How to become an actress?,
Thu, 9 Dec 2004, 07:06 pmWalter Plinge20 posts in thread
How to become an actress?,
Thu, 9 Dec 2004, 07:06 pmHi there how do become a actress ?
i've been wanting to to acting classes,
for quite some time i want to start small & work my way up.
need advice thanks
Rain,
i've been wanting to to acting classes,
for quite some time i want to start small & work my way up.
need advice thanks
Rain,
Re: Agent Secrets
Thu, 16 Dec 2004, 08:32 pmG'day David
Depends on where you live....I am in Perth and there are only a handful of agents I know about. I'm with Actors Management.
First step - look up an agent in the phone book or get a reference from another actor...or check the MEAA website www.alliance.org.au for a list of reputed agents.
Second - ring around. Different agents have different services. Some are mainly concerned with models and TV commercial talent, some cast extras, some handle film and TV or radio commercials, or theatre, only some handle everything. Some represent kids as well as adults, or some only want to have a certain number of each age bracket on their books. And they will have different procedures in recruiting new talent.
Some agencies already represent so many actors that they will be selective in who they agree to represent. This may involve an audition, or showing them a CV or showreel of work or inviting them to see you perform. If you look like Brad Pitt but they already have 12 on their books they're not going to be as interested in you...their first priority is representing existing clients. But if you have a certain look or have certain skills, you may be an asset for them to have on their books.
Also, some don't want to invest their time sending you to auditions if they don't feel you meet a minimum standard.
But even though some of them will be screening YOU, remember that in the end you are employing THEM. So you need to be clear in what you require, what you are prepared to do, and what you expect from them.
If you already have a relationship with a director who often asks you to work for them, you might want to stipulate with your agent that they don't receive commission from this work in future...because you would have gotten it anyway. Or perhaps you don't involve your agent in work that you find yourself. (However I often find, even with work I've sourced myself, that I prefer my agent to handle negotiations for wages, times of work, contracts, etc. So I'm happy to pay a commission even on some work I probably would have landed without them). There might be certain work you DON'T want to take, or you may only be available at certain times...or you may want help in pushing your career into a new area. A good relationship with your agent can be very valuable.
Most agents will help you with things like getting professional photos or showreels/voicetapes, and this may cost you...but I would be avoiding anyone who charged a compulsory joining fee. As a general rule the agent negotiates your fee for a job and then takes about 10% as a commission. So they get paid AFTER they find you work.
However, there are obviously administration costs involved in keeping you on their books, telephoning you and lining up auditions, etc, so some can justify charging a bit extra for the work they do on your behalf...even if you aren't passing the auditions and earning them any income. Some agents charge a higher percentage on some jobs (notably TV and radio commercials...maybe 12 or 15%) which compensates them for this. Be wary if you are being asked to pay anything when you're not being sent to auditions...
But a good agent will often be working on your behalf even if you don't finally hear of it. My agent has often done a fair bit of legwork, sending photos, matching me onto lists that casting directors send them, and trying to get me a job even though eventually the director decided I didn't look right so I was never even called about an audition. Occasionally they have done this work and have lined me up a job that I don't even need to audition for.
All of these things need to be thought about and discussed with your agent. Communicating both ways is very important. You need to let them know when you are available or not, and they need to know all of your marketable skills. Hopefully they will be someone who you personally get on with, and can work together well with.
Third - see them personally and talk more about all of the above. You don't need to stick with the same agent forever (maybe you agree to a 6-12 month trial period?)... but it helps if you're happy with the choice you make right from the start.
Cheers
Craig
Depends on where you live....I am in Perth and there are only a handful of agents I know about. I'm with Actors Management.
First step - look up an agent in the phone book or get a reference from another actor...or check the MEAA website www.alliance.org.au for a list of reputed agents.
Second - ring around. Different agents have different services. Some are mainly concerned with models and TV commercial talent, some cast extras, some handle film and TV or radio commercials, or theatre, only some handle everything. Some represent kids as well as adults, or some only want to have a certain number of each age bracket on their books. And they will have different procedures in recruiting new talent.
Some agencies already represent so many actors that they will be selective in who they agree to represent. This may involve an audition, or showing them a CV or showreel of work or inviting them to see you perform. If you look like Brad Pitt but they already have 12 on their books they're not going to be as interested in you...their first priority is representing existing clients. But if you have a certain look or have certain skills, you may be an asset for them to have on their books.
Also, some don't want to invest their time sending you to auditions if they don't feel you meet a minimum standard.
But even though some of them will be screening YOU, remember that in the end you are employing THEM. So you need to be clear in what you require, what you are prepared to do, and what you expect from them.
If you already have a relationship with a director who often asks you to work for them, you might want to stipulate with your agent that they don't receive commission from this work in future...because you would have gotten it anyway. Or perhaps you don't involve your agent in work that you find yourself. (However I often find, even with work I've sourced myself, that I prefer my agent to handle negotiations for wages, times of work, contracts, etc. So I'm happy to pay a commission even on some work I probably would have landed without them). There might be certain work you DON'T want to take, or you may only be available at certain times...or you may want help in pushing your career into a new area. A good relationship with your agent can be very valuable.
Most agents will help you with things like getting professional photos or showreels/voicetapes, and this may cost you...but I would be avoiding anyone who charged a compulsory joining fee. As a general rule the agent negotiates your fee for a job and then takes about 10% as a commission. So they get paid AFTER they find you work.
However, there are obviously administration costs involved in keeping you on their books, telephoning you and lining up auditions, etc, so some can justify charging a bit extra for the work they do on your behalf...even if you aren't passing the auditions and earning them any income. Some agents charge a higher percentage on some jobs (notably TV and radio commercials...maybe 12 or 15%) which compensates them for this. Be wary if you are being asked to pay anything when you're not being sent to auditions...
But a good agent will often be working on your behalf even if you don't finally hear of it. My agent has often done a fair bit of legwork, sending photos, matching me onto lists that casting directors send them, and trying to get me a job even though eventually the director decided I didn't look right so I was never even called about an audition. Occasionally they have done this work and have lined me up a job that I don't even need to audition for.
All of these things need to be thought about and discussed with your agent. Communicating both ways is very important. You need to let them know when you are available or not, and they need to know all of your marketable skills. Hopefully they will be someone who you personally get on with, and can work together well with.
Third - see them personally and talk more about all of the above. You don't need to stick with the same agent forever (maybe you agree to a 6-12 month trial period?)... but it helps if you're happy with the choice you make right from the start.
Cheers
Craig
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