Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 6/19/2009

Question
QUESTION: Dear Taylor,

I'm a Dutch actress, 22 years old, who just finished the Film Actors Academy in Amsterdam a year ago. Right now I'm busy starting up my acting career here in the Netherlands.
What I wanted to know is how it would work for me if I wanted to try my luck in America, in a year from now for example.
Here in Holland you sign up for any Casting Agency you want and than just wait for them to call you for auditions. An agent is only for actors who already have work, or who have a really good chance to make it according to the agent.
What I understand now, is that in America all actors need (and have) agents. Is that right?
How do I get one then? Do I have to pay him or her? Or only if he brings me work, like here in Holland. That wouldn't be productive for the agent I guess, specially if anyone can get one.
What would be the actions that I'd have to take one by one if I want to be an actress in America? What, for instance, is a good city to go to for me? What can I do here in planning, before I go? And then, what would I do after that? Is it to my advantage that I'm Dutch or maybe even in contrary? How seriously will they take me there?

I hope to get some enlightening answers from you, that'll make my decisions easier to make.

Dearest greetings,
Nikki

ANSWER: Hi Nikki,

Sorry for the delay, I have been working hard!

Agents are necessary here in America for serious actors. Agents aren't that hard to get if you have training, as you do.

All you would need to do in most places is to mail a headshot (photo of your head and shoulders) and a resume of training and work you have done to them and wait for a response. You can see examples of these on the internet by searching.

An agent will NOT ask you for money up-front if the are legitamite. There are some people who pretend to be agents, but are frauds. A real agent ONLY will get paid if they send you to an audition and you get the role and do the work. Then the company sends the money to your agent who takes a small percentage (by contractp quickly, you wouldn't do well.

As to planing, do lots of research about where you are moving and save up lots of money! Have your headshots aand resumes and any film or tapes of your work ready as well.

Best,

Taylor

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Taylor,

thank you for your answer!
I have only one question for you left. What do you mean with "(by contractp quickly, you wouldn't do well." It seems as a part of the sentence was lost?

And don't worry about any delay. Getting an answer is much more important to me than when.

Best greetings,
Nikki

Answer
Hi Nikki,

Sorry for that. My computer often tries to edit me on it's own.

What I meant was that after you do a job for a production, the company sends your agent money for your work, then your agent sends the check to you, minus the agent's commission (usually 15%).

If you have an "agent" who you are asked to pay money before work, or who claims you will get parts before you meet them, run away, you would not be happy in the end. How would they know if you have talent before meeting you? Also, even talent, beautiful actors get turned down on auditions, it's really about what they are looking for in type, talent and what they are imagining in their head.

Best,

Taylor