Having just moved back to NY after many years, I have just made the decision to resume my efforts to pursue a career in acting. I have been cheated before here in NY so I want to be smarter this time. This message board seems like an excellent place to start smart. From what I have read here, print and commercial can be a great place to start. I am just looking for legitimate starting places (e.g. photographers, agencies, training centers). Are there reputable places in Long Island? I have nothing thus far so any feedback woud help. I can see that Darbi is someone to be respected here. Thanks for any help.

NYC, not LI, is the place to start. If you read through all the info here, you'll get lots of recommendations. good luck!

Thanks much!! How about 'About Face'? I think I remember that name from when I first pursued this career. I tried to google them but didn't come up with anything.

About Face ... part of Carson-Kolker aka Carson Organization. They are legit. Their contact info is a little hard to find on the web. You can find them through the Carson Organization.

Welcome Rich!

Welcome Rich! Check out the thread about how to get started in commercials and print. That's a good starting point.

Good luck!

Roz & Darbi & All,

Thanks for the welcome and all the info. I'm feeling the 'open arm' warm vibe on the board!! Looking forward to this venture I am set to embark upon. LOL!!

Hey!! Does any one know about http://www.freshfacesagency.com or http://www.omnipop.com? Are these places ok? Found them on http://www.thebuzznyc.com/members/pages/talentagency.php

Fresh Faces is good, especially for non-union, print and kids. I'm not that familiar with Omnipop. Somehow, I thought that they were more of a comedy agency? I could be wrong.

If you want to play with the big boys, ya really have to be repped out of NYC.

Yeah, you are right. I gotta do it. NYC, here I come.

Why is looking for commercial or print ad jobs so difficult, even on backstage it's either some contest to enter. I have find it to be hard but I won't stop trying.

Any suggestions?

Think about it from the other side's point of view: if you're a client, do you want to look through THOUSANDS of people's pictures, a large number of whom don't even fit the specific description you're hiring? That's why casting directors are hired to weed out the riffraff. The CD's call reputable agents they trust, and then select from the agents' suggestions (submissions) who to bring in for the casting.

I would not advise you to call ad agencies. They almost ALWAYS use casting directors. Put your energy into getting representation. Commercials are cast through agents. Period. The end.

Very rarely, you'll be able to book something on your own for a big agency, but it's teh exception, not the rule. You really have to0 have an agent and relationships with commercial CDs in order to have a commercial career.

I figured I would need an agent but I can't seem to find an agent that is legit. I'm looking for an agent that gets paid only if he/she gets me job and at a percentage. Isn't that the norm? I can only agents that want fees up front why shoud I have to pay someone that hasn't found me work yet? Any suggestions?

Get Ross Reports and start submitting. Make sure you're booking work yourself. It can take years and years to get an agent. Good luck!

I will do that! Thanks for the suggestions.

Barbara