Faq & Help

No, there is no cost to you if we decide to sign you or your child to our talent management company. Your primary expense will be traveling to and from Manhattan and getting headshots. We do not charge any money for you to sign with our Talent Management. The cost of traveling to and from Manhattan for auditions will be your primary expense.

Required a professional headshot and resume to request a talent application. Then Email us at DreamMakerTalent@aol.com and request a talent application along with your headshot in a jpeg attachment and your resume in a word doc attachment. We will e-mail you one to fill out if these requirements are met. Once the application is complete e-mail it back to us. It will be reviewed by our staff. If you or your child is accepted we will contact you within the next couple of weeks.

No, we are a management company. There is a difference. If you choose to sign exclusively with an agency, you are not allowed to receive auditions from other agencies. When you sign with a manager, you work with all of the agencies through the management company, therefore increasing your number of auditions. And that is the key to finding work.

We speak with potential clients weekly for interviews. All potential clients are required to speak with management to discuss their goals and dreams. If you are a theater person we would love to hear you sing/dance. Prepare a Ballad and uptempo song when we have our interview. We will also look at any reels or Youtube performances you may have.

It is your responsibility to update your child’s work permit every six months. Mail your renewal 3 weeks before the expiration to avoid any problems. Always bring your original work permit to every job.

Yes, professional pictures are the key to getting your face and name out there with agents and casting directors. We strongly recommend it. In order to be submitted for film and television projects – 8×10 headshots print outs are required for in person auditions and callbacks for actors 4 years old and above. Digitals are needed for submissions and self tapes. We can suggest reputable photographers in your price range, but the cost is your responsibility.

Yes, a two-year contract is required for representation.

The 2 primary unions we recommend to our experienced clients are the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). In both cases, we do not recommend you join until you are required to do so (SAG – after two union jobs; AFTRA – after one union job). While the goal of every actor is to eventually work on only union-affiliated jobs, it is not necessary if you are relatively new to the business. Since the cost of membership is high,  it is better to have worked enough so that your income covers at least the initial fees.  We do not suggest getting your union card by doing background work.

Union-affiliated work has predetermined rates and regulations. Non-Union work rates vary.
For example: SAG commercials pay a session fee for a 9-hour principal workday. Only principal players are paid residuals for the commercial. The potential for making earnings into the thousands of dollars is often very good.
Non-Union commercials pay one flat session rate with no residuals. Non-Union jobs provide invaluable experience; therefore we recommend these jobs to non-union affiliated clients.

THIS IS REQUIRED FOR REPRESENTATION
A headshot is a professional photograph that primarily focuses on a person’s face, typically from the shoulders up.
Headshots are designed to showcase an individual’s unique features and personality, often emphasizing clarity and professionalism.

An In Person audition is an interview for actors conducted by a director or a casting director in order to determine if the actor fits the role. Auditions for children usually require the child to go into the room on their own. Parents will wait for their child in the waiting room.

A self-tape is a pre-recorded video audition that an actor submits to the casting director or creative team. Actors film themselves reading select portions of the script, or sides, then edit the footage and send it in electronically. In most cases, a casting director will specifically request that you send in a self-tape. They’ll do so after viewing the demo reel, headshot, and rèsumè submitted by either you or your agent or manager. As part of the self-tape request, the casting director will provide additional instructions for filming, and the deadline.

When a casting director issues a “first refusal” it means that a final casting decision has not been made; the casting director is requesting that the performer contact them before accepting a booking for another job on the same day (s), i.e., giving the original producer the first opportunity to book the person.

After a successful audition the casting director will call the actor’s manager in order to schedule a second audition. This process is called a callback and sometimes can take up to 5 times until the casting director makes up his mind. Many times when the choice is hard to make, the actor will be put on avail or hold.

A pin refers to the process of being recommended as a potential hire to the production team after an audition. It signifies that you are a finalist for the role, but it does not guarantee a booking. The casting office will pin several actors as possible options and will reach out to see if they are willing to be available. It is a sign of your strong performance and the casting office’s confidence in your ability to be a possible suitable candidate for the role.

Dream Maker Talent Management  does NOT participate in freelance agreements with its actors. We offer exclusive management agreements.

Avail / Hold means that the actor should be available to work in the dates of the shoot. It is almost as if you have a 50% chance to get the role. Many times the casting director will just use you as a security in case something will fall with his first choice. But anyway you look at it, it is a good thing.

Casting Directors are the middleman between you and the part. It is up to them to decide if you are good enough to stand in front of the director & producers in your final callback.  Ask any casting director what matters most when an actor shows up to an audition. Most will say, “They need to be prepared.” (Showing up on time can’t hurt either.) These should be obvious, but it’s surprising how many actors make a bad impression with something as simple as inappropriate behavior. It can knock you out before you step into the ring. Remember: Casting directors already have the job you don’t. So you need to prove yourself to them, not the other way around.
Other suggestions we heard from CDs: Avoid unnecessary chit-chat. Don’t linger in the room for too long after you read. Stay away from using most props. And avoid making physical contact with the casting director during your audition.

Yes. You can have several agents part of the team, but only one manager.

From actingmagazine.com “There are some auditions you may have to pass on. That’s especially true if it compromises your safety, health, privacy, morals or dignity. Ideally you never turn down an audition or a role, especially early on in your career.” Before declining any audition be sure to let management know why.  If you frequently decline auditions, it could negatively impact your career trajectory as casting may stop sending you auditions and managers may stop submitting you.

1. Professional Materials

Your headshot, resume, and demo reel are your calling cards. They must be:

High-Quality: Invest in professional headshots that show your range.
Concise and Relevant: Tailor your resume to highlight your acting credits, training, and skills.
Impressive: Your demo reel should showcase your best work in under 2-3 minutes.
2. A Strong Personal Brand

Agents and managers are drawn to actors who know their type and marketability. Ask yourself:

What kind of roles do I excel in?
How can I differentiate myself from others?
3. Consistent Training

Actors who continually refine their craft through workshops, classes, and coaching show dedication. Training from respected institutions or coaches can also catch the eye of industry professionals.

4. A Positive Reputation

The entertainment industry thrives on connections. Having a good reputation among casting directors, fellow actors, and coaches can increase your chances of signing with an agent or manager.

5. Potential for Growth

Agents and managers look for actors with room to grow. If they see you as a long-term investment, they’re more likely to take you on as a client.

TV, Film, Commercials, Print, Voice Overs, Industrials, PSA’s, Hosting and recently Vertical Short Films etc.

This is very important to remain a client. Be sure to book out in advance.  These dates are to be e-mailed over to the management office.

Booking Out is the industry term for declaring yourself unavailable for a specific block of time, during which your representation cannot book you for auditions, callbacks, or jobs. It’s the equivalent of putting a “do not disturb” sign on your door, or an “out of office” message in your inbox.  Booking out is a time where potential work takes a backseat to the other things you have going on.

There are many different ways you may be contacted.

It’s very important to keep your notifications and alerts active on all of your casting profiles. Most times you will be notified through those avenues. Also we may e-mail, text or call you. Please be sure check your e-mails, text messages. You can miss out on an opportunity if we can not reach you and if you neglect to confirm.