Is my agent ignoring me?
David,
I booked the lead role in an independent film over the summer and subsequently (after submitting to the only 4 legitimate agencies in my area) landed an audition with one of the four talent agents. I prepared a monologue and scheduled my time, they had my headshot and resume (fully updated).
Upon interview, they [never] asked if I had ever done any acting work or if I had a headshot, they didn’t ask me to perform the monologue I prepared for; they simply handed me the contract and told me it was fine if I had no credits yet (I have 7 theater credits, 3 tv credits, and 2 film credits – one being the lead).
I felt as if I was just another number to them but then convinced myself that a lot of people have good things to say about how well this agency works, and they have been known for submitting clients to major shows (only for more minor roles). So I thought that perhaps this bad first impression was simply due to their lack of being prepared due to being busy, as there is a new tv show being filmed in my town now using our local talent pool.
I asked [the agent] to review my headshot, she complimented it and asked about the photographer I used, I informed her of my successful audition to land a lead role in an indie film, and explained some other roles I had been in. I have checked in roughly every month, at best every 6 weeks via email but I feel as if I am just another number on their roster. I was called in for one job as an extra (the email said the first 25 to respond get the job….so it wasn’t specifically for my type, just for another body on set) and I was called to be a stand in for Ashley Judd in her new film.
I have been submitting myself via Actor’s Access for roles and they haven’t submitted me for them. I always ask before I submit.
I have even asked if they would submit me for a role that I fit, that required a video audition. Upon responding to my request their answer was “We’ll see what we can do.” They never let me complete the video audition and never responded to my request to complete one. I have gotten myself another audition as well (I have gotten myself 2 physical auditions in the last couple of weeks alone) and called to update them that I landed an audition and wanted to know if they again would help me create a video audition to submit to the CD (per CD’s request) (I should mention my agent told me they have an actor who is an agency worker on hand to help all their actors with video auditions when they become needed, which is why I’ve asked for their help) the agent told me “Oh, I don’t know. I’ll call you back when I decide”.
She never returned my call and that was over one month ago. One of the video auditions was for a paid role, the other was not but would help my credits. Is this normal for agents??? I feel like they try to get all their people in for extra work (as they had 25 of us for a commercial extra that I mentioned earlier) but they never promote their actors who they aren’t sure could land something. I read your post above and have daily thought of what I should do to make myself more marketable – my agent complimented my initial headshots, if those aren’t good wouldn’t she have said something? Regardless, I’ve updated my headshots. My resume stays updated. I check in with them, very politely. What am I doing wrong?? I even get auditions myself but obviously not alot as agents have access to paying roles. HELP??? Is it me or my agent or both?
Britt
Answer: Britt, thanks for asking. And, congratulations on your booking the lead in an indie film. You’ve asked a very common question, so let’s see if we can take this one step at a time … (continued in David’s answer below)
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Answer: Britt, thanks for asking. And, congratulations on your booking the lead in an indie film. You’ve asked a very common question, so let’s see if we can take this one step at a time.
Getting representation is one of the big goals you have as a working actor, but the process needs to be one that serves your career. It doesn’t sound like that happened.
Judging from the number of agencies you say are in your area, you’re not in one of the major production centers, and the reality is different when you’re outside Los Angeles and New York (or London or Sydney or any of the other epicenters). So you need to understand that the sheer number of opportunities that will come your way is far less than you’d have if you moved to, say, LA.
Because you’re in a smaller market, the agencies there have to work a lot harder to scrounge up any opportunities, let alone the number that I think you’re looking for. Having said that, I think there are a number of red flags that you need to look at here.
I know you worked hard to prepare that monologue – but I’d suggest that you think differently about being disappointed that you didn’t have to perform it. You’ll have that happen a lot as you move through your career: a casting director will send out a breakdown with three scenes, you diligently prepare all three, and when you arrive, they let you know they’re only looking at scene 2. It happens all the time. Just roll with it.
I inserted the word [never] in your question regarding them asking you about your headshot and credits, because I think you left it out – the syntax of your sentence doesn’t make sense without it. So, the fact that they didn’t ask you for your headshot or resume is of concern to me. Not because you didn’t get a chance to tell them about all of that, but because any agent should want to know what tools he/she has to work with, and the level of experience the client has. From there, they should strategize with you to increase both the quality of your tools (headshot, resume, reels etc) and the number of credits you have. Without knowing, how could they plan anything?
The level of contact you’ve had with your agent, the unwillingness to put you on tape, and the overall silence you’re hearing leads me to think that your expectation for this agent might have been too high. It’s time to look elsewhere. You might try one last time to get a meeting to discuss your concerns, but it sounds like they took you on as a matter of course, haven’t spent much time thinking about you, and aren’t as supportive as you deserve.
I will say that getting yourself a camera, a couple of inexpensive lights and a good microphone, putting yourself on tape, and simply posting it to a private YouTube location and then not waiting for your agent to help you get submitted and contacting the casting office yourself is the way to go. I’ve heard countless actors, including the leads in Flight and Silver Linings Playbook, relate stories of putting themselves on tape and submitting directly – and they got the parts. Remember, you are in charge of Britt, Inc. – and it’s your job to shake the trees, agent or not. Even when you get a great agent, you’ll still be working hard to make opportunities for yourself.
Thanks for asking – and look us up when you get to LA!
What’s your answer to this acting question? Let me know in the comments below.
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LikeDislikeI did a showcase in front of agents for musical theater. Got 4 responses from agents who wanted to meet with me. The first meeting I went to is the agent I wanted to sign with but he told me that I’m talented and all and that’s it’s good to meet with other prospects first to get feedback and make connections and make a final decision. Which I think was noble for him. Although I was confuse if that was a sign that he didn’t want to sign me just then and there. But then he just said meet with others and then we can talk more. So I did meet with the others and it took me about 3 weeks. I emailed this agent back to tell them I finished meeting and decided to work with him and he was not responding to my email. Should I keep emailing till I get a response?
I just think it’s respectful if I get a response at least if they do not want me anymore . I already made a clear decision to go with this one and don’t feel good with the other ones (base on how they want to package me as an artist)
I feel quite lost.
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