WORKSHOP THE CRAFT OF ACTING

A short while back, an ad on gum tree crossed my path. Besides a few obvious markers that it was bogus, there was one which compelled me to write this and post it on our site. They guaranteed work every day. Now, everyone knows where there are dreams, there are vultures waiting to charge poor bright eyed idealists until the final coins drop from their pockets. A sad fact.

Please, everyone, whether in our mega-family or not, watch out! for handing out money unnecessarily. Yes, it is true, we charge a R250 membership fee. The only time you will be expected to hand over money. And this rate is still low, considering what all you get. (Not forgetting the etiquette course where you have a chance to learn how to be successful in castings, how to work with others on set and also the Q&A where I will personally stay with you until all your questions are answered.)

I have also seen, too many times, outlandish prices for portfolios and showreels. Whilst there is no doubt that these tools are vital to an artiste, and can set them apart from others, sometimes it can get out of hand. Would you like a fiat or a Ferrari? No doubt you will choose the latter if they were for free, but if your goal is to get from A to B, well then either will do.

Please, again, please, guard your dreams from money grabbing lunatics. J Let’s face it, we are generally limited to work available in the western cape. (Let’s take a moment to honour exception.) There is no chance any agency can guarantee (or even promise they will try) to give you work daily. Hell, that doesn’t just go for the actors, that goes for every bohemian in the film industry. Perhaps you knew this. But I feel better now. Thank you.

Jonathan Mumbeck

Fred Ingebese, who just featured in Globacom commercial done by Miros Productions earning him a pocket full of cash.

Whilst I am looking forward to great ideas and chasing opportunities, I get a call…

Jonathan: Faces4Film, Jonathan speaking, how can I help you?
Anon: I haven’t been paid yet.
Jonathan: Well that is terrible, which job is it?
Anon: I don’t know, it was in Wynberg.
Jonathan: We-elll, if all goes well, I book for about 10 jobs a week.
Anon: I want my money!
Jonathan: Of course you do. And I want you to have your money. May I advise you to keep track of the jobs you do, the day they were done and the name of the production team, and then there will be no problems, ever!
Anon: Why thank you, that information is priceless. From now on I will have no more problems. Thank you for being so great and helpful. You are the best booker in the whole world. Bye
Jonathan: Bye friend.

Ok, so while this account didn’t happen word for word as I wrote it now, I get similar phone calls all the time. Faces4Film wants to pay you. While there have been many horror stories in the past about fly by night ‘psuedo’ extra agencies who have taken money & disappeared into thin air (or an island off the coast of Brazil), we here are planning to be around for a long time to come. Rule of thumb, production pays us, we pay you.

Our artistes are the name carriers of Faces4Film, and we cherish everyone of them. Let’s continue to work together & you have my word that you will get paid.

-Jonathan Mumbeck