Words of Encouragement

Although this doesn't qualify as technical industry "advice," I just wanted to take a moment to send out a few words of encouragement to all actors out there trying to make a mark in this insane business:

- You got into this industry for a reason -- remember what that reason was and celebrate it!

- You have something unique to offer the world (even if you aren't sure what that is yet).

- Although things may be tough for you right now, you are not alone! I know A-List actors who are getting dropped from their agencies and who cannot get work. And they've got huge mortgages to pay and families to support -- if you're sleeping on someone's couch you're probably better off!

- Even if you're struggling, you're following your passion and that is more than 95% of people can say. Be proud!

The BEST Advice for actors -- EVER

My friend Malcolm Barrett (Better of Ted) recently wrote the realest, most helpful article for actors out there. Check it out:

http://www.imontvbitch.com/2009/10/2470/

GREAT Agency List -- Los Angeles

I found this on Yahoo Answers and it is SUCH a great resource for those interested in coming to LA or landing an agent here. Enjoy!

_____________________

Excluding the Big 5 (CAA, ICM, William Morris, UTA, Endeavor) and B Agencies (Gersh, Paradigm, Stone Manners) which DON'T take new talent or people without celebrity endorsements or actual film/tv credits, here are the top agencies in LA:

Top Commercial Agencies
KSR
Abrams
CESD
Diverse
Coast to Coast
Osbrink
Daniel Hoff
Commercial Talent
Commercials Unlimited
Innovative Artists
Independent Artists
Flick Commercials
DPM
DDO
Venture IAB
Sutton, Barth, Venari
Baron Entertainment
Arlene Thornton and Associates
Pantheon
Beverly Hecht
Don Buchwald and Associates
AKA
Amsel, Eisenstadt & Frazier
Brady, Brannon, and Rich
Brass Artists
Aqua
Special Artists Agency

Up and Comers:
-Talentworks (Emily Hope from ACME is here)
-BMG (Shanna Randell from Bobby Ball is here)

Here are some of the best theatrical agencies:
-Abrams
-Coast to Coast
-Amsel Eisenstadt Frazier
-House of Representatives
-Daniel Hoff
-M. Greene and associates
-Agency for the Performing Arts
-AKA
-Diverse
-Media Artists Group
-GVA

L.A. agencies to avoid:
-Dedicated-Originally Zanuck, Passon, and Pace, one of the scammiest agencies in L.A. When they were ZPP they would make their clients use THEIR photographer and take THEIR classes. They also made you get 10 character shots such as literally dressing up like a doctor, cop, construction worker, etc. You don't get character shots! Dedicated is still up to this scheme.

-Michael Zanuck-Split from Dedicated in hopes of bettering his reputation, but still up to the same schemes. He at least makes you get 6 character shots instead of 10.

-Doug Bennett of Don Gerler-He makes you get 15 character shots. Wastes your time with multiple 2 hour interviews, consisting of him mostly talking. If you thought the agent movie stereotype was phony, think again.

-Sylvia Ferguson-Not state licensed. Charges $140 a year for this bogus casting service called E-Talent files. She entices potential clients into getting the service by saying it will help better their chances.

-Steinberg and Associates- Barbara LeBaron is very loony and is known to have lost auditions for her clients. She also doesn't know when to shut up.

-Advance L.A.-Not state licensed. Associated with John Robert Powers. Has been known to flake on paying clients. If they don't sign you they recommend that you take a class at JRP and come back to them.

-Action Talent Agency-Not state licensed. Posts on Craigslist. Sends rude form letters saying that you've never taken a commercial class, even if you have.

To get an agent, you need to get GREAT headshots, a good resume, and training from the best. These are enough to get you a commercial agent at least. Getting a GOOD theatrical agent (Film/tv) takes longer. Most good theatrical agents won't see you unless you're SAG, have a polished resume, and a demo reel. Commercial agents are more lenient about that. What the best Commercial agents want to see on your resume are good commercial classes, improv, and cold reading.

You can get an agent multiple ways. Here are a few common ways:
-Mail in an unsealed manilla envelope with a CONCISE coverletter and headshot with the resume stapled on the back. If you have a demoreel include that too.
-Attend a showcase and impress them. By showcase I do not mean scammy conventions like IMTA, Proscout, or Best New Talent. I mean legit ones like at TVI, Reel pros, etc.
-Get a referral from a friend who is with the agency that you're interested in (USUALLY BEST WAY)

DON'T
-Email them unless they tell you to. IT'S UNPROFESSIONAL!
-Call unless they tell you to. ALSO UNPROFESSIONAL!
-Walk in and ask for a meeting. UNPROFESSIONAL THREE!
-Sign with them if they ask for upfront money, make you take new photos with THEIR photographer, or take THEIR classes. Agent's ONLY make money when you do. Agents usually make 10% on film/tv and commercials and 20% on commercial print

Great Cheap Headshots: Kaizen Imagery - LIMITED TIME!

For the summer only, we've decided to try something out... Every Friday, for $125.00 we will shoot you for 45 minutes straight with as many looks as you can fit in the allotted time. The usual fee for headshots these days, 3 looks, can run between $450-$1000. So imagine getting that for $125.00? Yeah, neither could we, so we decided to try it and it's been an amazing process. So far, the record has been 6.5 looks, in 43 minutes flat. His name is Bob and quite frankly, he is our hero ;O) So again, feel free to check out our work and finally get some headshots that work. We are booked for this Friday, but we have a few spots left next Friday August 7th, 2009.

Feel free to check our work out at Www.Kaizenimagery.com

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3235213276
Kaizenimagery@gmail.com

Episodic Season!

What's your plan for episodic season (def: the time between August and December when TV series cast co-stars and guest star roles)? Now's a great time to get in shape for pilot season (def: the time between January and April when new pilots are casting series regular roles) by adding credits to your resume. If you're not getting out for guest star roles, encourage your agents to push you for co-star parts. You never know what one or two lines on a show can get you and they always look great on a resume. Happy auditioning!

It's Been A Long Time....

I've been away from this blog for a month or so... So sorry! As many of you know, I have been working with an amazing sketch comedy group called Elite Delta Force 3 (www.elitedeltaforce3.com). We've been performing in Los Angeles and are about to embark on a nationwide tour this summer! How exciting!

I mention all this for two reasons. One, to shamelessly self-promote :-) Two, to remind you that just 6 months ago, six other ladies and I got together to put up some sketches. Since then, this group has turned into a phenomenon that is now going on the road and has garnered the attention of many powerful producers and Hollywood heavies.

Just imagine what you could be doing six months from now if you start on your project today?

Don't delay one more day!

Once In A Lifetime? Not Always...

So what do you do when you've got that big audition? That HUGE role you're going in for that you just KNOW you're perfect for?

Do you psych yourself up and rehearse like a mad man/woman?

Do you tell yourself that you're just going to do your best and not worry about it?

or

Do you spend a week before the audition wondering how you'll mess up?

I think it's in these times that we are challenged to rely on our training and experience up to this very point. I truly believe that nothing is put in front of us that we cannot handle and that we are not prepared for in some way. Although opportunities will always pop up that will shock/surprise you, I think that it's our reaction to these moments that is the truest test of character.

I recently had a pilot callback for producers for an ABC series. I loved the writing, I just KNEW I was perfect for the role. In the room, I found myself doing something I had never done in rehearsal. My body language was weird, my voice sounded alien to me and I almost felt like I wasn't there. What IS that? I'm usually very confident in rooms and I know I did ample prep before going in.

I have come to realize that I think I put too much pressure on myself to "show" them what I had and how perfect I was instead of just BEING that. Often times, people over perform (in auditions, on dates, in job interviews, at work, on the bus, etc.) to win people over when it's better to just be yourself.

Lesson learned for me. Next time the big one comes, I'll be ready.