Representation

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	Topic: Representation
Posted : 07/10/10 / Views : 4304 / Replies : 16 /
Zoe.Michael 18 posts last on: 06/02/12 send private reply	I am currently seeking representation and am new to this industry, having just graduated from a new course at The University of Northampton. A couple of people from the course have just recently got agents. I want your opinions on what the best way to go about getting one would be!!! Ive been told sending a covering letter with a CV and headshot is the best way (especially if you have a performance invitation with it) but then apparantly 100's of these get chucked in the bin everyday. Someone told me to ring them around 12 noon..and just tell them up front who I am etc...but I dont want to seem desperate and disturb them!! Opinions and advice would be great... Thanks Alot :) Zoe Michael

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	Reply #1
Posted : 03/08/10
RebeccaProbyn 1208 posts last on: 04/02/12 send private reply	Yes the majority will be chucked in the bin but this is the nature of the game. It is best to find out if they are currently accepting applications. Also having a showreel will help you if you are not currently performing as why would they take you on without seeing what you can do? It is a long slog but remember you are employing them and if they take you on they need to be able to work for you. good luck with it all!

Reply #1

Posted : 03/08/10

RebeccaProbyn
1208 posts
last on: 04/02/12
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Yes the majority will be chucked in the bin but this is the nature of the game. It is best to find out if they are currently accepting applications. Also having a showreel will help you if you are not currently performing as why would they take you on without seeing what you can do?

It is a long slog but remember you are employing them and if they take you on they need to be able to work for you.

good luck with it all!

	Reply #2
Posted : 03/08/10
Nigel.Peever 344 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	You can approach agencies through CCP and look for agencies who are currently accepting clients Which will save you a fortune in pictures and CV's and stamps. However of the 30 or so agencies I've approached using this method over the past 18 months most are still "awaiting feedback" some have taken the trouble to put "uninterested" and of the few that are "interested" They neither write to you to say yes nor reply to follow up emails requesting an interview. I try to be a good boy and don't hassle people I don't know on the phone. In 18 months I've had one agency ask me to interview and they turned me down at their second audition. My own stupid fault, thought "I'd best not do the same stuff again" tried to learn some new stuff quickly and messed it up...ooops. Thank goodness for CCP as I'm clearly doing something wrong in the agent department.

Reply #2

Posted : 03/08/10

Nigel.Peever
344 posts
last on: 07/02/12
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You can approach agencies through CCP and look for agencies who are currently accepting clients Which will save you a fortune in pictures and CV's and stamps.

However of the 30 or so agencies I've approached using this method over the past 18 months most are still "awaiting feedback" some have taken the trouble to put "uninterested" and of the few that are "interested" They neither write to you to say yes nor reply to follow up emails requesting an interview. I try to be a good boy and don't hassle people I don't know on the phone.

In 18 months I've had one agency ask me to interview and they turned me down at their second audition. My own stupid fault, thought "I'd best not do the same stuff again" tried to learn some new stuff quickly and messed it up...ooops.

Thank goodness for CCP as I'm clearly doing something wrong in the agent department.

	Reply #3
Posted : 03/08/10
anonymous	Hey Zoe! Firstly, develop a thin skin ahead of time, as you'll have to face some rejections and move on quickly without letting it dint your confidence. I have an agent now and basically went down a list of agents I was interested in after looking at websites, checking them out etc.. and then applied via whichever method then preferred, either emailing out my headshot and Spotlight CV/showreel link or posting out my headshot and Spotlight CV if that's what they wanted. The first agent sudition I got I was taken on, but it took a while to get an audition. It will depend on which area you specialise in/have experience in and which agents cover that area (ie some agents are only musical theatre/theatre). Also whether they have a gap for your type on their books. It might be worth checking out the websites of agents to see if there is a gap for someone with your look and try those first. But all the best and keep going, you may strike lucky very early on!! :) xx

Reply #3

Posted : 03/08/10

anonymous

Hey Zoe! Firstly, develop a thin skin ahead of time, as you'll have to face some rejections and move on quickly without letting it dint your confidence. I have an agent now and basically went down a list of agents I was interested in after looking at websites, checking them out etc.. and then applied via whichever method then preferred, either emailing out my headshot and Spotlight CV/showreel link or posting out my headshot and Spotlight CV if that's what they wanted. The first agent sudition I got I was taken on, but it took a while to get an audition. It will depend on which area you specialise in/have experience in and which agents cover that area (ie some agents are only musical theatre/theatre). Also whether they have a gap for your type on their books. It might be worth checking out the websites of agents to see if there is a gap for someone with your look and try those first. But all the best and keep going, you may strike lucky very early on!! :) xx

	Reply #4
Posted : 03/08/10
anonymous	Er - that's THICK not THIN skin!!! Doh!

	Reply #5
Posted : 04/08/10
Zoe.Michael 18 posts last on: 06/02/12 send private reply	Thanks everyone!! Comments appreciated :)

	Reply #6
Posted : 04/08/10
anonymous	A couple of other quick thoughts, Zoe. I had a look at your CV and notice you've done some short films. It will make a huge difference if you can get hold of copies and edit them into a reel which agents can view. Also, try to get Spotlight membership if you can afford it, it's a bit of a must-have. :) x

	Reply #7
Posted : 05/08/10
zakshukor 5 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	There's a fine line where you say to yourself 'i don't wanna seem desperate', but hell-you need an agent. Since most of these agents are busy and will not reply to your contacts if you get your CV through to them, and since everyone has the same attitude 'not wanting to seem desperate', my attitude is any which way to get them to notice you. The point where desperation comes in is where you feel the agent is not going to look after your interest and yet you will still sign on the dotted line. 1.If you can get a paid gig, no matter how small the job, write to agents telling them you need representation, that'll get you an agent. Be proactive in getting yourself work without an agent. 2. I've never used The CCP facility but when agents are looking for clients, that's a way in.

Reply #7

Posted : 05/08/10

zakshukor
5 posts
last on: 07/02/12
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There's a fine line where you say to yourself 'i don't wanna seem desperate', but hell-you need an agent. Since most of these agents are busy and will not reply to your contacts if you get your CV through to them, and since everyone has the same attitude 'not wanting to seem desperate', my attitude is any which way to get them to notice you. The point where desperation comes in is where you feel the agent is not going to look after your interest and yet you will still sign on the dotted line.

1.If you can get a paid gig, no matter how small the job, write to agents telling them you need representation, that'll get you an agent. Be proactive in getting yourself work without an agent.

2. I've never used The CCP facility but when agents are looking for clients, that's a way in.

	Reply #8
Posted : 05/08/10
markkempner 1113 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	What makes you unique? What can you offer an agency, that others like you cannot offer? What have you done, that others of your type may not have done? What sorts of roles will you go up for and or be right for? What is your type and casting range? What "genuine" special skills can you offer? Where are you based, what is your usual accent? How reliable are you and why? Do you drive? What is your favourite type of style and or roles? Why are you so unique? Why should an agent take "you" on? What is your natural personality? The answers to these questions need to be very carefully thought about, as it's these answers on which you should market yourself. The tricky bit is getting it into a short concise covering letter that will reflect some of the above answers, coupled with a lovely headshot which may also reflect a lot of the above answers. I think your existing headshots make you seem a little serious and intense.....is that really you though? Finally, an ideal little video showreel will certainly put you on the higher end of the pile of actors to be considered. Look up showreel providers under resources, look up myself "Kempner" whilst you are about it!! If you are starting out, I would also consider a CO-OP agency for a year.....this will give you a great incite as to what goes on, and how the casting process really works. You will also get a chance to start building up some relationships with casting dir's and producers in a good co-op. Plus, you will also have others marketing you as well as yourself. Finally, treat this as a business.... you are a product....and you need to have something that is required and marketable. Don't fall into the trap of assuming you are very talented and so you will work.....I'm not saying you are not a brilliant actress, but how do I know? Agents etc don't know you from Adam...at the moment! SHOWREEL!!! If you are under the impression that talent alone will get you through the door....and we all did! ...you are in for a big reality check! As you get through the first few doors, your talent will start to open up a few more doors. However, starting out, an agent will need to know...."Can I sell her?" Good luck with it Zoe, and PM me if you need help with your reel!

Reply #8

Posted : 05/08/10

markkempner
1113 posts
last on: 07/02/12
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What makes you unique?
What can you offer an agency, that others like you cannot offer?
What have you done, that others of your type may not have done?
What sorts of roles will you go up for and or be right for?
What is your type and casting range?
What "genuine" special skills can you offer?
Where are you based, what is your usual accent?
How reliable are you and why?
Do you drive?
What is your favourite type of style and or roles?
Why are you so unique?
Why should an agent take "you" on?
What is your natural personality?
The answers to these questions need to be very carefully thought about, as it's these answers on which you should market yourself.

The tricky bit is getting it into a short concise covering letter that will reflect some of the above answers, coupled with a lovely headshot which may also reflect a lot of the above answers.

I think your existing headshots make you seem a little serious and intense.....is that really you though?

Finally, an ideal little video showreel will certainly put you on the higher end of the pile of actors to be considered. Look up showreel providers under resources, look up myself "Kempner" whilst you are about it!!

If you are starting out, I would also consider a CO-OP agency for a year.....this will give you a great incite as to what goes on, and how the casting process really works. You will also get a chance to start building up some relationships with casting dir's and producers in a good co-op. Plus, you will also have others marketing you as well as yourself.

Finally, treat this as a business.... you are a product....and you need to have something that is required and marketable. Don't fall into the trap of assuming you are very talented and so you will work.....I'm not saying you are not a brilliant actress, but how do I know? Agents etc don't know you from Adam...at the moment! SHOWREEL!!! If you are under the impression that talent alone will get you through the door....and we all did! ...you are in for a big reality check! As you get through the first few doors, your talent will start to open up a few more doors. However, starting out, an agent will need to know...."Can I sell her?"

Good luck with it Zoe, and PM me if you need help with your reel!

	Reply #9
Posted : 05/08/10
GUY5 395 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	All everyones points are great but remember this is a 2 way street write down what you expect from an Agent. What do you expect them to do for you? How good are their contacts? Where do they see the agency going? What makes CD's + look up and notice them as an agency? As Mark and others have so rightfully said you're a Business the agency has to appeal to you to!! All the best! Guy ;-)

	Reply #10
Posted : 05/08/10
Fay.Hennell 74 posts last on: 06/02/12 send private reply	I have a question. I know everyone says that showreels are very important, especially in getting an agent as well as auditions. What about if you do mainly theatre work and therefore have little/no work on film? If you want to continue doing this type of work but are looking for an agent should you still have a showreel? Is it relevant? I don't mean to hijack your thread, just a question that occurred to me as part of the process of getting represented.

Reply #10

Posted : 05/08/10

Fay.Hennell
74 posts
last on: 06/02/12
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I have a question. I know everyone says that showreels are very important, especially in getting an agent as well as auditions. What about if you do mainly theatre work and therefore have little/no work on film? If you want to continue doing this type of work but are looking for an agent should you still have a showreel? Is it relevant?

I don't mean to hijack your thread, just a question that occurred to me as part of the process of getting represented.

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