Hi there

Im based in NZ and this agency called VMA Models and Talent is based in Auckland but they say they have offices in Australia, UK and Hollywood.

Does anyone in LA know anything bout the Hollywood branch of VMA? There isnt much about them on the net and i have looked at there site: www.vmamodels.com but its not registered as a licensed agency and they say that to sign up its $45 fee, i think they charge 15-20% commission.

As I am in NZ, leaving for LA very soon the NZ division were going to place me with there hollywood branch and try get me work from now before I land and said that the NZ people that have gone over to LA recently have been getting quiet a bit of work over in LA. But as there isnt much info bout them, they are not licensed I dont know what to do....

Anyone know of any info bout these people? Are they legit/good?

Don't waste your time and money.

Secret Agent Man and I (formerly Eldorado59) put together lists of the top agencies in LA.

Commercial:
http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/f.../6031061/m/580101602

Theatrical:
http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/f.../6031061/m/222108822

Hi thing is is that I have a small profile in NZ, but none in LA. Been in the biz for bout 9yrs in Australisia. These agencies you listed are wonderful and I would love to be with them, but with no profile in the US, would they even dare take me on board? And how hard would it be to sign up to them given I have no profile in the US? I tried WMA and CAA and these agents were kind enough to say No to me via email, but do I even have a chance? Despite looking unique and have a funny accent (though I can do perfect Standard American) being realistic, I may not even get a yes?

You have a chance with the commercial agencies. You need GREAT headshots, a commercial class, and an improv class to at least get their attention.

Theatrical agents take longer. Obviously you wouldn't start with the top tier agencies. You might have a chance with the lowest tier SAM listed.

I have done a huge amount of training here, on all these areas and am booked in with more extensive training with some top CD's as I want to lift my game more in auditioning.

What is the best way to contact these agents - email or phone? I noticed Daniel Hoff's office I emailed them all and no reply?

Also can you have more than one agent or must you only have one for Commercial, one for Theatrical etc?

And who are the good agents that do dance work? And modelling? As on the side I am also a trained dancer and for more income I wouldnt mind doing more modelling.

Email and phone calls are what most agents hate. Mail in a headshot and resume with CONCISE coverletter. Or if you have a friend who is with that agency see if you can get a referral.

For Daniel Hoff, you either do need to do one of two things:
1. Mail in a headshot and resume and then get invited to do an on-camera audition.

2. Get a referral and go to their on-camera audition on Fridays 1-4pm.

In LA, you can only have ONE Theatrical Agent and ONE Commercial agent. You can have multiple voiceover agents but only 1 per state.

For commercial print, you can have multiple agencies for there are no unions for commercial print.

DDO would be a good agency for you. They have a great dance and modeling department.

I dont know any actors with these agencies... How can I get a referral to Daniel Hoff and attend the auditions? Or can I just show up without a referral? Am quiet keen on DDO...I want to do across the board but really want a agent

Also when you say "Go to places where they hold major auditions" have you complied a list of the names of the casting houses or address/emails/numbers etc? Or where can I find this info, so I know who they are and know when are the best times to pop in? Do you need appointments also?

And asides from DDO, are there any other good agents that do across the board like acting (that get lead/support roles), dance and modelling?

Also, who are the top Managers in LA?

And when you say that agents hate emails/calls and best to send in headshots, resume, coverletters rather than posting could one swing by there offices and hand it in?

Also are there any meet and greet type of events where CDs and Agents are most likely to be?

And if an agent wanted you, and you do not have working papers, how quick would they be able to sponsor you? Would these agents you listed be keen on sponsoring, if they liked you and wanted you?


See the reason why I was enquiring about VMA International is due to the fact that they are based in various countries and there talent can work in any of there countries without sponsorship, even on holiday visas because even though the work is in LA for example, if they are connected to there homeland in say Australia, LA pays Australia and Australia pays the talent in Australian dollars into there Australian bank account. As I dont have working papers, is this a better option to do for now? And at the same time checking out agents like DDO, etc and seeing if they would take me on and legally sponsor me for a visa?


So sorry for all theses questions, just trying to do alot of research before I arrive, and I arrive very soon...

And is this agency any good? They say they do acting, dance, modelling...
http://www.red-talent.com/

Also this is the website of VMA International:
http://vmamodels.com/

What do you think of VMA? Any good?

And sorry another question... VMA charge a one-off $45 fee and I think 15-20% I need to still ask them... do other agents like DDO, Daniel etc also have a sign up fee and take this amount of percentages? Should an agency charge a one-off fee?

Am confused, am only keen on VMA due to the fact I can legally work on a holiday visa, or are there any other agencies that do acting, dance, modelling that have offices in other countries (particularly Australia, NZ)?

LEGIT agencies DON'T charge upfront fees in LA. They ONLY make money when YOU do by getting a percentage (usually 10% for film/tv/commercials and 20% for commercial print).

So VMA could be a con type of agency?

What agencies in LA have branches in NZ, Australia or other parts of the world? That I could be considered for?

I know CAA, WMA do but I dont think they will take me and if they did I would be lost on there books. But preferably I would prefer to do across the board...

I don't know of too many agencies that have international branches.

You do NOT want to be signed across the board!

In LA, most of the agencies suck at doing everything. Some agencies rock commercially, but suck theatrically. Some are REALLY good theatrically, but suck commercially.

Also, what if you were with an agency that has a strong commercial division, but a weak theatrical division and then get the attention of a top theatrical agency? You can't say to your initial agency "I still want to be with you guys commercially, but I want new theatrical rep." NOPE! You'll have to leave you initial agency completely.

Also, what if your agency goes under (this has happened with top agencies in the U.S.) and you were signed across the board? Now you've lost 100% of your representation. Whereas if you kept your representation separate, you'd still at least have 50%.

Right I hear what you are saying.

With regards to this VMA agency again, I see what you are saying but because I have no working visa, only a holiday 90 day one, should I sign with them for the interim so that I am able to work?

Or am I better to be unsigned, try out all these agents on the list you have, and see if they will take me on?