The Creative Talent Workshop

What To Ask When Talking To An Agent

2007-11-19T09:23:00Z

What to do when your Talent Agent calls!

If you don't know what to ask when your Agent calls
you with an audition notice, you can use the
following questions as a guide. Be sure to use a
minimum of 4 out of the 10 questions!

Your Agent calls and says:
"We have an audition for you on Tuesday..."

You reply:

1. What or who is it for?
2. Is it for TV, radio, film, commercial, stage, etc...?
3. How much is it paying?
4. Will the Producer or Client be there?
5. Where is it?
6. Is there a map to the audition location?
7. What do I wear?
8. What is my audition time?
9. Is there a script, specific instructions, etc...?
10. Is this a cattle call and will there be callbacks?

These are 10 easy questions to ask your Talent Agent or Manager.
Do not be afraid to ask!
It is up to you to take charge of your career.

Remember!
Every time you pick up the phone from your Agent, it is
costing you money! The wear and tear on your car and
clothes. The gas money to get you back and forth from
auditions. The phone bill, voice mail or answering service
messaging costs. Maybe even time off from your other job.

So? If you are basically paying to go to auditions,
why show up without the intent to WIN the audition?

Are you ready to get your career going?
Call Me!

How to Start Your Acting Career

2007-11-18T12:27:00Z

You have chosen your career! Acting!
But what now?

Well! Let's breakdown the Entertainment Industry:

Stage acting
Local shows require a commitment of 5-7 weeks.
They usually rehearse at night and on weekends.
Performances and matinees on weekends. You are
pretty much tied to the theater if you
are dedicated to making the show a success.
Regional & National Touring Shows require a bigger
commitment. You will be on the road for long
stretches. You have to pack, possibly sublet your
place, and keep moving with the company.

Film Acting
Wanna make money? Find a film agent. Get your union card.
And realize that you may have a commitment that ranges
from a few days to a few months.

TV acting
Wanna make money? Find a TV agent. Get your union card.
Go to a market that has more than 5 professional
television production companies. Audition. Audition.
Audition. Commitment? Maybe a few months to a few years.

Modeling
Have pictures, have composite card, have portfolio...must travel.
Find a great modeling agency that can guarantee you work. These
agents usually create a bank fund for you and manage your money
as well as your career. That way you are not stuck in Belgium for
a shoot and need money to fly back to Brazil for that shoot on the beach.
OK..Local modeling is available, too. If you have the right pictures and
portfolio..and the right agent. There are enough photographers that will
take you and your pictures and fly away. Get references. See their work
in advance.
Local models do local ads for newspapers, magazines, fliers, billboards
and print ads. Lucrative for some...devastating for the unprepared.
Beware of a new trend called the PHOTO BANK. A photographer will hire you
for a small session fee, then sell your photo to many clients to use
anywhere they wish. Digital piracy.

Commercial acting
New challenges all the time. Auditions for ads,
training films (what's a training film? ~ Ever take Driver's Ed
and watched Blood Flows Red on the Highway? Or had a job where
Lot's of ads. With the right agent and look
you can work constantly. Add more agents outside your region
and double your chances at commercial acting success.

As you focus on one aspect of the acting profession, you will be
able to branch out and market your talent in the others.
You can do it! There have been actors for centuries. It is as
noble a profession as any other. Now it is your turn.

Ready to start? Call me!

Steps to Success in Acting!

2007-11-11T23:32:00Z

#1 Determine your talent
#2 Determine your skills
#3 Build on your skills
#4 Know your limitations
#5 Build a support group (NO Family members!)
#6 Learn to market (Get pictures and demos)
#7 Keep a notebook on successes and failures
#8 Network with other talent
#9 Network with agents
#10 Network with producers/directors
#11 Study other talent (especially their success)
#12 Put on blinders (do not fall into traps set by NO or YOU CAN'T-isms)
#13 Keep up to date on the industry
#14 Have a resume
#15 Have a contact letter (How producers will reach you)
#16 Have a phone, cell phone
#17 Have an email address
#18 Have a website dedicated to your career
#19 Have a mentor!
#20 Learn a new skill
#21 Re-market your career to overcome complacency
#22 Work on your career at least 2 hours a week (MINIMUM)
#23 Do a play to learn lines and how to take direction and build a character
#24 Take a class to hone skills
#25 Have a monologue (two if possible... modern, classical)
#26 Learn primary basic dance steps (even if you are NOT a dancer)
#27 Learn a song a capella (even if you do NOT know how to sing well)
#28 Learn professionalism
#29 Keep temperamental moments in check
#30 Help others (you WILL see them on the way up as well as during down time)
#31 Know how to put on basic make-up
#32 Look like your pictures
#33 Learn to do at least one impersonation, magic trick or joke (ice breaker)
#34 Know a costumer, costume designer or someone that sews very VERY well.
#35 Keep a costume closet or chest (clothes, props and accessories you may need later)
#36 Learn patience
#37 Regiment a diet when needed
#38 Save 10% of everything you earn...75% of everything you learn
#39 Trust in yourself
#40 Let go of auditions (win some, lose some, but...more will come)
#41 Volunteering leads to respect
#42 A reputation starts when you are not in the room
#43 Support anyone's dream or desire (no matter how small or far fetched)
#44 Stay away from naysayers
#45 Be happy or at least look happy!
#46 Learn new acting techniques (how to use a microphone, ear or teleprompter)
#47 Learn how to improvise
#48 Learn how to visualize (success)
#49 Work on observation skills (IE..you don't need to be drunk to play a drunk)
#50 Pass it forward!