Secret Agent Man, actors have more opportunities than ever to get their work out to the public eye. More and more actors are getting creative by producing their own films and series for the web, and for cheap! No longer do actors have to spend oodles of money renting spaces to do showcases, and no longer does industry have to spend significant time attending them. An agent can literally just go online in the comfort of his/her own office and home, and spend no more than two minutes watching new talent.

So my question is, are agents starting to take advantage of this new avenue? And have you, personally, been using it to find new clients?

I happen to produce my own web series, and it's just starting to get a little attention. I've been sending postcards and emails about the show to industry, but I'm not sure if they are really watching. Even when I have an interview with a potential new agent or manager (be it through Actors Connection or on my own) I don't get the feeling they understand this new medium of showcasing vs. the traditional ways they find new talent.

I'm about to step up my marketing plan to REALLY get the word out by coming up with a creative design and logo for the show for new postcards.

What can I do to get folks in the industry to WATCH? I feel like if I can't get an industry person to watch it in the comfort of his/her own office, then nothing will work! What are your thoughts?

I think maybe your mistake is in focusing on industry people, which makes it look like you're more interested in producing something that will get you that kind of attention than simply making something of quality for its own sake.

The only cases I know of where internet productions led to people getting signed are those where the productions became popular enough that it was the popularity, not just the productions, that drew professional interest. I'm not sure how one makes that happen, since a lot of internet hits catch everybody - including the producers - by surprise.

But I wouldn't be optimistic about agents or CD's checking the Web just to see people's work. It may happen, yes, but probably not regularly enough to count on as a career path.

Thank you, Jim, for your feedback. Let me just clarify that I'm not only focusing on industry folks to watch, or creating something just with the intention of getting an agent. I am being creative, and I am working on a character, and I enjoy it. I even learned that I am really good at producing, and folks are coming to me for advice! It's been a great experience.

At the moment, I am looking to increase my views with the general public. It's been a slow process, but I'm starting to see SOME results. More and more folks signing up to watch my videos. I haven't created the "We Need Girlfriends" phenomenon yet, and I don't know if I ever will. One agent and one casting director I know for sure watched the show, and wrote me.

So if Secret Agency Man is out there, I'd love his take on how industry are using the web today for finding new talent. Are folks more inclined to watch something on the internet now rather than go to a showcase? Is there anything else I can do that's proactive to get industry to watch? Or, is it all about 'buzz.'

Secret Agent Man...every time I write that, I think of that darn song! Anyway, I hope you get a chance to see this post. Thank you!

read what this guy has to say about getting an agent - it's right on

http://theshowbizblog.com/?p=24

as far as using the internet to "find" talent - I don't know that agents are using it much for that.
most agents have enough "talent" - what they are looking for is people who are either already making money or have REAL potential to make money.


Having a website or youtube videos or a demo reel are all TOOLS - and they can be very effective tools - but an agent is not really going to know from watching your video if you even live in the markets they work in or if you have any other training or experience.

so keep doing what you are doing, because you enjoy it and you are learning from it - and when you contact agents by mail or meet them at showcases, make sure to tell them about what you are doing and to give them the link so they can go take a look.

But as far as being "discovered" from something on the internet by a real legitimate agent - that is less likely.

Although you could end up with a producer who really likes your idea and wants to develop it in to a a show, and then you would need an agent for that! Not an acting agent per se but hey - work is work. and producers and creators and writers make GOOD money

Hi Red,

Sorry I didn't get to your question sooner. I've got a client shooting a movie in Eastern Europe and the money suddenly dried up. It's been a bit of a nightmare but all is well now.

As for your question, no - most agents don't use the internet to find talent. Despite what people will tell you, it just doesn't work that way. Some agents - like Jim said - use it to discover total packages like web shows that are written, produced, and performed by comedic groups that can be pitched to studios and networks. But as for the day to day business of finding new talent, the internet isn't much of a factor for me. Referrals are still the number one way that we meet actors.

But I'm always open to new ideas...

Damn, now I'm curious. Why don't you post your link so we can all check it out?

quote:

Originally posted by Secret Agent Man:
Hi Red,

Sorry I didn't get to your question sooner. I've got a client shooting a movie in Eastern Europe and the money suddenly dried up. It's been a bit of a nightmare but all is well now.


...

Related to the Capitol Films lack of funding?

Secret Agent Man (S.A.M.) - first, thank you for taking the time to read and answer my question.

I didn't think agents had much time to sit around on the internet looking for new talent (you guys have far more important things to do). But like any other thing an actor does, whether it's produce his/her own play, film, be in a showcase, etc., I'm guessing the strategy for getting an agent to WATCH something on the internet is no different than anything else an actor does, right? I always hear actors say...."How do I get industry to come to my showcase?" This is sort of the same thing....only it's "How do I get an agent to watch my internet show?"

In any case, I did post this in the "promote your show" section of this board, but I'm super happy to post it here too. It's called "The Retributioners." It's a comedy about a woman who's been hurt and is angry at people from her past and present, sop she finds them to humiliate them. It's a "loosely scripted" show, and we use some great improv actors. The site "Funny or Die" is where we are getting most of our attention, but we're also on YouTube, MySpace, and I just created a Facebook Group.

Here's the link:

http://www.funnyordie.com/theretributioners

Here's an article that was written that describes the show pretty well:
http://www.webtvhub.com/the-retributioners-new-comedic-...udges-from-the-past/

Anyhoo, thanks for the support! Whether I get an agent or not (funny enough, I'm meeting with one this afternoon), the show does make me happy. Enjoy!

Red

quote:

Some agents - like Jim said - use it to discover total packages like web shows that are written, produced, and performed by comedic groups that can be pitched to studios and networks.

By the way, just to add to your quote, I'm sure you know a few big agencies, like UTA and CAA, are forming online departments to find talent and SHOWS to pitch to networks, from the internet. For example, UTA has this:

http://www.utaonline.net/

They are the ones that pitched "We Need Girlfriends" to be a CBS pilot. Now Darren Star is producing it. Just thought I'd share that with others on this board.

RED

MICHAEL ZANUCK IS A GREAT AGENT !!!

I have been a client of Michael Zanuck , since he worked for the “Honey Sander’s Agency” over 15 years ago. I could not imagine better , more professional , representation. I have never called him , and not had a return call within a few hours (most agents never return actor calls) and he consistently gets me out (usually 2-4 times weekly). I also believe , he is a marketing innovator and genius. Although not widely known , it was Michael’s idea (although he gives credit to actor Harrison Young for the idea (famous for his role as “older Private Ryan” ) to use multiple , specific pictures. I discussed sending this to you , and Michael did say , your feelings are probably related to his determination for actors to have high quality , specific pictures that REALLY WORK.
It is also true , there were major problems and issues in the final two years of the previous company “Zanuck , Passon , and Pace. Michael is very candid that his move was the most practical way of removing a minority partner and all of the employees at Zanuck , Passon and Pace. Related to this response again , Michael clearly stated he would accept any phone calls from any actor that feels/felt they we’re somehow unfairly treated (that includes you). The true damage of your comments is that another actor , may not submit to Michael , and thus never even be considered for the great representation , I am blessed to have. Sincerely , Anthony Farconiti

anthony f - I'm sorry, I have no idea what you are talking about. Did you mean to post elsewhere on this board? This thread is about using the internet to showcase work.