Hello. I am a teenager living in Chicago and I am looking for a legitimate acting agency. Also, I'm not even quite sure where to go from there. Do I call the Agency and make an appointment? Will I need a headshot? What should I look for on the contract? How much of a percentage does the agency ask for? Also, do I have to go on whatever auditions they tell me about? Sorry about all the questions, but this is all very new to me.
Many thanks.
2007-12-17 16:36:14 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
Hello. I am a teenager living in Chicago and I am looking for a legitimate acting agency. Also, I'm not even quite sure where to go from there. Do I call the Agency and make an appointment? Will I need a headshot? What should I look for on the contract? How much of a percentage does the agency ask for? Also, do I have to go on whatever auditions they tell me about? Sorry about all the questions, but this is all very new to me.
EDIT: I have searched and searched for auditions in my area and have been in one community play in the last year, but all of the plays I have seen auditions for are either for adults or they are musicals and I don't sing.
Many thanks, again.
2007-12-21 04:30:08 · update #1
You do not start with an agent, you wind up with one when you have something they can market to the industry. The term is Talent Agent, not acting agent. Before you try to contact an agent, you need a strong resume and professional headshot. Agent's standard contracts are for one year and give them 10 % of any acting job they get you. They get a little more for extra work. You do not have to go on every call they get you, but you will have to go on the majority of them if you want to keep the agent. But if you are a young teen, your parents will have to take care of your contract for you and consent to all professional work you do because of the labor laws. So your first step to becoming an actor as a young teen is getting your parents to approve AND to get at least one of them to work hard getting you experience, training, opportunities and an agent.
2007-12-17 17:11:52 · answer #1 · answered by Theatre Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can help a little.
Yea your going to need headshots. Alot of agencies will be able to give you a list of some good photographers in your area but stay away from them if they require you to go to certain ones.
In the contract if your just starting out, let them do anything basically. If they want 50% then give em 50%. Just make sure you dont go into it if its over 3 years. When you first start out, you're going to want to take anything you can. Take almost all of the auditions that they give you(unless its like for herpe commercial or something. lol.)
Most agencies will look anywere from 10-30%. If they charge a start up fee, then its a scam and dont go. The agency should not charge anykind of fees because reputable ones get the money from thier commision. So that just means that they want you to do good so they do good.
Yea, you need to set up an appointment. Just call around and check out a couple before you settle. Dont pick one the first day. Wait untill you've looked around at at least 3-4 agencies and then decide which one will get you more work. Dont worry about the money right away because chances are, if your just starting, then it wont start getting good untill you get more experienced.
besides that i say good luck and dont give up or let anyone tell you that you cant do it because if you keep working for it you'll get what you want.
2007-12-18 00:57:16 · answer #2 · answered by kenny c 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm not saying don't find an agent, but try getting a few jobs first. Find out when your local playhouse is doing auditions. Try out for anything and everything. You will also meet people there who may or may not have agents and know of other auditions in the area.
Don't rule out doing a small play or something for free. Anything you can add to your resume and to get your name out there is going to help you in the end.
2007-12-18 01:07:11 · answer #3 · answered by Meghan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask Susan.
http://susanthecoach.com/index.htm
2007-12-18 00:43:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you participate in every opportunity that comes your way to be on stage. Work hard. Pay attention. Develop your skills into something that can not be ignored. They will find you.
2007-12-18 01:09:46 · answer #5 · answered by Lantern Bearer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For Acting, I would recommend
http://www.hollywoodnorth.com
2007-12-20 18:56:20 · answer #6 · answered by jess q 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋