Date:    Mon, 27 Apr 1998 06:19:54 EDT
<br>From:    Bapopik <Bapopik[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]AOL.COM>
<br>Subject: Talent agent lingo
<br>
<br>      The Sunday New York Times (April 26, 1998) City Section did a long piece
<br>on the city's young talent agents.  This is from page 10, col 2:
<br>
<br>LINGO
<br>_Words of Mouth_
<br>
<br>Talent agents have their own jargon, which can be heard at favorite lunch
<br>spots, like Redeye Grill and Trattoria Dell'Arte, both on Seventh Avenue.
<br>Some buzzwords:
<br>
<br>_Breakdown_  Summary of theater, film or television project details, like
<br>starting dates and character descriptions, given to agents and casting
<br>directors.  Also, occasional reaction by actors or agents to rejection.
<br>
<br>_Generals_  First meetings between actors and casting directors, arranged by
<br>agents.  "I'm sending you out on a bunch of generals."
<br>
<br>_Heat_  Positive word on a script:  "That play is generating a lot of heat at
<br>Paramount."
<br>
<br>_Log line_  One-sentence plot summary for quick consumption by agents and
<br>studio executives.  For example:  "'Moby Dick':  Man chases feisty whale while
<br>crew gets all wet."
<br>
<br>_Ten percenteries_  Talent agencies.  Term derived from the standard 10
<br>percent agencies take on a deal.
<br>
<br>_Trailer_ Multi-wheel vehicle where actors hang out between shots.  _Star
<br>trailer_  One-person unit with amenities like full bed and bath and kitchen.
<br>_Double banger_  Two-person trailer with fewer amenities.  _Honey wagon_
<br>Trailer for four.
<br>   JESSIE McKINLEY
<br>
<br>PERSONAL:  I might be lecturing on "New York's Finest" at the American Name
<br>Society's Names Institute at Baruch College this weekend.  It's basically the
<br>same stuff as in my December 1996 posting here, but I found some earlier
<br>"Finest" citations.  I sent a $30 check in for the lunch and it was cashed,
<br>but I otherwise got no reply about the thing.  Who knows?
<br>