Perth Agencies

Can anyone advise me of the better agencies to choose for someone looking for acting work in ads or TV? (Not just extra work).
What are the costs and are there any pre-requisites?

Thanks
Chris

Frog Promotions are good. In my experience they seem to prefer actors who have already worked professionally or who have training. The only cost to you would be preparing a resume and getting a good quality B&W portrait photo taken (you will need several copies). Frog's number is 08 9328 6555 and they are located at U11/120 Lake Street, NORTHBRIDGE W.A 6555.
Cheers, Gill

hey gill. this is the brat that dissed studying acting a few months back (don't be mad ok!). u seem pretty knowlegeable about this sort of stuff, so can i ask u a couple of questions? how much does it cost 4 black & white portraits? what do u know about indie films & perth? last night i was at the 2nd 'electra' audition & i was talking 2 this dude who had just appeared in his 10th indie film here in perth & i asked him how & he said something about checking notice boards at uni & that was about it. not just indie flicks but anything that involves a camera on u, i'd like info on. (except modelling - not skinny enough) also, this is entirely far-fetched but do u know how the actors on such load-of-crap shows as 'neighbours' & 'home & away' originally got an audition?
ta much
dave letterman's would-be stalker if i lived in NY,
kim renae silverstone

Hi Kim,
I read the whole "to study or not to study" debate with much interest but I was never mad. My years at WAAPA were three of the best years of my life but I know that it is not for everyone!

I will do my best to answer your questions.

1. (how much does it cost 4 black & white portraits?)
This would vary. I can not suggest any but you could try looking in the Yellow Pages (Photographers - Advertising & Fashion - Page 2147 in the 2000 Edition). Ring around, tell them that you are an aspiring actor and what you need (ie: An 8x10 B&W portrait for auditions) and get quotes. If they are all too expensive, try putting a note up in the photography/arts parts of the various Uni's. A photography student might do it for you cheaply.

2. (what do u know about indie films & perth?)
Sorry, but this is something that I know absolutely nothing about! I'd say listen to the guy who obviously knows.

3. (....'neighbours' & 'home & away' originally got an audition?)
I assume that they are with an agent (either as models or actors). I think it all goes something like this: When the shows create a new character they go to an agent and say we need someone who is such and such a type and who looks like this. They (the agents) offer up photos of potential candidates who are then selected for an audition from their photo (and possibly, resume). I know that Melissa George was with a modelling agency here in Perth and when they were looking for a girl to play her role in H&A they did a nationwide search of the agencies. Melissa's photo was sent off, the H&A producers liked her look and auditioned her.

I hope that was of some help! I know little about Film & TV and I am definately not the oracle on any of this but I did learn a bit about surviving the industry when at WAAPA. I may as well put this knowledge to some use!

Cheers,
Gill

Kim,
I just had a thought. Jenny Cohen (who often visits this site) is a casting agent in Perth. She is a lovely lady and she knows alot more than I do about the Film & TV world. Perhaps you should look into having a chat with her.
Cheers,
Gill

Thanks for the kind words, Gilly! Yes, I regularly keep up with the website - in particular the postings - and therefore I don't need to watch TV as this is far more entertaining!

The advice you've given in regard to agencies and auditions, etc, is excellent and should be of great help to those looking for representation. There are, of course, other agencies such as Actors Management, Actors Plus (part of Jemma International modelling but a different "arm" dealing with actors only), Impressions and so on.

If I can help otherwise, please contact me on 0412 224 253.

Cheers
Jenni C


Gill wrote:
-------------------------------
Kim,
I just had a thought. Jenny Cohen (who often visits this site) is a casting agent in Perth. She is a lovely lady and she knows alot more than I do about the Film & TV world. Perhaps you should look into having a chat with her.
Cheers,
Gill

Thanks Jenni and Gill for your advice. Over the past five years, I have joined up with two different agencies and have managed to get no more than an extra part (along with 150 others) in a film from one, and nothing at all from the other, who was very happy to accept my money, make big promises and come up with nothing. I have contacted others since, but am reticent to get involved and pay fees to agencies, where I am one amongst thousands of others without a face or name, or there to make someone else some money by paying for expensive photos and fees for going "on the books." I do not have big ambitions, just to get a bit more experience in film and TV, have some fun and earn enough money to pay any costs associated with being on the books.

Cheers,
Chris

Dear Chris

I'm not sure which agencies you've approached or been associated with but realistically, they are not supposed to charge you for being on the books. The way some get around this is to ask you to get expensive photos done or ask you to take courses which have to be paid for. They should also not be promising to get you lots of work because everyone in Perth knows that the film industry here is not enormous and there's not enough work to keep the professional actors going, let alone all the others who are interested, like yourself, in a bit of fun and experience but not necessarily a career.

If you are still looking to join somewhere, I suggest you phone 3 places and ask lots of questions about costs and exactly what they can guarantee you in the way of work. Then you can make a bit more of an informed decision. Try Spiers - speak to Linda, tel: 9322 1044; Actors Management 9322 6499 (Ricci); and Actors Plus 9421 1770 (Maxine). Tell them exactly what you're looking for and see if they can help you. Emphasise that you are looking for "casting" work and that you've been involved in community theatre (if you have!)

Good luck! It sounds like there may be a few productions happening here in the next 12 months, so you never know, it could get very busy for us all.

Cheers,
Jenni C

hey thanx 4 the v. useful info gill & jenni

kim renae

Hi
I was just wondering if you could possibly pass on some information about how to find out more about the different kinds of agencies in Perth and how to get into
the industry, as an agent
do you need a specific degree?
thanks
Andrea

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