Agents: What To Say?
Agents: What To Say?
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
Agents: What To Say? #1
Posted: 2/20/11 at 7:46pm
So I'm going to start sending out my headshots/resumes to agencies, and I was just curious to know what I should say, what shouldn't you say? Or is this even a smart way to go about it? I know nothing, so all advice is welcome.
Broadway Star Joined: 10/22/05
Agents: What To Say? #2
Posted: 2/20/11 at 7:54pmThey honestly will probably all throw them out unless you were recently in a big budget film or broadway show, or possibly even a national tour. If you have been, go for it. If not, start auditioning and when you book something invite them to come see it. That's the best way of going about it.
Agents: What To Say? #2
Posted: 2/20/11 at 8:08pm
Ignore that post, because it's not true. It may take awhile to get a response...but that post did not help.
1- It's a good way to start. I'd start to send out about 5-10 weekly, and keep track of who you send them too.
2- After 3 or so months, start sending reminders. Not another full headshot, but maybe a postcard with your original pictures, and a few others. It's easy to get something like that made for cheap from vista print.com
3- Send reminders every few months, people will eventually take notice. And I've been called, as have friends of mine, just days, or weeks after I've sent a headshot. It all depends. But really really research on who you are sending your stuff to. Make sure they are a company you like, don't sign with just anyone. Do your homework.
4- Personally, and it may take a lot of time, I don't send a "generic" cover letter. I gear it specifically to the person I'm sending it too. But keep it short. They don't want to read a novel.
5- When you're in a show, especially if they offer industry comps (which any show should) send out another mailer asking them to come. You never know what may happen.
Hope this helps.
The ROSS REPORT is a great source to find out about all the people you'd be sending stuff to.
Agents: What To Say? #3
Posted: 2/21/11 at 3:37pm
Whatever you do, DON'T say "Hi! I'm Ripped Man from BroadwayWorld. Perhaps you know my posts..."
Good luck. Don't get discouraged.
Agents: What To Say? #4
Posted: 2/21/11 at 6:16pm
Its also common for a friend to walk your headshot into their agent. Agents will take note if a signed client brings them someone interesting. Another angle is to book something and walk into an agency handing them something to negotiate. "Hi i book work myself...i just need someone to handle the contracts." Its a win win for them. They get to negotiate for you and thus get paid without even having to sign you.
Break legs!
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
Agents: What To Say? #5
Posted: 2/21/11 at 6:26pm"I have no gag reflex."
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/15/04
Agents: What To Say? #6
Posted: 2/21/11 at 7:14pmFor a commercial agent mass mailings do work. For a legit agent it is best to send them when you are in something or have a gig to tell them about. But there really are no rules anymore.
Agents: What To Say? #7
Posted: 2/21/11 at 9:23pm
What's your resume look like? What have you been in? Are you looking for work in NY or regionally? This will dictate which agency you would best suited for. Check out their clients list.
Here's a good place to start:
http://www.agentassociation.com/frontdoor/actors_agent_search.cfm
Agents: What To Say? #8
Posted: 2/21/11 at 9:29pm
"For a commercial agent mass mailings do work. For a legit agent it is best to send them when you are in something or have a gig to tell them about. But there really are no rules anymore."
That's the best advice here. I worked with an agency (a big one) when I first moved to the city and yes, 99% of headshots/resumes were never even seen by the actual agents. The interns went through them and pretty much discarded them unless they were either in something (with a postcard for the show attached or a promise to get them tickets to whatever show it was) or the resume was so impressive it couldn't be overlooked. I remember days an agent would say "Go through these and look for someone who went to (insert name of school here)". If there were any resumes matching that, they were put aside that day. Everyone else got put in the recycling bin. It really is just a crap shoot.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
Agents: What To Say? #9
Posted: 2/22/11 at 1:34pm
Yeah, that's sort of what I figured. I didn't go to any major schools, but I know have major talent, but that's hard to address or say.
Are there any lists of commercial agents? I wouldn't mind trying to go about that.
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