Hello! I am an aspiring actress who is ready to work! I am sixteen years old and have been performing all my life but am ready for real world work. I have gotten my headshots and sent them out to tons of agencies-complete with cover letters and all! I heard back from a few and went to a few meetings but nothing worked out. I met with Progressive Artists but they declined. I am just anxious to get started but I know I need an agent first. Who do you recommend I send out to/what is the best way to get a reputable agent?
Thank you so much.

WHY SO FAST? Learn the craft first before you seek an agent. You mentioned your an aspiring actress (congratulations and welcome to the world of rejections)By no means do I mean to sound malicious, it's just the reality of this business. Their are actors out there that has more credits than god knows what, and still can't get an agent. Your still young- 16 yes? You have all the time in the world. I wish I was 16 again. There's a couple of career moves that I would certainly do over if I could . Practice your craft my dear, strengthen up your skills. That way when give the opportunities again your ready to blow them away. That's the problem with most today they want to get a car before they fully learn to drive. Learn how to appreciate the business first. If you appreciate the business, the business in turn will appreciate you. I mentioned this in my response to your other post before I actually saw this one here. If I were you I would lay down the foundation first. Get the ground work going properly first. Develop a few strong credits (if you don't already have)first than try your luck with an agent. Remember agents have bills too, they're in this business to make money just like you. So you have to be able to offer them something to work with. Just a pretty face don't work no more that comes a dime a dozen now. They have books out there that discuss what your also inquiring about. You just have to go to your nearest drama book shop and read. Stay strong !!!

Hello again- thanks again for the advice. The thing is, I actually go to a performing arts high school where I have been studying theatre for 6 years. I have taken tons of classes (not that I don't have more to learn!) and am now a senior. I truly feel like I am ready to work in the real world. I have been reading up on acting essentials (checkhov, stanislavsky, etc.) but I think I'm ready to start going on some auditions! What can I do?

Well since you've put it like that your ready to go out and audition. I didn't know how many years you had under your belt. But that good enough to start auditioning with. I would say start getting in front of cd's of your choice. Meaning the pay to play, or if you don't carry to go that route. Then mail your head shots and resume to cd's from the Ross report who are working on projects in which you may feel your right for. Also look into some agents, mgrs while your at it since you have theater background. Most seems to love and respect that more as I'm often told. Just remember you have thick skin. So you might hear some criticism that you might not wanna hear. Take what you feel may apply to you change it in you. The rest throw it away and keep it moving !!!

Thanks! Sorry to keep asking so many questions, but if you don't mind... When it comes to casting directors and you advise to "get in front of them" if you will, how exactly does that happen? If I send them my hs/res, what are the chances I will actually hear back? Oh and also just to clarify what exactly did you mean by "pay to play"? Thanks so so much for your help!

I would also say that, since you've had so much training, your next step is to get some credits on your resume. Join ActorsAccess.com and some of the other casting sites, submit for student films and non-union shorts. Once you have a resume with some actual credits, then put together a reel, take some good headshots and submit to agents.

"Pay-to-Play" means a workshop that you pay to attend where you meet agents and casting directors who are paid to be there.

great, thanks!

What "pay to play" means is to go to a place that offers seminars (in NYC we have The Network, Actor's Connection, Breakthrough, etc, I am sure someone can suggest similar places in LA) hosted by CD's that include a brief question and answer period followed by presenting your work (be it a song, monologue, cold commercial copy or prepared copy). They cost anywhere from 20-35$ (cheaper if you buy packaged seminars) and you get to present your work and ask questions to a CD. It no way guarantees you work but it gets you seen and hopefully on their radar. Best!

Hey guys I was hoping some people could give me some advice.

I got a few emails from The Valentino Group...one was personalized to me..and the lady claims to have reviewed my headshot and resume and wants to work with me..her name is Gianni Valentino and she is apparently a Management Coach for upcoming actors and she's well known (according to the website) Shes mainly a photographer..

Has anyone heard of her? Hoping I can get some advice so I don't get scammed.

Let me know if anyone has heard of her.

I know my resume is up on Backstage and also Actorcast.com... not sure where she found mine..


Thanks guys!!!

WTF is a "management coach"? I would say on pure instinct to be suspicious.

Thxs TMR and LTWRS for answering what "pay to play" is.

Never heard of a Management Coach... and I'm the mother of a child with a legit agent and a continuous job on a TV sitcom.

quote:

Originally posted by KatieNorth:
Hey guys I was hoping some people could give me some advice.

I got a few emails from The Valentino Group...one was personalized to me..and the lady claims to have reviewed my headshot and resume and wants to work with me..her name is Gianni Valentino and she is apparently a Management Coach for upcoming actors and she's well known (according to the website) Shes mainly a photographer..

Has anyone heard of her? Hoping I can get some advice so I don't get scammed.

Let me know if anyone has heard of her.

I know my resume is up on Backstage and also Actorcast.com... not sure where she found mine..


Thanks guys!!!

As a general rule of thumb, reputable respected people in the industry don't cold-call actors out of the blue. If you get a call from someone you've NEVER submitted anything to or contacted in any way, and they're eager to work with you, it's generally not going to be anything good.