ASK AN AGENT

[larry64]

Posted: 9/22/09 at 8:32pm

I am a talent agent in Los Angeles at a large full service agency with offices in NYC as well. I rep actors, singers, and dancers for Equity Stage and On-Camera Commercials. Please feel free to post any questions that you may have about the business. I will try and answer as timely as my days allow. Questions regarding pics, resume, monologues, song selection, getting an agent, keeping an agent, classes, rates, resids, anything about the theatre or the commercial industry is allowed.

I was an AEA and SAG actor for almost 15 years, and have been working in talent for 12 years after that.

I look forward to lending a helping hand.

Best,

LW
an LA talent agency agent

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/23/09 at 1:36am

Hmm, I posted on the other thread, but that seems to have disappeared, so...

1.)Would it be appropriate to use this (or a similar parody) for a formal audition?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQupOrSXjmg

2.)Is it appropriate for a 20-year-old to sing "Impossible Dream" at Chorus Calls?

Thanks so much for doing this!

[larry64]

Posted: 9/23/09 at 11:10pm

Hello bwaylvsong-

1.) I would suggest NOT using a parody song for auditions, ie. "Forbidden Broadway" material unless that's the type of show you are auditioning for. Singers often don't sound like themselves when they perform this type of material. Make sure you pick an appropriate song for the part/show that you are singing for. If this is for a university or college audition, a parody song might work to showcase your comedic chops, but make sure, like all of your audition material, that you are emotionally connected to the music and lyrics. The piece that you've linked here is a one joke song. You are "Oversinging" in a comic style as the song calls for, but audition material should show range of voice and emotion, and even though it's a comedic song, you still have to hit the notes at the end!

2.) If you are in high school and the drama club is doing "Man of La Mancha" then it is appropriate if you want to play the lead.

I hope this helps!

LW

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/24/09 at 12:06am

Thanks!
Re 2: I'm not sure if you understood that I meant at an ECC, unless your answer is to sing that song ONLY IF you're auditioning for a High School production of MoLM?

[dg22894]

Posted: 9/24/09 at 10:33pm

How can you get noticed by an agent?

[larry64]

Posted: 9/25/09 at 8:58pm

bwaylvsong-

If it's a H.S. "Man Of La Mancha" then it is totally appropriate for you to sing 'the Impossible Dream' because a student will be cast in the lead. In the professional world the role would never be cast that young so you should steer clear of the song until you're actually right to play it.

LW
Updated On: 9/25/09 at 08:58 PM

[larry64]

Posted: 9/25/09 at 9:02pm

dg22894-

Be talented, unique, have business savvy, and be as positive and pleasant as can be.

LW

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/26/09 at 2:09pm

Thank you!

[SarahBeth]

Posted: 9/29/09 at 2:04am

I recommend reading Self Management for Actors by Bonnie Gillespie. It's very informative.

[somuchtodo]

Posted: 9/29/09 at 8:52am

What is the first thing you look for on a resume?

Do you want to see the vocal range on the resume or just type - alto, soprano etc?

Would you check Google or Youtube to hear a singer?

[larry64]

Posted: 9/29/09 at 7:04pm

hello somuchtodo-

My eyes look in this order-

1. for union status

2. for directors worked with and theatres worked at

3. Training

4. Play titles and roles

5. if the resume has musical theatre roles, I will also look for a vocal range and type, as some do not know how to read music.

I will always look at auditions and/or voice demos online. If the quality is bad I will request a dvd.

Best,

LW

[musicalbluemirror]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 1:56pm

How is the best way to gain representation?
If someone is affiliated with both unions and has a list of agents they in interested in being represented by, how does one go about it?
Is it appropriate to contact the offices (either by phone or email) by the information on their site to try to set up an audition/appointment
Like how do you get those that you represent
Please give me your input on this whole side as it is the part of the business I am not familiar with
Many thanks!

[SarahBeth]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 1:59pm

Don't EVER call an office about auditioning for them. You send them your headshot and resume with a cover letter and they call you if they're interested.

[musicalbluemirror]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 2:05pm

yeah i know sarah thats why i was asking
and i know for a fact that some agents in NY put all these headshots and resumes into a box and they go out to a curb

[SarahBeth]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 2:14pm

You gotta clean out sometime.