Native Talent Resource
Donation protected
"The Screen Actors Guild Native Americans Committee is established to promote and safeguard the interests and rights of Native American members who work under SAG-AFTRA areas of jurisdiction. The committee promotes a heightened awareness of and commitment to fair employment practices on the part of industry decision makers leading to an expanded use of Native Americans, thereby reflecting our true role in the American Scene. Overall, we aim to help our employers understand how much we have to offer them in the creation of new content". sagaftra.org.
That’s optimistic and a good effort but even when Native American actors are cast to play Native American characters, it’s no guarantee of future success. Actor Chaske Spencer, who appeared in both parts of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn,” hasn’t seen his career arc match those of his former cast mates. A similar comparison could be made to the Native American actors cast alongside Kevin Costner in “Dances With Wolves.”
The majority of film and TV work for Natives is in background/extra work or maybe one or two lines, and usually in westerns and historical dramas. . Casting calls post non-discriminatory practices but in the fast paced world of film and television the decision makers may rely on long held beliefs of what audiences prefer, even though the average audience is mainly comprised of people of color.
I started Belle Starr Talent to represent Native talent and help bridge the gap between working background to being prepared and promoted as an ACTOR…not labeled as Native American, just an actor who could play many roles….the pharmacist, the grocery store manager, nurse or doctor, etc.
After six months of trial and error, and with the urging of a New Mexico SAG agent, I settled on personal management to use my experience to guide, support, and counsel good talent to a professional level, including being signed with a SAG francised agent. An agent submits, handles the contracts, and makes sure SAG regulations are followed. A manager is available 24/7 and handles everything else under a contracted agreement that pays 10% commission out of any work the actor gets, but if the actors aren’t working, there is no pay to the manager.
The Plan:
Native Talent Resource is like the film industry 'go to' IMDb...Internet Movie Database. This is a resource for anyone in the industry, in any capacity, to post their info and credits. NTR will do the same but will promote Native talent in front of and behind the camera. Eventually, musicians and artists can be added.
A dynamic, searchable, and comprehensive presentation of film industry professionals in New Mexico who happen to be Native can have a measurable impact on awareness, not only as participants in the film industry, but as a people contributing to the planet in the 21at century.
I will use some of the donations to set up a travel fund for actors to get to an audition, and other requests.
Step 1. Develop a website that can handle hundreds of photos and listings complete with links, photos and descriptions. There would be a nominal start up fee with a recurring yearly fee. The listings would be categorized by skill, i.e., actor, cameraman, production designer, etc. A web manager will be hired to upload and maintain the website. This manager will also have social media skills to utilize twitter, facebook, Instagram, linkedin, youtube, etc.
Step 2. Invite an Advisory Board from a list of industry professionals.
Step 3. Promote the website so it becomes a ‘go to’ resource and is included in film industry directories, magazines, and websites. We will promote via webcasts, live facebook feeds, and press releases. I have a twitter page @filminnewmexico has almost 7000 followers and with effort this number can triple. I have always promoted the New Mexico film industry, Native films and actors; and now I am also using it for my clients and the database.
Step 4. Enlarge the Management division. A manager can handle only a handful of clients so one or two people need to be trained to take over some of these duties. Since company income is based on 10% of what the client makes when working, there is no reliable monthly income for salaries and operating expenses. With more clients the percentage of those filling roles would increase bringing in more steady income but funds are needed during this expansion phase.
With more talent readily available, we will get bigger and better roles cast locally, and directors, production managers, hair and make up artists, etc. will have increased their exposure and opportunities greatly.
Please donate and THANK YOU !
Facebook page is Belle Starr Talent. Website is www.bellestarrproductions.com.
And this from my friend Sonny Skyhawk, Founder of American Indians in Film & Television. Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences....."Judy Bell is one of the most talented and savvy people in the film & television business in New Mexico."
That’s optimistic and a good effort but even when Native American actors are cast to play Native American characters, it’s no guarantee of future success. Actor Chaske Spencer, who appeared in both parts of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn,” hasn’t seen his career arc match those of his former cast mates. A similar comparison could be made to the Native American actors cast alongside Kevin Costner in “Dances With Wolves.”
The majority of film and TV work for Natives is in background/extra work or maybe one or two lines, and usually in westerns and historical dramas. . Casting calls post non-discriminatory practices but in the fast paced world of film and television the decision makers may rely on long held beliefs of what audiences prefer, even though the average audience is mainly comprised of people of color.
I started Belle Starr Talent to represent Native talent and help bridge the gap between working background to being prepared and promoted as an ACTOR…not labeled as Native American, just an actor who could play many roles….the pharmacist, the grocery store manager, nurse or doctor, etc.
After six months of trial and error, and with the urging of a New Mexico SAG agent, I settled on personal management to use my experience to guide, support, and counsel good talent to a professional level, including being signed with a SAG francised agent. An agent submits, handles the contracts, and makes sure SAG regulations are followed. A manager is available 24/7 and handles everything else under a contracted agreement that pays 10% commission out of any work the actor gets, but if the actors aren’t working, there is no pay to the manager.
The Plan:
Native Talent Resource is like the film industry 'go to' IMDb...Internet Movie Database. This is a resource for anyone in the industry, in any capacity, to post their info and credits. NTR will do the same but will promote Native talent in front of and behind the camera. Eventually, musicians and artists can be added.
A dynamic, searchable, and comprehensive presentation of film industry professionals in New Mexico who happen to be Native can have a measurable impact on awareness, not only as participants in the film industry, but as a people contributing to the planet in the 21at century.
I will use some of the donations to set up a travel fund for actors to get to an audition, and other requests.
Step 1. Develop a website that can handle hundreds of photos and listings complete with links, photos and descriptions. There would be a nominal start up fee with a recurring yearly fee. The listings would be categorized by skill, i.e., actor, cameraman, production designer, etc. A web manager will be hired to upload and maintain the website. This manager will also have social media skills to utilize twitter, facebook, Instagram, linkedin, youtube, etc.
Step 2. Invite an Advisory Board from a list of industry professionals.
Step 3. Promote the website so it becomes a ‘go to’ resource and is included in film industry directories, magazines, and websites. We will promote via webcasts, live facebook feeds, and press releases. I have a twitter page @filminnewmexico has almost 7000 followers and with effort this number can triple. I have always promoted the New Mexico film industry, Native films and actors; and now I am also using it for my clients and the database.
Step 4. Enlarge the Management division. A manager can handle only a handful of clients so one or two people need to be trained to take over some of these duties. Since company income is based on 10% of what the client makes when working, there is no reliable monthly income for salaries and operating expenses. With more clients the percentage of those filling roles would increase bringing in more steady income but funds are needed during this expansion phase.
With more talent readily available, we will get bigger and better roles cast locally, and directors, production managers, hair and make up artists, etc. will have increased their exposure and opportunities greatly.
Please donate and THANK YOU !
Facebook page is Belle Starr Talent. Website is www.bellestarrproductions.com.
And this from my friend Sonny Skyhawk, Founder of American Indians in Film & Television. Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences....."Judy Bell is one of the most talented and savvy people in the film & television business in New Mexico."
Organizer
Judy Bell
Organizer
Santa Fe, NM
