Submit a question to Lori by clicking here. Lori will post questions monthly. Check back to see if your question has been posted!

Q: When booking On-camera performers, what information might I give the Talent Agency to help make the booking run smoothly?

1) Tell the agency who the character is. Give the agency your image of the character. What type of person is he or she? Who are the other characters? How do they interact with the talent's character? Who is the viewer? What type of person is going to be watching this program and what is that person going to learn? Who is the contact on the set? To whom should the talent report when they arrive; and most importantly who is the person that will be directing them in the scene. It is unadvisable to have more than one responsible party for talent direction.

2) To achieve the program's objective, a real life conflict or problem is usually revealed. The objective is to overcome the problem. What is the conflict of the dialogue? Make sure the agency understands this information. What is your goal of each scene? Explain scene by scene the objective if they differ.

3) When are the shoot dates and times? When is the time period of the scene? Is it in the distant past or the future? Make sure the agency knows this information in time, so they may prepare the talent with wardrobe to accommodate your requirements or secure a costume designer to achieve the desired results. Will there be a teleprompter on set? Is the talent required to memorize the script? Can an Ear be utilized? Make certain that the agency has been given the script in advance. Will there be a make-up artist on set or is the talent expected to do themselves?

4) Where is the location of the shoot? If you have a map with written instructions, pass it along... otherwise make certain the agency has a complete address with zip code so that a map search can be made via the internet. Where is the setting of the video? Note whether the scene is in industrial or business settings. This information is important for the characters demeanor.

5) How do you want the talent to dress? Give the agency enough time to allow the talent to obtain the needed clothes. In general terms, how do you want the talent to speak? Does the monologue or dialogue require a conversational tone or an informational tone?

6) Why are you producing this video. What is it going to achieve? How should the viewer feel after viewing this program?

7) Has the rate been thoroughly negotiated and all variables settled with the agency prior to the booking? If a performer has to worry about time and money they can be preoccupied and might not give as good a performance. Make certain that all contracts and negotiations are in place with the agency prior to the performance. Make certain that the agency knows who is to sign off on hours worked at the end of the performance so that the talent is well-informed as to client politics. .