01) What are the advantages of membership?

1.Your profile may be transferred to an unlimited number of agents
2.More than 1,000 customizable fields for defining your skills and abilities
3.Upload 10 images, 10 video reels and 10 voice-over files
4.Resumes only need to be done once and then updated as necessary
5.Be seen by real clients each day (increased exposure)
6.One low annual fee - $29.95 per year includes everything

02) Who has access to the World Client Search?

First and foremost... clients are unable to view any personal information. All that is available for viewing is the talents profile, and they must contact the talent's agent for bookings etc.
View Sample Profile

There are three ways clients gain access to the World Client Search (WCS800).
World Client Search

1) Talent Agents who are licensed to use our Talent Agency Software (TAS800), may provided their individual clients access to review that agencies talent only.

2) Casting directors who are licensed to use our Casting Director Software (CDS800) have unlimited access to all talent profiles. To book talent, the casting director must first contact the talent's respective agent.

3) Industry professionals, with extensive verifiable credits who have been approved by the system administrator, have unlimited access to talent profiles. No personal information is available and clients are required to contact the talent’s agent for bookings.

03) How does your search engine work? What can the clients see?

Agents, Casting Directors and other industry decision makers are able to specify a wide range of parameters to query
talent according to their project requirements. The results of the search includes your name, union status, work
categories, physical statistics, resume, images, reels, voice over tapes and any links you provide for personal web sites.

To understand exactly what the client can see; click here to View Sample Profile

04) Can clients see my personal information?

No, as part of our privacy policy, your personal information, including your address, phone number, and e-mail address
are restricted.

05) How do I receive a registration conformation?

Immediately following the registration process an e-mail will be sent to your address of record. If you have a spam filter
change the setting to allow e-mail form support@800casting.com and Authorize.net. If you do not receive the conformation, check inside your 'Bulk' folder or 'Junk' folder.

06) Does 800Casting sell its members' e-mail addresses?

NO, all personal information is strictly confidential.

07) If a client would like me to audition, how will I be contacted?

On the Agents & Managers page, each member has the ability to link his/her profile with an unlimited number of agents.

For example, you may have an exclusive agent for print; another for theatrical, and a third in foreign country. In the event you do not list an agent, clients may contact you directly via e-mail.

With that said...
Individual profiles do not contain personal information.
When you use the e-mail feature provided within the navigation bar on the profile page, the recipient is automatically provided access to e-mail address of record. Alternately, at your option, you may send a potential client you're 800Casting custom link: www.800casting.com/Talent ID Number

Those clients who are authorized to use the World Client Search (www.wcs800.com) will contact you in one two ways:
1) If a Mother Agent has been "set," that agent's contact information will appear.
    - if there is no Mother Agent selected, the first agent listed will be the default
2) Real People (no agent listed) ... you will be contacted by email, without clients seeing your email address.
    - once a Real People profile is linked to an agency, only the agency contact information is viewable

View Real People Sample

08) Do I have to post my picture and resume if I become a member?

Once you enter the site you will have hundreds of options available.
It is completely up to you what you complete or leave blank. We encourage you to spend whatever time it takes to build
your professional profile and keep it updated. Parents, this especially applies to your ever changing children. The tools are there, the system is user-friendly, and the more accurately you complete the information, the better your chances for success.

09) What if I already have an agent?

You may interface your entire account with any agent who has Talent Agency Software (TAS800).

Listing with more than one agent doubles your chance of success, and ensures that your agent can identify your skills immediately through the TAS800 search engine. If your agent does not yet have Talent Agency Software-TAS800 they may request additional information by e-mailing support@800softwaresystems.com

10) How can I get my Agent or Manager to interface with my profile?

Talent Agency Software-TAS800 is a powerful program designed specifically for talent agents and managers.
The program is available by contacting support@800softwaresystems.com

Include the Agency Name, Contact Name, Phone Number, City and State

11) Is there a charge for interfacing with TAS800?

No, you may interface with as many agents as you like.

12) If I do not have an Agent can I register with 800Casting.

Certainly, everyone is welcome.

With that said, understand that we are not a talent agency. We do not represent talent, nor do we accept commissions on members. 800Casting is an online service which allows talented individuals to promote themselves electronically or interface with agents, casting directors and clients.

Clients often use the site to find "real people." The term real person refers to anyone in society who is not represented by an agent.

We strongly encourage each of our members to list with an agent for increased exposure.

13) What do I get if I become a member of 800Casting?

Our all inclusive Annual Membership includes everything a talent requires to reach his/her goals. Membership includes 10 images, 10 reels, 10 voice-over files, a means of organizing your resume, the ability to print and email your portfolio, plus hundreds of option fields to identify individual skill levels. Additionally, you may interface your online portfolio with any and each of your agents or managers who use Talent Agency Software - TAS800 at no additional cost.

14) Why is my login page blank?

800Casting was designed in FLASH. In order to enter your profile, Adobe Flash Player must installed on your hard drive.
Adobe Flash Player has been around for years. It's a free download and perfectly safe. The Adobe Corporation is the developer of Photoshop, Acrobat Reader and other fine products.

To install the free download, visit this URL:
http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/

15) What is necessary for me to upload resume, images, demo reels or voice over files?

The system was designed to provide a user-friendly method for entering your resume data and uploading images, videos and audio clips in a simple and straight forward manner.

The resume data must be typed into the program (Uploads > Resume Builder); it is not possible to be upload your resume as an image file. Individual resume categories and line items may be moved either up or down as required. This feature allows talent to maintain a current resume which may be printed or emailed to clients via electronic submission in a clean and organized manner.

Resume uploading instructions
 1. On the navigation bar, click Uploads
 2. Select Resume Builder
 3. Click "View Sample Profile"

Close the View Sample Profile window

 4. Click Add New Item
 5. Select Resume Type
 6. Add Title / Project
 7. Add Credit / Role
 8. Click Add
 9. Optional fields:  
    - Company / Director
    - Picture / Movie / Voice … you may add an image or video file (Browse)
10. Click ADD

Photographs, Video Reels and Voice Over
All uploads work the same --
First assure the file to be uploaded is locally available on your computers hard drive, CD or accessible media. Click the Browse button to locate the file, then click on the files name to insert the files address into the Browse window. With the file address clearly visible, click Add to begin the upload process.

Depending upon the size of the file, images may require several minutes to appear.

PENDING (Video & Audio)
There is a lot more to uploading videos and audio clips than meets the eye. It's a well known fact that clients do not have the patience to wait for your files to "spool" prior to viewing. To eliminate "spooling," your files undergo an extensive process which renders them immediately viewable by the client. This does not diminish quality; it simply provides a better service for the clients. Depending upon file size and the number of members in the queue, the conversion process may take anywhere from a few minutes to as long as twenty-four hours. In the meantime, the word "Pending" will appear under Status to the right of the icon associated with the upload. When the file is "Ready," you may view the file within the Preview Area by selecting its File Name.

TROUBLESHOOTING
If you followed the instructions and uploaded a file with a supported format, very seldom will the file not render a “Ready” status within 24 hour. If the file remains “Pending” for an extended period of time, one of two reasons is causing the problem:

(1) Corrupt File
Delete the file and try uploading again.

(2) Codec issue
Videos do not have a standard format. Each camera and its corresponding software create a different format, known as a codec. A codec is a device or computer program capable of encoding and/or decoding a digital data stream or signal.

Our software converts all uploaded videos into the industry standard H263 format, which exists on every computer (both PC & Apple). If the video’s corresponding codec has not been released by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), our technicians will complete certain formalities to obtain the legal rights to convert and display your video. Once processed by the OEM and configured by the H236 standard committee, codecs of the same type will convert (activate) within 24 hours.

NOTE:
New codec formats may take 2 to 90 business days depending upon the OEM, their hardware and software configurations. In the meantime, unregistered codecs are beyond our control and you have two available options: (a) have the file professionally converted to a existing codec (a) try uploading the file at a later date.

16) Do I have to have professional photos?

No, professional photos are not required, but highly recommend! Clients understand that not everyone has professional images but as you advance in the business, acquire quality images and update regularly. If you do not yet have professional photos, upload the best images you have. The more photos a Casting Director or client can view, the greater your chances of being selected. Use a wide range of photos with a variety of different looks.

Use images that represent your current look and remember that photographs are a talents calling card; the better the quality, the better the first impression.

17) What size photograph do I have to upload?

There is no restriction on size, however we recommend 4inches x 6inches or larger.

The system will upload the following extensions:
BMP (*.BMP, *.RLE, *.DIB)
CompuServe G?F (*.GIF)
JPEG (*.JPG, *.JPEG, *.JPG)
PNG (*.PNG)

Note:
Your images should be sized between 72-100 dpi (resolution).
Images with excessive mega-pixels may appear to upload fractionally.
- to fix this, first reduce the image size to something manageable like 8inches X 10inches.
Larger resolutions are not advisable and require longer upload times.

Converting photos to JPG format
In order to upload images to the Internet, the images must be in an acceptable format. While any of the file extensions listed above are acceptable, JPEGs are recommended.

To convert other extensions to a JEPG format you need a program to convert the photos. We recommend IrfanView. This free program is simple to use. You'll find a download Link: www.irfanview.com

With IrfanView, you don't need to convert your photos individually. You can convert them in a batch. That will save you a ton of time.

Once you install IrfanView, open it and click File>>Batch Conversion/Rename. Select "Batch conversion." Next, select your output format using the dropdown box. You can also adjust the compression settings. That will give you the highest quality possible. Once you select JPG, click the Options button. Another box will open. Use the slider at the top to select the quality of the image. When you're done, click OK.

Click the Browse button beside the box labeled "Output directory for result files." Select the location where you would like the converted images to appear.

Everything at once
Next, use the navigation tools on the right side of the dialog box to select your images. You can hold the Ctrl key to select multiple images. Click Add. Then, click Start Batch. Your images will be converted.

Once your images are converted, you can begin adding titles and comments to your images. In Vista, right-click an image and select Properties. Open the Details tab and enter your comments.

In Windows XP, right-click the image and select Properties. Open the Summary tab and enter the details.

18) How can I convert photos to an acceptable format?

Converting photos to JPG format
In order to upload images to the Internet, the images must be in an acceptable format. While any of the file extensions listed above are acceptable, JPEGs are recommended.

To convert other extensions to a JEPG format you need a program to convert the photos. We recommend IrfanView. This free program is simple to use. You'll find a download Link: www.irfanview.com

With IrfanView, you don't need to convert your photos individually. You can convert them in a batch. That will save you a ton of time.

Once you install IrfanView, open it and click File>>Batch Conversion/Rename. Select "Batch conversion." Next, select your output format using the dropdown box. You can also adjust the compression settings. That will g?ve you the highest quality possible. Once you select JPG, click the Options button. Another box will open. Use the slider at the top to select the quality of the image. When you're done, click OK.

Click the Browse button beside the box labeled "Output directory for result files." Select the location where you would like the converted images to appear.

Everything at once
Next, use the navigation tools on the right side of the dialog box to select your images. You can hold the Ctrl key to select multiple images. Click Add. Then, click Start Batch. Your images will be converted.

Once your images are converted, you can begin adding titles and comments to your images. In Vista, right-click an image and select Properties. Open the Details tab and enter your comments.

In Windows XP, right-click the image and select Properties. Open the Summary tab and enter the details.

19) Why do my images appear fuzzy?

The reason certain images appear fussy after uploading is due to these images having a higher resolution than the Internet can clearly process because of an excessive number of pixels. The Internet compression works best with resolutions between 72-100 DPI. Higher resolutions should be first manually compressed in a program like Photo Shop prior to uploading.

EXPLANATION:
The photographs you receive from your photographer have not been optimized for the web, which is the process of conversion from print ready to web ready. You may optimize these images yourself by using the "save for the web" feature of Photoshop or many other photo handling software packages.

20) Can I change my username and password?

Username: No
Password: Yes

To change Password:
From the navigation bar select
Talent Data > Change Password

21) Why we auto-renew memberships

The system is designed for talent to have one profile that can interface with an unlimited number of agents.
For example - you might be multi-listed in Miami with Premiere, Universal and Emerge. Additionally, your profile may be linked to Bicoastal in Orlando, Houghton in Atlanta, JTA in Charlotte or DWM in Toronto. Any change you make to your profile will immediately reflect within the data base of each of your agents.

In the past, as the talent's anniversary date approached, we sent renewal notices as a reminder to renew their 360-Day Membership prior to the anniversary date. After a 14 day grace period, those who failed to act upon the renewal notice were placed on inactive status. Inactive status prevents agents, casting directors and other industry professionals from gaining access to your profile.

Historically, there were so many problems associated with those talent who "forgot" to re-register, that by an overwhelming request from both agents and talent, we changed the system to automatically re-bill the credit card of record on the anniversary date.

The anniversary date appears at the top left of each page within the profile.

22) How do I find my Anniversary Date (renewal date)

The Anniversary Date is located at the top left of each page.
Annual renewals occur on your Anniversary Date of subsequent years.

In certain instances, the Invoice Date may differ from the actual Anniversary Date. This occurs when your agent has established a profile on your behalf (Invoice Date) and you actually registered and made payment (Anniversary Date)
on a later date. Logoff, then login again to properly reset the counter.

23) How do I renew my membership?

Your membership will automatically renew providing you are a member in good standing and the credit card information is current.

If the credit card on file is declined for any reason, a notification email is sent to your address of record. In this case, the account will remain active for a 14 day grace period.

On the 15th day, the account will revert to an inactive status which prevents your agents, casting directors and other industry professionals from viewing your profile.

You may return to active status at anytime.

Log on at www.800casting.com
Enter your username & password.
The system will redirect you to update your credit card information and return to active status.

NOTE:
After the grace period, the prevailing membership rate will apply.

24) How do I update my credit card information?

Log on at www.800casting.com
Talent Data > Update Credit Card

RENEWAL
Log on at www.800casting.com
Enter your username & password.
The system will redirect you to update your credit card information, which will automatically return your membership to active status. No data will be lost.

DELETING
Email support@800casting.com and request that your credit card information be deleted.
- A verification email will be sent to your email address of record

Warning:
Deleting credit card information will disable the auto renew process.
Credit card information may not be reentered until after the next anniversary date.

25) What if my credit card has been deleted or declined?

As per the Terms of the User Agreement, your 360-day Membership automatically re-bills the credit card which you have on file on your anniversary date.

If the credit card on file is declined for any reason, a notification email is sent to your address of record.
In this case, the account will remain active for a 14 day grace period.

On the 15th day, the account will revert to an inactive status which prevents your agents, casting directors and
other industry professionals from viewing your profile. If you renew after the 14 day grace period, the prevailing rate will apply.

26) What happens if my account becomes inactive and I want to activate the account again?

Log on at www.800casting.com

Enter your username & password.
The system will redirect you to update your credit card information and return to active status.

NOTE:
After the grace period, the prevailing membership rate will apply.

27) Are there alternative payment methods?

If you care to pay by money order or certified check send $29.95 payable to:

800 Software Systems
PO Box 188
Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Provide:
Name / Email address / Phone Number / Username (list 2 options) / Password

You will receive an email as soon as your profile is available.

28) What is your Cancellation Policy?

Members may cancel at any time by Emailing support@800casting.com

There are no refunds except as provided within the USER AGREEMENT (THE "AGREEMENT"), which each talent is required to accept prior to membership approval.

A excerpt from the "AGREEMENT" is as follows:

8. FEES, ANNUAL RENEWAL AND CANCELLATION
During the seven (7) day period following initial registration, members may request a full refund. To remain in good standing, members will automatically be charged the annual renewal fee on the credit card which is on file at the time of the member’s anniversary date. During the seven (7) day period immediately following the annual renewal, members may request a full refund. If the credit card is declined for any reason, the members account will remain active for a grace period of 14 days. Three attempts will be made to contact the member during this grace period. On the 15th day the account will revert to inactive status, rendering your profile unavailable to agents, casting directors and other industry professionals.  800Casting reserves the right to change this policy at any time without prior notice. Members may cancel at any time by Emailing support@800casting.com

29) Is your system safe?

Yes, our systems are secure. We use SSL (Secure Socket Layer). This is a currently unbreakable encryption method. It is used to transmit data over the Internet by on-line shopping sites and even banks. (Other browsers, such as Firefox and Safari, also use SSL. It was developed by Netscape years ago.)

Yes. Internet transmission is the least risky aspect of this transaction. Your sensitive information (Social Security Number & credit card numbers) is much more likely to be stolen through corporate carelessness. Or, if you mail it, it could be stolen by thieves. You should feel much safer with the Web than with the postal system.

The truth is, other organizations also require your Social Security number. One such is the Internal Revenue
Service. Others include the credit agencies-Transunion, Experian and Equifax. Any of those might require you to
transmit your Social Security number. In fact, you are worrying about the wrong thing.

You're much more likely to be the victim of an inside theft. Or, your records could be found in the trash by
dumpster divers. Or, the company's database could be penetrated electronically by criminals. Or, a computer
loaded with Social Security numbers could be stolen.

30) How do I add my personal website links to my profile?

You may add a Personal website, IMDb or MySpace link to your profile. Copy the complete URL form your existing home page (Personal website, IMDb or MySpace). Paste the complete URL into the appropriate box at the bottom of the Talent Data > Contact Information page.

31) What is my personal 800Casting URL?

You may email your profile or add the link within your outgoing email signature by simply adding your Talent ID number to the end of the 800Casting URL:

For Example:
The correct URL for Talent ID 11250 would be:
www.800casting.com/11250

Note:
Your talent ID appears on each page under your thumbnail image.

32) How do I transfer my profile to another agency?

At no additional cost, you may link your profile with an unlimited number of agents who use our software.

First, call your agent and obtain their TAS800 Agency Code.
If they do not have one, the agent may request one for support@800softwaresystems.com

From within your profile, go to the following page:
Agency Data > Agents & Managers

VIEW SAMPLE

33) Why, when my agent emails me, my username and password is shown?

In the past, username and passwords were not attached to outgoing emails from the agent. This proved very problematic because agents complained that the talent did not respond quickly enough and support had literally thousands of requests from talent who could not remember their login information. Yes, it is true that all that is required to do is click on "Forgot Password" and the system would automatically generate the information to that talents email or record. We will never know who read and utilized the system properly ("Forgot Password"), however I can assure you, here in support we are constantly answering email from talent who can not login.

At the request of numerous agents who frequently complained that they were continuously receiving phone calls from talent requesting login information, coupled with the thousands of emails we receive here at support, we programmed into the system the ability for agents, at their option, to addendum the talents username and password to outgoing emails.

Again, this is at the option of the agent, except in the case where they email their entire database at one time (Blast Email).

Yes email is not safe and there is no completely acceptable solution to this problem except altering your email address within your portfolio, in which case you will not receive agency emails.

34) Can you define Mother Agent?

Mother agent has two principal functions:
1) Clients who use the World Client Search [ www.wcs800.com ] must contact your Mother agent.
    - If there is no Mother Agent selected, the first agent listed will be the default.
2) The Mother agent has preference when you are submitted by multiple agents.
3) If you have no agent listed, the client may elect to email you directly.
    - with that said, we always advise talent to seek agency representation for greater exposure.

Over the years there have been many disputes between agents over talent. It happens when the same talent has been submitted by multiple agents for the same project. For example, a production company may contact 5-10 different agents by email requesting submissions for a specific gender, age range and skill. It frequently happens when casting directors, because the very nature of casting itself, contacts multiple agents and those agents submit the same multi-listed talent.

In an effort to prevent these types of problems, certain protections have been written into the system. By default, the agent you originally purchased your 800Casting profile from, is your Mother Agent. Clients using the World Wide Search (WCS800) will have to contact that agent for bookings. If a client prints your profile, and you have established a Mother Agent, that agency information will appear below your default image.

In the case of casting directors (not on our system) who have been submitted multi-listed talent, they must choose which agent to work with. This always causes problems with the other agent who submitted the same talent.

Agents and casting directors and other industry professionals who utilize our software for submission are not able to submit the same talent for the same role. You may be linked to an unlimited number of agents. This dramatically increases your exposure. When a project comes in from a client using our software, the first agent who submits you is time stamped. The software is written in such a way that if a second agent tries to submit you - they are blocked. On the other hand if the Mother Agent come along at a later time and submits you - the original time stamped agent is replaced in favor of the Mother Agent. All TAS800 agents and casting directors understand this!

This is the important point to remember:
1) Clients who use the World Client Search [ www.wcs800.com ] must contact your Mother Agent.
2) If you have agents in different markets, very seldom (if ever) will the Mother Agent make a difference.

35) How do I change the name on my profile?

Go to the Agency Data > Agency Requirements page.
There you may change both the LEGAL and / or STAGE name.

36) Is there any way of seeing how many hits my profile received?

No, there is not an accurate way to program a counter. However, your agents do have the ability to generate a report as to how many times a particular profile (talent) has been submitted.

800Casting provides greater exposure for talent, by allowing agents, casting directors and other industry professionals to review and submit multi-media profiles in a professional format.

View sample: ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION
Use the navigation bar on the left to review the various roles.

37) Why is Date of Birth (DOB) a required field?

DOB is required because it is the only way your agent can process you properly.

Many commercials, prints ads and trade shows have age requirements or restrictions.

For example: beer, wine and alcohol - over 25, cigarettes ad other tobaccos - over 30, Medicare, certain insurances and some medications – over 60 years and so on.

Additionally, there are International jobs restrictions, Visa requirements, passports and travel restrictions.

NOTE:
DOB is secure and private.
Only your agent is able to see this information.