1 - Dress right to go for the gold in their personal presentation.
This is no time for sloppy jeans or hip East Village thrift store clothing (unless it's your type). Dress with confidence as a movie star, so that they can remember, and for heaven's sakes-if you are a female-wear make-up. I recently experienced a vision of an actress with a beautiful head shot, red hair, beautiful face and a movie star quality to get to talk without make-up in dowdy clothes looking shlubby because her roommate told her to go "clean" white-up and casual. If I were a casting director, I would never call her again ever, ever! She would have lost dozens of potential jobs and careers of the following that stupid misinformation! Look like you've already booked a film / tv work and set a record! They look fantastic.
2 - Talk about your "marketability" - your unique qualities and how you are passionate about your career.
They can read your credits on your resume, your skills, hobbies and teachers, but what you need to know is how you market. How will they make it miserable 10% commission for all the work they do to you to meet industry and a book deal? Tell them! Make it easy. Even if you do not earn much at the moment as an actor, talk about the future, the project goals and dreams. Or talk about the most recent successful call, something that says that the winner and love what you do! After all, you're there to work together for their mutual prosperous future not the past.
We interviewed dozens of agents in our industry, Tele-seminars, and almost all said the same thing. Strong credit and training course to help, but do not always care if you have a MFA in theater. They will be on your instincts. You have a unique personality, "see", "quality" and passion about what to do? Most all overlook the lack of experience in favor of another. So go prepared, but be honest, sincere and have fun! If you are afraid to talk to them as you think you will fare in a conversation with a tough casting director, the director or producer that they will send you a client? They need to see your personality, perseverance, enthusiasm and confidence! Can you handle this career? If so, then fine, they can work with you. Forget about the credit and training ... It is not the focus. It's about you.
3 - Connect. Be yourself, let your personality come up.
During the interview, if the conversation goes dry and you've run out of things to say about their "ideal role" or goals in a theater, TV and film, look around the room. Is there anything that attracts your attention? Do you have anything in common with this person? Do you like their taste in cartoons? Style of their duties? What are you wearing? What you wear. Yes! It can be a tipping point. Talk about a recent show or movie you've seen-perhaps one of their clients is in it! The interview is not just about credit, training or talent. It's about you as a person. Are you winning? Can I work with you on a daily basis, ie, you can easily communicate with? What interests you? (In addition to his career). Tell them. Bond. Find common ground on which you can talk. Enjoy this moment and talk. Everyone works with, supports and assists those who like, trust and know.
Meet them! Let them get to know and like you!
And this is how you get a great agent!
Gwyn Gilliss is the creator and Executive Director of TAM, the actor market, the marketing firm for actors. They provide monthly FREE seminars / teleseminars, free weekly marketing tips as well as access to top photographers, graphic artists and videographers who provide every marketing tool an actor needs. As the most prominent marketing coach and mentor to the actors, Gwyn's acting career spans several decades during which she appeared on and off-B'way, in classical roles in American Repertory companies in over 18 contract and recurring roles in daytime and primetime TV , Films and dozens of network commercials / VO 's. It has special programs to train ready-to-success of his actors.
No comments:
Post a Comment