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Hi! i have a question, when you go to auditions for tv shows, etc.. do you need a manager? or can you just go with your parents. Also my other Question where is a good Talent Agency in California like in the the L.A, San Diego area that i can get an agent , easily! HELP??
oh and do you know which Talent Agency Vanessa Hudgens went to in San Diego so that i can go there but if you dont know then that is ok!and who is her manager, if you can! PLEASE and THANK YOU!!!!!!!! =)
Hi Stephanie,
Short answer to your first question: unless you read about an audition in the papers that asks for the general public to come audition, you can bet that they will expect you to have an agent. Generally, you wouldn't hear about an audition otherwise, as production companies only contact agents about auditions because they only want to deal with people with experience (meaning: people who know what to do, how to do it and when to do it...preferably talented)
If an agent will sign you as a talent, that means they see you as having enough talent or promise that they will be able to book you for jobs and get their commission ($$$) for their effort on your behalf. So, they won't hire someone just because they are a nice person. My agent recently "cleaned house" and released 100 actors from their contract because they weren't producing and weren't keeping up with their headshots or training. That's why they call it "show business" -cause it's a business. If they can make someone's dream, great, but the money comes first. An agent will want you to have headshots and a resume put together with experience (school plays, or at least classes) to consider whether they want to represent you. You send them those by mail (do not call them) along with a letter stating you seek representation in the area. Do not get discouraged if you get rejected, just keep mailing agents until someone bites! It can take a while some times...
Vanessa is either with:
Untitled Entertainment
(Talent Management Company)
331 North Maple Drive
Second Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
OR:
James/Levy/Jacobson Management, Inc.
(Artist Management Company)
3500 West Olive Avenue
Suite 1470
Burbank, CA 91505
Hope this helps!
Best, Taylor
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Answers by Expert:
Taylor Sheppard
Expertise
I can answer questions: on starting a career in acting, mistakes in acting, etiquette when dealing with industry contacts, finer points on how to act, and things to avoid in the field.
Experience
I have been a professional actor 21 years, with appearances in TV, Film and commercials. I have made good decisions and potentially damaging mistakes. I believe anyone who has a dream deserves to explore it, and I take their aspirations seriously. That being said, I do not pull punches. I try to be tactful, but I will not lie to someone, honesty is more effective. My last film role was in "Teeth" which was picked for Sundance in January 2007. It was sold to Lionsgate and Weinstein Co. for somewhere over 2.5 million. The role was "Mr. Griffith", a sex-ed teacher.
Organizations
Ciao Agency-Austin/Georgetown, Texas. (Formerly known as Donna Adams Agency. Matthew McConaughey was a good friend and fellow member. I also have belonged to agencies in three other Texas cities, but they have since closed.) TXMPA -Texas Motion Picture Alliance. Various other internet networking web rings as well as Actors Access. I was instrumental in advising actress Krista Allen on getting her career in acting started in Austin,Texas (we worked at the same Health Club in the early '90's).
Publications
Previously wrote on a now defunct website such as this one. I enjoyed helping new actors.
Education/Credentials
I have acted for 21 years. I studied under James Nelson Harrell as well as other talented actors at Southwest Texas State University. After college, I have taken classes with Julliard graduate Mona Lee, Bill Johnson, Van Brookes, Marco Perella and others in Austin Texas. I am constantly attending classes to maintain my edge and explore new directions. In addition to attending strictly acting classes, I have also taken business workshops with respected casting directors, such as Shari Rhodes ("Jaws","Close Encounters", "Raggedy Man".) Barbara Brinkley, Jo Edna Bolden and Donise Hardy, (Castingworks LA).
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