The first meeting

I have survived my very first agent meeting in New York. Oh my goodness, was that nerve wracking. I spent the week before researching the New York market, other actors who are similar to me, whose careers I want, who casts what, who I know and how I know them, who I am and who I want to be, why I'm an asset, why I'm a liability, and the end result? I became the most boring, fact spewing, spinning person in New York.

My answers to questions weren't me, they were what I thought he wanted to hear. I fell into the obvious trap of wanting him more than he could possibly want me. Or maybe I'm just being hard on myself.

At the end of the meeting (which was very nice, the agency is beautiful and a great environment), he was very nice, explained that he had to bring me to the other agents to see if they were interested and we went our separate ways.

Lessons: The point of the meeting is to show them who you are, not how much you know.

              While knowing casting directors and other actors is important, an agent shouldn't care if you know it. They know who the casting directors are. Its their job to know.

              Finally, yes, mom was right. Be yourself!

--Sharina Martin