Hi all,

Heres some background about my situation:

Graduated college May '08, and moved to NYC in July. I got a job working 9-5, which gave me the money needed to live here but no time to audition. So, instead, over the past year I've taken a lot of improvisation classes.

I enjoy improv alot, and while I'll never remove it from my life completely - I feel like its time to move on to other things.

Other than improv, all of my acting experience is from high school and college. Stage acting for the most part - musicals and plays. I have been in a few of my college friends films for their conservatory classes, and some comedy sketches from my college improv troupe days. None of this is particularly note-worthy, but I am confident in my abilities and know that I have the potential to succeed.

So, with that said, in the next few months I plan to leave the 9-5 and begin my quest for a career as an actor. I am an accomplished singer, and with most of my experience in musicals I feel I may be best suited in that genre. However, I would love to round out my skills with experience in all areas. Stage, Tv, Film, commercials. I have a desire to do it all. With such a lackluster resume, however, I wonder where to begin.

Many say its pointless to try and get an agent at this stage in the game, but I feel like it can't hurt to try? I have seen fellow improvisers (younger than me) who have agents and I (not to be malicious) feel that I stand out more as a performer than they do. Yet there they are, their resumes filled with stage work, commercials and some TV spots. Certainly they've been at it longer than I have, but I wonder how much their agents helped them - and if I should go that route.

Getting to the point - other than the improv classes I have taken, and the improv shows I have done - I have no serious NYC training/experience. Do I start auditioning for everything and anything to build my resume/reel? Do I take more classes (which I worry about doing since I will be making considerably less money once I quit my job)?. Do I need to make a choice of where I am going to focus (stage vs screen)? Any advice would be MUCH appreciated.

PS. I've attached a headshot of mine. I'm expecting some negative comments about it (particularly shadows). But do you think, at this point in my career, I could use it until I land the gig that pays for my professional shots?

THANKS!

HSHOT.JPG (50 KB, 98 downloads) T's headshot

Improv will serve you really well!

You NEED an agent if you want to get the serious film/tv/commercial jobs. The stuff that you can find on your own is only 30% of the work out there. Agents have access to the other 70%. Whoever told you that it's too late for you is full of s#$%!

You're a good looking guy, but you need to invest in great headshots! There's no "oh, I'll land a high paying gig and then invest in headshots." NO! You need GREAT headshots to get into the door and get an agent. That's part of the initial investment sacrifice you'll have to make. For each cheap actor out there, there are a 1000 actors who have seriously invested in their headshots.

Here's how to avoid BAD headshots:
http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/f.../8011031/m/110106342

Read(Check libraries, Samuel French, Local Bookstores):

Acting business:
-Acting is Everything: Gold Edition-Judy Kerr
-How to Be a Working Actor-Mari Lyn Henry and Lynne Rogers
-An Actor's Guide - Making It in New York City-Glenn Alterman
-How to Get Arrested-J. Wallach Michael and Paul Thurwachter
-An Agent Tells All-Tony Martinez
-One Less Bitter Actor: The Actor's Survival Guide-Markus Flanagan
-So You Want to Be in Showbusiness?- Steve R. Stevens
-Acting Truths and Lies (purchased at www.info4actors.com)

Acting:
-Book the Job-Doug Warhit
-Intent to Live-Larry Moss
-Acting for the Camera-Tony Barr
-Acting in Film-Michael Caine
-Acting Class: Take a Seat-Milton Katselas

Method Acting:
-Art of Acting-Stella Adler
-Sanford Meisner on Acting-Sanford Meisner
-A Dream of Passion-Lee Strasberg
-Actor's Art and Craft-William Esper
-The Power of the Actor-Ivanna Chubbuck
-No Acting Please-Eric Morris
-Respect for Acting-Uta Hagen
-Challenge to the Actor-Uta Hagen
-You Can Act!-D.W. Brown
-Strasberg’s Method-Lorrie Hull

Comedy
-8 Characters of Comedy-Scott Sedita
-The Sitcom Career Book-Mary Lou Belli

Improv
-Anything by Viola Spolin
-Steve Book on Acting: Improv

Auditioning/Cold Reading:
-How to Get the Part Without Falling Apart-Margie Haber
-Audition-Michael Shurtleff
-Secrets to Successful Cold Readings-Glenn Alterman

Hi Truth,

Thanks for the reply!

With the amount of professional experience (or lack there of) that I have - is it possible to find a credible agent that will be interested in me?

Thanks,

Trav

I'm not in the business yet, but I was inspired by your story, and have one thing to say.

If I were you, I would not rush on quiting current job and try to stay there for at least a year, while starting a serious saving-up, investing in great headshots and all acting classes as possible. You can also start getting to know the business by reading articles, forums and book after book which Truthteller suggested. I think it's the best to get outta there with all this ammo and knowledge in your hands, instead of trying to save up for an acting class while waiting tables.

quote:

Originally posted by Travis:
Hi Truth,

Thanks for the reply!

With the amount of professional experience (or lack there of) that I have - is it possible to find a credible agent that will be interested in me?

Thanks,

Trav

If you get some great headshots and take a commercial class, you'll definitely have a shot getting a commercial agent. Your improv experience is going to help you A LOT, because that's what both Commercial Agents and casting directors want to see. A lot of commercial auditions are improv.

Travis,

It's funny, I am in the exact same situation as you (even graduated the same year). I am also stuck in the boring 9-5 job, and want to move to NY to try acting.

I sympathize with you that there is hardly any time to audition. I think you have the right idea about trying to build your resume before trying to get an agent. I am taking the same approach. You mentioned you were an accomplished singer, have you thought at all about Summerstock? It would be a professional credit (most likely) to put on your resume, not to mention you would be getting paid. Could you take a leave of absence from your job?

I'm tentative thinking that quitting your job without prospects is a good idea. Bank some money while auditioning as much as you can in parallel. And most importantly, bust your a$$ to get professional training.

Granted I'm a newbie too, but I think you shouldn't rush into quitting your job to chase after an agent.

Just curious, how "lack-luster" is your resume exactly? What are your credits?

Hi all,

Thanks for all the replies. I knew improv would be a good thing for the resume, so its nice to get some confirmation on that.

Honestly, right now my resume consists of 2 college musicals where I played the lead, 1 musical I performed in at my improv theater in NYC (not lead) and 3 student films that I acted in during college (lead). Thats it!

Finding a way to pay the bills after I leave my 9-5 is absolutely something thats on my mind. It's really the one thing thats holding me back from starting sooner. The typical server option has never been a good/happy choice for me, so I've been looking into temp agencies/production assistant work/ extra work/convention staffing. I've yet to really figure out what I'm going to do in that regard. Any advice on that would be much appreciated.

Don't discount your resume. A lot of people starting out have yet to do the things that you've already done. You're already ahead of most people starting out.

Hi! Welcome. I too live in NYC and have done the waiting tables thing here in the past.

I got very lucky with a temp service who placed me with a famous auction house. My boss here allows me to make my own hours and leave at a moment's notice for auditions. I am blessed. The staffing company is called Atrium. If you PM me, I would be happy to give you a referral. In LA, I had a 9 to 5 job and had a hard time auditioning. Since I came back to NY, all has been great. Temping for me has been wonderful. I have been a 'temp' for Atrium for 2 years and have worked full time through them for the auction house. All the perks, none of the stress.

Really appreciate all the responses. One last question.

In regards to talent agencies/agents in general: Can anyone recommend particular agencies that I should submit my resume/headshot to? At the moment I am particularly interested in commercial and stage work.

Hope to have the profesh set of headshots done in the next month or so..

thanks!

Hey Travis,

I'm fairly new to the business as well. I've only really been booked in commercials. Nothing for Film and TV yet. Well a few indy stuff but nothing anyone will ever see. I spoke with a few agents and they all have said different things. One said "if an actor does a lot of commercials, the chances of getting into film/TV is almost impossible". Another one said, "I won't take commercial actors at my agency" How could anyone not take a commercial? The money is great and I've been living off the same two commercials for 8 months. It's allowed me time for training and auditions. I'm starting to see how this business works and it seems like there isn't any ONE way to do anything. You'll get advice from everyone out there and all of it will be different. Nobody REALLY knows and for the most part the advice won't do anything for you. As for me, I won't pay anyone for casting information, I won't pay for casting workshops and I will never pay anything to my agent other than the 10% they are allowed to take. I pay for classes and that's it. I've been going to USC and trying to network with the future directors. Casting Directors come and go and getting in good with them seems to be a hit or miss. I say network more with Directors and producers. Especially the new directors. One of them might make it big someday. Go with your gut, make sure you can pay your bills, take care of your life and try to stay stress free and don't listen to negative people.

Travis -
I agree with much of what's been said here -- especially the part about getting new pictures! Other than your improv skills, you have something that many actors don't have --- good genetics. Get a GREAT picture. Set up a savings plan, with your 9-5 money, and put some together for professional shots (it doesn't need to be a fortune -- do research on photographers). You can get a top-notch commercial agent with a great pic, a great 'look' and great improv skills. You're exactly what they want. Anyone you happen to get to meet, using your 'temporary' photo, is undoubtedly going to recommend you get new pix anyway. You need an agent to get commercials.

(Side note to Ricky1009: Maybe you misunderstood whoever said "I won't take commercial actors" -- maybe they don't have a commercials department. Many agencies don't. And some agencies do commercials exclusively -- you'll never hear those agencies say "I won't take commercial actors." You ask "How could anyone not take a commercial?" Well, times have changed a lot, but many actors just don't want to do commercials, just as some don't want to do television, and some don't want to do regional theatre, and some don't want to do extra work. Everyone makes their own choices and their own path.)

Travis, as for stage work, you don't need an agent to get stage work. It helps in getting you auditions for larger projects, but it isn't vital. You mentioned you have a musical theatre background and played leads in 2 college musicals, so I imagine you have a better voice than many do. If you've got a truly terrific singing voice, you have another advantage over most newbies arriving in New York. Most actors can only act! There are so many work opportunities for actors who can sing. You may inevitably want to work in all areas, but musicals are a wonderful way in. Every successful Broadway musical will eventually need replacements. Get your audition song-book together. Get your pic/resume to every casting director that does musicals (there are only a handful of major ones). Write a brief cover note saying you'd like to be seen the next time they're having auditions for replacements. You might get a call. Make sure you've got your musical audition skills together! I've worked with numerous actors for whom a Broadway musical was their first professional job. And a large number of those actors moved successfully to TV/Film work and back to musicals when they wanted to. Musicals are a great way in. If you're really good, you could seriously be in the chorus of a Broadway musical and take acting classes during the day and work on your skills while most of your contemporaries are waiting tables and struggling to land a non-paying role in an Off-Off-Broadway showcase. (And for everyone that thinks that's unreasonable, I can name you numerous people that did it just that way.)

Another side note to Ricky1009:
You said:

quote:

I'm starting to see how this business works and it seems like there isn't any ONE way to do anything. You'll get advice from everyone out there and all of it will be different. Nobody REALLY knows and for the most part the advice won't do anything for you.

You're right on the money with your first sentence. I completely disagree with your third sentence. There are multitudes of actors that have considerably more experience than actors who are just starting out. MUCH of the stuff that they know, from experience, is very useful information, and GOOD advice will absolutely be beneficial. If the advice new actors listen to (and seek out) is only coming from other new actors, then it probably won't be as useful. You don't need to "start from scratch" (the title of this thread) -- there are SO many others who have paved the way. There is definitely no one way to go in this business, but there are basic parameters, and many many ways to success. Ask all the successful people. Maybe one of their ways will become your way.

Thanks for all the advice Ricky + Broadway.

Ricky had an experience with an agent who said, " if an actor does a lot of commercials, the chances of getting into film/TV is almost impossible".

While I wouldn't want to be in a thousand commercials, is this a relatively true statement made by the agent? Certainly, if I were McDonald's poster boy, I would probably be screwed. A few lower-profile commercials here and there though, I imagine no harm would come of it. Any thoughts?

Broadway2Hollywood, do you happen to know the names of any of the major casting directors for Bway musicals?

After scouring the internet I did find Dave Clemmons casting, but it seems they don't prefer mailed submissions.
From Backstage - "Attends showcases/accepts showcase invitations; Does not accept unsolicited PR packets, videos or demos".

Would H/R be included in "unsolicited PR packets"?

Again, really appreciating all the information. The positive feedback is very encouraging!

Trav

quote:

Originally posted by Travis:
Ricky had an experience with an agent who said, " if an actor does a lot of commercials, the chances of getting into film/TV is almost impossible".

While I wouldn't want to be in a thousand commercials, is this a relatively true statement made by the agent? Certainly, if I were McDonald's poster boy, I would probably be screwed. A few lower-profile commercials here and there though, I imagine no harm would come of it. Any thoughts?

MANY thoughts! That is ONE agent's opinion. (I'm not going to challenge Ricky's story, but that sentence may not be the entire opinion the agent expressed.) There are LOTS of actors who work in commercials regularly (many of them making 6 figure incomes) and ALSO work in film/TV all the time. There are numerous high-profile (relatively unknown, but familiar) commercial actors who are the spokesperson for ad campaigns and haven't had any problem also getting film/TV work. (Gregg Binkley - spokesman for Del Taco has a nice acting resume; likewise with Wayne Wilderson, J.P. Manoux, Kevin West. Rachael Harris, who has a pretty admirable acting career, did numerous memorable commercials. Didn't hurt her chances of getting major film/TV work.) If you can get commercials work, get it!

quote:

Broadway2Hollywood, do you happen to know the names of any of the major casting directors for Bway musicals?

The TOP ones are:
TARA RUBIN CASTING (Tara or any of her associates... Merri Sugarman, etc.)
Mary Poppins, Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera (previously: Les Miserables, Spamalot, The Producers, etc.)

BERNARD TELSEY CASTING (Craig Burns is the musicals guy over there)
Wicked, Memphis, 9 to 5, Next to Normal, Rock of Ages, In the Heights, South Pacific, many many more!

Then there's also:
JIM CARNAHAN CASTING
Bye Bye Birdie, Spring Awakening (he may also still be the CD for all the Roundabout productions.)

STUART HOWARD ASSOCIATES
Curent: West Side Story. (Also does regional theatre)

BARRY MOSS
(has been around forever, cast the recent Tale of Two Cities, also does regional theatre, was and probably still is the CD for Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera - one of the biggies.)

quote:

After scouring the internet I did find Dave Clemmons casting, but it seems they don't prefer mailed submissions.
From Backstage - "Attends showcases/accepts showcase invitations; Does not accept unsolicited PR packets, videos or demos".

Would H/R be included in "unsolicited PR packets"?

I'm not familiar with Dave Clemmons Casting, though after looking at his website, I see he casts shows for Casa Manana (which is in Texas I believe) and many non-union tours. I've been an Equity member since the 70s, so I'm pretty against non-union tours of musicals.

MOST casting offices don't prefer mailings of any kind. Nearly all of them prefer to see your work and not just your headshot. I don't know what the notation in Backstage about "unsolicited PR packets" means. I imagine it means headshots, but you'd have to ask Dave Clemmons.

Get your material to Tara Rubin Casting and Bernard Telsey Casting. Those are the offices you want to be seen by.

AND, you can always go to ibdb.com (the Internet Broadway DataBase) and look up any Broadway musical and see who the casting director is/was. You'll find that the majority of current Broadway musicals (and plays) were cast by Tara Rubin's or Bernie Telsey's office.

quote:

Originally posted by Ricky1009:
I spoke with a few agents and they all have said different things. One said "if an actor does a lot of commercials, the chances of getting into film/TV is almost impossible". Another one said, "I won't take commercial actors at my agency"

Which agents said that? They're full of crap. Broadway2Hollywood gave some great examples of commercial actors who have been successful in film and tv. Also, don't forget that Korean guy in the AT&T Commercials. He is a lead in The Mentalist and has been in a lot of other things after he first showed up in the AT&T Campaigns.

From a business standpoint, I'd love to have commercial actors as clients especially ones that book. They're the actors with the most money and thus the least stressed at an audition. They can go into the audition relaxed as opposed to the majority of the actors with the "God, I hope I get it... I need to pay rent" mentality.