Expert: Phil Nemy - 6/13/2007

Question

Okayyyyy... this is a loooooong one!  Thank you soooo much for taking your
time to answer these question and help people like me out…. Seriously the
information is invaluable!

I have a lot of short questions for you... I know that who you know can make
or break your career…. so if you have some awesome networking strategies
please share!!! I need to know how to put myself in the right place at the right
time, and how to maximize those contacts!


Second, I am about to make the big move to LA.... against my own better
judgement possibly, but I have to do it, sink or swim i guess...  Are there any
books or agencies (to help narrow down the 4,000 that exist in LA alone…)
that you would recommend (Im 17, both dramatic and comedic actress, long
brown hair, i probably look a little mature for my age....)

Would you mind critiquing my resume if I attached it?? ... tell me if there is
anything you would change, or what an agent might look at, and if you think i
have enough credits....


Also... here in Texas I recieved casting emails from all kinds of sources that
tell me about Texas auditions.... do you know of any recources like that in
Los Angeles (like craigslist, DFW film casting, Linda McAllister, STAGE, or
backstage)



Not finished yet!!... question #99: I am going to have to find some classes out

there.... any recommendations???? I am looking for a home basically,

a group of super dedicated people, hopefully working, and learning still, with

a seriously awesome teacher :)  Also are their any improv classes you are

familiar with.  



I might not listen but just have to inquire hehe.... I am debating weather or
not to attend college while I am trying to get my foot in the door.  Pros and
cons are I could make contacts there, but the cons are that it would be one
more thing to put my focus in and acting and rent are already a fulltime
commitment!! Plus, does a film major on a resume mean anything to a
casting director?





Do you have to be a member of SAG to be considered by a good agencies?
Can you in fact get SAG vouchers for extra work? (If so how do I do that)



Should I wait to get new headshots until I get an agent, will they have a
photographer they prefer I shoot with?


Should you start with a small agency and as you get better look for a better

agency (reason for concern, if you make little mistakes in the beginning with

a great agent they might stiop calling you as opposed to a smaller agency)



Hope all this is making sense…. Its kind of a late at night, if not MY
APOLOGIES!!!



In addition do you think it is better to be good for a role at an audition or just

good. I know there are character actors and some are not... but you see

people like sandra bullock and she really to me seems like 'sandra' in

different situations.... and you hear about people being written in because the

casting director just liked the person they were and thought they would fit.  

Be a good actor or be a good actor for the role?



Do you advise bringing gifts for casting directors?



Ah, I think that’s the end.  You have successfully been interrogated, please

write back!



Oh wait…also..... do you think being shy is a con in LA?  And how imperative
is an awesome reel for a 17 year old actress to be considered by a great
agency??



THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!  

Answer
Audry,

Thanks for your note. While I appreciate your enthusiasm, this is a bit too much for me to tackle. Let's try it again and start with one or two questions at a time at most. It may take a few days to cover everything, but we'll get to it all.

Phil