Terminology Tuesday

To piggyback off yesterday’s post about agents, we wanted to talk about hip-pocketing.  Hip-pocketing is the term that describes a relationship between an agent and an actor in which the agent agrees to send the actor out for opportunities without signing a formal contract.  First, let’s disclose that “hip-pocketing” is going to mean different things to different people. At its core, it means that you are not actually a client of the agency, but instead, someone they are keeping in …

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AKA “waiting on approval” or “getting approval”⁠ ⁠ The beloved approval process ⌛️ It can sometimes be quick. It can sometimes be painstakingly slow. Either way, it’s going to be around for a while… so let’s break it down:⁠ ⁠ Approval is something that is needed from the studio & network in order for actors to receive an official offer for a role. In TV, the approval process is generally just the studio and network. Occasionally, it will be the …

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A “button” is a tool actors sometimes use in their (mostly comedic) auditions to help close out a scene in a unique way. It’s created by the actor and is usually in the form of an ending line or action. Sometimes they’re funny. Sometimes they’re awkward. Sometimes they aren’t appropriate. And they are certainly NEVER required. ⁠ ⁠ Here are some things to consider when deciding on whether or not to add a button to your scene:⁠ ⁠ 1. Keep …

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This has been a common term used lately and we’ve noticed some confusion floating around. So let’s break it down. What EXACTLY is a general meeting and what are they used for? ⤵⁠ ⁠ A general meeting is a very CASUAL “meet & greet” between new talent and someone in the industry. For actors, it’s generally between an actor and casting director but generals can also be held with studio and network executives. ⁠ ⁠ What can you expect?⁠ ⁠ …

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When a deal is “pay or play”, it’s an agreement in which an actor gets paid whether or not the project is made. For example, if you were guaranteed a certain number of episodes and your character has been cut from one of those episodes, you’re still going to get paid with this deal.  Although it’s not often referred to as “pay or play”, another instance where you might get paid without actually working is when your role gets cut …

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What exactly does it mean to be “pinned”? Sometimes being pinned is also referred to as “on avail” or a “watch and advise”. All of them essentially mean the same thing: you’re “in the mix”. As for why exactly you’re pinned? There could be a few possibilities… ⭐️ Maybe you are exactly who they want, but the shooting schedule hasn’t locked yet. We can’t send out offers to day players without a locked schedule. Maybe you are the producer’s choice …

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A 10/13 series regular is a term that is used to describe a specific type of SR role. Although a 10/13 role is still considered a series regular, they are only guaranteed to be in 10 (out of 13) episodes. 10/13s typically get paid less than an “all shows produced” (ASP) series regular since they are working less episodes. However, a 10/13 SR role is still considered a contracted role, meaning (in most cases), they become ineligible to go out …

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Actors booking more than one project at the same time is not uncommon. The term ‘first position’ refers to whichever project is your number one obligation. Obligations are typically determined by a first-come-first-serve basis. For example, if you first close a deal to work as a guest star, and then book a role in a feature film, if there are any conflicting work days with the two projects, the guest star that you booked must be given top priority, i.e. …

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A backdoor pilot is a type of pilot (yes, there are different types) that is filmed as a standalone episode so that it can still be aired on television even if it isn’t picked up. If well-received, it can then be developed into a series or miniseries. It’s essentially a “test episode” for the intended series and marks an early step in development. A backdoor pilot may also be used for an episode that serves to introduce a spin-off.