quote:

Originally posted by SplendidEuphoria:
So...do you use a cover letter if your under 18 and have little experience?

I need help with making a resume, but I have no credits other than acting classes.

If you're under 18, your parents will also have to sign your coverletter.

A cover letter is more a formality. Most agents admit to never reading it. HOWEVER, if you have something interesting to share that you feel that your headshots, resume, and reel doesn't convey then include it in your coverletter.

NEVER write in your coverletter "I don't have much experience, but..." You're self-sabotaging and giving the agent a reason NOT to meet with you.

I've already showed you what to do if you don't have credits but training.

If you have no credits you follow this example http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/f...=407101291#407101291 but looking like this:

At the top and centered:
Name (Centered and is largest in font size)
Union affiliation (if any)
CELL Phone Number
Email

Left side under the top and centered stuff:
Height
Weight
Hair color
Eye color


Training
Skill learned/School or teacher/Location (LA, NY?)

Special Skills/Abilities
Be creative with this. When I was starting out and interviewing with agencies, they would usually go straight there and talk about my special talents and even had me demonstrate some of them.

*Bump*

*BUMP*

Hey everyone, great post btw MIB, seriously you are a godsend. Ok I know this question might have been answered in other places, and i've searched these forums for the longest but can not seem to find the EXACT answer I need so forgive me if this has been answered anywhere else.

My question is: I know that a cover letter is a good move when submitting your H/R to a casting director for a specific role, or an casting agency (agency being the key word meaning they have agents that work with the actor). But I am sending my H/R to casting companies like Barbara McNamara, and Judy Keller Casting etc, for extra work where there is no specific person. Do I include a cover letter anyway, not addressed to anyone in particular?

Example:
Hello,
I would like to blah blah blah

Or should I address it to the company instead of hello, or should i just leave the cover letter out all together because the H/R sends the message that I would like to be considered for future castings. Thx again guys, this forum is amazing.

Just start like,
ex.To whom this may concern
The name of the company ex. BookedTalent
Address...
But I'm sure Barbara Mcnamara and Judy Keller you could put their names on there.
Either way takeing extra time out to write a cover letter for example, shows that you are serious, and caring of your craft, your time, or their work and their time, or both...
Just write it, make it like a paragraph for extra work, and be like my name is so and so, I heard about your company through..........(the ...'s are your personal thoughts feelings and reflections, maybe even concerns) and end by saying something like, I would appreciate the opportunity to represent your company....I would like to set up a follow up date in about 1 week or so, if that's not ok please email me.....something like that is how I would do so..

quote:

Originally posted by MAstuntguy:
Hey everyone, great post btw MIB, seriously you are a godsend. Ok I know this question might have been answered in other places, and i've searched these forums for the longest but can not seem to find the EXACT answer I need so forgive me if this has been answered anywhere else.

My question is: I know that a cover letter is a good move when submitting your H/R to a casting director for a specific role, or an casting agency (agency being the key word meaning they have agents that work with the actor). But I am sending my H/R to casting companies like Barbara McNamara, and Judy Keller Casting etc, for extra work where there is no specific person. Do I include a cover letter anyway, not addressed to anyone in particular?

Example:
Hello,
I would like to blah blah blah

Or should I address it to the company instead of hello, or should i just leave the cover letter out all together because the H/R sends the message that I would like to be considered for future castings. Thx again guys, this forum is amazing.

quote:

Originally posted by MAstuntguy:

My question is: I know that a cover letter is a good move when submitting your H/R to a casting director for a specific role, or an casting agency (agency being the key word meaning they have agents that work with the actor). But I am sending my H/R to casting companies like Barbara McNamara, and Judy Keller Casting etc, for extra work where there is no specific person. Do I include a cover letter anyway, not addressed to anyone in particular?

A cover letter for extra work? WASTE OF TIME!

If you want work from Barbara Macnamara go to her website and send your headshot online:

http://www.barbmcasting.com/talent/progressupload.htm

Judy Keller is a casting director for REAL ACTORS/PRINCIPALS!

Principal casting directors DON'T waste their time with extras unless it's for some low-no budget film.

Production companies hire extra casting companies like Central, Bill Dance, Rich King, Sande Alessi, Jeff Olan, just to name a few. And to be with those companies, you just call their office find out when they have open calls and join them.

Also, what the hell is a "Casting Agency?" It's called a "TALENT Agency" and "Casting Office."

quote:

Originally posted by Paradice:
Just start like,
ex.To whom this may concern

Either way takeing extra time out to write a cover letter for example, shows that you are serious, and caring of your craft, your time, or their work and their time, or both...
Just write it, make it like a paragraph for extra work, and be like my name is so and so, I heard about your company through..........(the ...'s are your personal thoughts feelings and reflections, maybe even concerns) and end by saying something like, I would appreciate the opportunity to represent your company....I would like to set up a follow up date in about 1 week or so, if that's not ok please email me.....something like that is how I would do so..

One, you NEVER say "To whom it may concern" in ANY kind of coverletter in this industry. It just makes the recipient one of 1000. You need to to do your research.

Two, taking time to write a cover letter for extra work does NOT show that you're serious about your craft. If you were serious, you'd be in a class or doing something else that benefits your career. Extra work is NOT a way to advance your career. You could be the best extra on set, but you'll always be seen as nothing more than an extra. You DON'T friggin' do Extra work to be "discovered!" You're NOT a hot chick!

quote:

Originally posted by MAstuntguy:
Hey everyone, great post btw MIB, seriously you are a godsend. Ok I know this question might have been answered in other places

My question is: I know that a cover letter is a good move when submitting your H/R to a casting director for a specific role, or an casting agency (agency being the key word meaning they have agents that work with the actor). But I am sending my H/R to casting companies like Barbara McNamara, and Judy Keller Casting etc, for extra work where there is no specific person. Do I include a cover letter anyway, not addressed to anyone in particular?

Or should I address it to the company instead of hello, or should i just leave the cover letter out all together because the H/R sends the message that I would like to be considered for future castings. Thx again guys, this forum is amazing.

First of all, welcome and thanks for the kind words!

Your questions are valid and they actually vary from coast to coast, state to state. It's very common for new actors to refer to some casting offices as casting agencies, or even refer to a casting director as a casting agent, since a few casting directors and casting companies themselves sometimes refer to their offices as a casting agency, especailly for booking background work. It's understandable, so many fine lines, it gets confusing at first. Talent Agents are who work with and represent the actors. It really helps to read the suggested books on the business of acting listed on other threads i.e., Getting Started in NY.

Since it appears you are on the East Coast and are referring to those CDs (casting directors), you can find their websites on google. Barbara McNamara cast both principals and background and has an online submission page, so you don't have to submit through the mail or worry about a cover letter. I believe Judy Keller casts principal roles, so submitting to her would require a simple cover letter for a general submission for principal roles or for a specific role, but not BG work.

And yes, always submit to a specific person, not To whom it may concern. All that info is available through google, IMDbPro, other casting sites that offer lists, or drama book stores who carry lists and/or books with CD listings.

But for BG casting companies, go to their web sites for instructions on how to register. Some places have you go in person on certain days to sign up, some can be done online and some on the East Coast have you submit periodically. They are not all the same, so check with each one to see what they require.

Here's a thread for BG work in NY.
http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/f...?r=22710279#22710279

Hope this helps!

To TRUTHTELLER...

I know you enjoy trying to help by telling others what to do from your POV on this and other message boards, but when your responses are sometimes insensitive to new actors and their valid questions, your degrading and off-putting remarks are really not helping, but turning people away from the boards. If you want to rant with your negative, offensive remarks, please start your own thread on the subject.

Thanks!

I said "caring of your craft, your time, or their work and their time, or both...
Not, "just being serious about your craft"...
THEIR WORK OR THEIR TIME means something to me. These are my personal feelings I always take it upon myself to go that extra mile if I am asking for services from someone else. And even for myself just because that is the person I choose to be.

No one in this post ever mentioned anything about doing extra work to benefit their career.
No one in this post mentioned doing extra work to be "discovered"

But since you mentioned it, I personally learn alot from being an extra on set. Which is why I do it.
Nice way to get paid to learn if you ask me.
You won't learn it in abc format; people learn differntly; but I learn alot, I can go over the things I learned if you like.
"the spotlight doesn't always have to be on you or about you to learn" I like to shut up and listen, hey that's the definition of an extra, .
"I take critisizm given to others and also apply it to myself to see if it works"
"We are all differnt people we all learn in differnt ways, some people can't afford to take classes every month, but regardless I never said I don't take classes, neither has the poster asking the original question." ( I would imagine the extra work pays for the classes or at least your bills ).
Alot of people do extra work to help compensate their acting income, and I'd personally rather do extra work then flip burgers or be a waiter.

I want to have a career in acting and so why would I do any of these other jobs, I'd rather be an extra, anything that puts me closer to my goal.

I also like to connect to people and ask for advice or help, or even share my knowledge through my personal life experiences. And be around to watch the people I know grow. People are different we grow differently learn differently and apply differently.
I am an absorber I learn and absorb soak in take in and accept everything, while I still question everything.
"If you don't like something change it, if you can't change it change your attitude." Maya angelou

I explained my personal life a little because you took my 2 cent reply personally,

quote:

Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:

quote:

Originally posted by Paradice:
Just start like,
ex.To whom this may concern

Either way takeing extra time out to write a cover letter for example, shows that you are serious, and caring of your craft, your time, or their work and their time, or both...
Just write it, make it like a paragraph for extra work, and be like my name is so and so, I heard about your company through..........(the ...'s are your personal thoughts feelings and reflections, maybe even concerns) and end by saying something like, I would appreciate the opportunity to represent your company....I would like to set up a follow up date in about 1 week or so, if that's not ok please email me.....something like that is how I would do so..

One, you NEVER say "To whom it may concern" in ANY kind of coverletter in this industry. It just makes the recipient one of 1000. You need to to do your research.

Two, taking time to write a cover letter for extra work does NOT show that you're serious about your craft. If you were serious, you'd be in a class or doing something else that benefits your career. Extra work is NOT a way to advance your career. You could be the best extra on set, but you'll always be seen as nothing more than an extra. You DON'T friggin' do Extra work to be "discovered!" You're NOT a hot chick!

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback, even the more "passionate" replies. To tell the truth this does get a bit confusing especially since I am new to the "acting" business. I've spent the last week or two researching all the places I want to submit to (checking if its legit, calling places/checking online for submission policy) But (as the name suggests) I am actually trying to make a career as a stuntman, and I know how I want to approach that, but honestly its mostly luck and being in the right place at the right time.

Since moving to the NY area I decided to take acting classes as well as professional stunt training because it couldn't hurt to learn more about on camera work besides being set on fire (most fun ever btw). As you all have said, its about perfecting your craft. I have visited these forums countless times, and have started accounts with IMDbPro, Actors Access, Martial Arts Talent, and other places. Thanks for the advice everyone, and Truthteller, you don't have to be so brutally honest to get your point across. New people ask questions, that's how it goes, but thanks for the reply just the same.

I have my cell phone number and e-mail address that doesn't have my "real" name, ex. janesmith@hotmail.com. My dd has an agent, which I list their number, address, phone #, and e-mail address. But I don't put my home address, or home number. You never know who's opening up the mail.

I never give my actual address in my return address. I just copy the agent's/casting directors' address and put it where the return address goes. The post office only cares if you have AN address, not your address.

Never give your home phone number, just CELL.

Wow, so many absolutes and don'ts and nevers.

I know many actors who use their home phone number for business and are quite comfortable with it. Everyone has different parameters and ways of doing things. I rarely give out my cell phone number to people I don't know.

Oh, and the post office doesn't care whether you have a return address or not. They prefer you do, but they'll deliver the mail all the same. The main reason most people (and businesses of every kind) put their return address (on the outside of envelopes and packages) is so the postal service will, um, return them if the mailing is incorrectly addressed or the addressee is no longer at that location. If you send out a photo/postcard/flyer to an industry person (i.e., CDs, who frequently change offices) and they have moved, it usually won't get to them. It's nice to get the mailing returned to you so you know they didn't get it, instead of having that be one of the reasons you wonder why you never heard from them. If you put an incorrect address on the envelope as the "To" and the "From", it is guaranteed to go into the trash. Many actors who don't want to use their home address have P.O. boxes. If you're running a business (your career), you establish your own procedures, and revise them as you see fit and acquire more information.

You have to do research and ask questions, but living your life and marketing your career based on a fear-driven approach is sad and restrictive. And though I sometimes am passionate in my responses, I try to inject humor and kindness, along with the truth as I know it, based on my extensive experience.

Dude, if you have a 12 year old who acts, you don't put the home address, home phone number. Predators are in the business of finding pretty little girls with desperate moms who want to make a buck. I am not that, but I'm also not stupid. I just got a kid who acts.