Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/I am managing a model/actress

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Expert: - 5/19/2003


Question
I am managing a model/actress (african american) who is trying to get into sitcoms and possibly a motion picture.  She is new to the industry...What tips to you have for pitching her to company exec.

Answer
DJ,

Thanks for writing. I think you'd be wasting your time trying to pitch her to a studio or television exec. They won't give you the time of day unless you have a truly close relationship with the studio/TV exec. Unless she's a "name" they won't care.

Instead, I would pitch her to casting directors. If they like her and think she's right for a part they are casting, they can throw her name to the directors & producers they are working with and see what they think. If the director likes her, then the director, producer, casting director AND you will have to fight the studio exec or TV exec to convince them she's the one.

Bottom line, beauty will get the attention of the casting directors. But talent will get her the part. If she can't act, her career is short-lived.

Good luck.

Phil

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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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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