Help!! how to go about getting an agent??
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sillyjilly
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- Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 6:59 pm
Help!! how to go about getting an agent??
I'm looking for an agent and I don't know where to start! Please can someone help me? I have gotten great headshots and I have experience on stage and on film. My parents are really supportive but they are a bit clueless about acting and I have made it this far by having an Amazing acting coach. She recently retired and I need some guidence please can anyone help? I'm fifteen btw and I understand that it is usually all down to your parents to get you an agent. ( also I live in rural Ireland and don't have as much access to coaches and instructers)
Re: Help!! how to go about getting an agent??
Hello there!
Living in rural Ireland is the first really big hurdle I'm afraid!
You say you have experience on stage and film - has this been local to you? An agent will only take you on if you can get to where the work is and I would imagine the opportunities are few and far between in rural Ireland. Realistically, you may have to wait until you are older and can relocate - in the meantime you can keep your skills up and take every local opportunity you can find. You might also want to look at residential holiday courses (like National Youth Theatre etc) - though of course these come at a price.
If you decide you want to try to get an agent then here are the things you need to think about:
Who would accompany you to auditions and how would you get there? Would school allow you time off? If you live in rural Ireland, I'm guessing travel time might be an issue (and might be expensive). Do you have exams coming up? Do the same licensing rules for 15 year olds apply in Ireland as here?
Where can you work? Could you easily get to Dublin or to Belfast? How easy is it for you to get to London? Do you have the facility to film auditions, in case this is an option for you?
What can you offer to an agent that will overcome the disadvantage (because they will certainly see it as one) of where you live? What makes you exceptional?
Do you know of any agencies based in Ireland? These should certainly be your first port of call. You could get hold of a copy of Contacts from Spotlight and see whether there are any Irish agencies listed there.
I understand you desire to act, but I do think you might need to pause and think about it from a production company's point of view: it's such an overcrowded market place with so many talented performers. You may need to wait until you can be a little nearer to where the work is before you look for an agent. This doesn't mean you can't act though, you just need to look for opportunities closer to where you are.
Good luck, and I'm sorry if this seems a rather negative response.
Living in rural Ireland is the first really big hurdle I'm afraid!
You say you have experience on stage and film - has this been local to you? An agent will only take you on if you can get to where the work is and I would imagine the opportunities are few and far between in rural Ireland. Realistically, you may have to wait until you are older and can relocate - in the meantime you can keep your skills up and take every local opportunity you can find. You might also want to look at residential holiday courses (like National Youth Theatre etc) - though of course these come at a price.
If you decide you want to try to get an agent then here are the things you need to think about:
Who would accompany you to auditions and how would you get there? Would school allow you time off? If you live in rural Ireland, I'm guessing travel time might be an issue (and might be expensive). Do you have exams coming up? Do the same licensing rules for 15 year olds apply in Ireland as here?
Where can you work? Could you easily get to Dublin or to Belfast? How easy is it for you to get to London? Do you have the facility to film auditions, in case this is an option for you?
What can you offer to an agent that will overcome the disadvantage (because they will certainly see it as one) of where you live? What makes you exceptional?
Do you know of any agencies based in Ireland? These should certainly be your first port of call. You could get hold of a copy of Contacts from Spotlight and see whether there are any Irish agencies listed there.
I understand you desire to act, but I do think you might need to pause and think about it from a production company's point of view: it's such an overcrowded market place with so many talented performers. You may need to wait until you can be a little nearer to where the work is before you look for an agent. This doesn't mean you can't act though, you just need to look for opportunities closer to where you are.
Good luck, and I'm sorry if this seems a rather negative response.
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sillyjilly
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Re: Help!! how to go about getting an agent??
Thanks Pg!
I have a list of agencies and I was recently spotted by a model scout for a big modeling agency in Ireland. My parents have some great contacts that we can use but im still not sure what the protocol for sending off a cv is ? Do I call them or do I just send it off and say that i will call them in a week to see if they have recieved it? My look is unusual and that has kept me back from work such as the recent sally potter casting. Is unusual good in the acting world? I'm very european looking and i seem to blend in with people of all ethnic groups for example two days ago I was asked if im Italian and yesterday someone asked me am I polish!
I can speak 3 languages fluently and i'm learning a fourth (spanish) at the moment. Should I put that in my cv? I also did work for a german movie where they needed a stunt double horserider which I did. Is that worthy of going in a cv? When I was 10 I did childrens runway ...Cv ? I have also done LAMDA up to bronze medal which I got a high distinction in... Cv? And I have done 10 local drama plays and school plays. I also did dance and singing classes. All that I have listed is all that I have done. Do you think I need more experience for an agent to be interested in me? Do you think if I accept the offer of the modelling agency that i will be more likely get an acting agent or that they would be dettered because I'm with a modelling firm?
Thank you so much for answering my question!
also I plan on trying to get some work as extras in local production and national productions over the summer.
I have a list of agencies and I was recently spotted by a model scout for a big modeling agency in Ireland. My parents have some great contacts that we can use but im still not sure what the protocol for sending off a cv is ? Do I call them or do I just send it off and say that i will call them in a week to see if they have recieved it? My look is unusual and that has kept me back from work such as the recent sally potter casting. Is unusual good in the acting world? I'm very european looking and i seem to blend in with people of all ethnic groups for example two days ago I was asked if im Italian and yesterday someone asked me am I polish!
I can speak 3 languages fluently and i'm learning a fourth (spanish) at the moment. Should I put that in my cv? I also did work for a german movie where they needed a stunt double horserider which I did. Is that worthy of going in a cv? When I was 10 I did childrens runway ...Cv ? I have also done LAMDA up to bronze medal which I got a high distinction in... Cv? And I have done 10 local drama plays and school plays. I also did dance and singing classes. All that I have listed is all that I have done. Do you think I need more experience for an agent to be interested in me? Do you think if I accept the offer of the modelling agency that i will be more likely get an acting agent or that they would be dettered because I'm with a modelling firm?
Thank you so much for answering my question!
also I plan on trying to get some work as extras in local production and national productions over the summer.
Re: Help!! how to go about getting an agent??
Hi
It sounds as though you have lots of really great skills and some good experience. It is definitely worth listing your skills (languages, horseriding, dance, singing) on a CV - not sure what runway is, but probably leave that off?- LAMDA bronze you can list if you like but I suspect it won't be of major interest to an agent - the horseriding skills will also be of interest to an extras agency by the way . It's not so much that an agent wouldn't be interested in you as a performer(because they might be!) it's that I can't see how you would be able to afford the time and money to get to things like commercial castings - which are a complete lottery and you might attend 30 of them and never get a job... An agent will want to know that you have good availability. All of your great skills (languages etc) will be of interest but they are not unique skills if you see what I mean, so I don't know whether they would be enough to get an agent to take you on if you are a long way from any available work. Even if you look Italian, if those doing the casting are looking for an Italian girl, they will prefer to find a native Italian. Even if you speak other languages fluently, the CDs will prefer native speakers. It's only if they can't find them that these extra skills push you further up the pecking order.
Where do professional productions happen near to you? Is your area often used for filming? If so, it will definitely be worth getting on to the books of an extras agency. It won't make much difference for speaking roles usually - these tend not to be cast on a geographical basis. Where are productions generally cast? Do you know? Can you find out? In the UK, most things are cast in London. Some are cast in Manchester, or Cardiff, or Bristol or Birmingham or Edinburgh etc but the vast majority are cast in London. This is true even when the production itself takes place somewhere else entirely. Where is Ireland's production "capital"? Is it Dublin? How close are you? Where are the subsidiaries - are there any? These are the questions you need to ponder because the reason to get an agent is to get work (obviously
) and you need to think about your ambitions in a very practical way.
In your response, you haven't really addressed the question of your geographical location. Do you not think this is likely to be a problem?
In terms of looking unusual - yes, that can sometimes be a very good thing. If you stand out from the crowd you are likely to be remembered. However,sometimes unusual looks can work against you as there also tends to be work for conventionally "good-looking" people - particularly in commercials.
It's great that you have been approached to do some modelling, but do take care - this is an area where scams often operate. Are you convinced about the bonafide nature of the talent scout? Where were you when you were spotted? Do take care that you are not taken in by a scam and think very carefully and ask lots and lots of questions before parting with any money. Don't sign anything without asking for time to take paperwork away and think about it. Don't part with any money "on the day" (personally, I'd say don't part with any money at all!). Contact the agency direct and ask whether you and your parents can go into their offices for a meeting and discuss the practical problems that would arise for someone living in a rural area. I would suggest that exactly the same things apply for modelling as for acting - and that an modelling agent will have the same reservations as I would expect an acting agent to have: how will you get to auditions/castings? how long will it take you to get there? will your school give you time off? who will chaperone you?
I would regard the modelling and acting as two separate things. Make sure you don't sign anything with the modelling agency that precludes you signing up to an acting agency if acting is what you really want to do. By all means write to the acting agents whose details you find and send them your CV and photo. Check on an agent's website first (if they have one) to see how they prefer to receive submissions. If you can't find this information then I would suggest calling them first: this allows you to check that they are happy to receive details and also allows you to find out the correct name for your covering letter. You might also want to consider trying to get experience in short films/student films so that you can increase your experience and perhaps get a showreel together - this can be very useful when it comes to interesting agents in your work.
Good luck!
It sounds as though you have lots of really great skills and some good experience. It is definitely worth listing your skills (languages, horseriding, dance, singing) on a CV - not sure what runway is, but probably leave that off?- LAMDA bronze you can list if you like but I suspect it won't be of major interest to an agent - the horseriding skills will also be of interest to an extras agency by the way . It's not so much that an agent wouldn't be interested in you as a performer(because they might be!) it's that I can't see how you would be able to afford the time and money to get to things like commercial castings - which are a complete lottery and you might attend 30 of them and never get a job... An agent will want to know that you have good availability. All of your great skills (languages etc) will be of interest but they are not unique skills if you see what I mean, so I don't know whether they would be enough to get an agent to take you on if you are a long way from any available work. Even if you look Italian, if those doing the casting are looking for an Italian girl, they will prefer to find a native Italian. Even if you speak other languages fluently, the CDs will prefer native speakers. It's only if they can't find them that these extra skills push you further up the pecking order.
Where do professional productions happen near to you? Is your area often used for filming? If so, it will definitely be worth getting on to the books of an extras agency. It won't make much difference for speaking roles usually - these tend not to be cast on a geographical basis. Where are productions generally cast? Do you know? Can you find out? In the UK, most things are cast in London. Some are cast in Manchester, or Cardiff, or Bristol or Birmingham or Edinburgh etc but the vast majority are cast in London. This is true even when the production itself takes place somewhere else entirely. Where is Ireland's production "capital"? Is it Dublin? How close are you? Where are the subsidiaries - are there any? These are the questions you need to ponder because the reason to get an agent is to get work (obviously
) and you need to think about your ambitions in a very practical way. In your response, you haven't really addressed the question of your geographical location. Do you not think this is likely to be a problem?
In terms of looking unusual - yes, that can sometimes be a very good thing. If you stand out from the crowd you are likely to be remembered. However,sometimes unusual looks can work against you as there also tends to be work for conventionally "good-looking" people - particularly in commercials.
It's great that you have been approached to do some modelling, but do take care - this is an area where scams often operate. Are you convinced about the bonafide nature of the talent scout? Where were you when you were spotted? Do take care that you are not taken in by a scam and think very carefully and ask lots and lots of questions before parting with any money. Don't sign anything without asking for time to take paperwork away and think about it. Don't part with any money "on the day" (personally, I'd say don't part with any money at all!). Contact the agency direct and ask whether you and your parents can go into their offices for a meeting and discuss the practical problems that would arise for someone living in a rural area. I would suggest that exactly the same things apply for modelling as for acting - and that an modelling agent will have the same reservations as I would expect an acting agent to have: how will you get to auditions/castings? how long will it take you to get there? will your school give you time off? who will chaperone you?
I would regard the modelling and acting as two separate things. Make sure you don't sign anything with the modelling agency that precludes you signing up to an acting agency if acting is what you really want to do. By all means write to the acting agents whose details you find and send them your CV and photo. Check on an agent's website first (if they have one) to see how they prefer to receive submissions. If you can't find this information then I would suggest calling them first: this allows you to check that they are happy to receive details and also allows you to find out the correct name for your covering letter. You might also want to consider trying to get experience in short films/student films so that you can increase your experience and perhaps get a showreel together - this can be very useful when it comes to interesting agents in your work.
Good luck!
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sillyjilly
- Nominee
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 6:59 pm
Re: Help!! how to go about getting an agent??
thanks again pg! You are such a great help!I'v spent hours on the internet trying to find answers and you seem to have them all !! thanks
I live about 4 hours away from Dublin. The part of Ireland I live in is quite busy with tourists and movies/ tv shows because it is so beautiful. The modeling is definately not a scam! They havnt asked for a penny off of my Parents! I'v also been asked to send some photos and head and body profiles to Storm model management. Runway is " the catwalk" same thing different name its all modelling. I'm sorry if you don't understand some of the things i write us Irish have different ways of phrasing and writing!
.. I never thought my horseriding would really be of interest for an agent? So would surfing, rock climbing, scuba diving, diving and swimming be of interest to them? (I do a lot of activities)
Travel wouldnt be a problem if I knew where and when and what to go to. It seems people arnt interested in me ( for small productions) as i live so far away yet when I tried to become a pro horserider I used to travel 6 or 7 hours so my parents dont mind taking me somewhere 2-4 hours away because It seems a shorter distance And if your thinking that i give up because im not aiming to be a horserider its because shatered my pelvis in a bad accident.
..
In ireland people always enquire about things through the phone, And my mother has decided she " must" call all the agencies first. I heard its highly unprofessional to call the agencies in England? Should I attempt to stop her? And if worst comes to worst and she does call the agencies and there is no way to stop her what questions should i make sure she asks ? I know its probably highly unprofesional but shes a psychiatrist so she worries a lot about me and giving all my information to some "crazy person", I know that may sound strange to you an its still weird for me but you can probably understand as there is lots of worried parents on this?
Thanks again for all the helpfull advice
I live about 4 hours away from Dublin. The part of Ireland I live in is quite busy with tourists and movies/ tv shows because it is so beautiful. The modeling is definately not a scam! They havnt asked for a penny off of my Parents! I'v also been asked to send some photos and head and body profiles to Storm model management. Runway is " the catwalk" same thing different name its all modelling. I'm sorry if you don't understand some of the things i write us Irish have different ways of phrasing and writing!
.. I never thought my horseriding would really be of interest for an agent? So would surfing, rock climbing, scuba diving, diving and swimming be of interest to them? (I do a lot of activities) Travel wouldnt be a problem if I knew where and when and what to go to. It seems people arnt interested in me ( for small productions) as i live so far away yet when I tried to become a pro horserider I used to travel 6 or 7 hours so my parents dont mind taking me somewhere 2-4 hours away because It seems a shorter distance And if your thinking that i give up because im not aiming to be a horserider its because shatered my pelvis in a bad accident.
.. In ireland people always enquire about things through the phone, And my mother has decided she " must" call all the agencies first. I heard its highly unprofessional to call the agencies in England? Should I attempt to stop her? And if worst comes to worst and she does call the agencies and there is no way to stop her what questions should i make sure she asks ? I know its probably highly unprofesional but shes a psychiatrist so she worries a lot about me and giving all my information to some "crazy person", I know that may sound strange to you an its still weird for me but you can probably understand as there is lots of worried parents on this?
Thanks again for all the helpfull advice
Re: Help!! how to go about getting an agent??
I think your mother is very sensible and it's great that you have her to look out for you. This business is full of scams and having a supportive adult willing to help you explore your options will be of a tremendous help to you!
I think it's fine for you to pursue the modelling then, if they are interested in you - and this could definitely be to your advantage in getting your face known (and earning some money!).
I think it is a good idea for her to ring any agents you are interested in, but she may find that they don't have much time to talk to her. The most likely thing she will find is that they will either say: "I am sorry, but we are not taking on any new clients at present" or they will say "Please send in your daughter's CV and photo and we will consider her details and get in touch if we are interested". It is quite likely that they will not be inclined to get into a conversation about possible representation until after your details have been sent in, but she can ask them anything she wants to.
Any sports etc you are involved in will also be of interest to agents, so you can certainly include these on a CV.
The difference between this and your horseriding (in terms of the distance you might need to travel) is that presumably for the horseriding you would be travelling some distance to take part in something. As an actor, you might be asked to travel some distance to spend 2 minutes in a casting suite while someone takes your photograph or records you saying "yumm, delicious!" and then you go away again. Even if it's for TV drama, you may only be seen for five minutes. Would your parents be prepared for this? This could happen time after time. You could go to twenty auditions (with all the cost and time this involves) and get no jobs . If your parents are quite happy to consider this, and could persuade an agent of this fact, then they might consider taking you on. I really do think geography is likely to be your biggest stumbling block though!
What are the regulations concerning performance licences in Ireland? In the UK you need a performance licence if you are below official school leaving age. This is a bit of a bind to obtain and consequently most performers who are near, but still below this age, miss out because the producers find it easier to employ 16/17 year olds who look 14/15.
Keep us posted with how you get on!
I think it's fine for you to pursue the modelling then, if they are interested in you - and this could definitely be to your advantage in getting your face known (and earning some money!).
I think it is a good idea for her to ring any agents you are interested in, but she may find that they don't have much time to talk to her. The most likely thing she will find is that they will either say: "I am sorry, but we are not taking on any new clients at present" or they will say "Please send in your daughter's CV and photo and we will consider her details and get in touch if we are interested". It is quite likely that they will not be inclined to get into a conversation about possible representation until after your details have been sent in, but she can ask them anything she wants to.
Any sports etc you are involved in will also be of interest to agents, so you can certainly include these on a CV.
The difference between this and your horseriding (in terms of the distance you might need to travel) is that presumably for the horseriding you would be travelling some distance to take part in something. As an actor, you might be asked to travel some distance to spend 2 minutes in a casting suite while someone takes your photograph or records you saying "yumm, delicious!" and then you go away again. Even if it's for TV drama, you may only be seen for five minutes. Would your parents be prepared for this? This could happen time after time. You could go to twenty auditions (with all the cost and time this involves) and get no jobs
. If your parents are quite happy to consider this, and could persuade an agent of this fact, then they might consider taking you on. I really do think geography is likely to be your biggest stumbling block though!What are the regulations concerning performance licences in Ireland? In the UK you need a performance licence if you are below official school leaving age. This is a bit of a bind to obtain and consequently most performers who are near, but still below this age, miss out because the producers find it easier to employ 16/17 year olds who look 14/15.
Keep us posted with how you get on!
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sillyjilly
- Nominee
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 6:59 pm
Re: Help!! how to go about getting an agent??
Thanks again Pg! Wow you should write a book or open your own forum your advice is Amazing!!
I have one last question ( well maybe not) .. Its about liscensing, is that equity or is lisencing something different? Could you give me an example of an english liscensing so that i can try and find the Irish equivilent?
il keep everyone up to date on how i get on and il try and get my mum on this, the advice on this website is brilliant
I hope when she does call the any of the casting agents that the Irish charm kicks in and she'l have a nice ol' chat and the agents will be very intersted in me but i know this is not likely to happen.. one can dream right??
I have one last question ( well maybe not) .. Its about liscensing, is that equity or is lisencing something different? Could you give me an example of an english liscensing so that i can try and find the Irish equivilent?
il keep everyone up to date on how i get on and il try and get my mum on this, the advice on this website is brilliant
I hope when she does call the any of the casting agents that the Irish charm kicks in and she'l have a nice ol' chat and the agents will be very intersted in me but i know this is not likely to happen.. one can dream right??
Re: Help!! how to go about getting an agent??
Here's a link to a Local Authority site which gives some information about performance licences. Maybe it just doesn't exist in Ireland!
(I've just picked East Sussex at random because it was the first one that came up in a search)
http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/childrenan ... efault.htm
Carry on dreaming! Who knows where you may end up? Best of luck to you.
(I've just picked East Sussex at random because it was the first one that came up in a search)
http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/childrenan ... efault.htm
Carry on dreaming! Who knows where you may end up? Best of luck to you.