Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/i guess....I'll try again.

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Expert: - 1/22/2009


Question

me
I guess i have to be straightforward...

How do I audition for an agency?

I am moving to L.A., is it smart to simply JUMP right into the business?

I want to act in films, but should I get recognition through a TV show first?

Can i get an agent that gets me musical theatre, film, AND television jobs?

Do i set up an appointment to audition for an agency in LA?

What is a legit agency in LA?

Do i use monologues from THEATRE to audition for an agency?

Do you have to be strikingly good looking to be at all successful right away?

when i get headshots, could i just get headshots in Milwaukee?

I have never acted in film.  I was going to act in a student film at Milwaukee to say at least i've done film. Would that be better than nothing to show them a resume?

I'm young, so the only thing on my resume as of now, are shows from highschool, SOME college. Would that hinder my agency audition?

Sorry about my last..."question"...i wasn't very clear.

Love,
Brittany

Answer
Brittany,

Thanks for writing. Let's tackle your questions one at a time.

How do I audition for an agency?
You don't. Talent Agencies don't hold auditions. Film, TV and theater productions hold auditions. When you are appearing in something, write to the agent(s) that you're interested in and invite them to see your work. That's how they are able to determine whether you are someone they think they can sell.

I am moving to L.A., is it smart to simply JUMP right into the business?
Sure. Why not?

I want to act in films, but should I get recognition through a TV show first?
I wouldn't turn down ANY work. It may take you YEARS before you ever get a chance to work in a film. Why would you turn down other opportunities just because you prefer to work in films?

Can i get an agent that gets me musical theatre, film, AND television jobs?
No. Most agents don't handle all three. Most agents in LA aren't going to be looking for theater work for you primarily because it doesn't pay enough. It's probably better to have a NYC agent handling you for film, then two separate agents in LA - one for film & network TV and one for TV commercials. Most agents in LA don't do both film/TV and TV commercials.

Do i set up an appointment to audition for an agency in LA?
No, as I said, talent agencies don't hold auditions.

What is a legit agency in LA?
There are hundreds of legit agencies in LA from the biggies like CAA, WMA, ICM, to much smaller ones you're probably not familiar with but are reputable in film and TV.

Do i use monologues from THEATRE to audition for an agency?
No. Again, talent agents don't audition people.

Do you have to be strikingly good looking to be at all successful right away?
No, but it certainly helps. If you aren't attractive, you generally won't be considered for leads but for character work. If you want to be considered for an ingenue role, in film and TV, you MUST be attractive.

when i get headshots, could i just get headshots in Milwaukee?
Yes, you can have them shot there. But once you secure an agent in LA, he/she will probably ask you to take new headshots in LA.

I have never acted in film.  I was going to act in a student film at Milwaukee to say at least i've done film. Would that be better than nothing to show them a resume?
Any work on film is good work, be it professional, industrial, student, etc. The key is for the work to BE good, to LOOK good, and not to look like an amateur student film. You'll know the difference when you see it.

I'm young, so the only thing on my resume as of now, are shows from highschool, SOME college. Would that hinder my agency audition?
No, because agencies don't hold auditions. But as far as having a strong resume, if you are young and coming right out of college, no on expects you to have an extensive resume. Put it on it whatever experience you have. Even some experience, even if it's just college experience, is better than no experience.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil

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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