October Open Call times

If you are interested in auditioning for Halo, please come during one of our open call times.  Halo does not accept walk-in auditions.  Open call times for September:

Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 5 PM

Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 5 PM

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 5PM

Wednesday, October 24, 2008 at 5 PM

***Please bring one non-returnable photo.  Photos do not need to be professional…any snap shot will be fine.  Children 18 years and younger must have a parent present to audition.  Please arrive at 5 PM.  Late arrivals may have to wait until the next open call time.  However, there is no reason to be terribly early.  Doors will open at 5 PM.  Open call auditions normally last five to twenty minutes.  Please dress casual and bring a positive attitude.

How real agencies work…

We found a You Tube video that offers a great explanation of how agencies really work, covering everything from how agencies make money to what a model should expect when he/she begins working.  This is a brief yet informative video… We also suggest you read the post “Truths vs. Myths in the Modeling and Entertainment Business“ posted below.  

Halo casting for 20th Century Fox’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”

20th Century Fox is looking for a bright, precocious and appealing young, male actor to play age 12-13 for the lead role of Greg Heffley in the film version of the NY Times #1 best seller “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”.  Actor must be able to handle dialog and have a flair for comedy.  This casting is for serious actors only.   Halo will hold preliminary auditions Wednesday, October 1at 5 PM at the Halo studio.  (For directions to Halo, please click on the “contact” tab above. )  Those who pass the preliminary screening will be given a script from the movie to memorize for a second audition.  Dress is casual.  No phone calls please.  We ask that you RSVP for the prelim auditions held at Halo next Wednesday.  RSVP accepted through email. haloagency@bellsouth.net

Clothing Company Catalog casting through Halo

Arrow Clothiers is shooting their 2009 catalog here in Savannah.  (For those of you that are on our email list, please forgive the horrible typos in the latest email casting notice….we just caught it!) The photo shoot will be in Savannah October 15-16.  The client is looking for boys size 5 and boys size 10-12.  They are also looking for girls size 10-12.  If your child is already represented by Halo and has a comp card, they have already been submitted to the client.  The client is very particular about size.  Do not submit your child if they are not a true size 5 or 10-12.  This is a paying job with a rate of $250.  Potential for two days of work.

 Directions for submitting your photos:

Please email two photos:  Head shot and body shot.  Simple background, simple clothing.  Nothing distracting.  No makeup on children.  Photos should be emailed to Halo by Wednesday, September 24 at Noon.  Please re-size your photos to avoid long download times.  Photos should open easily without a long wait.  Please include your phone number, your name and the child’s name.  If the client selects your child we will call you.  If the client does not select your child, we will not call you.  Email pictures to haloagency@bellsouth.net

Agency Open Call this Wednesday, September 24 at 5 PM.

Think you have what it takes to be a model, actor, singer or dancer?  Come find out at our agency auditions.  Once a week Halo opens it’s doors to the public for those interested in the fashion and entertainment businesses.  By attending one of our open calls, you will have the opportunity to audition for our agency Director, Stephanie Duke.  Actors will read a script given to them upon arrival.  Models will walk our 22 foot runway.  Singers will sing without music for 1 minute.  (Please have a song prepared)  And finally, dancers will perform a one minute choreographed routine.  Dancers should bring music in CD format only.  Open calls are fun and exciting.  Everyone under the age of 18 must have a parent.  Casual Dress.  Please bring one current, non-returnable photograph.  See you Wednesdays at 5 PM.

Next open call:

Wednesday, September 24

Wednesday, October 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 5 PM.

Truths vs. Myths in the Modeling & Entertainment Businesses

Do I have to pay an agency/agent to represent me?

No. Agents and managers make money when you make money. Most agencies will charge 15-20% service fees to the model and managers normally take 10% of the talents over all pay. For example: When a model is booked to do a runway show that pays $100, the model will make $80 and the agency will make $20.
If I have what it takes, I shouldn’t have to pay anything at all, right?

Not true. Unfortunately, many aspiring models, actors and singers think much like young girls do when dreaming of prince charming… a guy that will come and sweep her away, buy her wonderful jewelry and clothes and fly her all over the world. The Cinderella story does not exsist in the modeling and entertainment world. Agencies are in the business to make money, as the same with all companies. Most agencies require you to pay for you own “tools.” Tools for a model are professional photos, photo enlargements, copies, etc. For actors, the tools required are headshots and resumes. These are things that agencies expect you to take care of. However, in larger markets like NY and Miami, occasionally an agency will advance monies for headshots, photo shoots, etc. The key word here is “advance”. The agency never gives anything away for free. After your first job, they will deduct what you owe them from your first paycheck. When I lived in Manhattan, I remember my very first paycheck from my modeling agency. I did a photo shoot for Scandinavian fur coats. The job paid roughly $1500. When I got my check, it was only for $894. I had run up a “tab” from my rent at the models’ apartment and photos for my portfolio. Many record labels operate the same way. When a label finds a new artist, the label will fund production and distribution of the album and music videos; however, the artist doesn’t receive payment from record sales until the label has recovered their investment. Nothing is free. It’s a business.

Do I have to take classes for an agency to represent me?

This is a very touchy subject from an agent’s standpoint. No, not everyone needs classes, but many people do. Nine out of ten times, when an aspiring model walks in our doors, she needs some work. Normally, we put the models on the runway and in front of the camera to see how well they move. If a model is inexperienced, yes she will need some instruction. However, we’ve had models and actors walk through our doors that already have experience, they are professional and they have professional photos and resume. Classes are not mandatory, but be honest with yourself. If you were put on a set, in front of a camera and the director told you to move and create art, would you know what to do? Would it look professional? Do you know the best angels of your face? Do you know the best angels for your body type? These are all things models and actors should know. The bottom line is this: When you go on an audition through your agency, you represent that agent. If you are not professional, if you are not up to par, you potentially jeopardize your agency’s reputation amongst clients.

Is Halo an agency or just a school?

First and foremost, Halo is an agency providing opportunities locally, regionally and nationally for models, actors, singers and dancers. Halo books jobs for print, television and film. We also offer basic courses in modeling, acting and personal development. We want our talent to do well. We make money when they make money, so we offer lessons and coaching to help our talent become more competitive. The greatest athletes in the world are practicing and training everyday. Academy Award winning actors have been training and coaching and fine-tuning their skills for years. You don’t “arrive” at your greatest skill level overnight, you grow into it. Through the coaching programs at Halo, we help people develop into professional, self-confident actors and models.

Halo Talent stars in Savannah Public Service Announcement

The City of Savannah asked Halo to provide actors for the Water Conservation Campaign Public Service Announcement (PSA). The PSA is part of an ongoing campaign by Savannah to raise awareness for water conservation. Watch Halo talent perform!

Check out the final cut of the video here.

September Open Call times

If you are interested in auditioning for Halo, please come during one of our open call times.  Halo does not accept walk-in auditions.  Open call times for September:

Wednesday, September 3 at 5 PM

Wednesday, September 10 at 5 PM

Wednesday, September 24 at 5PM

***Please bring one non-returnable photo.  Photos do not need to be professional…any snap shot will be fine.  Children 18 years and younger must have a parent present to audition.  Please arrive at 5 PM.  Late arrivals may have to wait until the next open call time.  However, there is no reason to be terribly early.  Doors will open at 5 PM.  Open call auditions normally last five to twenty minutes.  Please dress casual and bring a positive attitude.