My daughter really wants to be an actress and we dont know how to get auditions for movies and TV. How can we?

Question

She already takes musical theater/acting classes so now what can we do?
How can we find out about auditions?
How can we get an agent?
What's a union and how do you get into one?

Answer 1

Long answer here so I'll address this in sections:

1. You can find out about auditions in several ways. Trade papers like backstage and from time to time Variety list different auditions and open calls. You can use websites like lacasting, actor's access and now casting to check and see what's available. Not knowing where your located starting out, you may find that the options are rather limited if you're not locate din either LA or Ny. Once you have secured an agent they will sometimes be able to tell you about auditions as well that aren't available to the general public. These can be few and far in between, especially in the early stages of a performer's career. Which leads to your second question...

2. This is essentially the same answer I gave another user who asked about how to get an agent:

There is more to getting an agent than merely wanting one. A more improtant question is, are you ready for one and do you really need it? An agent is only going to be willing to take you on as a client if they feel they can make money off you. How do they figure that out? Well they judge it by your "look", your previous experience in the field, credits, TRAINING and often times most importantly, your references.

That being said, if you were lookign for an thatrical agent I would suggest looking for ones that are sanctioned by the Screen Actor's Guild, or SAG. This ensures that the agency has met and continues to follows certain guidelines set forth by the guild.

Keep in mind that by having an agent, it doesn't mean that you will be getting bigger and better jobs. Nor does it mean you will find yourself immediately competing for jobs on Disney or anything like that. All an agent can really do for you, in the primary stages, is ATTEMPT to solicit auditions for you. It is still up to YOU to be able to supply the talent and dedication to book the job.

Best advice is to keep acting, not knowing what your previous experience consists of, try to get into community theatre or places where you can showcase your talent. Send invites to the agents to come out and see your performance. Make yourself more marketable by keeping up with the training side of things and take a proactive position as opposed to reactive.

In this industry you have to be willing to do the work first. A career is never going to just drop in your lap and there is no "magic bullet" way to make it happen. Training, experiece, dedication and a little bit of luck are all key ingredients to making it.

3. The unions are set up, much like any union, to protect the best interests of it's workers. The union that most people refer to is the Screen Actor's Guild or SAG. This is a union that primarily deals with television and motion picture work. It is also a closed union which means that you can not work on a SAG project without being a member of SAG, however you can not join SAG unless you have secured work on a SAG project. Good news is, there are other avenues around this. Taft/Hartley, ULB and LB projects etc.... You should check out their web site for more information as it would take far too long to type here.

Second union is the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, commonly know as AFTRA. They handle some television programs, and a few films from time to time. They however are an open union and anyone can join. There is an initiaion fee of around $1500.00 (Don't quote me on that exactly), but once your in and you've spent a year with AFTRA and have secured a speaking role and been paid for it in an AFTRA production, you then become eligiable to join SAG.

There is another union that deals with stage performers, however since you only mentioned television and film, I didn't bother to include it in this posting. I've provided links to all the places I mentioned in the answer, so feel free to explore their web-sites and get more information. Best of luck!

Answer 2

Learn to behave earlier than you begin auditioning. Take categories, volunteer at regional theaters. Once you get a few capabilities, and feature some thing to present, that is whilst you begin auditioning. You are not looking for an agent to end up an actress. An agent is priceless for purchasing you hooked up with auditions. And they're continually unfastened (they take a percent of your earnings for his or her price). And if you are no longer in a situation wherein there are auditions, you'll both make a decision to only do regional theater or transfer to a situation wherein there are extra possibilities.

Answer 3

let's keep it short and to the point
You can continue to build her experience so she can compete.
The only real auditions are found by agents for their clients.
You apply by sending a head shot, resume and letter from you,not her, asking for representation for her.
Unions control acting conditions in all professional work. You qualify for one by getting a professional job, then you pay the initiation fee and monthly dues.

That copvers your questions in a nutshell. For specifics, click on my name, read my profile and write to me at my aol address.

Answer 4

Check your local listings for agencies. Ask around for their reputations. Once you find a good agency, they will tell you about auditions & unions.

Answer 5

Read the entertainment section of your daily newspaper, depending on where you live, auditions are usually posted in that section of the newspaper.