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Johnny Depp |
dont mind the spelling layout and gramer at the moment, that will all be put into play afterwards. just need an honest opinion on the yes on nos.
they say to make a cover letter with your personality so this is what i came up with... Eric Mamann (917) 331-000000 Eric_Mamann@.com “Seeking commercial and theatrical representation” Agency name Address Dear whomever, My name is Eric Mamann and I have moved to NYC from Toronto in September of 2007 to attend the Lee Strasberg theater and film institute. I have previously studied in Toronto with Sears & Switzers studio and Second City as well. I was encouraged by my previous acting coaches from Sears and Switzer to train at the Lee Strasberg institute in NYC and pursue my career out here. Since I have arrived I Have landed the lead role in two plays at The lee Strasberg institute and have landed and completed an off Broadway show as well as a TV pilot with out searching for auditions.(most were just recommended from teachers and peers to read for the parts that I fitted) I have been told I can play an extremely wide range of characters as well as ethnicities due to my look. I’m going to make this short and simple because I can go on and on about things in this letter but it will not really make a shred of difference until I get to meet you face to face. I am just about to finish up with school full time and go into workshops once a week and start working. So in that regard I would like to sit down and talk to you about how we can benefit each other. I have been told I am very talented by most my coaches accept the ones who did not want to cater to the ego in which I understand. This is not a phase for me like it is with the majority of actors, I am in this for the long haul and am forced to make the best of it because I leave myself no alternatives or things to fall back on which can sound stupid or smart depending on how you look at it. Anyways I would love to arrange a meeting at your earliest convenience. Thanks for your time! Sincerely, Eric Mamann |
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Glenn Close |
dude, take your phone # and email off the forum! do you know how many people troll here?
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Kevin Bacon |
The answer to your original question---your cover is way too wordy and saying very little. Your resume will speak for itself, unless you have some amazing, have worked or studied with amazing people, etc. Just a quick note expressing interest in a meeting, along with any of those important names you may know, is plenty. Agents don't care if you have been told that you play a wide range of characters or ethnicites. They'll determine that for themsevles. You need to be short and sweet. Three sentences is plenty. (And, as you said, your grammar is terrible, but you will fix that).
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Julia Roberts |
Ramble ramble ramble. Dude, make a point instead of just words. What are you - a politician?
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Julia Roberts |
Your comment about "this is not a phase for me like it is with the majority of actors" is a rash assumption and a very negative slam towards your peers which reflects badly on you as a professional. I have cast projects myself and if your submission fell across my desk with that comment in your cover letter, I would dump it in the trash without hesitation. |
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Al Pacino |
I love that you say you're going to be "short and sweet" and then you go on and on...
This is a terrible cover letter. It's way too loooooong and it has no personality. You're talking about nothing. You need to completely rewrite this, make it much shorter and find a way to inject a little life into it. But don't sweat it. No one's going to read your cover letter anyway. We only look at the first sentence to see if there's a reference there. After that, we go straight to the p/r. |
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Johnny Depp |
I love the honesty lol, I've chopped it down a bit, you mean reference as in acting coaches at the institute that they may contact? i can add that with no problem if that's what you meant. I have not really added LIFE to it, but i have made is shorter. Really wont make a difference since you guys dont read them anyway? lol Eric Mamann (917) 331-0000 Eric_Mamann@.com “Seeking commercial and theatrical representation” Agency name Address Dear whomever, My name is Eric Mamann and I have moved to NYC from Toronto in September of 2007 to attend the Lee Strasberg theater and film institute. I have previously studied in Toronto with Sears & Switzers studio and Second City as well. I was encouraged by my previous acting coaches from Sears and Switzer to train at the Lee Strasberg institute in NYC and pursue my career out here. Since I have arrived I Have landed the lead role in two plays at The lee Strasberg institute and have landed and completed an off Broadway show as well as a TV pilot. I’m going to make this short and simple because I can go on and on about things in this letter but it will not really make a shred of difference until I get to meet you face to face. So in that regard I would like to sit down and talk to you about how we can benefit each other. I would love to arrange a meeting at your earliest convenience. Sincerely, Eric Mamann |
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Robert DeNiro |
Still too long!
1. Don't tell them your resume. It's redundant and cliche. What if the agents reading it are Meisner or Adler biased? J/K! 2. Don't use "earliest convenience"-It tells them that there's NO urgency to call and meet with you. 3. Don't put "seeking commercial and theatrical representation." Find out who the specific agents are for the departments and address it to them directly. Sometimes depending on the agency, signing "across the board" might not be a good idea. Some agencies have a really good commercial department, but suck theatrically and vice versa 4. Don't go "Dear whomever." Look up the specific agent and put in his/her name. Here's a letter that's sufficient enough: Dear (insert specific agent's name), Hello my name is Eric Mamann. I am currently seeking (insert either commercial or theatrical depending on the addressed agent) representation. Please find enclosed my picture and resume for your consideration. I look forward to meeting you soon! Thank you. Sincerely, (sign your name here with a BLUE Ballpoint pen so it's more personal) Eric Mamann (917)XXX-XXXX If that letter is too concise for you, then tell them what makes you unique and isn't already on your resume. Also, use those clear window envelopes. Agents claim they open all submissions, but when? If your photo is exposed, then there's a greater urgency to open your envelope to look at your resume. It also catches the eye of the agent who has to go through a butt-load of manilla envelopes with numbers and letters on it. Two-three days after mailing the envelope, follow up by mailing a postcard with the same exact headshot on it. A postcard is small enough to go with the mail stack of bills, residual checks, and thank you letters. So the agent goes through his or her important mail, he or she has to see your postcard. |
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Robert DeNiro |
Eric
I saw your headshots on a different thread. They look awesome! Definitely get those clear window envelopes! It would be a waste of money sending your wonderful headshots in manilla envelopes. |
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Johnny Depp |
thanks, where would i find those clear envelopes? |
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Robert DeNiro |
Don't get those big bulky ones from Samuel French. The photo and contents move around in those. The best ones that I've seen can be purchased on Actortips.com. These ones are close to the 8x10 size so the headshot and resume fit snuggly. As for the coverletter, you can either cut it to 8x10 or just fold it in half. |
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Kevin Bacon |
My suggestions is don't talk about your acting. The agents/casting directors/etc. are smart enough to look on your resume and see what's on there.
If you have something to show off like a booking or a show? Shoot it with a line and then move on. Usually, my talents are putting my personality through across the paper in a very tasteful way that I've always was told sparks an interest. Most people don't forget me either. They're not stupid. They're very intelligent individuals whom they know that you're looking for representation, work, auditions, etc. Which is why they are who they are in this industry. With that being said, talk about something that isn't on your resume. Like mainly about yourself. What's something that is interesting and you can't forget about you. Something I suggested for my roommate is to bring up that she was an ice hockey player and at the beginning of every game, she sung the National Anthem and was titled, "The Singing Goalie." I read the first few sentences of your "cover letter" and I got tired. Imagine reading the same thing over and over and over again. It's difficult trying to find bliss in repetition, especially when it begins with the same premise but with different words. I'm a very personable individual and I love getting to the meat of the bone and being blunt. I sometimes get away with a bit more longer cover letter due to my approach--Once I hook you, you stay hooked. I make sure you won't put the paper down. My resume isn't that extensive and it has room for improvement so what's left for me is my intellect and marketability with my look. You're in the right path Eric. Trust me. Dare to be original. "The drop of rain maketh a hole in the stone, not by violence, but by oft falling" You have plenty of time to find what works... just keep at it. Much success! Des |
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Johnny Depp |
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Johnny Depp |
alright i have changed it up a bit,
I still left the details about what i have landed since i have came out here because my resume does not have much on it considering i started acting 2 years ago and have been studying in school full time for that whole duration. let me know what you guys think. i feel its somewhere near complete. lol Eric Mamann (917) 331-ooo0 Eric_Mamann@.com “Seeking commercial and theatrical representation” Agency name Address Dear whomever, My name is Eric Mamann and I have moved to NYC from Toronto in September of 2007 to attend the Lee Strasberg theater and film institute. I have previously studied in Toronto with Sears & Switzers studio and Second City as well. I have spent many years working as an MC for a company called Starr Productions in Toronto hosting and promoting many major events. I now do the same in new york with a company called Total Entertainment. I was encouraged by my previous acting coaches from Sears and Switzer to head over to NYC to pursue my career. Since I have arrived I Have landed the lead role in two plays at The lee Strasberg institute and have landed and completed an off Broadway show as well as a TV pilot I have been told I can play an extremely wide range of characters as well as ethnicities due to my look. I would like to sit down and talk to you about how we can benefit each other and I would love to arrange a meeting with you. Thanks for your time! Sincerely, Eric Mamann www.Starrproductions.ca www.Totalentertainment.com |
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Robert DeNiro |
Still not very good! When I read this, I think "WHO GIVES A CRAP!" There are a BUNCH of people telling a similar story! No offense, but you're basically telling your resume. So what if you don't have a big resume since getting serious 2 years ago. They don't know that (well at least the ones that don't read this). You never tell them that! It ages you! Also, you're already losing the battle telling people that you don't have a big resume. Talk about something that makes YOU UNIQUE and is NOT about acting. "I have been told I can play an extremely wide range of characters as well as ethnicities due to my look." This is an insult to them! They might not think that you do. They might want to market you differently. Scratch that sentence out completely! "I would like to sit down and talk to you about how we can benefit each other and I would love to arrange a meeting with you. " This is redundant! Don't you sit down when you have a meeting? Just say: "I would like to sit down and talk to you about how we can benefit each other" You have great headshots, so you can't go wrong with something as simple as this: Dear (insert specific agent's name), Hello my name is Eric Mamann. I am currently seeking (insert either commercial or theatrical depending on the addressed agent) representation. Please find enclosed my picture and resume for your consideration. I look forward to meeting you soon! Thank you. Sincerely, (sign your name here with a BLUE Ballpoint pen so it's more personal) Eric Mamann (917)XXX-XXXX |
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