Home | Subscriptions | Magazine | Resources | FAQ |
Online Privacy Policy | Advertise | Contact Us | NFluential Holdings, LLC
© 2009 IAE Magazine, a publication of NFluential Holdings, LLC
Online Privacy Policy | Advertise | Contact Us | NFluential Holdings, LLC
© 2009 IAE Magazine, a publication of NFluential Holdings, LLC
| IAE is published by |
| CLICK COVER TO READ CURRENT ISSUE |
TM
Copyright © 2009, N'Fluential Publishing. All Rights Reserved.
PAGE 2 of 4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
continued....
Write your résumé
Attach you photo back-to-back with an 8 x 10 résumé with staples neatly in each
corner, so that when the agent or CD flips your headshot over, the résumé is facing
outward as if it is printed on the back of your headshot. NEVER get résumés
professionally printed on the back of your photos because as you book new gigs
your resume will change which means your headshots will have an outdated résumé
printed on the back, rendering them useless. I doubt that anyone wants to just throw
away hundreds of dollars on headshots.
Your résumé will have your name at the top, then the names of any actors’ unions to
which you belong, underneath your name. A voice mail or message service phone
number should be available so that the agents will know how to contact you (this will
eventually be replaced with an agency logo once you secure representation). Your
vitals come next (e.g. height, weight, your body’s physique/build, eye and hair
colors). Below that, list your acting credits. Please note that film experience comes
first under the heading “Film,” then Television, followed by Theater, Training and
Education, and finally Special Skills (e.g., trick rollerblading, world champion
bobsledder, certified lifeguard).
Look at sample résumés online via LA Casting, Now Casting, or ask other actors or
your acting coach for tips on layout. Once you have an agent, he or she will
probably have specific layout preferences. Don’t stress too much about the résumé
if you are just getting started. Most mid-size and boutique agencies are much more
concerned with your look and your personality than your experience or your talent,
in most cases.
3. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Your location can play a major part in finding a reputable, legitimate talent agency.
Keep in mind that of the 100,000 actors who are members of SAG, half of them live
in LA, one third in NYC, and the rest are in secondary markets like New Orleans,
Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, and Atlanta. There is also a living to be made as an
actor in those secondary markets, but if you’re in a place like Boise or Chattanooga,
there probably isn’t a legitimate talent agency in your city. You can still get an agent
in the nearest major city with a SAG branch, IF AND ONLY IF you are completely
willing and available to commute to that market for auditions with just one day’s
notice. Otherwise it would be in your best interests to consider relocating to a prime
market like LA or NYC.
If you are located in, or planning to move to, one of the markets listed above, then
keep in mind when seeking an agent you only want one who is franchised by the
actors’ unions (SAG, AFTRA, and/or AEA), and preferably a member of ATA
(Association of Talent Agents). If they’re a member of ATA, this means that their
Agency Agreements are much more restricted. Also, if they are a franchised agency,
it means they have an official agreement with the unions to get you legitimate jobs
and to pay you your fair wages. It also means that you can complain to the union if
they don’t, and the union will help straighten things out. Your agent should be at
least franchised with one of the earlier mentioned unions (ATA is not an actor’s
union).
To get a list of franchised agents, contact your local SAG, AFTRA, or AEA branch,
or visit them on the web for a complimentary list of franchised agents in your area.
Agency lists can also be purchased at Samuel French or from Breakdowns in LA
and NYC. Bear in mind that, since the start of 2009, many other markets outside of
LA and NYC have become major film/TV hubs, especially Atlanta.
The best way to figure out which agent to target, is to network with your actor friends
about their representation. Get the scoop on an agency by talking to as many of
their clients as possible. Also, visit the IMDb Movie Database online at http://www.
imdb.com, and do your research based on who’s representing those actors who are
working consistently.
PAGE 2 of 4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
continued....
Write your résumé
Attach you photo back-to-back with an 8 x 10 résumé with staples neatly in each
corner, so that when the agent or CD flips your headshot over, the résumé is facing
outward as if it is printed on the back of your headshot. NEVER get résumés
professionally printed on the back of your photos because as you book new gigs
your resume will change which means your headshots will have an outdated résumé
printed on the back, rendering them useless. I doubt that anyone wants to just throw
away hundreds of dollars on headshots.
Your résumé will have your name at the top, then the names of any actors’ unions to
which you belong, underneath your name. A voice mail or message service phone
number should be available so that the agents will know how to contact you (this will
eventually be replaced with an agency logo once you secure representation). Your
vitals come next (e.g. height, weight, your body’s physique/build, eye and hair
colors). Below that, list your acting credits. Please note that film experience comes
first under the heading “Film,” then Television, followed by Theater, Training and
Education, and finally Special Skills (e.g., trick rollerblading, world champion
bobsledder, certified lifeguard).
Look at sample résumés online via LA Casting, Now Casting, or ask other actors or
your acting coach for tips on layout. Once you have an agent, he or she will
probably have specific layout preferences. Don’t stress too much about the résumé
if you are just getting started. Most mid-size and boutique agencies are much more
concerned with your look and your personality than your experience or your talent,
in most cases.
3. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Your location can play a major part in finding a reputable, legitimate talent agency.
Keep in mind that of the 100,000 actors who are members of SAG, half of them live
in LA, one third in NYC, and the rest are in secondary markets like New Orleans,
Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, and Atlanta. There is also a living to be made as an
actor in those secondary markets, but if you’re in a place like Boise or Chattanooga,
there probably isn’t a legitimate talent agency in your city. You can still get an agent
in the nearest major city with a SAG branch, IF AND ONLY IF you are completely
willing and available to commute to that market for auditions with just one day’s
notice. Otherwise it would be in your best interests to consider relocating to a prime
market like LA or NYC.
If you are located in, or planning to move to, one of the markets listed above, then
keep in mind when seeking an agent you only want one who is franchised by the
actors’ unions (SAG, AFTRA, and/or AEA), and preferably a member of ATA
(Association of Talent Agents). If they’re a member of ATA, this means that their
Agency Agreements are much more restricted. Also, if they are a franchised agency,
it means they have an official agreement with the unions to get you legitimate jobs
and to pay you your fair wages. It also means that you can complain to the union if
they don’t, and the union will help straighten things out. Your agent should be at
least franchised with one of the earlier mentioned unions (ATA is not an actor’s
union).
To get a list of franchised agents, contact your local SAG, AFTRA, or AEA branch,
or visit them on the web for a complimentary list of franchised agents in your area.
Agency lists can also be purchased at Samuel French or from Breakdowns in LA
and NYC. Bear in mind that, since the start of 2009, many other markets outside of
LA and NYC have become major film/TV hubs, especially Atlanta.
The best way to figure out which agent to target, is to network with your actor friends
about their representation. Get the scoop on an agency by talking to as many of
their clients as possible. Also, visit the IMDb Movie Database online at http://www.
imdb.com, and do your research based on who’s representing those actors who are
working consistently.
| How To Get An Agent |
| FOLLOW US: |
