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Davin
Student
Mesa, Arizona
2
Questions
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What would be the pros and cons of getting an agent for acting versus running your own business yourself??
I just want to see from a casting director perspective what tends to work better.
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1 answer
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Davin !
This is a stellar question as you navigate your Acting career ! I'm not a casting person, but I think I can advise you well for this.
Do it all - get an agent, use casting offices and self-submit your photos and resumes. You just may have a look that is very marketable and you wouldn't want to miss out on any possible projects. Now for the particulars.
Since you're in Mesa, Arizona, you may get projects that require a bit of travel once you get an agent. By using an agent you will be obligated to go to every audition they send you out for. They will take between 10 -20% of your pay, also. Try to obtain representation from Dani's Agency, LLC in Tempe, Priority Talent Agency in Mesa, and Natori's Club; Modeling and Talent Agency. Hopefully one or a couple or all will sign you on. There is no legal restriction in Arizona that limits an actor to having only one agent, so strive for multiple agents locally. If you move to New York City for your career, check with agencies about how many agents you can have as there is no public information about this and years ago, I think there were restrictions. The specific regulations or policies regarding multiple agent representation in New York City can be obtained by speaking with the individual agencies. In Los Angeles, you can have as many agents representing you as you can get.
As for Casting Offices, yes, use them. These casting people basically will have you on file and notify you to show up for extra work or ask you to audition from sides online for under five, feature or lead roles. Our local casting company casts for student films, too. They just send you. They will let you know you have the part and tell you the day, time and location to show up at.
Your local casting companies are: Arizona Casting, Ford Rober Black Agency, Good Faith Casting in Scottsdale and Project Casting features current casting calls for roles in Tempe.
Self-submission, or freelancing or being Independent - is very much advised. If you can get the contact information from a notice, by all means, send it directly to the place. You also can get a lot of prospective work doing User Generated Content (UGC). I left a link below for you to register at. You are going to find prospective UGC gigs at Linked In and Indeed, too besides the usual Backstage and Actors Access. Try Direct Submit, also. link is below. It is from New York Casting but they have notices in all the states.
So, yes, it's totally worth using all sources to obtain acting work. Your next question may be, should I join the Union SAG/AFTRA. My opinion - only if you need to.
A caution: become aware that agencies are collecting actors voices and images to use for AI produced projects. SAG has guidelines that they can't just use your image and voice without asking your permission first and give you 48 hours to say yes or no and then they have to pay you for the time it takes to produce your image (which what, it could take maybe 2 minutes ? LOL ! ) So I steer away from this as much as possible because there already have been lawsuits of well known actors and the estate of one deceased actor suing for the misuse of their image and voice without permission.
So basically, leave no stone unturned and cover a lot of ground. You can even consider doing Voice Overs and Print Modeling, too. (You don't have to be a fashion model to do print modeling). If you really want to, gather the names of ad agencies and find out the Director of Media and submit for prospective commercials or industrial films.
So, it's worth doing everything, Davin. It's actually best getting this advice from a fellow acting person but you can also ask casting directors if you want to see what they say. I say the sky's the limit - do it all !
I wish you all the best and many happy days in your career !
UGC CLUB WEBSITE https://theugcclub.com/ugc-creator-jobs/
DIRECT SUBMIT https://www.nycastings.com/
This is a stellar question as you navigate your Acting career ! I'm not a casting person, but I think I can advise you well for this.
Do it all - get an agent, use casting offices and self-submit your photos and resumes. You just may have a look that is very marketable and you wouldn't want to miss out on any possible projects. Now for the particulars.
Since you're in Mesa, Arizona, you may get projects that require a bit of travel once you get an agent. By using an agent you will be obligated to go to every audition they send you out for. They will take between 10 -20% of your pay, also. Try to obtain representation from Dani's Agency, LLC in Tempe, Priority Talent Agency in Mesa, and Natori's Club; Modeling and Talent Agency. Hopefully one or a couple or all will sign you on. There is no legal restriction in Arizona that limits an actor to having only one agent, so strive for multiple agents locally. If you move to New York City for your career, check with agencies about how many agents you can have as there is no public information about this and years ago, I think there were restrictions. The specific regulations or policies regarding multiple agent representation in New York City can be obtained by speaking with the individual agencies. In Los Angeles, you can have as many agents representing you as you can get.
As for Casting Offices, yes, use them. These casting people basically will have you on file and notify you to show up for extra work or ask you to audition from sides online for under five, feature or lead roles. Our local casting company casts for student films, too. They just send you. They will let you know you have the part and tell you the day, time and location to show up at.
Your local casting companies are: Arizona Casting, Ford Rober Black Agency, Good Faith Casting in Scottsdale and Project Casting features current casting calls for roles in Tempe.
Self-submission, or freelancing or being Independent - is very much advised. If you can get the contact information from a notice, by all means, send it directly to the place. You also can get a lot of prospective work doing User Generated Content (UGC). I left a link below for you to register at. You are going to find prospective UGC gigs at Linked In and Indeed, too besides the usual Backstage and Actors Access. Try Direct Submit, also. link is below. It is from New York Casting but they have notices in all the states.
So, yes, it's totally worth using all sources to obtain acting work. Your next question may be, should I join the Union SAG/AFTRA. My opinion - only if you need to.
A caution: become aware that agencies are collecting actors voices and images to use for AI produced projects. SAG has guidelines that they can't just use your image and voice without asking your permission first and give you 48 hours to say yes or no and then they have to pay you for the time it takes to produce your image (which what, it could take maybe 2 minutes ? LOL ! ) So I steer away from this as much as possible because there already have been lawsuits of well known actors and the estate of one deceased actor suing for the misuse of their image and voice without permission.
So basically, leave no stone unturned and cover a lot of ground. You can even consider doing Voice Overs and Print Modeling, too. (You don't have to be a fashion model to do print modeling). If you really want to, gather the names of ad agencies and find out the Director of Media and submit for prospective commercials or industrial films.
So, it's worth doing everything, Davin. It's actually best getting this advice from a fellow acting person but you can also ask casting directors if you want to see what they say. I say the sky's the limit - do it all !
I wish you all the best and many happy days in your career !
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