Shameless Self Promotion- Is there any one out there who promotes themselves??

For what it's worth, (considering I am not a pro and don't work in this industry), I agree with Na... if you look at your "profession" - even if you do it as a hobby and regardless of whether or not you are paid, if you consider it as you would any "business", then yes, you do have to market your business... in this case, you are marketing yourself whether it be as a singer, actor or combination... even if you have an agent, you are not the only one on his/her books and you can't rely on them to focus on marketing you 100%. If you do, you could be missing out on valuable opportunities and leads.

I'm thinking you would probably do well to be your own PR person if you can't afford to hire one :)

Sometimes, as uncomfortable as it may sit with you, you do have to blow your own horn - you don't have to do this in a conceited or arrogant way, but you do have to do it if you want to be noticed.

Have a look at websites of people in the industry and see how they blow their own horn and then copy them until you can blow your own horn in a way that feels comfortable to you... (that's assuming it might not sit comfortably with you...)

If you don't "market" or self promote yourself - how are those you want to attract even going to know you exist? 

If you are polite and pleasant to deal with, you'll probably find the majority of people you contact will reciprocate and those that don't well, we're not all on the same step on the evolution ladder so don't take it personally... I believe developing a thick skin is almost a prerequisite for those wanting to work in the entertainment industry anyway... isn't it? 

Good luck! :)

DFE

Agent or no Agent, you need to self-promote. If you have an agent you Self-promote to then as well as anyone else. You plug away at plugging yourself regardless.

Having an agent just means that you MAY have a little exrtra support, as long as you nuture the relationship you have with them.

I say get the agent, after all it really doesn't change the amount of work you do, but you can get someone else to work for you too. Two heads are usually better than one.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

Agent or no Agent, you need to self-promote. If you have an agent you Self-promote to then as well as anyone else. You plug away at plugging yourself regardless.

Having an agent just means that you MAY have a little exrtra support, as long as you nuture the relationship you have with them.

I say get the agent, after all it really doesn't change the amount of work you do, but you can get someone else to work for you too. Two heads are usually better than one.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

If I may momentarialy direct your attention to another great website, without treading on any toes (NA?) - Have a read of this as this question fo To Agent or not to Agent crops up all too frequently...

CLICK HERE - You may be required to Register with the site, but it is free. Like this one.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

On that topic, you are going the read and hear a lot of contradictory comments on this and to some degree, it will be dependant to level of self-promotion the client themsleves have done for for and toward the agent in question.

Not all "PAID GIGS" are cast through agencies, but the majority of the high-profile ones are. The bigger productions cannot afford the time or money mucking about with unknowns, so unless you have a self-proven track record and reputation to match, you won't get much by yourself other than a few extra bits here and there, in commercials, etc. After sometime, you hopefully would build up a network of contacts and things would be, may be different.

There are some agencies out there that sepcialise in the smaller parts (Commericals, Walk-ons, Background Extra, Supernumerary, etc) and I know of a few people who get regular jobs with such agencies. It pays well enough and it gets you out there and hopefully noticed.

If you want to aim for the bigger stuff earlier (you can't wait to make the break) than I would suggest locating the Casting Consultants in your area. These are the guys that production companies call on for casting assistance. They then consult the Casting Agents for hopeful talent. If you can get in at that level, you may stand a better chance. Again, you promote yourself to the Consultant in some way.

Some of these consultants may run their own Casting Agency which makes things a little easier - You still need to sell yourself and not just once. It is a constant thing. Other consultants may run workshop groups which is absolutely fantastic if you can afford it. They get to see you in action for several weeks on end! Most importantly, you have to convince these people about how committed you really are. Even if you feel committed and believe it in you heart, you have to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt. There are hundreds if not thousands of hopefuls out there. Somehow you have to stand out from the rest of them, that means making a bigger noise about yourself than the next person.

Acting is not easy work, and neither is getting work as an actor.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page