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Introduction
On this page I have compiled a resource of information about acting and the industry around it that
should be helpful for actors that are just starting out. For over five years I was fortunate enough to
learn about the entertainment industry by working at two NY talent agencies. Before that, I was as an actor.
I have included a few tip below that I hope you find helpful.
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Starting Out
There are a couple of things you should consider when you are starting off. First, it is important to understand that an acting career
is a lifelong commitment. Many people are tempted to get into this industry at the prospect of fame or money. Very few people are
getting paid large salaries to act, and even less "make it big." For most of your career, your compensation will only be your enjoyment of the craft.
Great acting looks effortless, but there are
years of experience behind the performances you see on Broadway. Start off by taking classes.
Finding a Photographer
Looking through portfolios and reading what photographers have to say can be overwhelming. Sometimes what you're reading on a photographers site was not even written by the photographer (my website has been copied, word for word, more times than I care to count). The most important thing to look at is the portfolio. Often actors will ask, "Why should I come to you?" The simple answer is, "Because you love my work." Try to avoid being swayed by sales pitches. Imagine a casting director, after having seen your monologue, asking, "Why should I hire you?" They'll never do that. They know by seeing your work whether or not you're a good fit. Everything else is secondary.Choose your photographer because you think they're good, not because they think they're good.
Unions
SAG = Screen Actors GuildAFTRA = American Federation of Television and Radio Artists AEA = Actors Equity Association (aka Equity) SAG covers almost all films and on-camera commercials. AFTRA covers most soaps and voice-overs. AEA covers everything theater related from Broadway to union regional theaters. Choosing to join a union can be a difficult decision. On one hand, by joining, you will have the union watching over and protecting you from producers and agents. On the other hand, once you join, you’re not allowed to work on non-union projects. If you’re being offered a role on Broadway or a role in a feature film, opposite Johnny Depp, there’s no question what you should do. Often times, it’s not that obvious. Do you have more competition in the non-union world or the union world? If you’re over 40, chances are there are more union actors your age than not. You might book more jobs by staying non-union. If you’re young, there is a good chance there are more non-union people your age than not. For theater, if you’re a member of Equity, you get scheduling priority at the audition. Being a member of SAG does not really guarantee any auditions (most of those are procured by an agent). However, once you actually book a film or commercial, the differences between a SAG contract and non-union contract can be staggering (money, residuals, hours, etc.). For theater, if you feel like you would be competitive with the actors similar to your type on Broadway, you should join. The same idea can be applied to the other unions.
How do I join the unions?
You have to be offered a role in a union production. For theater folks, often there is a standby list at open calls. If an Equity member does not
show up for their audition, and there is not another union member to take their place, you will usually be seen.
Cool places
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Agents
When are you ready for an agent? Actors usually start working with agents after graduating from a college level acting program or after they have gained some momentum on their own and begun booking paying jobs. Agents and actors usually
only go hand in hand in the bigger markets like NYC and LA. They may be useful in other regions for print work and commercials. It’s important to understand that
agents work for you, yet only make money if you get work. It's a two way street.
Types of Agents
There are different types of agents. A commercial agent works on commercials. A legit agent works on theater, film and television.
A modeling agency works on print work/runway. A voice-over agency works on voice-overs (radio commercials, animation voices). There
are also franchised agents and non-franchised agents. A franchised agency is one that is licensed by a union (Actors Equity Association,
Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) to represent its actors. Franchised agents are guided by strict
regulations set by the unions. For example, the agent can not take more than 10% of your salary, they can not sell you services
(like classes or headshots), they have to be open between certain hours. Many times, franchised agents will work with a non-union actor in
hopes that they will book a union job. Non-franchised agents and managers (people who work like agents) are not regulated by the unions
and are free to take as much money as they want (assuming that you agree to their terms). Some states have regulations that may offer a
little protection. Ideally, you want to work with a franchised agent. If you’re already a member of a union, you’re only allowed to work
with franchised agents.
How do you know if an agent is franchised?
Pick up a copy of “The Ross Reports.” You can find it at Barnes and Noble and The Drama Book Shop.
Next to the name of every agency, you may see the letters “A” “E” “S”. Each letter represents the union that the agent has a franchise agreement with.
“A” stands for AFTRA, “E” stands for Equity, and “S” stands for SAG.
How do I get an agent?
There are a few ways you can get an agent. The most effective way is by being seen by the agent in a show. This way the agent can get to see your
work first hand and (ideally) get excited about what they see. If they like your work, they will want to send you out on auditions. Even if you do not book
the first few auditions they send you out on, they will remember your work and hopefully keep trying. If an agent starts working with you without having
seen your work, you might be on shaky ground if you do not book work right away. The only thing they have to go on is the feedback that they’re getting
from casting directors. The next best way is through a referral by a friend who’s with the agency. If your friend gives a glowing recommendation, you
will usually land an interview. Finally, you can submit your photo and resume though the mail. It will probably go in the trash. The volume of mail
an agency receives on any given day can be overwhelming.
Misc agent stuff
Beware of anyone who asks for money (before you book a job), says that you have to pay for classes, or get new photos from a specific photographer. Keep in
mind that an agent has every right to suggest you that you take a class or suggest you get new photos. You might need it. Just beware of one that says you
have to take a specific class or go to a specific photographer in order to work with them. No legitimate agent or casting director will ever ask you to take
of any clothes at an audition. If it happens, leave! Quickly!Make sure that your agent has a way to get in touch with you during the day. At my old agency, a casting director would call at 6:30pm (when technically, we were closed) and ask to see "John Doe" the actor at 10am the next day. If I could not get a hold of the actor right away, they would miss the audition. If this happens with the same actor on a regular basis, the agent will stop working as hard for them. They will not have a problem finding someone else who answers their phone. You might be surprised how many times I got a call a week later from "John Doe" the actor to say how sorry they were because they hadn’t checked their messages. An entire process transpired before your agent calls you. We see a character you would be right for, type up a submission, and send your photo in the mail (or electronically). The ball is rolling. Time and money is being spent on you. Then, not long after, we get the call asking to see you. Up until this point, you are unaware of what's happening. It’s very frustrating to do all this work for you and then have you miss the audition over something as simple as not getting a message. |
