Recently, I acquired a message from among my favorite and faithful actor readers who asked me to deal with the most frequent question I get from up-and-coming actors, which is, “Just how do I get a realtor? “.So this really is for the actors available, although, honestly, it may apply it to writers, composers, directors, and anyone searching for representation of any kind.
1. Got a friend? Obtain a Referral.
Recommendations is what sells tickets and recommendations is what sells anything. Obtaining a friend who’s already with a realtor to walk you in the entranceway, send an introduction email, etc. and vouch for your talent is one of the finest methods for getting a ending up in an agent. Ask your actor friends who’re already repped to complete you a solid. And then ask your Directors, Casting Directors, General Managers, etc. They know most of the agents well, and often agents is going to do them a good to have on their good side. Gentle reminder, if you ask anyone to vouch for you and they let you know they’d rather not, don’t push them. It’s probably not a reflection of your talent. You can imagine exactly how many requests similar to this Directors get, so some folks just don’t do it. But it never hurts to ask. And it’s your job to ask.
2. Play the Picture and Resume lottery!
Almost every actor I am aware has done a mailing to agents sooner or later within their career. It’s not a bad idea, and I have observed it work, but you’ve got to manage your expectations. Sending out 100 pix and resumes in the mail is like playing the lottery. The odds of this pic/resume getting by the assistant and then to the agent and then opened and then it standing out and you obtaining a call are such as the odds of someone doing a musical version of Jaws…with an actual shark situs togel online terpercaya. It is also expensive and labor intensive. Nevertheless, sending pix and resumes are part of your “media mix “.You’re something, and a photo and resume might not result in an appointment, but it certainly is another impression. So maybe you got a referral from a friend, and then your picture shows up and reminds that agent to give you a call.
In the event that you are going to play the lottery, get it done smart. Get creative. Realize that 100s of these specific things show up every day (I worked for a realtor for 3 months and it had been my job to sort through these suckers and it had been one of many reasons I quit), so you’ve got to have yours to stand out. Here are a few ideas:
* Time it to arrive towards the conclusion of the week, once the mail loads are lighter. * Put it in just about any color envelope just not a plain manila envelope. * Send a letter per week prior to the picture, introducing yourself. A letter sized envelope is a lot prone to arrive at the agent, and maybe they’ll watch out for that soon to follow along with different colored envelope. * Don’t send to the agent. Send to an assistant. They’ll be flattered and much prone to take more time on you. * Include a short, personable and personality driven cover “note” (I recommend twice as large as post-it size). * Make fully sure your picture and resume are professionally done (and exactly the same size and stapled together) * Perform a mailing when you’re in a show. Agents need to help you do your stuff. It’s the first question they’ll ask whenever you meet them, “When can I help you in something?” Have an answer. * If everybody else is mailing their stuff? Take action different. Messenger it. It’ll seem urgent and may complete the secretarial gates. Sound expensive? Well, you’re an actor, right? Do what I told my bike-riding friend to complete…throw a messenger bag over your shoulder, get a clipboard and play messenger for a day. If they recognize you later when they’re staring at your photo? Well, that would be awesome.
3. Pay to Play
There are lots of classes you are able to take around town on auditioning, acting for soaps, etc. which are taught by agents. Actors Connection and TVI are two of the very most popular. Make no mistake, they are exactly what they seem to be. You’re paying to get your A$$ facing an agent. But hey, if you’ve got the products, you will want to? If you’re fantastic and what a realtor is searching for, do you think a realtor wouldn’t want you to’stay after class ‘, simply because you paid an admission fee? People in this town are always searching for the next big thing, and it doesn’t matter where we think it is, as long as we don’t overlook it when we do.
4. Work for one.
Agents are always searching for interns, assistants, etc. so offer to volunteer your administrative services a few days a week. Whilst it would be awesome for that agent to choose you up and start sending you from countless auditions, that’s not why I suggest it as a suggestion for how to get an agent. Employed by a realtor will give you an internal perspective on which they are searching for in clients, mailings, etc. You’ll see who stands apart and who doesn’t, so when you’re ready to market you to ultimately a realtor, you will be highly educated. And if they do start sending you out, well that is clearly a bonus. Word to the wise – don’t push this either. You can let them know you’re an actor, obviously, nevertheless they won’t want you anywhere near the office if they think you’re only there in search of rep. Keep that on the DL and let it happen naturally. Be described as a smart and subtle salesman, not Crazy Eddie.
5. Do great work.
Ahhh, and this really is it, my friends. The best and sure-fire way to have a realtor lusting after your bod. Do what you do. Perform. And get it done well, and with other great people, in great productions. Eventually, whether you prefer or not, people (and Agents) are going to take notice. It’s the Field of Dreams “In the event that you build it, they will come” theory applied to actors and it’s as true here because it was for Costner. I am aware so many actors available who put themselves on life-or-death missions to have an agent. Your mission should really be grab yourself available – to perform – normally as you can. The agents will follow. Besides, what would you rather do…chase someone down, begging them to work with you? What kind of relationship is that going to bring? Can you ever beg anyone to go out with you? No, you’d much rather them come a calling, right? Well, exactly the same theory applies here because it does to dating. Function as the chasee, not the chaser. I often tell people, when you’re ready for a realtor, one will be immediately, facing you, begging for you to sign with them.
There you are, my actor and artist friends. Five simple tips on how best to get an agent.
But let me make you with this. When I was taken from acting school at NYU, I had this image that agents were like Wizards of Oz…all powerful and scary people which were hidden deep in office/fortresses all around the city who had more understanding of the business than I ever could. I thought to myself, “If I really could just get in their mind, my life will change.” When I acquired available and met some of them (including one who had just left employment editing porn for pay-per-view), I realized I couldn’t have been more wrong.
It’s important to realize an agent isn’t going to alter your life. You are going to change your life. Agents can’t get you the job. They can ensure it is easier for you to be seen for employment, and negotiate a great deal for you personally whenever you get that job, but you’re the guy in the space that’s planning to convince someone to give you that job. And you’re the guy that’s still going to have to market yourself whenever you do get one (and in this age, you can do a lot of that with no agent).
So don’t give them God-like status and think they are able to change your career with a wave of their hand.
The good agents, and you can find good ones available, are your partners. And they can’t be your partner when you’ve got’em up on a pedestal.
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