Questions about: Acting agents, agencies, contacts, resumes, and cover letters?

Question

Hi,
I am a teenager living in Greensboro, North Carolina and I want to get into the television and movies buisness (be an actress). I know that I need to create a resume but I have also heard that I can create a cover letter or somthing. Please tell me EVERYTHING I need or is good to send to agents. Also I need to find an agent and their mailing addresses to mail my resume to......how do i do that? I keep hearing about contacting your regional SAG (Screen Actor’s Guild) office. Could someone please explain to me what that is, how to contact it, and what to say, ask or, tell them? Also what is a Union (please explain in detail)?

Answer 1

A cover letter is the front sheet of a resume that explains who you are and you're background and such.

There is a special bookstore here in Hollywood called "Samuel French" http://www.samuelfrench.com/store/index.php
On the first of every month there is a published book which has agencies and what they're looking for. An "agency guide" maybe? I don't know if you can get this book anywhere else, or maybe you can order it from their site, I'm not sure.

So you send them your cover letter, resume and headshot, but many of them are for SAG members only.

To get TV and Film work as an actor or actress you have to be in SAG (The Screen Actors Guild), but it is a catch-22, because you can't get into SAG without TV or Film work. This is why you need connections. If you know a director, he can "Taft-Hartley" you into SAG, or if you do extra work and somehow come up with three SAG vouchers then you can join SAG.

here's a site that might help you:

http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/talentagent/talentagentFULL.html

Answer 2

1st of all move to Los Angeles.
Get some 8x10's taken and send them out to agents
They will take it from there
Would be a good idea too if you have a degree in drama and acting. That would REALLY help

Answer 3

Hi,
For a full beckground report about anyone, try this service http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=564
Cheers ;)