FAQ
Do I need to supply professional Photos?
It would help your chances of being chosen by studios if you supplied us with professional photos. If you would like to take your own photos, no worries. They just need to be clear and simple shots.
- Head and Shoulder shots
- Half and full length body shots
- Clean and clear backgrounds. Natural light is better.
- No sunglasses or hats
Can I belong to another agency?
No. We are an exclusive agency.
What if I live outside the main NZ centres?
Because the majority of jobs are in Auckland, Wellington or Queenstown, it can be tricky for those people living further afield. There is often little warning when jobs come live, for example, you will be submitted for a commercial and asked to audition at a specific time in the next day or two. It will be up to you to make yourself available. This does not mean that there is no demand for people outside these areas, it is just less frequent.
What type of people are we looking for?
Casting directors look for a wide range of looks and personalities. It depends on the story they are telling and the effect and look that they are after.
Babies: There is generally limited work for babies and it is very competitive. We will promote your baby to the casting directors and if there is an audition required, we will be in contact. Please ensure to update their photos at least every 6 months as they grow so quickly.
Children: Children of all ages can get work. As with babies, it is very important to come in and get new photos done regularly.
What if I work full time?
If you work full time you need to be able to take leave at short notice for auditions and filming. TV commercials rarely film during weekends and TV shows are a big commitment, so you need to be flexible with your work.
WORK TYPES:
Film and Television: New Zealand Film and Television productions constantly require extras and actors from KAM Models and Talent. Jobs vary from walking in the background on a busy street scene to being a high school student in the TV show Power Rangers. Generally, extras have no dialogue so there are no lines to learn. However, people can be selected for a featured/speaking role that will require a higher level of performance.
Extra work can mean early starts with late finishes and plenty of waiting around during shoots, but everyone who takes part raves about how fun and rewarding it is to be a part of the filming experience.
Check out the YouTube video to see what extras can get up to on set during a film shoot.
TV Commercials: Each day brings new roles in TV commercials looking for talent to bring them to life. If you fit the character description, we will submit your profile to the casting directors to compete for the role. If the casting director agrees that you look good for the role you will be asked to audition and we will check your availability and discuss the part. We do not tell you every time you are put forward for a job and we only call you if you are selected for an audition.
Photographic Work: We supply talent for a wide variety of photographic work including billboards, magazine shoots and promotional material for local and international clients.
GETTING WORK:
How do I get work?
As soon as you register with us, we start submitting your profile for work.
We are here to promote you to casting directors by constantly putting you forward for roles we think you are suited to. However, we do not have the final say on whether you are selected for the job. Meaning we cannot guarantee you work – but we guarantee that we will work hard for you.
Your look, personality, reliability, availability and work ethic make a huge difference to securing work. But at the end of the day, it is about the particular look a director is going for and being in the right place at the right time.
Getting regular work:
It is important to be polite, quiet, punctual and to follow the directions that you are given by the film crew. Directors and crew usually work on multiple projects, so you will likely be selected again if you left a good impression.
On the flip side of that, if you are disruptive, or do not follow directions the film crew will not request you again. It is very important to think about this when you are on set.
Do I have to take the job offered to me?
You are able to turn down work if you are not available or the part does not interest you. If you confirm your availability for the role and then you are selected, you must attend or give us ample notice to find a replacement
It is crucial you are honest with us from the beginning to avoid any scheduling disruption later down the track.
ATTENDING JOBS:
Transport:
Reliable transport is a must! Auditions are held around the Grey Lynn, Ponsonby and Freemans Bay areas with the occasional audition on the North Shore.
Filming locations can be anywhere in the Auckland region and you must be able to get to the location on time. It is your responsibility to get to the next meeting point or shoot location.
Job Performance, Availability and Reliability:
Be honest with us if you cannot make an audition or filming. When you take on the work you are 100% committed. This is no different to working anywhere else. It is very disruptive if you confirm and then back out at the last minute, this will leave a bad impression with casting directors and film studios.
- Be on time – Make sure you arrive early. Let us know BEFORE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AT AN AUDITION/FILMING if something happens and you are running late or lost.
- Open and enthusiastic – Directors look for people who are good communicators. They can tell at a glance if you are open and enthusiastic.
- Ready to take direction – Follow instructions and you will get work. Our job is to make directors jobs easy.
- Being prepared – Read all the information given to you and if you have lines to learn, then learn them. Dress for the part so you look the part.
We want you to be successful!!
Joining info:
To join KAM there is a one-off $150 joining fee. This fee isn't paid upfront and will come out of the first job(s) you do until it is paid off. The good thing about KAM is that we don't have annual fees. There is just the one-off joining fee to be paid. In exchange for being your representative and finding you work, we will take 20% commission plus GST from each pay you earn via KAM Models and Talent. This is in addition to your income tax deductions.
It is so simple to join us at KAM. All you need to do is visit our website, fill out the joining form, then we will contact you within 24 hours to confirm your place and voila! You are now a part of KAM Talent!
A cancellation fee may apply if you do not turn up to your shoot without giving enough notice.
What do I get for my membership fee?
- Online Profile and Portfolio management.
- Submission of your profile to casting agents and producers
- Access to our workshops and development classes.
We are required by the IRD to deduct income tax from your earnings. For the entertainment industry the rate is set at 20% plus GST and is referred to as a tax on Scheduler Payments (formally Withholding Tax).
For more information on scheduler payments and deductions please view this website from the IRD
How long does it take me to get paid?
Payments can take a long time in this industry – we cannot change this. Commercials can take six to eight weeks to be paid. TV shows can be paid monthly, but it all depends on the production company’s protocol.