We conducted an exclusive interview with LA-based actress Naama Kates (Cookies & Cream, My Normal, NCIS). We got to discuss everything acting related from her vantage point of an actress who is getting that much-coveted TV work, has an agent, and is a member of the Screen Actor's Guild. She not long ago made the move from NY to LA, and has continued working hard just the same (if not harder).
This is just one in a "service" we are trying to provide for the tons of actors out there that are looking to expand their visibility, join the union, and get to the point where acting becomes their full time life. We had a great time working with Naama on Cookies & Cream, and like all great collaborators, she continues to support, promote, love, and push the film - even after the film has been completed. Thats just one example of how she has become a favorite over here at One Way or Another Productions.
This advice and interview is for not for the actor that casually enjoys working on the occasional film with only their friends. Instead, this is for those actors looking for TV work, representation, and to crack the all-time, seemingly silent code of becoming a union player - something that till this day, seems a mystery. And why should it be? It's like someone telling you that in order to get into a party, you have to know what the front door password is - except the password seems to be a secret, and no one really knows exactly what it is. It can be frustrating, but Naama will try to navigate at leasst some of this and shed some light on "the biz" from her perspective, to our increasingly actor-friendly blog community.
Naama also wanted to preface the interview with this message to the readers:
"I am no expert! I am not 'there' yet. I'm just saying what I've done and what's felt like it's worked for me, but I am just starting out and it's a long, steep climb. So I'd like to pass on some advice from a friend of mine whose career and work I really admire... Know what you're worth... If you can sincerely look at yourself and your acting and assess that there's no difference in quality between you and the actor making 2 million dollars an episode, then command that, and everyone else will see it too. And if you can't, then do whatever you need to do to get there, take classes, take care of yourself. Get motivated. Suit up, it's a weird life."
Here is the full interview. Please take notes, save it, favorite it, and most of all, enjoy.
OneWayTV: Once and for all, if Im an actor trying to find more work, how tha hell can I get representation?
Naama: "First of all, it sounds like a cliche but find as much work as you can without representation in the meantime... www.actorsaccess.com and www.lacastings.com and Craigslist. Plays, student films, indie films, whatever level you're at... sometimes it's important to keep doing this even after you get an agent. Work to get into SAG- it doesn't mean all that much in some ways, but most legit agents don't look at non-union actors. People you meet, something to put on a reel, all really important. And get into class... it's non-negotiable...you'll be working on your craft so you don't feel like you're stuck or like you're DESPERATE. Find a way to support yourself, financially and emotionally. Being desperate is a huge turn-off to reps and gives vibes off to the world to stay away. So, once you do all that, you'll have some people, some connections, some work to show when the opportunity actually does fall in your lap. I met my manager through an actor friend after already having done a handful of films, so after just connecting on a personal level, I could direct her to my material and give her something to see... She sent me on auditions and meetings with agents, and that's how I got my agent... I've never blind-submitted to agencies, and I don't know anyone who's gotten one by doing so, though I'm sure it happens... Inviting agents to showcases or screenings yourself is a good strategy too, though I know in LA especially agents rarely go to these... Oh, and before any of this I should start with this huge pointer: You have to be local to a city with an actual market. You have to make sure you're available to go out tomorrow if you get an audition or a meeting, so you can't be living in Podunk, PA, and you have to decide for yourself when you're ready to make that move. Classes are available everywhere, as well as community theatre and more and more now local indie films and some tv, so work at home as long as you need to be comfortable... But the bigger roles in the bigger projects are in New York and LA. Work. Take class. Meet fellow actors and directors... they can point you the right way."OneWayTV: What are the main differences between low to non paying gigs/productions, and fully-paid, larger stuff (full honesty encouraged)?
Naama: "The main difference is money!!! Organization, amenities, and protection follow with that... SAG seems like a bully to productions sometimes, but it does guarantee us actors a lot of things that you can't expect on non-union shoots, though the difference between SAG ultra lows and non-union projects are sometimes non-existent. Often times if a production is signatory, it's likely the producers are taking it pretty seriously, but not always. The other huge difference is exposure. A higher budget project is less likely to run into scheduling problems, disorganization, and complete disintegration, so it's more likely to get finished and be seen. With standard SAG paid projects you probably won't be working more than 8-12 hours, call times will be accurate, you'll get your breaks on time, sometimes a trailer bigger than your apartment and a full wardrobe closet inside. A lot of money is being poured into these projects, so they're going to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible, facilitated by the crew, spaces, and equipment that money can buy. ORGANIZATION is the real main difference for these projects. But regardless of budget, if you're working on a film just trust your gut about the people and the project. If it feels like the people at the helm are most focused on the final project, its a good one; if it feels like people are just messing around, they probably are. This is true across the board, and across the board there will often be personal conflicts on set. We are dealing with artists here."OneWayTV: We're quite curious as to what the differences between the LA film community and the NY film community are...
Naama: "The main differences between the two markets and communities are like the main differences between the two cities. There's more in LA, but somehow it feels smaller. Since it's completely movie-town EVERYONE is aware of everyone else. I could launch into an endless diatribe about the differences between NY and LA in general, but you've heard it all before and it's a matter of personal opinion. The types of films, the types of personalities; these reflect the cities themselves.. which are what they are because of their history, their culture, their climate. That topic is a monster. Judge for yourself. But there is MORE in LA, and it's more connected on every level, whereas in NY the film community only becomes connected toward the top. It's all anyone thinks about here."
OneWayTV: TV or movies? Which pays better? Which is your favorite?
Naama: "TV is getting better and better all the time, more cinematic, the cable dramas are excellent and even the networks, the line is getting blurred. But ultimately TV is more for mass consumption. It does have to follow a formula to keep viewers hooked. In a lot of network series the characters remain fairly consistent for years and the actors remain with them. There are tons of great shows though- Mad Men, The Sopranos, Lost, Friday Night Lights, you know I could go on forever, with very complex characters- but still. I'm a film actor. I like escaping into a different life for a month or two each time... Film has a different nature. TV is more like pop art. TV is the bread and butter for almost everyone in this industry except for the very top stars and directors, it is good money (stupid good), it is consistent money, there are sponsors and networks and even big screen actors now are going small screen... I've never been paid nearly as much for film as I have for TV, but hey, commercials pay even more. Know who you are- how commercial you are, how easily someone can market you... Film is more likely to take a chance with someone unique and commercials need someone really palatable. I'm much more suited to film (smile)"
OneWayTV: Could you tell us once and for all, what advantages happen when an actor becomes SAG, and how tha HELL does one become a part of it???
Naama: "Ah, SAG, advantages are huge: basically, for whatever reason (because the processes of becoming SAG doesn't make sense to anyone I know) people take you more seriously. You can audition for bigger projects, you will be paid a lot more and treated like some kind of Roman emperor with Craft Services catering flying at you from every direction. But if you become SAG really early on you may miss out on a lot of great opportunities... If you are SAG-Eligible you should hold that status as long as possible and stay open to non union work. My reps would not be happy if they found I went for non-union work unless it was some regional commercial in Thailand that paid 5 grand, and SAG has gotten really strict, though your chances of being caught before you have a name are rather low... I DON'T understand how you can become SAG. Sorry. But I really don't get it. You have to be cast on union projects and then if you become upgraded to a role which is only for union (like feature or guest star as opposed to background) you get some kind of waiver. Or something. I don't know. I was upgraded like that. I joined at 17, so I don't really know the ins and outs."OneWayTV: What you are working on now?
Naama: "Hmmm well obviously Cookies and Cream is available on the films site for purchase and is premiering in LA this summer; so is a film I did called "My Normal," on Tuesday in fact at Dances with Films! I expect it'll be available soon too. My first film, fantasy "Nothing Sacred" is being retitled "Twilight of Magic" and recut to be PG 13 to suit the market.. Keep you updated on that. "Firefly and the Bride" is in post; my episode of NCIS (season 6 episode 6) is in syndication on CBS and you can find it on youtube, a movie I just filmed "Orgy of Blood" is in post... They're all pretty much lead roles and they're all dark and sexy, and I like them all... There's a bunch of other stuff, music videos, web tv, theatre, shorts... They're around somewhere. "
To see more of Naama, her work, and see her updated blog on what she is up to, check out her Myspace Page.
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