Dd has been applying to agents for almost 4 years, and she has received rejection after rejection after rejection and is starting to loose hope all together. We've heard from so many people (not just family!) that she is so talented, and yet all these rejections seem to suggest otherwise. So in all honesty, she wants to ask if it's maybe time for her to give up?
She's done one short film and about to do a second one, and also did a photo shoot earlier this year. And that's it. The fact that she can't even get seen by any agencies is quite a worry and is starting to get a bit devastating for her.
I'd really appreciate some advice and opinions. A career in acting is her plan A, and there is no plan B. She assured me long ago she would never need one, so this is all she has focused on for the past 5 years
Oh dear it is so hard for them all. I am dreading being in this situation and no doubt we will be in a few years. How old is your dd now ? You never know whats around the corner and if she is still willing to keep at it and financially she is ok , well then go for it ! Your dd is not alone unfortunately . Fingers crossed for you
I think it does depend on lots of things - a very major one will be age and type.
Changing paths is the right decision for some. It is often possible to get many more (and much more rewarding) performance opportunities as an amateur than as a professional. It can be very hard to let go of the professional dream - but she should remember that it need not be for ever. If she is interested in straight acting rather than MT then there is no reason whatsoever why she should not return to this dream later.
Is further training a possibility? She may well be at an age where she is competing with all the young looking graduates from drama schools (who are also finding it very hard to get representation).
There are lots of ways to look for work without an agent. She may possibly be better letting the agent search go for a while and concentrate on the job hunt and/or generating her own work. It won't be quick, and she will need a way to sustain herself financially, but she may feel she has more control that way. The more she has on her CV, the more she is likely, eventually, to be of interest to agents.
If she's in it for the long term perhaps the best thing to do is to apply to drama school at 18? Most actors don't start working or get agents when they're children, they get training first at a drama school or university as that's still one of the main/best ways to get started in the industry.
i think get as much experience as possible via amateur theatre groups, audition for NYT for example too - don't know how old your dd is, but as pg said it could just be age and type, and your dd looking too much like other people on an agents books already. Even students fresh out of drama schools don't and arn't guaranteed to get agents, due to their being so many actors on agents' books already,, and not enough work to go around.
While painting a rather sorry picture, don't let it put your dd off, the amateur productions that she could get involved in give great experience and keep her hand in too and a good way to hear of other things going on for your dd to get involved in, also auditioning for NYT too. Don't know how old your dd is, but if your dds still growing and gets taller, and gets bit more experience too... I'd try again, nothing to lose, you just never know when its the right time to apply for representation.
I agree with everything everyone has said, some wise words there...
some of DS amdram parts have been the best experience ever for him!. Highly recommended.
Please don't let her give her give in just yet, ...many performers don't get an agent until they are young adults and fully trained. Just see if there if anything you can take from the above advice and posts. She is way too young to give up just yet..Plenty of children here don't have agents. And on this board alone there is a mish-mash of children earning a lot of money and getting many opportunities, and many who don't.
You must be feeling very down for her..
look into the advice, see what you can do and have a chat with your DD.
"Tall and proud my mother taught me, this is how we dance" - RIVERDANCE
There is one thing you should do (well, two, actually) First is get one of the agents to give you the insider, real honest reason they said no. It could be that they just have a client mismatch, and know that the sort of jobs they get on the books won't fit. The other reason may well be that she's just not as good as you think. Contrary to popular opinion, most people find it very difficult to be truly honest and can always find good things to say, while keeping the negatives to themselves.
One of the hardest things I've ever had to learn is how to base performance opinions on proper evidence, produce grades, and then find reasons to use to justify these to parents. I think the important thing is to always be honest, but try not to be destructive. When you watch Simon Cowell, the audience scream with anger when he says what he thinks - BUT secretly many people are nodding inside, it's just not nice. In my professional life now I'm not a teacher, the same thing happens - if people are not up to the standard I need, you have to tell them what they are doing wrong - and very often they don't believe me, because "everyone says it was really funny" - and I have to say to them that it isn't. We both have opinions, one counts! I make mistakes, I've kept people I should have got rid of, and sacked people who maybe I should have given one last chance, but when people stand up and perform, in front of teachers, audiences, management, agents, there is always something that you have seen before, or perhaps something just missing.
As a parent - you may never be in the position of seeing the kids for the first time as a stranger does.
If she is really worried, if you really want a totally isolated first opinion - stick one of her audition pieces or some other video material on youtube and make it private. send me the link and password and I'll watch it and give you an honest opinion - using perhaps a mix of college lecturer/examiner/production manager viewpoints. If you risk it, you will get back comments such as the people she auditions for could well be writing down in their notes. It will be risky, and of course just my opinion - but I'm a stranger and the people she auditions for are strangers. I won't be offended if she doesn't fancy it - but the offer is there.
I'd imagine that the c.v that's sent with a photo is the issue - not enough experience, and a 'look' that they already have on their books and can't take any more - it's one thing getting turned down or not hearing anything from sending a c.v. and p hoto to an agent, and another going for an audition at an agents, and then not being offered representation. It is sole destroying for them when they get rejection letters, and also worth finding out when agents have their books open for auditions and see if you can get a slot for your dd to go in and audition infront of their panel and be seen, and that will enlighten you a lot more to what's going on and perhaps more likely to get the feedback you need.
it's very hard to say @'she's not as good as you think she is@ because you are in same position as many of us with our dcs, and we've had similar experiences of knockbacks of representation experiences and where she may not cut it for one agent, she may well for another - I certainly wouldn't give up, its all about right place, right time, and getting experience on that cv.
I am actually in a similar position. I don't know what your dd has done so I can't really make a judgment. But I have had, acting lessons, dance lessons, vocal training, LAMDA exams, dance exams, school productions, out of school productions and I have some interesting talents including fencing. To top that off I also have professional photos and I am still having an extremely difficult time finding an agent. So please know that you are not alone xxx wish LUCK to your dd from me x
p.s. if that sounded boastful someone tell me so I can edit, thanks x
Not boastful at all cupcakephoebz. I think it just underlines how hard it is to get agency representation - even when you are doing everything "right".
It is to do with whether the agent needs someone like you on their books. They may already have someone who can go up for all the same roles as you - or they may feel that the likelihood of you getting called in is too slim. They run a business and can pick and choose based on what they need to run their business.
I know hugely talented actors who have had drama school training from highly-regarded schools who have not managed to get agency representation immediately. I know other actors, equally talented, who have appeared in fringe show after fringe show and have never managed to attract agents. It's really difficult out there.
I agree with pg -
cupcakephoebz - having 'fencing' in the skills section of your c.v. is fantastic - really makes you stand out having something different like that, as it's not a sport everyone has. It's also good to try and get some student films under your belt, if you call the Unis and get a contact, who have film media courses, you can send in your cv and a photo direct to them to hold on their records for forthcoming projects their students are doing. Some like the London Film School only tend to take those with professional experience, and Equity members, but others do audition and advertise on sites such as Mandy.com for student film projects.
Hello again everyone Thank you so much for all those replies and advice, it is so appreciated.
Dd has decided not to throw the towel in just yet and is back in the saddle again. She was having a particularly off day when I posted this - three rejection emails within a couple of hours which was rather soul crushing and I think knocked her a bit more than she let on.
She's in her late teens now so I suppose she is competing with the young looking drama school graduates, hadn't really thought of that I agree about the amateur opportunities too, some of them can be far more rewarding and more enjoyable. Some interesting things have just cropped up this last week in our local am dram group actually which is good news. She's still dead set on becoming a professional though (acting not MT) and I don't see her changing paths quite yet.
paulears - I shall send you a PM
Thank you again for all the advice, it's reassuring to hear that there are others in the same boat. Maybe it's not quite the right time for her to branch into the professional world yet. Drama school isn't really a possibility at the moment financially, but she's been doing LAMDA's, weekend training and some student film work, so we'll see where that goes. If nothing else, all this will be doing wonders for her patience
Hi, just wondering if anyone could give me some advice. I am 5 ft 9 and at 13 that is apparently terrible in the drama world. I was basically thinking about giving up till I am 16 because several agencies have now said too tall but if you are still acting at 16 please come back because you have a great look. The problem is I have had to work my butt off to get even this far including trying to persuade my parents to let me try which took over a year. I just don't want to give up then try again in 3 years time but not have enough on my CV anymore because I am not able to get any parts due to my height. there is also no chance of me going to drama college or university. What should I do?
Cupcakephoebz x
P.s. I am not interested in modelling
I am not sure why you would have to give up on expanding your cv.You can still get involved in amateur productions and student films without an agent. You could really extend your skills over the next 3 years and try again at 16. If you feel disheartened now, then you should be aware that there are many setbacks in this business and it is how you deal with them that is important. I am not sure why you feel university or drama school is out of the question - though at 13 this decison is a long way away.
The highway's jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive.
Thank you so much for all those replies and advice, it is so appreciated.](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall"){kind=small}
I agree about the amateur opportunities too, some of them can be far more rewarding and more enjoyable. Some interesting things have just cropped up this last week in our local am dram group actually which is good news. She's still dead set on becoming a professional though (acting not MT) and I don't see her changing paths quite yet.
