How To Build a Career?

[Bal]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 1:42am

Well, I'm starting at AMDA in the fall (I know, I know, I've read the AMDA threads... but I'm going anyway, on a scholarship, and I'm really excited).

At the end of your time at AMDA, there is a showcase of the people who will be graduating.

Is that the sort of thing you would invite an agent to, with hopes of them being interested and asking you for an interview?

Is it a waste of time to attend Equity calls if you're non-union?

Will an agent get you Equity work (provided that once you have the job you join the union)?

I really have been doing my research on this... I've visited website after website and read book after book but I'm still...so...lost.

How would you recommend I go about moving up to Equity when the time is right? One day, I want to work successfully on Broadway. I know that it takes more than luck and talent to get there... you have to work hard and network.

I have no idea what hard work to do.

Thanks for any advice anyone gives me. :) I figure this thread would be helpful to more than just me.

(And if this belongs in Off-topic, by all means, move it... thanks!)

-Fairlith

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 1:56am

I know a great book it's called How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying!

Sorry I had too

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 2:04am

Kind of interested in this myself.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 2:35am

The problem with a lot of your question is that there is no answer that is the formula. For every successful actor there are 12 ways of getting there. First define success to you. If it's broadway you want, know that and go after that. As for joining equity it depends on your talent, your skill, your age, and your type. For example, if you're a 21 yr old 6'2 Blonde hr Blue eyed chorus boy, I would think twice about joining so soon. There are 30 year olds who have the experience and the credits to back it up who look the same. But then again if you get offered say Hairspray, I think most people would take that. I don't know anyone who'd say no to Broadway or a good tour because it was equity. But who knows. Showcases are always good if you have people who know what they're doing help you. Just be prepared to hear nothing from anyone who comes. That doesn't mean anything. Then again I've known people who were called in 45 mins after the showcase. It's just a good idea to do one.

Now if you have someone who handles your showcase for you, you don't have to worry about inviting anyone. It's all done for you (for a fee of course). I recommend Rachel Hoffman. She works out of Dave Clemmons casting and is waaaaay more connected than most faculty memebers. Of course I have no idea what AMDA's policy is. They may do it all for you, for free which is great. LOTS of schools do that. Mine didn't so we had to get someone like Rachel. I would ask your school about what the showcase is like.

As far as going into Equity auditions goes...again it really depends on the time of day, how far you travel, how much time you have, the show, and how close you are to being equity (EMC memeber etc.). IF you can get seen then go. You learn by doing. THe more auditions you go on, the more you learn, the more people see you work more consistantly etc. It's a good idea. However there are any number of variables in getting seen. MOST of the time however, they'll see non-eq. You may have to wait around for 4 or 5 hours, but sometimes it's worth it. Just ask Kristin Chenoweth. However if it's a show you don't really like and you have to work that day...don't waste a day. You could be making some money. But ALWAYS at least show up. Sometimes you can get seen fairly quickly depending on attendence. The moniter will be able to tell you more. BEcause if it's an EPA, there are timeslots and sometimes equity alternates, THEN EMC, then Non EMC. THat can be a long list to get through. The moniter will give you a better idea. I feel like I'm rambling so I say to answer your question, GO to the audition and see if it's worth staying for. Take it from there.

I'm a little confused about your agent and Equity question. Is this assuming you're non eq? Keep in mind that even if your agent doesn't submit you, you can still go on your own. You can also request that you be submitted for things. You agent will want to get you the best gig possible because it pays the most. They get a chunk of that.

I think one thing that's pretty universal is that you can't be scared to try things. Don't be intimidated by the big boys or girls. Don't be afraid to ask questions and learn. You see Michael John LaCHiusa walking down the street? Be bold. Ask him to have coffee to pick his brain. The worst you can get is No. Most people in the business are willing to help each other out (that's not just famous people either).

Also BE ON TOP OF YOUR GAME. Yeah I know everyone has bad audition days. Try to keep them few and far betweeen. Not JUST because you need a job, but because those first few auditions for casting directors are crucial. As a new comer they won't know you. So initially they're getting a sense of what you can do AND what you can't. Some of them have no imagination and won't realize that you can grow as an artist. So if they consistantly get bad impressions, well then that's not so good for you is it?


I hope this helps and wasn't rambling. THere's so much more to this so I hope other people add to this thread.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 2:45am

I guess it's just scary to think that it all rides on luck and strive. There's no comfort in that, but I guess we all knew what we were getting ourselves into.

[noelani]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 2:52am

all these questions will be answered during your time at AMDA

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 3:06am

No they won't. School NEVER prepares you enough to experience the life outside of the art. Don't be scared though. It's like this in EVERY field. I don't know one person who's graduating and going into the top of their profession. Theatre's it for us.

Personally I don't believe in luck. If it's meant to be it's meant to be. And there are things that you can control. I always think back on the phrase said by Oprah (among others) that's stuck with me:

"Success is when Oppertunity and Preparation meet."

My goal is to be prepared at all times. Ya NEVER know.
Updated On: 5/23/06 at 03:06 AM

[NYAgent]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 7:30am

I am an agent and my office does not attend the Amda showcase. Some offices do, we simply are showcased out by the time that Amda comes around and quite honestly the talent is usally mediocre at best.

As far as building your career and having an agent goes: We submit on AEA projects only, because we are franchised by the union. I do work with non-union actors and submit them for AEA projects. If you get cast in Hairspray on Broadway, you sign the contract, pay your money and you are in. An actors union status, especially when they are right out of school is not that important. It is a huge amount of money and I say dont join until you need to.

I also agree that most students graduating from almost anywhere have no "Acting is a business" skills. They dont know how to interview with an agent,etc.

[49th Street]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 12:45pm

Here are a couple of nuggets...regarding auditions. EPA's...if there is more than one day of auditions, it seems if you go the first day no earlier than the time the audition starts, you may have good chances at being seen...chorus calls many times will see non-equity at the end of their call. Just show up the time the call starts and ask, many times they will know if there is a chance you may be seen...Please don't wait in line outside the building with the Equity performers...don't because it is a waste of your time, you will be waiting so much as a non-equity performer. Many times there will be an unofficial non-equity list that gets started in the morning that almost always gets upheld. If you are dead set on going early, go get on the list and come back at the time of the call. Also, be gracious to the monitors, by not asking questions while they are lining folks up for auditions. Be mindful many other people are asking if non-eq will be seen. Most of the monitors are very nice and want to help you, so get to know them by name...be nice to them...you never know when it might actually help you in return.