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AGENTS:
This lesson has to do with the BUSINESS of acting. That is B-U-S-I-N-E-S-S of acting. This lesson will not deal with the skill of acting except as it relates to the BUSINESS of acting.
The business of acting is concerned with...Receiving monetary compensation for the time and energy you spend in performance related activities. The business of acting covers a lot of different things: unions, auditions, contracts, information storage and retrieval ...lots of things. And of course - agents.
Here is the first thing you must learn about agents and the business of acting...
You will not get an agent simply because you are talented and have a good resumé.
This is important to learn. Learn it. It seperates the"new guys" from the professionals.
You will not get an agent simply because you are talented and have a good resumé.
There. Now you've read it twice. Got it? So when you start looking for an agent, don't let me hear any whining about "I'm talented. I got a good resumé. They gotta sign me. Golly why won't they sign me? They won't even see me. They gotta sign me, right Pops? They gotta sign me, right?" and stuff like that. Because I told ya, see! I told ya it wouldn't be easy, right? Didn't I tell ya? Darn right I told ya. So don't stand there cryin' and snivelling, and messing up the rug. Cause ya should a known. Cause ya been told. Twice even!
Sorry. Maybe a bit over acted, but you get the point. Talent and a good resumé aren't enough (They certainly help, though!)
So what do you need to do to get an agent?
First, ask yourself the question,"Do I need an agent right away to get acting work?"
If you decide to go to LA and try to break into the movies first thing right off, then you will definitely need an agent. It will be extremely difficult to get a decent part in a decent film if noone knows you or your work.
If you go to New York and get into plays first, you don't need an agent right away. You can audition and get into off Broadway and off-off Broadway productions without being in the union or having an agent. Your work can be seen by casting directors, directors and agents because they go to plays to look for talent.
A lot of actors are"discovered"in plays and asked to audition for films and other plays based on their work in the theatre.If you want to do the soaps in New York, you can also wait to get an agent.
If you want to do"industrials"(training films and the like), you will need an agent.
If you want to do commercials, you will need an agent.
If you don't want to go to NY or LA, but choose to go to one of the smaller markets, you might not need an agent right away. However...
Since this is a lesson on getting an agent, let's assume you decided you want to get an agent.
The first thing you need to do is to decide what kind of agent you need.
Do you want a COMMERCIAL agent, a THEATRICAL agent , a LEGITIMATE agent, a VOICE-OVER agent, a MODELING agent, a VARIETY agent or a FULL SERVICE agent.
Commercial agents handle commercials. Theatrical agents handle movies, and TV. Legitimate agents handle theatre, Voice-over agents handle radio, and off-camera work. Modeling agents handle print and modeling work, Variety agents handle nightclub and personal appearance work, Full service agents handle all or some of the various types of work.Theatrical and Commercial is where the bulk of the work is. So, from a business perspective, you will need to get an agent(s) who handle work in these areas.
If you live in LA, you can only sign with one agent in each catagory. In New York, you can sign with as many agents in each catagory as you want.Unless you live in LA or New York, the agents you contact will frequently be full service.
Agents are also FRANCHISED or not franchised.-A franchised agent is one who is licensed to represent union performers. (UNION is good) It is to your advantage to get a franchised agent. Generally speaking, you do not have to join a union unless you are hired for a union job. Union pay is much better than non-union pay and you will get benefits and some work environment controls that prevent directors and producers from making slaves out of you. A franchised agent can refer you to these better jobs.
Also, franchised agents are required under their franchise agreement to conduct their business with you in certain ways. This gives you, the performer, a certain level of protection and an outlet to register grievances.It is nearly impossible to build a decent career with non-union work, so try really hard to get a franchised agent and join the appropriate unions when you can.
What do you need to get an agent? A plan.
This is important. Let me repeat it. To get an agent, you need...A PLAN
1. You need money to fund your agent search.
2. You need to find out who the agencies and agents are in the geographic area you want to work.
3. You need to find out what kind of agents they are (theatrical, commercial, full service.)
4. You need to find out if they are experienced and successful, new and inexperienced, or frauds and con artists.
5. You need a photo.
6. You need a resume.
7. You need an information storage and retrieval system.
8. You need appropriate clothing.
9. You need audition material.
10. You might need someone to assist you in an audition scene.
11. You need determination, persistence, and the ability to endure rejection with a smile.
12. If LA is where you want to be, you need a dependable car.
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