Here's the thing. I'm not a celebrity. I don't even have very impressive credits. BUT. I acted professionally as a child and I have enough friends with "impressive" credits that I know more than a lot of those working on acting professionally know. I figure, if I can help anyone a little, good! Spread the love. So, I have a few rants that I'll be unleashing eventually. First, it's a couple of myths and misconceptions the subject of representation.
Disclaimer: There is no set path or set of guidelines that guarantees anything will or will not work for you in furthering your career as an actor or your skills as an artist. There are also exceptions. The one thing that works for no one may work for you. And then you may go and write a book about it. And thousands of new actors will read it and believe that that one thing will work for them. And it won't. And vice versa. So. With all that in mind, here are my opinions.
Myth: You want to be repped by CAA or WME2 or Endeavor or .....
Fact: You want CAA or WME2 or Endeavor or whoever to WANT to rep you. By the time they're a good fit for you, more than likely, they're chasing you down. Seriously. If one of these agencies wants to rep you, they'll be sending your favorite candy to your trailer (because you'll be working as an actor as a season regular on a tv show, or starring in a film), taking you to dinner, essentially courting you like they way to stick it in your butt. Because, they do. 10% of millions is still millions. They have budgets to court you. Also. They don't take submissions. So don't try. One of their Ivy League educated mail room workers (or a parentally funded intern) will toss it out. Save your $1.05 postage + headshots and resume for something more effective.
To continue on this subject, say you're an exception. Everyone thinks they're an exception. I had a gf who was boning a director. And she was persistent as gummy dogshit. And through some joint effort, she got someone from CAA to rep her. While it looked really good on her IMDb page, it did nothing for her. She couldn't get the agent to answer her calls, or get her auditions. You might as well have your mother represent you. You'll get the same number of auditions. This girl is no longer with CAA. It didn't make any sense to be.
Myth: You need a great cover letter.
Fact: Anyone you submit to knows you're seeking representation (or an audition, if it's a casting director). No one cares about your dreams, aspirations, or history. You discovered your passion at a young age? You came from a farm in the midwest? You starred in productions of Our Town, All's Well that Ends Well, and Closer? You can wield knives and belt a high E? So can everyone else and no one wants to read about it. You are a dollar sign. Can you bring this agent money? Because they're only going to get 10% (20% if you're non union, 15% if they are a manager, 20% for all print ads- anything else is horseshit and not legal). So, while you have your eyes on a one day part on a SAG show (in the $700 range), remember that your agent will make, like $70. You better look f*cking VALUABLE for them to want to even take a meeting with you. So. If you need to make a cover letter, be concise. Bullet points are fine. Or even just a post-it saying, "for your consideration" or "seeking representation". If you have another useful piece of information, like, you just won an Emmy... Say that. "Seeking representation. Just won an Emmy for X." Don't waste anyone's time. Not yours, or theirs.
Myth: Your agent will get you auditions.
Fact: There's a combination of things that will get you auditions. If your agent is going to receive only 10% of your money, assume that they'll also only get you 10% of your auditions. The most recent audition I was called in for is from a casting director I've read for several times through independent workshops and am a facebook friend of. (Caveat: this guy is facebook friends with everyone. It makes him feel special. Most casting and agents don't want you as a facebook friend. You're business, not friends.) He shot me a message to submit for a part. I had my rep do it. Which leads us to my next point...
Myth: You don't need an agent. You can do this yourself.
Fact: While you can get auditions and even book jobs yourself, agents exist to cover your ass. They'll read the legalese (until you're REALLY big and need actual legal rep) and make sure you get the best possible deal. Initially, this is minor stuff like, usage details and residuals. On a larger scale, they're fighting for your billing (do you get an individual credit or a shared, etc) and per diem (you know that actors on film sets, besides getting paid for their work, get paid a daily rate to cover food, etc when they're shooting off on location?) and point on the back end (dollar value for the box office return of the film). Point is- you need an agent or lawyer to protect you.
I'll stop my rant there for now. That's enough information. If my information is too broad or too loose, I apologize. I'm drinking champagne and it's 3am. Hopefully I helped someone. And if you have a question on anything acting related, please let me know. I have just enough information on the business side to make me dangerous. Take it all with a grain of salt. I'm anonymous, anyway. ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment