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Question
Hi. I've been searching around the internet on how to get an agent, and most of the time people will say "get professional experience." I think I speak for a lot of people when I ask, how DO you get professional experience? Don't you need an agent to get professional experience?
Christine,
Thanks for writing. I think what people are trying to say is that you need "experience" before an agent is willing to sign you. How else will an agent know if you are marketable or not or whether you have talent or not?
What I would do first is get solid acting training. Enroll in a reputable school or acting class and develop your skills to accompany your talent. Then audition for as many projects as you can, even if they don't pay a lot. You simply want the experience and credits that you can add to your resume. AND if you end up in something that you believe shows your talent well, then invite some agents to come and see you in it. That way they can see first-hand how talented you are and decide for themselves if they believe you are marketable.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Phil
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Answers by Expert:
Phil Nemy
Expertise
I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.
Experience
Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group
Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others.
Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene.
Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.
Organizations
Director's Guild of America,
Screen Actors Guild,
Actor's Equity Association
Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.
Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.
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