If you are new to auditioning, it is a daunting, uncomfortable and unavoidable process. So we’ve put together some top tips from our Casting team that if followed correctly, are sure to get you a callback.

1. Be Early

Casting Agents will normally book the same timeslot for up to 3 people at one time to avoid, latecomers, flakes, lost actors and to minimise the wasted time between slots. Make the effort to be there 15mins before your scheduled slot and you are more likely to be in and out before the waiting room nerves kick in.

2. Try not to Self Tape

For narrative projects there are many delicious nuances to the character you are being asked to portray and all of those subtleties can’t be expressed or reworked in a self-tape, but that isn’t the most important reason, in this industry it is all about who you know and who knows you, you want to be present at an audition to make an impression. Let the Casting team get a chance to know you face to face and even if you don’t land this role, it significantly ups your chances of being called upon for the next one.

   3. Wear Black and White, go for Smart Casual with a touch of personality

While acting is about the role you portray, it doesn’t hurt for the Casting team to get a sense of you but still have their frame of reference set with an everyday look, something that allows them to make an assessment in the same vein as they do models, that you can be put in anything and you’d make it look good. Plus the personal touch, once again, let’s them get a glimpse into your personality and can be a great conversation starter.

4. Drop your ego at the door

This is a very big, yet very small industry. We are all “Creative geniuses” in our own minds or we wouldn’t have chosen such a ridiculous career path. Be down to earth and human, Actors might be the most well recognised but the people sitting across from you decided whether you get the job or not and no one has time for an ego bigger than their own.

5. Be prepared

They asked you to come in because at the end of the day they want to see what you’ve got! So bring your best performance pieces with you. It makes no difference how fabulous you look or how talented you are,  if they ask you to present a dramatic piece off the cuff and you have nothing prepared but your favourite sitcom monologue, that can be a make or break for some, when little do they know you could be perfect for the role.

Last week Database Productions parted ways from the cool (but cold) studio in Northcote to join forces with the lovely team at DCF Studios. With cafes, bars, fresh food markets and the Welcome to Thornbury food truck stop within a minutes walk, how can we complain?

Dingo Cross Films is an exciting and well-established production company in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, specialising in Music Videos and Photography. They have opened their doors and warmly welcomed us into their Thornbury workplace. Constantly growing our community, we could not be happier with the move and have great aspirations for what the rest of this year can bring.

DCF has two beautiful studio spaces, meeting rooms, HMU & dressing rooms and a cyclorama, offering a myriad of possibilities for all types of productions. We cannot wait to start utilising these amazing facilities and expanding our work both in-house and with fellow industry members.

It is very exciting to start this prosperous working relationship with the hardworking creative team at DCF Studios. If anyone wants to stop by for a catch-up, discuss their upcoming projects or just check out the new office, please come down and visit the team. Studio spaces are available to hire so pop by and see where you could shoot your next project.

Organising unit catering for productions and shoot days can always fall to the last minute to be done. Catering is important on a film set as it’s not always convenient to leave set/location to purchase meals and refreshments. However, it’s hard to decide who to employ to take care of unit catering, and, while they provide excellent service, it can be an expensive task for smaller productions to hire a purpose built catering company.

Foodbase, an initiative by Database Productions, takes care of this problem. Foodbase is a catering service for film sets and shoots, no matter the budget of the production. Through this membership-only service, we will provide catering with real, healthy food as we at Database know how important it is on set to have access to proper meals and refreshments and not simply a constant supply of pre-prepared or fast food (even though that seems like fun). Sign up to Foodbase to enjoy the full benefits of this service, without the enormous price tag.

If you would like more information, you can contact Database Productions via phone on 1800 DEE BEE or via email at info@thedatabase.com.au

For further updates on Foodbase, make sure to keep updated with Database Productions here and at our Facebook page.

Foodbase coming soon

Renting gear is a crucial skill in filmmaking and video/photo production. It can be a time-consuming progress to hunt for the best deal and package for your needs. Renting gear should not be entered into lightly, the costs of doing so could be saved with research to ensure you’re not renting things you don’t need or paying more than you could be. The problem is, who has the time? That’s where we come in.

Database Productions introduces Gearbase, a gear rental facility based in Melbourne. Gearbase is a platform that allows you to rent everything from a DSLR to a drone. We pride ourselves on having the gear that you need when others don’t. As a membership only platform, Gearbase offers advice and technical assistance from Database Productions on the perfect gear and kit for your project.

Membership to Gearbase allows you access to not only our own gear at Database, but the gear from several hiring companies that we have formed partnerships with, saving you the time finding quotes so you can focus on planning your project and getting that perfect shot/photo/sound. In addition to this, premium and pro memberships also have additional gear discounts through Gearbase.

If you would like more information, you can contact Database Productions via phone on 1800 DEE BEE or via email at info@thedatabase.com.au

For further updates on Gearbase, make sure to keep updated with Database Productions here and at our Facebook page.

Gearbase coming soon

As an actor, professional and current marketing is key. You need to be able to present yourself to employers effectively in order to excel in your career. An online presence is crucial in the industry, not only a CV and profile, but an online community of creatives to collaborate with. There are networks and websites available that fulfil this need, however they cannot effectively provide actors with opportunities for work as well as give them a connection with like-minded industry professionals. At Database Productions, we recognise this, and have created a solution.

Introducing Actorbase, an online network created specifically to connect actors, models, comedians and entertainers with jobs, contacts and opportunities with other creatives and professionals. As a membership-based service, Actorbase is a platform that will allow you to build a network of contacts whilst marketing yourself for roles and opportunities. The Actorbase platform has member profiles that show your creative skill-set, thereby matching you with paid opportunities and jobs.

Database Productions have created the network with the intention of allowing members to focus on excelling in their industries. Actorbase will notify members when opportunities are available, meaning less time is spent in application. Let Actorbase set you apart from the crowd by providing a professional profile that will provide marketing and unlimited access to creative professionals, leaving you to focus on your craft.

If you would like more information, you can contact Database Productions via phone on 1800 DEE BEE or via email at info@thedatabase.com.au

For further updates on Actorbase, make sure to keep updated with Database Productions here and at our Facebook page.

Actorbase coming soon

It’s happened to every filmmaker at one point or another, it’s always last minute, and it’s always very stressful, a crew member cannot complete their role on set. You get stuck and you’re one person down, bringing the production to a halt. At Database Productions, we have the solution to this common problem for filmmakers at all stages in their career.

Introducing Crewbase, a Database Productions initiative. Crewbase is a database that connects filmmakers on the network with one another, allowing for easy crewing for filmmakers and the chance for individuals to market themselves and their skills. It’s a promotional tool for creatives to be connected with new jobs, contacts and exciting opportunities. A membership-based initiative, Crewbase has member profiles that provide professional personal marketing and show your creative skill-set, thereby matching you with potential opportunities and jobs.

Crewbase is not strictly for filmmakers, however, it is a database for all creatives to publicise their skills and network with others in the industry. Whether you’re a filmmaker, artist, composer, make-up artist, photographer or editor, Crewbase is a must-have profile to have in the creative industries. Now you can effectively and professionally market yourself in your industry from any location at all times. Whether you’re at an exhibition or on your couch in PJs at 4am on a Wednesday morning (we’ve all been there).

If you would like more information, you can contact Database Productions via phone on 1800 DEE BEE or via email at info@thedatabase.com.au

For further updates on Crewbase, make sure to keep updated with Database Productions here and at our Facebook page.

Crewbase coming soon