I answered an ad for a movie extra. The ad was placed 5 days ago. I sent a photo I took of myself with my camera. I was wearing no make-up. He wrote back and asked for photos of me wearing make-up because I'd be playing a professional woman and it would be a speaking part (I'd have one line). He doesn't say it is a student film. He doesn't say it's a major motion picture staring Brad Pitt though either. He says the film has a "distributor" and I'd get credits. It seems too good to be true. What do you guys think? What does having a "distributor" mean? I am very new to all of this. Is it a opening to a scam? I am hoping some more experienced person can guide me.
Update:My understanding is that if an extra does a speaking part they become a automatic member of SAG and that shouldn't be this easy.
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Your understanding about SAG is wrong. SAG-AFTRA is a union, it has different agreements with different types of productions (the production is then a "SAG Signatory"). The production agrees to certain things like minimum pay, work conditions, things like that and in return, the union allows it's memebers to work on the production. Even a student film can be a SAG Signatory. It's not about the size of the production, it's about whether the producers have bothered to jump through the hoops to get an agreement with SAG-AFTRA. Of course the agreement is done to provide work for union actors. If a SAG Signatory hires a non-union actor, they have to explain to the union why they couldn't hire a union actor and/or pay a fee to the union. So someone going through the work of becoming a SAG Signatory is looking for professional SAG-AFTRA actors.
You only become SAG-AFTRA "eligible" if you get a principal role (speaking role) in a UNION production (not any production at all - one that is a SAG-AFTRA signatory). And then you don't automatically become a member, you become eligible. You still need to complete the paperwork and pay the initiation fee (about $3,000) and pay the union dues to be a member of SAG-AFTRA. And then once you're a member, you can only work on union production. You can't do non-union works. Most actors starting out get their experience and training through non-union work, so if you join the union too soon, you're limiting yourself. You basically put yourself in the same category as Brad Pitt and will be up against actors with a ton of training and experience (and connections) for roles. So you really should only join the union if you're truely ready to compete with the big boys.
So, as your point out in your question this is a non-union production so there's no way you can become eligible for the SAG-AFTRA union being in a non-union production. Basically you have someone making a movie. They have a "distributor" meaning they have someone who is going to try to sell their movie to theaters or on the Internet. For all you know it could be a porn distributor. The movie might appear on somewhere on the Internet and that could be it.
So yes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Is it a scam? They're not paying you and they're not asking you to invest money in it (are they?) So it is what it is. Someone making an independent movie. Whether or not you want to do it, is up to you. Do it smart though. If you feel uncomfortable, don't do it or bring a friend. Don't give them money. Keep your clothes on. Be safe.
Since you're starting out, you should be putting together an acting reel of your film work so ask for all the film of you (not just the final product). You might think you look better in a scene than the director wanted so you could include that scene on your acting reel. The director might say no, but it's something to think about. (And once you see the movie, you may not want to include it on your reel).
And start doing research into the industry so you have a better understanding of how things work. You need to protect yourself.
Good luck.!
katrina's answer is right on.
cindy: many legit productions, even MAJOR ones, sometimes advertise on craigslist, in local papers, on the news, or facebook for extras. extras casting is sub-contracted by the production, usually to a very local person, so your info is very misguided.
major (big budget SAG) shows will NOT, however, advertise on CL or FB for speaking roles, though some good student or low-budget indie projects certainly DO, and it's a great resource for non-union actors who are starting out, to get experience, make connections, and build their resume'. that being said, as with any online-to-in person interaction, safety must be considered first. for minors, their parents must be involved, even if the company is totally legit, regardless.
I would be leery about Craigslist ads...people use this to get talent that they don't have to pay any money for their talent. If this was legit, they would of contacted a talent agency and booked talent with them. Sounds like someone is producing a film, trying to get a break in the business.