At Artistic Enterprises, we believe that better-informed actors and models make our job as casting directors that much easier. We have always prided ourselves in helping individuals navigate the many potential pitfalls that they might face as they endeavor to join the commercial acting and modeling community. We offer open calls and consultations to get you started open calls / consultations. We hope you will find the following information useful as you begin, renew or continue your efforts in the industry.

Scams are so prevalent in this industry, we think it important to provide some very specific details here to help you avoid these common money traps. Of course, we get calls every day with another proud parent or grandparent saying, “Every where we go people say she/he should be doing commercials!” For those folks, we offer some guidelines about starting babies and kids in the business. And finally, for the experienced actors and models visiting this page, we have details about some of the talent resources offered by Artistic.

Here at Artistic Enterprises we have put our many years of experience into developing the fastest, easiest and most productive talent casting procedures you'll find anywhere! Whether you seek print models, a top-of-the-line spokesperson or a sea of extras, you'll find our talent-casting experts always ready to provide the most complete and cost effective casting services available.

With over 3000 actors, models and specialty performers on file, we have the capacity to handle all talent related projects, big and small. We invite you to let us show you what we have to offer and allow us to introduce to you our vast and ever-growing talent pool. We look forward to showing you the Artistic difference.

Below you'll find a simple overview of the ways in which our casting know-how and the wonders of technology and the Internet can bring the future of casting to your project!

Online Photos: You give us the basic parameters for your project and we'll create your own personal web page. This page will give you a visual representation of all of the current choices available to fit your criteria. You and your client will be able to access the page from anywhere and at anytime. We are constantly updating our photo files with current digital images. You won't have to dig through outdated composites and doctored photos. What you see will be what you get. No surprises.

Video Castings: Whether your casting requirements are small or extensive, we have the capacity to meet your needs. You and your client may join us for the live audition or, if you prefer, we'll deliver you a time-saving, recorded session that will allow you to watch at your convenience. We have the capacity to deliver the finished product in various formats to fit your needs, including preparing your session for on-line viewing.

Print Castings: What an improvement the Internet has brought to our print casting services! With the use of digital cameras and photo scanners, we are able to keep up to date photos of all of the commercial print models we have on file. We can provide you and your client with a web page of existing photos or we can take new “test” shots with the models dressed appropriately for your specific needs.

Voice Castings: Our extensive voice talent files make it possible for us to cast for virtually any vocal style or character. Voice-over performers, via the Internet, can provide quality recordings to interested parties anywhere in the world. We have established relationships with first-rate vocal actors from across the nation and the globe. We can deliver your audition recordings in CD, MP3 or you may listen to the recordings on-line.

The Artistic Difference: We understand talent and we understand the business. Casting is about more than just providing bodies. It is our job to know each individual's strengths and limitations. We know what each talent can handle and what they probably can't. Need to know your if talent picks are ear efficient? Need to know if they can do funny? Need to know if they'll work for cheese? We've got you covered. Whatever your needs, we make it our responsibility to know which actors or models have the skills, background and enthusiasm to meet them.

Extras: Whether you need 10 or 1,000, we can do the job. We have filled the stands at numerous local sports venues for nationally produced feature and TV productions! For smaller casting assemblies, we know that ages and ethnicities of the extras are very important. We have experienced extras available from every age and from across the human spectrum. We can even provide you with a top-notch extras wrangler to be your liaison and to help your production run more smoothly.

Payment Services: For all non-union productions, we provide talent payment services, free of charge! No matter how many actors or models you use for your project, you need process only one complete invoice and issue only one check.

Crew Assistance: Need a local P.A. or make-up person? We keep names and numbers of many qualified local production people and would be happy to pass them on to you.

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Artistic Enterprises offers two ways for adult actors and models to present their potential to our staff. Please see our open call and consultation information below.

#1 Open Calls

Open calls are generally held on the first and third Tuesday of each month, SCHEDULE PERMITTING. Be sure to call to confirm available time before you come! Appointments are required. Space may be limited and dates are subject to change.

It is strongly suggested that you bring with you the following:

Talent Resume: Less experienced individuals may include public speaking and/or educational experiences. If you will be bringing any demos, please be sure that they are in a format you can LEAVE with us for review at a later time.

Personality: Believe it or not, we are more concerned with the “inner you” than with your looks or even your experience. Bring your inner sparkle!

• There are no fees for open calls. Open Calls are not private appointments! They consist of a brief meet and greet only.
• You must be at least 17 years of age to attend.
• Previous experience in the business is not required but is recommended. Those with little or no experience should strongly consider our second submission option (see Consultations below).
• We do not offer open calls to children. [See Consultations] However, if your child has EXTENSIVE working experience, please call our offices to discuss registering opportunities.
  

#2 Consultations

For more than 25 years, Artistic Enterprises’ experienced team of casting directors have helped new and veteran actors and models get a leg-up in the business by making themselves available for consultation. Consultations are for anyone who wants to learn more about the talent business, in order to improve their probability of success in Indiana and our neighboring markets.

A consultation is a private, one-on-one meeting with a casting professional. Consultations are tailored to account for your own goals and experience level, whether you are just getting started or are a seasoned actor/model who hopes to increase their market ability, our staff can help!

What happens in a consultation?

• The Basics — The first thing you’ll do when you arrive will be to fill out the paperwork we need for to consider you for future opportunities.
• Digital Photos — We will be taking a Cost Free digital photo for our data base. Nice casual to business casual is appropriate. Makeup is recommended for adult women, only. Please no makeup on children!
• Script Reading — Talent and Models of reading age will be provided with a sample short commercial script to read. Our casting director can then advise you if there are opportunities for you a speaking actor. You never know!
• Photo Counseling — You are welcome to bring with you any photos you have already acquired. However, it is not necessary to get photos made just for your appointment! Please do not believe that expensive photography will get you work! Let our experts advise you and avoid the photo trap!
• Understanding the Business — Of course we can’t explain everything about the business in an hour, but based on your individual case, your goals and abilities, we will make sure you know what you need to know to successfully navigate the business. We will also go into detail how Artistic Enterprises can benefit you through its varied facets.
• Understanding Yourself — Sometimes the hardest part about finding success as an actor or model is to understand your real strengths and weaknesses. We can help you understand your barriers and share with you ideas about how to approach your professional goals in a way that better suits your natural talents.

What’s Next? — All consultees will be maintained for a period of time in our data base. We strongly encourage you to keep us up to date with any changes to your contact information, availability and experience level. Upon completion of your consultation, you will join those ranks of Actors/Models considered for auditions!

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SCAMS

They call them con-ARTISTS for a reason! They are really good at conning people out of their money. A week does not go by that we don’t hear about another poor family ripped off in a big way by an unscrupulous photographer, phony talent agent or some other scammer, looking to take advantage of people who dream of becoming actors, models or seeing their children have the opportunity to put themselves through college with a career in television. The scope of these scams is far reaching. It would be impossible for us to explain every single way that good people get ripped off, but there are some common scams out there and we list some of them here. Take heed!

Photo Scams

• Portfolios are used primarily for fashion go-sees, which are not done in this market.
• Do not let anyone tell you that you have to have professional photos to get started in this business! This is simply NOT true. We see many parents and adult talent who have spent their well earned dollars on photos that are not necessary.. When adult talent has established them-selves in the industry they use photos as a tool, like a calling card.

Modeling Scams

• Some so-called modeling schools tell you what they think you want to hear. They want you to plunk out money for classes, photos, and workshops that in reality won’t help you get a job in this marketplace. Just say NO!!
• If you still choose to have your child attend one of these scam schools, you need to understand it will not lead to paid work or getting signed with a legitimate agency.

Internet Agencies

• Do not EVER pay anyone anything to put your child’s photographs on the Internet! And, normally adults shouldn’t pay to have their images seen there either (with very few exceptions).
• All legitimate agencies now use the Internet in some way to promote their talent. BUT – We do not search the Internet to find untried or untested talent, period! We need to have some professional contact with talent before booking them on a job.
• Real agencies have real offices, staff and clients. If there is not a physical structure IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY that you can walk into, be concerned!
• You will not get work, nor will your child, by paying to be listed on a website.

Talent Searches

• Do not participate in any talent searches that you hear about on the radio, TV, or in the back of a magazine without first checking them out. Be wary of heavily advertised talent searches. Many are lying in wait to make fast money off people’s dreams. You may find the fancy room in a hotel is a set up for you buying photographs, videos, or taking classes, etc.. This is not the atmosphere for you to be discovered.

Talent Conventions

• This is probably the most expensive, prevalent, and successful scam running. People become convinced that they have what it takes to make it IF they can get themselves in front of the “star makers” of Hollywood or New York or Chicago or Orlando. Hopeful actors, models and parents spend thousands on these conventions, only to leave empty handed and defeated. They are not real. They will take anyone who will pay the fee to get where they want you to go.
• You may hear “For a fee we’ll get you in to see a known modeling agency”. The reality is, you can pay your own way, and fly to that city. You can see that agency yourself on open call or go-see days.
• The real star makers in any market (casting directors, talent agents, producers, directors, etc.) have no reason to go out and find talent. Talent comes to us. The only exception would be a project that requires a special casting, where we can’t find the person in our talent base. Actors are never charged for these auditions.

You will find there are lots of sharks swimming happily around in a tank full of willing prey. There are plenty of people ready to sell you on any (and probably all) of the scams listed here. As we said, they call them "con artists" for a reason. They are good at what they do.

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BABIES & KIDS

“I'm sure you hear this all the time but I have the cutest baby you've ever seen. He's/She’s way cuter than then those Gerber babies.” You are right! We do hear it... nearly every day. What can we say? Kids are cute! We love kids! I'm sure we'll love your kid, too!

But you should know the facts before you consider trying to get that little one started as an actor or model. Most parents expect this business to be something far removed from what it really is.

Below we have listed some things you should take into consideration before you take that first step.

Please carefully review the scams listed above. Parents of younger children are the most frequently targeted by people running these cons. They know that you will do anything, pay anything, to give your child a chance to be something special. You can't buy your kid's way into this business. If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

Indiana, like most secondary markets, provides little opportunity for kids. There are certainly jobs for kids of every type and every age but they are less frequent than most people expect. When you think about what kids might do in your market, think about the commercials you have seen that are local, that promote a particular company that operates in your region. Those are the kinds of things they might do. In Indiana we do lots of hospital commercials, for example. If you think about what you have seen in your market, you'll probably realize that kids don't show up all that often in local advertising.

National commercials and ads for national products are rarely done in secondary markets, unless the advertising company happens to be located there. For example, because we have a number of pharmaceutical and life sciences companies in our area, you could expect to see a child from Indianapolis in an ad for a nationally distributed medical product. But these type of ads have limited opportunities for children.

The kids who work the most are not necessarily the prettiest ones. A polite, well behaved kid with a great personality, who is comfortable with adults, is what we really want. This a business and the hours can be long and the work tedious. We need kids who can be patient, who can amuse themselves quietly and who can take direction from a grown up that they just met. A kid who can not do these things isn't ready for this type of business.

While we certainly do have parts for blond-haired, blue-eyed kids, they don't arise with any more frequency than parts for kids of every other ethnic type. The advertising world is an intentionally balanced rainbow of people and we are always looking for a rainbow of kids.

We do not ever expect children to have professional photographs. We find this to be completely unnecessary in a digital age. We would far rather present our clients with a good digital photo that represents what your child looks like in our office today than with something that you paid a photographer to do months or years ago. Please talk with someone in our office before you consider paying for a comp card for a child!

If you are getting kid into this in the hopes that it will pay for college, think again. They will be paid for their work. Kids who do well in this business do so because they enjoy it, not because they hope to make a lot of money.

Everybody hates a stage parent! Please ask yourself if you are doing this for your child or for you. Great commercial parents know how to help prepare their kids for a job or audition and then get out of the way. Don't follow your child into an audition unless asked to do so. Don't get in the way of the make-up, wardrobe or production process. You should stay close by in case we need you. Stay out of the line of site, so your little actor or model is looking to their director for guidance, not Mom or Dad. If you can't be that kind of parent, your child will not succeed in this industry.

Now, if after reading all of that you still want to give your kid a shot, please consider calling to set them up for a consultation with one of our casting directors. Let us help you avoid some of the pitfalls and get your child off to the best start possible.

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TALENT RESOURCES

Under one simple roof, you will find many helpful services available to actors and models at our facility. It is our goal to enhance the talent pool as much as possible in Indiana and therefore we offer various ways to help. Please feel free to call us with any questions you may have. Here are some of the ways we can help:

Artistic Indiana Talent – Is a union-franchised talent agency. A.I.T. is pleased to represent actors for union work and is non-exclusive. Should you need representation and prefer not to be constrained by an exclusive contract, A.I.T. may be the right agency for you.

Workshops/Seminars – Periodically we host professional workshops and seminars. These are typically skill based and offered by invitation only. If you would like to receive some additional training for a particular aspect of the commercial acting industry, let us know.

Photographs and Photo Counseling – While we do not recommend professional photos for children or for those just starting out, those adults who are deeply involved in the business should eventually invest in a professional headshot and/or comp card. We have developed relationships with some quality photographers and print houses that will provide their services at a discount to our talent. If you are interested in getting new photos, please call our office for more information.

SOME COMMENTS FROM WORKSHOP GRADUATES

	"I wanted to thank you for helping me gain my confidence back.  It's a tough business out there and without the correct tools and skills that you demonstrate you don't stand a chance. Sure I got by for awhile, but after taking your class, I knew exactly what to do in every situation that arose.  I know I told you after taking your class and going to my next audition I got five jobs.  That is incredible!  "I still can't believe it".  My good fortune doesn't stop here but with the confidence I gained through your class and the commercial work, I have also increased production with my music, and that is starting to take off.  So as you can see, I have benefited a great deal from your class; and not only that, but I had fun doing it."   --C. Elbert
	"Greetings from New York!  I have received some great comments about what you're teaching...  This class has opened  a new and exciting world to me!  ... I finally booked and shot my first national commercial for Nissan... as a kindergarten teacher!"         --- L. Nelson
	"Judy, your class was invaluable for the advice and insider tips you provided.  I find I am 100% more confident at auditions from the moment I touch the door handle!" --- V. Grubb
	---"You are not only a great teacher but a good friend.  In a business where people try to take advantage of you its a wonderful feeling to know you are always on my side.  You not only have my trust and faith, but also my deepest respect." --- C. Lemon
	---"Thank you for teaching such a wonderful class... As my classmates and I came to understand, it is so much more than acting.  I don't know if you even realize how what you teach changes people in their daily lives...  Thank you for sharing your incredible skills with us!" --- C.  Jones
	---“With the training and knowledge I've gained from the workshop I know that I can expand beyond the business executive role.  I will recommend the workshop to anyone at anytime."      --- J. Ice
	---"I wanted to take a minute to tell you how much I enjoyed your class and how sorry I am that it is over!  ...I know the classes have definitely helped me, because three weeks ago I shot a commercial for a client that I had previously worked for, and they said I had really improved!"  --- S. Henthorn
	---"Thanks again for all of your help and guidance.  Not an audition or job goes by that I don't use some of the helpful skills and information that you taught me."   --- C. Dowd
	---"I never realized how important the little things are when it comes to auditions.  I have been through a lot of auditions but after your class I can walk in there with a confidence I never had before.  Thank you so much for all your help.   Its so great to meet someone in the business who really cares about a person and really wants to see them succeed."   --- D. McKamey
	---"It has been two years since I took your class.  It's been a busy two years.  I moved to Chicago...  Since, I have landed a permanent job with Whirlwind Performance Company...  Thanks so much for the foundation you helped to provide."             --- L. Sollman St. John
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