Expert: Peter Messaline - 8/28/2007

Question
Hi,
Im 14 years old, starting 9th grade in a week.
Ive wanted to be an actress forever. Ive done some voiceover commercials, macy's parada performances, school plays, dance recitals, extra in a student film, and Ive taken classes in jazz,ballet,modern dance, singing, film technique, films cene study, commercial study, audition technique, and a lot more.
And this week I also have an audition for modeling in Seventeen Magazine,

anyway, this month im getting my headshots done, and my mom wants to do a mailing for agents.
I live in NYC, so I guess we cant send out for any agents in LA...

i was wondering if you have an NYC agent, could they still get you roles in LA as well.

Also, I finally tucked my mom into it; Do you need an agent to audition for pilots in pilot season in LA??

Thankyou.

Answer
You are going into the worst time to get cast. Young kids are a pain for producers, because of the labor laws, so characters your age are almost always played by older kids.
Why are you so keen to go to LA. Google "Bonnie Gillespie" and read her advice . She's a casting director in LA and says you need a Big Fat résumé from anywhere else to stand a chance in LA.
Do a mailing to NYC agents, by all means. Get the current list from Ross Reports. But you have a lot of competition.  Don't expect a reply to your letters. Follow up with phone calls, but don't expect to get taken on. Then you won't beat yourself up when nothing happens and if you get lucky you can enjoy it.
S;l;o;w d;o;w;n! You cannot go from classes straight into pilot season success.