard of that before.  Is that how it is here for SAG now or AFTRA

Honestly I couldn't say

[danielson]

Thanks never heard of that before.  Is that how it is here for SAG now or AFTRA

3 extras or 1 speaking role will get you a SAG card.

[onlyme]

3 extras or 1 speaking role will get you a SAG card.

Wow I never heard of the 3 extra thing.  I would think you would still need to be sponsored in that case.  You can't just go down to SAG and join just because you have 3 extra roles. You have to prove it somehow wiht either checks or maybe call sheets.  But, even then you have to be casted in a union job before getting your card if I recall right.  The speaking role thing is right.  You become what they call a must-sign.  But you should always take advantage of Taft/Hartley before you join the union no matter what.  Especially if you aren't making more than the initiation fee is.  What is the fee now?  It was $660 I think when I got my card in 1985.  And the producer of the Gillette Commercial I did actually paid for my card.  I went down there (SAG) and it was ready for me.  He called and just charged it.  Plus I got paid an unreal amount to jsut shave my head.  My first commercial ever as a SAG member and it won a Cleo.  I did an Apple Computer (which was my very first commercial) under Taft/Hartley along with a Southwestern Bell and two Ralph Supermarket commercials.  Did those without having to pay any dues or fees to SAG.

[danielson]

Wow I never heard of the 3 extra thing.  I would think you would still need to be sponsored in that case.  You can't just go down to SAG and join just because you have 3 extra roles. You have to prove it somehow wiht either checks or maybe call sheets.  But, even then you have to be casted in a union job before getting your card if I recall right.  The speaking role thing is right.  You become what they call a must-sign.  But you should always take advantage of Taft/Hartley before you join the union no matter what.  Especially if you aren't making more than the initiation fee is.  What is the fee now?  It was $660 I think when I got my card in 1985.  And the producer of the Gillette Commercial I did actually paid for my card.  I went down there (SAG) and it was ready for me.  He called and just charged it.  Plus I got paid an unreal amount to jsut shave my head.  My first commercial ever as a SAG member and it won a Cleo.  I did an Apple Computer (which was my very first commercial) under Taft/Hartley along with a Southwestern Bell and two Ralph Supermarket commercials.  Did those without having to pay any dues or fees to SAG.

I don't know, my lawyer moved to LA and then back here and he told me he was an extra in two movies, and one more he could have got a sag card. I saw him in one of them, he just stood there.

[alexxx]

I did three extra gigs for the covenant, 300, and le 7ieme round(french boxing movie), but I don't know if its worth getting into the french genre? I have big screen dreams!

[CT]

I did three extra gigs for the covenant, 300, and le 7ieme round(french boxing movie), but I don't know if its worth getting into the french genre? I have big screen dreams!

I understand your dreams Alex, but since you are in Montreal it will be hard to get noticed simply by performing extra work for Hollywood movies shooting in town. First of all because they don't film that many movies over here and also because extras are not able to showcase their acting skills. You might be a great actor, but if nobody sees you act it's kinda hard to get noticed!

Another option would be to move to Cali and try to get in the biz from there. The problem is that everybody and their mother want to be an actor so it's much much harder to get in (talking about acting roles, not extra work) since the competiton is so fierce; plus if you don't have any acting baggage it will be hard to get noticed.

If you can't make it in a small pond like Quebec, chances are that you wont make it in Hollywood since it's so competitive and it is a lot about who you know (and if you move there, at first you wont know anybody). If you get some work in Canada (english or french) at least you'll:

a) make some money (leading actors can make a decent living here) while trying to get your big break south of the border.

b) build an acting portefolio for yourself. It's much easier to get some auditions if you have performed actual acting work on screen (even if it's for Canadian movies/series).

In California or NYC I'd say that a few million of peoples have been extras in movies. So if that's the only thing you got, you better have some amazing contacts.

A lot of big Hollywood actors are actually from other countries and most made a name for themselves in ther small pond before moving to the big ocean.

[alexxx]

I understand your dreams Alex, but since you are in Montreal it will be hard to get noticed simply by performing extra work for Hollywood movies shooting in town. First of all because they don't film that many movies over here and also because extras are not able to showcase their acting skills. You might be a great actor, but if nobody sees you act it's kinda hard to get noticed!

Another option would be to move to Cali and try to get in the biz from there. The problem is that everybody and their mother want to be an actor so it's much much harder to get in (talking about acting roles, not extra work) since the competiton is so fierce; plus if you don't have any acting baggage it will be hard to get noticed.

If you can't make it in a small pond like Quebec, chances are that you wont make it in Hollywood since it's so competitive and it is a lot about who you know (and if you move there, at first you wont know anybody). If you get some work in Canada (english or french) at least you'll:

a) make some money (leading actors can make a decent living here) while trying to get your big break south of the border.

b) build an acting portefolio for yourself. It's much easier to get some auditions if you have performed actual acting work on screen (even if it's for Canadian movies/series).

In California or NYC I'd say that a few million of peoples have been extras in movies. So if that's the only thing you got, you better have some amazing contacts.

A lot of big Hollywood actors are actually from other countries and most made a name for themselves in ther small pond before moving to the big ocean.

That makes a lot of sense. I am done with extra work. My agent said its bad for my portfolio so no more of that. I will talk to her about the UDA card and will keep taking acting lessons as soon as things start looking up for me financial wise.

Check out everything that is shooting in montreal and it all seems like english movies.

http://actramontreal.ca/actra/wshoot.htm

[CT]

Check out everything that is shooting in montreal and it all seems like english movies.

http://actramontreal.ca/actra/wshoot.htm

Well that's because ACTRA is the english actor guild in Canada, so they wont list french movies. But again, when american movies come to Montreal, Toronto or elsewhere they already have their cast so the only local actor hired will be extras (or small parts if you have some experience).

[alexxx]

Well that's because ACTRA is the english actor guild in Canada, so they wont list french movies. But again, when american movies come to Montreal, Toronto or elsewhere they already have their cast so the only local actor hired will be extras (or small parts if you have some experience).

Good point.

[CT]

To get back to the Quebec thing... take Roy Dupuis and Eric Hoziel for example. Both started out as actors in Quebec TV series and they both have done acting work on a lot of movies.

[alexxx]

To get back to the Quebec thing... take Roy Dupuis and Eric Hoziel for example. Both started out as actors in Quebec TV series and they both have done acting work on a lot of movies.

Cool will check them out. But my main examples are Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylverster Stallone, and Dwayne Johnson.

[Dredlock Rasta]

A lot of people who don't make it to Hollywood go into the adult entertainment industry

[CT]

Cool will check them out. But my main examples are Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylverster Stallone, and Dwayne Johnson.

The guys I mentionned are not your body type... they are justy examples of guys from Quebec who started out in TV series and ended up doing some acting work (even some leading roles) in the US. I'm not saying that you should model yourself after them; it's just to show that it IS possible to start as a big fish in a small pond and then move on to the big pond successfully.

[alexxx]

The guys I mentionned are not your body type... they are justy examples of guys from Quebec who started out in TV series and ended up doing some acting work (even some leading roles) in the US. I'm not saying that you should model yourself after them; it's just to show that it IS possible to start as a big fish in a small pond and then move on to the big pond successfully.

Yeah I will look at it that way. Thanks!

[onlyme]

Cool will check them out. But my main examples are Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylverster Stallone, and Dwayne Johnson.

Okay the thing that will get you noticed is if yu are different.  You have to understand there are thousands of people that have your look.  Take the three people above you listed.  Each one brought something that no one else had.  Arnold had his huge body and appeal, Dwayne brought his looks, body and incredible appeal and acrobatic skills, Sly is the most normal out of the three but he made his entry into the big time by writing a script that he believed in even after every studio turned him down numeorus times.  And then finally when one picked it up they wanted someone else to play the part.  he stuck to his guns and did it himself and now he is a huge star.  I got in because of what I look like and for others my size and look I easily spoke better than any of them.  I was also noted as international.  i look spanish, italian, mexican and samoan.  I had a look that seperated me from everyone else.  Plus I had a title which is impressive.

When I read for Dynasty, I walked into the office where the Shapiro's were.  I noticed on the table the same Time Magazine that did a story on me.  I said hey there is a story on me in this issue.  I handed to them and they read it.  They were unreal impressed.  I read my sides and they loved me.  So I got the part.  My very first commercial ever was for Apple Computer I went in as a football player.  When I got there half the Raiders were in the waiting room.  I said to myslef what a waste of time.  I was actually leaving for Vegas the next day Over The Top.  Well I walk into the room and Sheila Manning who is one of the biggest best known casting agents in LA was there.  They ask me to slate, so I did.  Then she asked me what position I played.  I said I really don't play football.  But I was a guard in high school.  They said you have such big muscles, what do you do and I told them I armwrestled.  I wss at the time a national champion.  I told them I was leaving the next day for Vegas to work on Over The Top.  There were actually very impressed and said thank you.  I left and I remember in the car saying what a waste of time.  Well 2 weeks go by, I am back from Vegas and I get a call from my agent.  He said he can't believe it and what did I say to Sheila and the others.  Is aid what do you mean, all I said is I don't play football but I amrwrestle.  He then said whatever you said they loved it and you got the part.  I said WHAT!  And he said they added armwrestling in the commercial.  I couldn't believe it.

So I shwo up to the shoot.  As I get out of my car this big dude comes over and says I think you are the armwrestler.  I said yes.  He said I am the guy you are going to beat.  His name was Charlie Sexius and was Hulk Hogans stunt double.  Really nice guy.  Well I get inside the sound stage and was signing the paperwork.  Next to me is Henry Tillman (the guy who beat Mike Tyson twice in the Olympic trials).  Whitney Houston was there and also the band Fleetwood Mac.  Olympic Pole Vaulter Tom Hintinus too. Anyway we start to setup the shot and the director who was Stan Dragotti an award winning director asked me how to set up the shot.  he asked me!.  He siad he has no way of knowing how to setup to get the best shot, so I got to help set it up.  I was there the whole time less than 2 hours maybe.  It was a national buyout and made $10,000.  It aired first during the 1987 World Series.  It is an awesome commercial.  Only in it for 1/2 a second and I knew then that was the business I wanted to be in.  Turn up the volume and listen it is a great commercial.  Anyway that is how I started.  Yo can too.

http://www.uriahcarpenter.info/the-power-to-be-your-best.html

Also, I can't remember who but someone on here sent me this clip because in college his marketing class used it as a class assignment.  Kind of neat.

[alexxx]

Okay the thing that will get you noticed is if yu are different.  You have to understand there are thousands of people that have your look.  Take the three people above you listed.  Each one brought something that no one else had.  Arnold had his huge body and appeal, Dwayne brought his looks, body and incredible appeal and acrobatic skills, Sly is the most normal out of the three but he made his entry into the big time by writing a script that he believed in even after every studio turned him down numeorus times.  And then finally when one picked it up they wanted someone else to play the part.  he stuck to his guns and did it himself and now he is a huge star.  I got in because of what I look like and for others my size and look I easily spoke better than any of them.  I was also noted as international.  i look spanish, italian, mexican and samoan.  I had a look that seperated me from everyone else.  Plus I had a title which is impressive.

When I read for Dynasty, I walked into the office where the Shapiro's were.  I noticed on the table the same Time Magazine that did a story on me.  I said hey there is a story on me in this issue.  I handed to them and they read it.  They were unreal impressed.  I read my sides and they loved me.  So I got the part.  My very first commercial ever was for Apple Computer I went in as a football player.  When I got there half the Raiders were in the waiting room.  I said to myslef what a waste of time.  I was actually leaving for Vegas the next day Over The Top.  Well I walk into the room and Sheila Manning who is one of the biggest best known casting agents in LA was there.  They ask me to slate, so I did.  Then she asked me what position I played.  I said I really don't play football.  But I was a guard in high school.  They said you have such big muscles, what do you do and I told them I armwrestled.  I wss at the time a national champion.  I told them I was leaving the next day for Vegas to work on Over The Top.  There were actually very impressed and said thank you.  I left and I remember in the car saying what a waste of time.  Well 2 weeks go by, I am back from Vegas and I get a call from my agent.  He said he can't believe it and what did I say to Sheila and the others.  Is aid what do you mean, all I said is I don't play football but I amrwrestle.  He then said whatever you said they loved it and you got the part.  I said WHAT!  And he said they added armwrestling in the commercial.  I couldn't believe it.

So I shwo up to the shoot.  As I get out of my car this big dude comes over and says I think you are the armwrestler.  I said yes.  He said I am the guy you are going to beat.  His name was Charlie Sexius and was Hulk Hogans stunt double.  Really nice guy.  Well I get inside the sound stage and was signing the paperwork.  Next to me is Henry Tillman (the guy who beat Mike Tyson twice in the Olympic trials).  Whitney Houston was there and also the band Fleetwood Mac.  Olympic Pole Vaulter Tom Hintinus too. Anyway we start to setup the shot and the director who was Stan Dragotti an award winning director asked me how to set up the shot.  he asked me!.  He siad he has no way of knowing how to setup to get the best shot, so I got to help set it up.  I was there the whole time less than 2 hours maybe.  It was a national buyout and made $10,000.  It aired first during the 1987 World Series.  It is an awesome commercial.  Only in it for 1/2 a second and I knew then that was the business I wanted to be in.  Turn up the volume and listen it is a great commercial.  Anyway that is how I started.  Yo can too.

http://www.uriahcarpenter.info/the-power-to-be-your-best.html

Also, I can't remember who but someone on here sent me this clip because in college his marketing class used it as a class assignment.  Kind of neat.

That's awesome onlyme, you caught a lucky breack. The shape I am in now I doubt anyone else can replicate so I got that going. I speak 3 languages so thats probably another bonus. I need to learn marketing technique though.

[sandstone]

I did mention it months ago. Go look for it. As for on set shots I do not have any, we didn't get to keep any. Some little girl did take a picture of massive me so go look for a little girl.

ROFL.. good post.. I dig frank millers work. met him and had him sign my sin city license plates. REALLY REALLY lookiing forward to 300.

[arce377]

NICE FRONT KICK BY LEONIDIS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jasonconan]

Onlyme - Although I don't post a lot around here, I do read a lot and have always found your stories very interesting and entertaining.  Thanks for posting them and I envy the exciting life you have led!  I've worked in a cubical for 10 years, wheee!

Alexxx - Interesting stuff.  Very awesome that you have been lucky enough to work on professional productions this early in your career.  Of course, it's all about being in the right place at the right time.

It comes and goes, but I believe right now the big thing is color headshots. I live in Indiana, which has pretty much nothing as far as opportunities for acting, but I've got a family so I don't have the chance to live the 'starving artist' life as a begining actor in LA. 

You seem to have the right work ethic Alexx, but you will want to get heavy into acting classes.  Also, since you are not union, see if there are local film groups or college senior students filming stuff around your area.  You may make little to no money, but you will get experience and hopefully some good footage of your abilities to edit into like a few minute collection of scenes that will be your acting reel.

Best of Luck!

[alexxx]

Thanks for the tips natural al. I am thinking of directing a movie myself someday. As you can probably tell I have a very very creative mind.

[benchthis]

bump for our movie star

[timfogarty]

3 extras or 1 speaking role will get you a SAG card.

it's 3 vouchers or 1 speaking role will get you a SAG card.  but you don't get a voucher for most extra roles.  a shoot may give out one or two vouchers, but there may be hundreds of extras.

My roommate has done dozens of extra roles, but has only gotten one voucher.  (you can soon see him sitting next to Jessica Biel in the ballroom scene in Adam Sandler's upcoming "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry", and he has a reoccuring extra role as Joely Fisher's coworker at the travel agency in "Til Death".)

[dr.chimps]

Cool ass flick...hope it measures up to TROY.

Greek history is so bad ass. Its bc we are of bad ass ethnicity! 

LOL. You should think before you post HERACLES. Are you saying there is a connection between Greeks and asses? 

[chris_mason]

Congratulations Alexx! 

Chris

[bigdumbbell]

i paid 11 bucks to see that movie last night.  what a waste on a pile of garbage.  great if you're a 17 year old who aint gotta life and addicted to the internet, cartoons or superhero's.  everythings in slow motion and the sound is hysterical and loud.  the costumes were designed by some san francisco tom of finland leather queen.  what a fuckin boring movie.