For those of you who follow my blog and like to leave comments, such as this one about my most recent two actors who were a no show:
"Perhaps its because they realized that your studio is not worth working for...guys like Rad and Chase made the right decision to not work with you!"
There's no reason why an actor would think this for one. I've worked with hundreds of actors over the last seven years, 99% of which have loved working with my studio and myself and vice versa. The other 1%, simply didn't work out, like in any other business. If they chose to be bitter about the decision not to be brought back for work, that's really up to them, but has never been a personal decision on my part. Even those actors who chose to be that way, I have, nor has anyone who works with and for me held anything against any of them. They just weren't what I was looking for, for whatever reason. Whether it be their ability to perform, or their looks, etc. There are requirements you know, and not everyone will work out. It's not personal.
As far as Rad, not really sure why he'd try to come in for work for over a month, every weekend, then all the sudden decide not to. Sounds to me like he received some bad info from an actor or producer who had some influence on his decision. I'm confident had he chosen to come in and try it out, he'd still be coming in for work.
Chase, well we all know what happened there. Chase did not make the decision not to work for me, I chose not to work with him after his demand of higher pay and insisting he be put on the cover. Matter of fact, he and I had text conversation shortly after that decision, and he was very much interested in working for and with me, as our previous discussion seemed to be more of a misunderstanding.
Feel free to come to my blog and post your remarks, I welcome them all, good or bad. But don't come and make comments such as these and remain anonymous. Stand behind your comments and remarks, otherwise, I just reject your comments and nobody sees them. I of course won't be approving any comments that are simply rude, no need for those comments. If you have worked for me, and chosen not to for whatever reason, feel free to share that reason with my blog, I have no issues with that. But don't just leave a comment such as the one above and not say why you feel that way. Those comments are obviously just bitter comments, and rude you know? Why do you think their decision not to work with me as you say, was a good decision? Because I'm such a difficult person? Because I don't pay enough money? Because the work I do is shitty quality? I mean, you must have a reason why you feel this way.
I know there are producers out there that don't care for me, even though I really don't know any of them personally, nor them me. I've heard the comments from actors that come in saying how some were rejected for work because they chose to work with me. Such a ridiculous thing to do. Actors need work, and none of the producers are 'in competition' with each other. They only become and make themselves competition when they start denying work to an actor because they worked with another studio. Don't punish the actor because they don't have issues with another producer, they have nothing to do with it. It's one thing for a producer not to work with another actor because that producer shared his experience with that actor, I've had producers ask me for my feedback on an actor before. But it's another thing to not work the actor simply because the actor chooses to work for me. Why punish him, he's just trying to make a living like we are in this very bad economy.
I have nothing against any fellow producers in this industry, quite frankly I don't know any of them well enough to have anything against them. Producers should be working together, not against each other. I mean, look at the two actors that just fucked me on this shoot. These two actors had no reason to be a no show, making me think that all along they were coming in, letting me book their flights, then on the day of the flight, not telling me they were not coming. They were in contact with me consistently up until that day and said nothing of the sort. There was no reason for any of these guys to have a grudge towards me to act this way. One of them has never worked in the industry. Producers should ban these actors from working, because there may come a time they feel like fucking one of them out of a flight and waste their time.
I would like to start an online community where we as producers can connect and talk about the actors we work with. I realize some of the producers like to have exclusive actors, which is fine. But those who aren't exclusive by us working together, we can provide the actor with more work. A win win situation for everyone. We can also create a black list of actors who decide to be unprofessional, like the two who chose to waste my time and fuck my shoot this last week.
So if you're a producer, and you'd like to get something like this started, contact me and let's start working together. Spite what any actor might say to you, I don't know anything about how you run your business and have nothing against any of you.
Cheers,
Afton
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Robert Another Actor No Show
Well, my sixth actor scheduled also was a no show. Gave no notice of not coming in, nothing. Spoke to him on Instant Messenger over the weekend, telling me everything was set to go.
I'm am so sick and tired of these twinky actors fucking me on flights and wasting my time.
I'm going to be putting a new policy in effect starting immediately which will require a signed agreement with actors prior to booking them for their flights and for the shoot.
And everyone wonders why it's taking so long to cast Twinklight? It's because actors who have no respect for the business or themselves who take the spot of another actor who would have had the professionalism to follow through, at the very least give me enough notice to get another actor in.
Fucking bull shit!
Afton
I'm am so sick and tired of these twinky actors fucking me on flights and wasting my time.
I'm going to be putting a new policy in effect starting immediately which will require a signed agreement with actors prior to booking them for their flights and for the shoot.
And everyone wonders why it's taking so long to cast Twinklight? It's because actors who have no respect for the business or themselves who take the spot of another actor who would have had the professionalism to follow through, at the very least give me enough notice to get another actor in.
Fucking bull shit!
Afton
Monday, July 27, 2009
Tyler Bolt, No Show!
Just got back from the airport, Tyler Bolt former/present Helix Actor was booked for my shoot this week. Assured me 100% he'd be here. Texted me saying he would never commit to something and not show. Before booking his flight, wanted to be sure he'd make it out. Texts giving me that assurance. Well, just another example of how some of these actors work.
If you're a producer, I encourage you not to work with this actor, unless you don't mind getting stiffed for a flight. Very disappointing.
Thing that bothers me most, I emailed him on myspace today asking him if he was all packed, and he replied, no not yet, working on it. You know, if someone changes their mind about coming in, that's not a problem. Simply let me know so I can cancel your flight and get a replacement. But to just tell someone you're going to show, and you don't, well it's not like you just didn't show up for your 8 hour shift at SubWay, you fuck up a film production that has taken a great deal of time and money to put together.
I had six actors scheduled to come in, now I'm down to five. Let's see how many will actually show.
Ugh!
If you're a producer, I encourage you not to work with this actor, unless you don't mind getting stiffed for a flight. Very disappointing.
Thing that bothers me most, I emailed him on myspace today asking him if he was all packed, and he replied, no not yet, working on it. You know, if someone changes their mind about coming in, that's not a problem. Simply let me know so I can cancel your flight and get a replacement. But to just tell someone you're going to show, and you don't, well it's not like you just didn't show up for your 8 hour shift at SubWay, you fuck up a film production that has taken a great deal of time and money to put together.
I had six actors scheduled to come in, now I'm down to five. Let's see how many will actually show.
Ugh!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Afton's Actor Network Site Launched
I finally got up my new actor's network/casting website. I had so many issues with my actor's application that I decided to go one step further and add a networking site for actor's who've worked/work with me and those interested.
I feel it's important that the actors have a place to connect to ask questions on what it's like to work with me. It gives them an opportunity to hear it straight from the horses mouth, rather than haters who really have no clue. We all know who those people are ;-).
It's set up much like a myspace. Each actor creates/updates his profile, adds his photos. Which is great because so many actors look change from day to day. There's an Event's feature where I post all upcoming film shoots so actors can inquire in time to be cast. It has a News feature as well so I can update everyone on the progress of current and future events.
I feel this is a great addition and I look forward to it's growth.
Simply go to www.aftonnills.com to sign up or check it out.
Cheers,
Afton
I feel it's important that the actors have a place to connect to ask questions on what it's like to work with me. It gives them an opportunity to hear it straight from the horses mouth, rather than haters who really have no clue. We all know who those people are ;-).
It's set up much like a myspace. Each actor creates/updates his profile, adds his photos. Which is great because so many actors look change from day to day. There's an Event's feature where I post all upcoming film shoots so actors can inquire in time to be cast. It has a News feature as well so I can update everyone on the progress of current and future events.
I feel this is a great addition and I look forward to it's growth.
Simply go to www.aftonnills.com to sign up or check it out.
Cheers,
Afton
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Managers and Agencies, Ugh!
For the past seven years, while I've been in this industry as a Producer/Director, I have always cast my own actors. I spend countless hours online going through websites, talking to guys interested in working, etc. and have never had a problem putting together a great cast of guys.
Recently, I decided to give the agencies a try. I thought perhaps I can save a lot of time and energy by using guys who have already been screened, etc. by these agents.
I sent over my interests, about 20 actors. Out of them all, only one was available. Why send me over 30 actors if only one is able to work? There was this one really cute one that I asked over and over about. Never got an answer to his availability. On top of this, if I wanted to use an actor with this agency, I had to pay the agency a per scene rate on top of the actors fee. What is that all about? I've heard of finders fees, which I still feel is ridiculous, but a per scene fee on top of the actors per scene rate? Without producers, the actors have no work. If we have to pay per scene rates on top of actor per scene rates, I imagine a lot of these actors are going to lose a great deal of work with producers. For fucks sake, I'd be out of business if I had to do that for every actor I used. I'm not in business to employ an agency who merely sends a photo of an actor. And I'm sure the actor must also pay the agency. This is robbery my friends. The actors per scene rate was within the budget, but as soon as I had to add the agencies fees, which I was just notified of, I am over budget. So none of the actors that this agency has to offer will ever get the chance to work with me, which is a shame as they had some good ones.
I did some work on the legit side of things out in Hollywood, back in the day worked for a major studio. I have many good friends who still work in the industry. Hollywood Agencies/Managers take a small percentage of their clients pay. They don't charge the studios, producers fees for the use of their clients. That's how it works in the legitimate world. But because we are non union, and 'porn', these agents and managers get away with this shit. And it pisses me off to no end. Actors should have the ability to work with whom they want! But as I said, will lose opportunities to work with great studios who can't justify additional pay and fees. Not everyone is a ChiChi Channel 1 studio. It takes many, many years to achieve this status.
So take some very good advice new actors, think long and hard before you sign on with one of these agencies. I realize you as an actor don't care what they charge the studios, but for the smaller studios like myself, who pay the going per scene rate, won't be able to work you with your agency fees in place. Smaller studios like myself can be quite beneficial as we film constantly and will use you a great deal more than a larger studio. So in the long run, you can make more money working for a smaller studio who will use you 5 times more than a larger studio who may pay you a few hundred more per scene and use you once or twice.
Agents must be insured and bonded in each state where they do business. If they aren't, they aren't legal or legit. They can't run their businesses out of their homes. They must have a separate place of business. There are laws and regulations put in place for agencies to protect actors such as yourself. It matters not that it's not Hollywood, an agent and agency still must adhere to the regulations. So do your homework guys, and do what you feel is right for your future.
This industry needs a legit agency out there really really badly. I wish I had the time to do it myself!
Recently, I decided to give the agencies a try. I thought perhaps I can save a lot of time and energy by using guys who have already been screened, etc. by these agents.
I sent over my interests, about 20 actors. Out of them all, only one was available. Why send me over 30 actors if only one is able to work? There was this one really cute one that I asked over and over about. Never got an answer to his availability. On top of this, if I wanted to use an actor with this agency, I had to pay the agency a per scene rate on top of the actors fee. What is that all about? I've heard of finders fees, which I still feel is ridiculous, but a per scene fee on top of the actors per scene rate? Without producers, the actors have no work. If we have to pay per scene rates on top of actor per scene rates, I imagine a lot of these actors are going to lose a great deal of work with producers. For fucks sake, I'd be out of business if I had to do that for every actor I used. I'm not in business to employ an agency who merely sends a photo of an actor. And I'm sure the actor must also pay the agency. This is robbery my friends. The actors per scene rate was within the budget, but as soon as I had to add the agencies fees, which I was just notified of, I am over budget. So none of the actors that this agency has to offer will ever get the chance to work with me, which is a shame as they had some good ones.
I did some work on the legit side of things out in Hollywood, back in the day worked for a major studio. I have many good friends who still work in the industry. Hollywood Agencies/Managers take a small percentage of their clients pay. They don't charge the studios, producers fees for the use of their clients. That's how it works in the legitimate world. But because we are non union, and 'porn', these agents and managers get away with this shit. And it pisses me off to no end. Actors should have the ability to work with whom they want! But as I said, will lose opportunities to work with great studios who can't justify additional pay and fees. Not everyone is a ChiChi Channel 1 studio. It takes many, many years to achieve this status.
So take some very good advice new actors, think long and hard before you sign on with one of these agencies. I realize you as an actor don't care what they charge the studios, but for the smaller studios like myself, who pay the going per scene rate, won't be able to work you with your agency fees in place. Smaller studios like myself can be quite beneficial as we film constantly and will use you a great deal more than a larger studio. So in the long run, you can make more money working for a smaller studio who will use you 5 times more than a larger studio who may pay you a few hundred more per scene and use you once or twice.
Agents must be insured and bonded in each state where they do business. If they aren't, they aren't legal or legit. They can't run their businesses out of their homes. They must have a separate place of business. There are laws and regulations put in place for agencies to protect actors such as yourself. It matters not that it's not Hollywood, an agent and agency still must adhere to the regulations. So do your homework guys, and do what you feel is right for your future.
This industry needs a legit agency out there really really badly. I wish I had the time to do it myself!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Afton Nills Still Recovering
We just wanted to update everyone on Afton's condition. He was scheduled to film the second week of July, however due to his illness has been postponed until further notice.
Afton caught a bad case of the flu on Saturday, the 27th and has been confined to bed ever since. His recovery is moving along slowly, but surely.
If you've tried to contact Afton regarding July's shoot, or Twinklight, please look for a reply sometime next week when we expect him to be back up and running.
Thanks
Afton caught a bad case of the flu on Saturday, the 27th and has been confined to bed ever since. His recovery is moving along slowly, but surely.
If you've tried to contact Afton regarding July's shoot, or Twinklight, please look for a reply sometime next week when we expect him to be back up and running.
Thanks
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