Australian College of Dramatic Arts © Merilyn Brend 2016

22307VIC Certificate III in Acting (Screen)

22307VIC Certificate III in

Acting (Screen)
Year Two

CUFIND401A Provide services

on a freelance basis
Australian College of Dramatic Arts
STUDENT WORKBOOK
Name: …………………………………….
School: …………………………………..

Workbook developed by Merilyn Brend © 2016

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Australian College of Dramatic Arts © Merilyn Brend 2016
22307VIC Certificate III in Acting (Screen)

WELCOME TO CUFIND401A:
Provide services on a freelance basis
What This Unit Is About

Information about the Film and Television Industry

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to
operate as a freelancer within the creative arts industry. Success as a freelancer
requires a high level of self-motivation and discipline, an ability to develop
industry networks and an entrepreneurial attitude when pursuing work
opportunities. Freelancers are usually responsible for negotiating their own
contracts.
This unit covers the research necessary to be able to ascertain whether or not
you can be a part of the Film and Television Industry from a business point of
view.
An actor is defined as being his or her own small business. In other words the
actor does not have a product to sell like most businesses but relies on being
able to sell personal talent and skills.
Are you a marketable product? Have you done the necessary homework to be
part of the industry? Are you competent to take on a part, a bit part, an extra role?
Do you think that your talent for acting is excellent? Do you train at your chosen
profession?
It’s not a matter of thinking that you can and are all these things it’s a matter of
producing the goods on demand and being realistic about your knowledge and
skills. Can you take the pressure of business? Can you take more no’s than yes’s?
We develop and learn at different times, Are you ready to embark on the job of
learning, selling and promoting ourselves? Are you ready to take risks and
opportunities? Do you have what it takes to be a part of the acting profession?

Competency based learning and assessment

This unit is competency-based. Competency-based learning is not only about
gaining knowledge but also about being able to put what you know into practise –
to perform a task or demonstrate a skill.

How this unit is structured

Elements: these provide a very brief statement of the skills and knowledge you
are required to develop.
Performance criteria: There are a number of performance criteria for each
element. To satisfactorily complete the unit you must successfully demonstrate
your competence in every performance criterion.

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22307VIC Certificate III in Acting (Screen)

ASSESSMENT
Competency based assessment has no pass or fail. You are assessed as either
competent or not yet competent. Being assessed as not yet competent simply
means you need to spend more time working on the unit.

RESOURCES
Please list resources as you work through this booklet.

All attachments must be labelled with name and number of question, if

they are not done then the teacher may not be able to mark them.

Element 1: Promote yourself to potential employers

1.1 If you have an agent what opportunities are open to you?

Advanced notice of audition/screen-tests and networking opportunities.

1.2 If you do not have an agent how do you find out about acting
auditions/opportunities?
Internet , newspaper, radio and TV advertsing and word of mouth

1.3 Explain the work of an agent.

The agent has a stable of actors that they work with to obtain AUDITIONS AND
SCREEN-TEST and capitalise on OPPORTUNITIES to advance an actors career
path.

1.4 Explain the work of the actor freelancer? Do you think you are able to
freelance?
The freelance actor must network WITHOUT the aid of an agent. They must
source audition/screen-tests and network within the industry.
Student reflective comment

1.5 What materials (tools of the acting trade) do you need to be able to freelance?
CV and headshot
Ability to source auditions/screen-tests
Ablility to network within the industry
Ability to learn scripts
Able to go to auditions with short notice

1.6 Where would you go if you needed specialist acting industry advice?
Australian College of Dramatic Arts
Drama teacher
Acting coach
Internet research

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Australian College of Dramatic Arts © Merilyn Brend 2016
22307VIC Certificate III in Acting (Screen)

Relatives/friends in the industry

1.7 Where would you advertise yourself as an actor?

AT2
Showcast
Casting Consultants – email with CV and headshot
Starnow
Reliable and reputable sites

1.8 As a freelance actor and also being at school how would you find the time to
be able to keep in contact with actor networks?
Student reflective comment

1.9 How is technology helping the industry? Research and list.

(ATTACH to booklet and put 6. At the top of the attached page)
The following is an extract from a student’s homework.
Students should research and answer without being prompted.

HOW IS TECHNOLOGY HELPING THE INDUSTRY?

ACCESS TO THE INTERNET

- Access to the internet means that there is a portal to assist actors working
on a freelance basis, making it easier to access potential audition and job
opportunities which may be posted on the web.
- Gives the opportunity to research agents and their reputations/success
- It means that there are new ways to audition including via video sent
through the internet. Also accounts such as a youtube account may
increase your chances of being noticed in the industry.
- The use of emails and email accounts means communication between
employers, casting directors, producers, actors and agents is much more
organised and efficient.
- Information about the industry is abundant on the internet meaning actors
and those working in the industry can easily keep up to date with the
industry, including finding out what’s currently and upcoming in production
and different actor workshops that are available.
- The internet opens up the opportunity to promote yourself online through
the use of a website or an account on Showcast or AT2, online talent
promoters. Here you can display your CV and Headshot and be seen by
potential employers or agents seeking new talent.

MOBILE PHONES
- The use of portable communication is extremely valuable to the industry as
you can be contacted or contact an employer/agent anywhere at anytime.

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Australian College of Dramatic Arts © Merilyn Brend 2016
22307VIC Certificate III in Acting (Screen)

Last minute auditions or changes to film time/location can be easily alerted

to you by mobile phone.
- Many smart phones these days have internet access which means you
can access emails and continue research from anywhere at anytime.

FILMING.
- The use of CGI means that ‘things’ which would be impossible to film in
reality, can be shown on film.
- Higher definition and better quality films.
- 3D filming, for a better experience for the audience.
- Special effects

Element 2: Negotiate work arrangements

2.1 Explain what an acting contract is?
An acting contract is the agreement between two parties, the EMPLOYER and
the EMPLOYEE. The contract should state clearly pay and conditions and any
other specially negotiated conditions for work.

2.2 Find examples of payment/fee for service.

See MEAA handout

For children up to their 15th birthday: television commercials can pay well
with a child in a speaking role (LEAD) expecting to earn between $1500
and $3000 depending on the size of the role and how long the commercial
is aired. For featured or smaller roles fees can start from around $500 –
$800 per commercial.

Film and TV pay less well and under MEAA rulings children in Victoria are
only guaranteed 50% of the adult rate. However, proactive and reputable
agencies are usually able to insist that children represented are paid at 75%
of the adult rate. Also, as performers gain experience and profile, reputable
agencies are able to negotiate higher fees on their behalf.

Find a standard contract for FILM and then again for TELEVISION and see how
much you should be earning as of this year if you are an extra, a bit part and a
lead.

To find on www.alliance.org.au

Remember that the amount you get paid is dependant on the budget of the TVC,
television series or film. Therefore research the MEAA site for the Basic
Negotiated Fee (BNF) and attached to the back of this booklet.

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Australian College of Dramatic Arts © Merilyn Brend 2016
22307VIC Certificate III in Acting (Screen)

(ATTACH to booklet and put Element 2.2 at the top of the attached page)

2.3 You are in Year 12 and really want to finish your final year of study, but you
have successfully gained a part in ‘Neighbours’. You are offered the Basic
Negotiated Fee but no access to the on set tutor, what do you do?
Reflective student comments

2.4 You are an experienced young actor and you have successfully gained a part
in a film but have only been offered wages at the Basic Negotiated Fee (BNF).
What do you do?
Reflective student comments

2.5 You are having trouble understanding a contract, where do you go for advice?
You cannot afford a solicitor.
Australian College of Dramatic Arts
Drama teacher
MEAA

2.6 You have been asked to act, as a lead in a co-operative film – meaning that if
there are any profits made then you will receive a percentage. If the film does not
make any money then you will not receive any money. This is your 10 th co-
operative film. On the day of filming you have been asked to be an extra in a low
budget television commercial – what do you do?

Student answer is their decision – however after they have answered please note
that they have agreed to the lead on the cooperative film meaning that have an
obligation to fulfil. If they let the short film production company down because of
the extra work then they are not working ethically. If they start doing this then one
day it could be possible that their reputation is tarnished and known within the
Melbourne Film and Television Industry, which is not large.

Element 3: Manage financial and business

aspects of freelance work
3.1 How much money is needed to help you get into the industry?
Use the following as an approximation of what you could be paying out.
Realistically you would not need this amount, but you have to be prepared
for some costs.
Please read and discuss this with the students
MATERIALS COST
Photos – professional Allow $300.00
(This does not have to be done when you are
first starting out)

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Australian College of Dramatic Arts © Merilyn Brend 2016
22307VIC Certificate III in Acting (Screen)

Mobile phone 30 per month

CV’s – paper and printing 20.00 per year
Union fees 90.00 per year
Showcast/AT1 100.00 per year
Maintain grooming: buying clothes for 50.00 per month
auditions
Hair cut 50.00 per 4 months
Make-up
Maintaining mobile phone prepaid or plan (for 40.00 per month
easy contact)
E-mail account for sending CV/ photo and 30.00 per week
communications
Classes for the continual upgrading of skills 30.00 per week
maintenance
Filming and editing of either a show reel if you Find a multimedia friend who
are well-known or a working demo tape if not can edit or 200.00
Travel – public transport to the city $20.00 per 2 weeks
TOTAL (approx) $920.00
If you are successful in getting a job then you will be earning. Let’s assume that
in 6 months you have four extras jobs, one well paid Television commercial and
one not so well paid.
Neighbours 2 x 8 hour call = $ 416.00
Neighbours 2 x 4 hour call = $ 208.00
TVC Medibank – actor with one line
12 months with roll over for a
further 12 months, Australia wide = $ 2,800.00
TVC – featured extra (low budget) = $ 240.00
TOTAL $3,664.00
So you can see that you could afford the costs. But remember this is an
assumption for possible work for 6 months. But the reality is that you might only
get one job and it could be the low budget TVC.
Student reflective comment

3.2 Assuming that you get one job in 6 months do you think you could afford
some of the set–up costs?
Student reflective comment

3.3 Identify any technical competencies; personal skills and attributes that you
think have that will enhance your chances.
Student reflective comment

3.4 Find an invoice template on the internet, save it to your computer and use it to
produce an invoice to a production company. Include your name, mailing address,

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Australian College of Dramatic Arts © Merilyn Brend 2016
22307VIC Certificate III in Acting (Screen)

email address, contact numbers, invoice number, tax file number (make it up)
production name and address, the job you did, the date you did it and the fee.
(ATTACH to workbook with element 3.4 at the top of the attached page)

3.5 How do you keep track of your payments in and out? You might need to be
very organised if you are earning enough money to submit for tax returns?
Please write a payment in and payment out list to illustrate how you keep track of
your money.
(ATTACH to workbook with element 3.5 at the top of the attached page)

Element 4: Undertake strategic planning

4.1 Undertake your own feasibility study to determine your suitability to the
Industry. Use the following SWOT formula.

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

Example - Untidy Mum willing to Other actors -
Organised drive me to all jealousy
auditions

4.2 Personal conflicts regarding money often cause stress. How will you resolve
not getting to that stage and be able to resolve your own personal conflict?

Student reflective comment

4.3 Personal conflicts also occur within the family. For example: you may not
have your driving licence and you need to be driven to an audition. This could be
a time issue. Or, a family member may not think that the acting profession is
serious one and may put you down over it. How can you resolve this conflict so
that it does not escalate?

Student reflective comment

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Australian College of Dramatic Arts © Merilyn Brend 2016
22307VIC Certificate III in Acting (Screen)

4.4 Do you foresee any other conflicts that could get in your way? Think laterally
about being within the industry and write down any thoughts you have and about
how you will deal with them.
Student reflective comment

Write down the hours it took you to complete this UOC

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