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This business can be confusing. Everyone expects you to know everything
yet no one teaches you anything. The guess work can easily end a career
before it has a chance to begin.
Since each actor has their own individual concerns, each question
will be addressed individually. The answers will be honest and
true; not spin or propaganda so you can be better equipped to handle the
challenges that come your way.
All inquiries will remain anonymous and proprietary. No person’s
name or company will ever be revealed in this posting.
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Auditions
Talent Representation
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Q:
Why is it so hard to get an agent?
A:
People like to get paid for a living. Agents get paid by collecting a 10% commission on the work that you
book. If they cannot recognize your potential for booking work, they will
not take you on. If they are freelancing with you, they will always
submit the actors most likely to book the job. If you get sent out and
you consistently lose out on the job, you will eventually lose
representation simply because they are working for no money. Often, it
is easier to get a manager.
Part of their job is to groom and develop actors. An agent procures
employment and negotiates your contract. Managers can create
opportunities. But remember, managers also get paid by commission. So,
booking the job is always important. It's the only way for people to get
paid.
Q: When I go to a callback, do I wear the same outfit or should I
show them another side of me? A:
You don't have to wear exactly the same outfit per se but you do
need to come in with the same look. Often, you are identified by your
look: "I want the sweater guy." or "I want the sexy but
innocent looking girl." This is not the time to showcase your
wardrobe. You can demonstrate your versatility if asked to provide an
alternative interpretation of the character.
Q:
I just met an agent who wants to sign
me. What should I do?
A: “To sign or not to sign”; that is the question. The answer is:
“sign”. All standard contracts have a 90 day out clause. In the
event that there is no activity on your account for 90 days, you can
terminate the contract.
While many agencies only work with signed clients, many offer contracts
after a 3 month trial period if all goes well. If an agency offers to
freelance with you, it means they are not yet completely sure about your
ability to book work. If they don’t believe in you, they are less
likely to submit you and fight for you. So use this “testing phase”
well. Be the ideal client and aim at booking your auditions each and
every time. (I know this seems like an obvious thing to say but
experience has shown that most actors are satisfied when they just make
it to the audition on time. This is one of the reasons why the average
actor is unemployed. We and many others offer a number of classes to
help you accomplish your goals. It is advisable to take advantage of
these opportunities since trail and error can permanently damage your
career.) Work to make yourself a commodity in this
business. You will find that contract offers will abound.
Q: The agency I’m
freelancing with does not send me out enough so I’m freelancing with a
few people. Is that bad?
A:
Freelancers often take a back seat to signed clients so they don’t get
submitted as frequently. The exception to this rule are actors who are a
very specific type such as fire eating acrobats who can tap and speak
Chinese with an Australian accent and a Broadway credit.
But if you freelance with too many agencies, most will eventually stop
submitting you at all. Agents like to get paid for a living. Let’s say
an Agent A sends you to a film audition, you don’t get cast but the
director thinks you’re right for another project he’s working on.
Agent B submits you for that project. The director remembers liking the
first time he met you so he hires you. The commission goes to Agent B
while Agent A, who set up the meeting that generated the interest in the
first place, never gets compensated. This is why in LA, actors are not
allowed to freelance and why NY you will eventually invite trouble. Work
to get an agent to commit to believing and working with you.
Q: Does signing mean that the
agency won’t drop me?
A: No. The contract is a commitment between two parties that states the
specific responsibilities of both parties involved. Just like in a
marriage, it doesn’t mean you won’t get divorced. But if both
parties work hand in hand to make it work, the likelihood of remaining
together is greater than if you were just dating.
Unlike a marriage, however, this is a business; not a charity. If the
talent is not booking work, the agency is working without pay. If the
agency is not bringing in the revenue, then the agency will be
unable to stay in business.
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