Agents role/Casting process

Sat, 5 May 2012, 10:49 pm

BongoBill2 posts in thread

I was wondering what is exactly the role of an agent and what do they do to secure work? I have been with one now for about 8 months and have just received 2 TV castings from them as well as 1 TV commercial casting (They are actually a very biggish agent and very well known throughout the industry and represent a lot of very well known actors). They are very nice but when I call and ask whats going on they always say that I have never been requested for jobs that are being cast for. Is it an agents job to push i.e. sway casting directors to see actors even though they may not be right for the role? I understand that when I get wind of something that's being cast I get all excited and ask them if they can put me forward for the jobs and my agency replies that the casting director knows me,as I have met them before and then says if they (the casting director) think I am right I will be called in to audition. Is this the way it is with all agencies or is my agent being lazy? I was also wondering how Casting directors go about choosing the lead roles, do they have an open casting to see who auditions the best or do they have well known actors that have a track record of credits that they choose from? Is there a frequency I should expect with regards to the amount of castings I should be going on? I am pretty new to this working with a legitimate agency- the last one I was with charged me $400 for pictures etc but now I am a little wiser and have a real agency that doesnt charge that. Any advice would be great.

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BongoBillSat, 5 May 2012, 10:49 pm

LabrugSat, 5 May 2012, 11:19 pm

You need to read this...

This is a FAQ page that you should read - http://www.theatre.asn.au/blog/labrug/finding_an_agent

An agent is to HELP represent you. They can be a go between for you and consultants/directors. However, that does not mean they will go out of their way just for you. As you point out, most good agents are large. They can afford to focus on those they think will get them the best return. How do you become one of those? You manage yourself.

You have an agent that can help you, but you are still the captain of the vessel that is your career. Regularly stay in contact with them, hassle them even. If you hear of a potential job, contact them to look in to it for you. If someone approaches you directly, get them to help represent you in any contract negotiations. Get them to suggest good magazines or research options, training services that you can then follow up on your own.

An agent can only submit your photos in resume to a request from a consultant. The consultant than reviews all the applications before short-listing for the director. The agent may be able to add additional recommendations within those applications, but they need to know you to be able to recommend you.

Casting directors rarely hold open auditions (they are rare, not extinct) and often prefer to get a list of "proven" actors (ones with high profiles within an agency) and then request auditions from that list. You need to be ready sometimes to drop everything within 24 hours. If a consultant does hold open auditions, it will usually be because they haven't found what the director is looking for or it is for a large group of Extras.

As to frequency, no. There is no pattern that you can expect. It depends on two things, what the industry is like in your area and how recognisable you personally are. A lot of work with a high profile and you could be getting auditions every month, or more.

Eventually, you may get to a point where you do not need an agent at all (few do) but in effect you have to have that mentality from the beginning.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

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