can you audition without an agency? is this possible?

Question

i have heard that there are a lot of auditions in new york. i really want to be a hollywood actress someday and i am planning to enroll myself in acting school first. but i am confused.. can i audition without an agency? should i get an agency first in order to audition? should i get a union first? what is a union by the way? should i get a union and agency first before i can audition? thanks! hope to hear from you...

Answer 1

Yes, you can. Go to www.actorsaccess.com and get an account. A lot of casting directors list stuff there that they DON'T send to agents! The account is free, and you can put your resume and pics there. They charge $2 per submission. It's world wide, and it's run by Breakdown Services. Breakdown Services is the #1 audition source, and it's the only really really good one. It's where you'll find auditions for Lost, Pulse II, Hannah Montana, etc.

An agent helps, but isn't required. However, I'd not use ANY site EXCEPT ActorsAccess, as the other sites just take the auditions off here, cost a fortune,and have bad results.

Here's a sample of one of the resumes you can make on AA:
http://resumes.breakdownexpress.com/426077-1068323

And here's an example of an audition notice:
Friday, Sep. 14, 2007, 12:04 PM Pacific
LOST, Episode #404 (Three Roles)
Episodic
ABC



Exec. Prods.: J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse, Jack Bender, Bryan Burk
Producer: Jean Higgins
Casting By: April Webster, C.S.A. and Veronica C. Rooney, C.S.A.
Casting Assistant: Farrah West
Location: Hawaii
Shoots: 9/25 - 10/6/07


SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY ASAP APRIL WEBSTER/VERONICA C ROONEY
800 S. MAIN ST. #309
BURBANK, CA 91506


Absolutely no phone calls please.

[MARK FORRESTER] All ethnicities, 40s, nice looking, a cocky, not afraid to argue corporate player willing to risk his position for a promotion in a company buy-out. GUEST STAR.

[MELISSA WATERS] All ethnicities, 40s, attractive, self-assured and formidable. Successful in a man's world and competing against a co-worker for a highly-valued promotion in a company buy-out. GUEST STAR.


[ARTHUR GALZETHRON] All ethnicities, 60s, wise and fair but doesn't suffer fools gladly. President of a company during a corporate buy-out and must make a decision about an in-house promotion. NICE CO-STAR.



There - I even included the address for you to send your headshot and resume to, as a bonus:-D

Good luck!

Answer 2

Sure, you can't (usually) audition for big productions without an agent, but for small student films, agents aren't needed. That's how you get started. If you're good, you will probably be recognized. Student films are the things that weed the untalented out.

Acting is a very learnable thing. Very. So, get moving!!! lol.

Before you even dream of auditioning, do you know what you're getting into? Something you cannot get into without being loaded with knowledge. Sorry, but you have to know your stuff to make it anywhere. Unless you are just insanely talented and happen to run into Steven Spielberg at Starbucks and act out a scene and he has a perfect part for you... Yeah... You had better count on something better than that :-).

Read Act Now! and Acting For the Camera. Also, go to www.castingaudition.com when you feel ready.

Good luck!

Answer 3

You don't HAVE to have an agent to audition, but it does help. It lets casting directors know that you are qualified enough to be considered for a part. Acting school can help also, as long as it's a good one.

Answer 4

If you are moving to NYC, enroll in acting classes. Don't try to get an agent, without a very, very strong acting resume, with lead roles, and lots of Community Theater, on your resume.

Answer 5

You could get an equity card by working at Disney and then get lots of auditions but I would definately get an agent for best results