STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Hermione · Kate Spade

acting?

stardemi · Nine West

Hi! First off, congratulations on following through with your desire to act! I have been acting and modeling since I was a little girl, so maybe I could be of some help. First off, DO NOT pay fees for an agent or advertised "meet and greets" with agencies. Generally speaking, companies like John Robert Powers and Barbizon are rip offs. Not to say some people don't get discovered through them, but it is rare. Most of the jobs I have landed have been through my own go-getting demeanor. You might want to read the paper, subscribe to college listserves, and search online for casting calls/auditions. Most often, "cattle calls" are the advertised auditions. Basically, these auditions are desiged for casting agents to see the most number of people in a short amount of time. The might say they are looking for blondes who are on the chunky (forgive me, can't think of another word) side and who speak Russian. They just weed through everyone and narrow down the candidates. I would suggest you get one of your friends to take same black and white photos of you. They need to be of your face only or from the neck up. Have them take several roles, because chances are only a few will come out. I always wear black or brown tops (white reflects the light). Take plenty of photos with your hair up and down, with a smile and without, etc. This way, if you know they are looking for a serious studious type, you can bring that headshot with you to the audition. I do not have two photos, but some people have one for dramatic roles and another for comedic roles. To start, why not sign up for www.onemodelplace.com? There are plenty of people on the site who have gotten legitimate acting jobs. Dallas actually has several reputable agencies, so you should try googling them and printing out a list. Why not drop in and set up a meeting with an agent? It doesn't hurt to try. When you go in, I would suggest that you look presentable (not that you wouldn't). No overdone makeup, nice jeans and a nice blouse, and hair down (they will almost always ask to see what you look like with your hair down). Most importantly smile and shake hands- it really does make an impression and you would be surprised how many people fail to do so. Need anymore help? PM me! GOOD LUCK!

Lilykind · Hermes

I used to work for a talent agency. Here's my $.02

You don't need professional shots to start off with. A lot of the time, your friends may be able to do a better job, especially if they can capture your true essence in the photograph. I would recommend that you shoot in color and in black and white because the industry is moving away from B&W to color photos. If you can only do one format, I would do color. Take maybe 200 shots...there may be only 5 to 10 good ones out of the whole batch.

I echo stardemi's words. DO NOT PAY for representation from an agency or for audition information. A reputable agency will not charge any fees upon signature of agency contracts. They take 10% commission off every job you make and that's how they make money. I know that Page Parkes is a reputable agency in Houston and Dallas. Talent that wanted to move to were frequently referred to the agency I worked at from them. JRP/Barbizon is a bit of a ripoff, though agents can find you through there. It's just a more roundabout way to get an agent.

In LA, there's a publication called Backstage West that is considered a bible of sorts. It has tons of casting calls in there. Also, there's an online submission system that actors can submit themselves on if they don't have agents through Breakdown Services. I'd imagine there are similar things in place in Dallas.

PM me if you any questions.

Hermione · Kate Spade

Thanks ladies for your advice - looking through the page parkes site, looks like the first thing i need to do is lose three inches off my waist -

i'm going to work on that over the next few months and then get some shots and hoof it to some agencies - i'm glad to have a plan to make this happen!

wicked · Coach

You could also look for the Texas Film Bureau/comission they should have a website with upcoming projects. I would google "texas film" to see if there's other organizations that list opportinities on-line. Up here there's a site called newenglandfilm.com that lists tons of classifieds looking for actors/cinematographers/editors etc, I bet Texas would have something similiar. Also how about checking universities with film programs and see if the students need actors.

bex · Chanel

i don't know what kind of theatre/acting you want to get into, but a lot of my friends who were theatre majors in college and who are trying to stay in their "field" get work with summer stock and if they get in good- a lot of these theatres have traveling shows in the wintertime.

as lilykind suggested, there is BackstageWest and BackstageEast (you should be able to pick up copies at Barnes & Noble- they'll be in with the newspapers) - I'm not sure which one would be for you since you are in Texas.

Also, my friends go to SETC each year which is a theatre conference usually held in Florida that reps for theatres all up and down the eastern states go to to cast for their summer shows. there may be one for your area- but again, i'm unfamiliar with texas but i might be able to find out from them if there is a place you could check out.

hth!

FashionPrincess · Hermes

Just remember us when you're famous, ok?

I think it is awesome that you are pursuing a dream of yours and wish you all the luck in the world!

-- Edited by FashionPrincess at 15:18, 2006-01-17

laken1 · Hermes

FashionPrincess wrote:

Just remember us when you're famous, ok?
I think it is awesome that you are pursuing a dream of yours and wish you all the luck in the world!-- Edited by FashionPrincess at 15:18, 2006-01-17

ditto. I've been meaning to respond to this post but I haven't yet - I know nothing about it but kudos to you for going for it!!!!!