ACTORS / PERFORMERS
On-Camera Principal Actors
Principal performers are the credited cast of an on-camera, narrative project.
How they find employment:
Auditioning for other people’s stories by submitting themselves to casting or production, often by an agent and/or manager.
Industry Relationships with writers, directors, producers, network & studio executives, and casting directors.
Creating Content: either to be sold to a production company, network or studio, or for distribution, online, or in festivals and competitions.
Social Media: by building a large or niche audience and monetizing it, or using it to effectively showcase themselves to potential employers.
Types of Principal work:
FILM / TV - Billing
Lead / Series Regular:
the story is about their character. They are the main roles of the project.
Supporting / Guest Star:
these are the major characters the main roles interact with.
Under 5 / Co-Star:
there are the minor characters the main and major roles interact with.
“Recurring” refers to Guest or Co-Star roles appearing in multiple episodes.
Commercials
Principal: Section 6 of the commercials contract clarifies what constitutes a principal, including speaking dialogue, or silent, recognizable and alone with, or demonstrating, the product.