Has anyone here ever been in a movie? If so, how did you get it? Do you have agents?

Question

I have three agents, but I don't really know how good they are. I'm really young, though. If anyone has any advice or stories, I'm always interested!

Answer 1

ok, there is some decent infomation stated here, and some that's just a little off.

Yes, an agent will help get you in the door for the audition.. However, if your audition sucks, then well, you won't be hired - surprise! It is up to you to network, network and network via student films, community theatre, acting classes, etc. You really need to train, train and then train some more. It's like being a world class athlete - training is not recommended - it's required - unless you're drop dead beautiful and have big...you know.

Extra Work: Central Casting is all about extra work, so if all you want to be is a moveable prop, then yes, sign up with Central Casting and be an extra - not a bad part time gig and will definitly get you experience of being on a set, but let's not kid ourselves, extra work is NOT acting. That is why you should never include extra work on your resume. A casting director will pay no attention to it at all, so don't put it. Now, a SAG production is required to have at least 15 SAG extra's, if they only have 14, then they have to bump someone up from the minimun wage non-union gig up to the $125/8 SAG wage. This is where you get the coveted "voucher". Three of these vouchers and you can now join the union which costs closer to $1400 (not $1000). The problem with this route (as I see it - this is an opinion) is that you are now restricted from doing ANY non-union work, and you still don't have anything down for your resume. Get in the union the old fashioned way - earn your way in by blowing away the casting director at your audition (this is why you should constantly be training and taking classes).

The Taft-Hartley: If you are bumped up and given a line to say, then this automatically qualifies you for SAG (assuming it's a SAG production). It doesn't matter whether it's "picked up" by a studio or not. If it's done under a SAG contract, and you say a line, then you are now SAG-Eligilbe and can continue to work on that set for 30 days before you become a must join - meaning that you "must join" the union before you can work another union job.

Keep in mind that 95% of SAG actors made less than $7000 last year. It's a very tough industry and you really need to have something else to fall back upon.

Answer 2

I have been in a few and they all came from knowing someone... other actors, some casting agents, some people I'd worked with previously.

I have an agent, but have only been sent on a few movies by her. I get more industrial and commercial work just from being put into them, without an audition.

Most casting agents and casting directors I know ask people to come in based on work they see, and they see a lot of stage work. Film/video is also a very different medium and uses different skills than the theatre.

If there is a school nearby (like a college or university) that does student films, send them information about yourself and a headshot. Sometimes they have need of a younger actor -- and it will help develop a network!

Answer 3

All these answer are true and correct.

You need to relocate to Los Angeles or Toronto or NYC or London and get with an extra casting company like Central Casting in LA.

You need solid transportation and a disposable day job.

On Union sets the first 6 to 10 extras are union (SAG/SEG) after that they do anyone at $50 minimum base pay. In LA anything over 8 hours is overtime ($9 an hour) and anything over 10 hours is double time ($12 an hour) so a 12 hour day, with a bump for stage smoke can make you $125 or more.

Once the agency knows your work you will work 2 - 3 days a week.

Now you hope for a taft hartley. You're in a major shot and they need a one liner they pick you. You become SAG eligable the moment a studio picks up the picture (not before, as a general rule) and you have about a year to join the union ($1,000 in one payment, cash) or simply put SAG eliable on your resume and that will open some doors.

Once you become union you can't do non-union extra work!

Yu must get selected for the first 10 slots at unioin rates (about $80 base pay, plus overtime).

YOu collect video of yourself and put together a demo reel.

Some actors never get above one liners. I know several.

They make, maybe $15,000 a year in new fees plus residuals from past perfoances.

They live a spartan life and don't have much of a car.

Answer 4

I'm not an actor, however I've done some extra work, and in some mainstream movies. I did have an agent...for extra work it's good to have, it was fun, but it's not the road to success.

I work on the production end of things now. As an associate producer and script supervisor. My suggestion is to look up online for your county the "film alliance" a lot of counties have divisions that post movies, shorts, commercials etc... that are being filmed in your area. You can contact the production offices directly, and fax over your headshot if they ask for one.

A great way to build up experience is to get involved with local productions and / or local theater groups. Do plays, do some work for credit only, (you won't always get paid when you're starting out, but don't fret because it's an important step to success.) just make sure you're given food, and credit, and always a copy of the finished product. It's a good way to build your resume, and to network. Meeting people and building social bridges is crucial. Always be friendly, wear a smile, and continuing on to a formal acting school can only be beneficial. Do your research though, and check to make sure they are reputable.

Once things get going, look into joining sag (The Screen Actors Guild) There's an annual fee of $1000. If you can't afford it, put eligible for sag membership in your resume, it tells clients that you have some credible work under your belt.

Break a leg!

Answer 5

Agents very rarely get you jobs.

I do production design but sometimes I take small parts in film, usually just extra work but occasionally a few lines. Nothing you would have seen.

You need to work on your craft. Getting to know people is very important. I don't know how young you are or where you live so its hard to give you any detailed advice.

Answer 6

I am signed with LA Talent and I'm actually going to an audition for Ford today. To be in any movie you've got to have an agent or at least know some people. I was an extra in a movie that's coming out called welcome to paradise. Good Luck!

Answer 7

I have friends with agents (both literary and acting) and none of them are totally satisfied with the caliber of effort they receive.

You might contact SAG to see if tehy have a listing of agents they feel do a good job.