Advice About the Business of Acting

When my class had our showcase in NYC in April, I was fortunate. Several agents requested for me to contact them. So I went back to NYC in May to make contact.

While I was there, I met with agents, directors, and friends. And I received various pieces of advice (some of which were in direct conflict with advice I'd already received). I know to take it all with a grain of salt, of course. I thought I'd share it all with you, so that you can do the same.

- Before you even move to NYC, get on a casting website (like Backstage). And put up a variety of headshots.

- You should have 7-8 different headshots that each represent you differently. For example, I was told that right now all of my headshots look pretty and confident. If an agent gets a break down requesting a "young battered navy wife" or "an insecure nerdy outcast", they wouldn't have a headshot to send out for me that would make me seem obviously right for the role (even though I'm certain that I could play both roles).

- In NYC (like in LA), put film and television at the top of your résumé, and theatre underneath. Almost as much Film/TV is done in NYC as in LA. If you're being sent out for Film/TV, the people looking at your résumé want to see that first, and are not as interested in your legit Theatre work. Theatre people looking at your résumé will apparently not be bothered by Theatre being listed later, because they're used to it.

- Never put your age range on a résumé. It limits you, and looks unprofessional.

- Don't put your home address on a résumé. It's safer that way. Avoid stalkers.

- If you are of "an ideal height", then put your height on your résumé (I was told that at 5'6", my height is good and should be on there). If you are very tall or very short, it might be a good idea to leave your height off of your résumé (if there are roles requiring tall or short people, your agent will know to submit you for it; otherwise, your height might prevent you from getting the audition).

- When going to meet an agent, don't dress like you're going on a business interview. Dress more like you're going on a date. (Someone told this to me AFTER I had gone to a meeting with an agent looking "office chic"... and then said, "You didn't wear that, did you?")

- Think of your name being a product that you sell. Would you want to buy perfume of that brand? (In my case, I was told that "Sauer" perfume isn't as good a brand name as my middle name, "Ferrante", and that I should consider changing my name.)

- There are agents of all different grade levels. It's much better to have an A-level agent than a C-level agent... but it's better to have a C-level agent than no agent at all.

- Get an agent BEFORE you get a manager. Only get a manager if your agent knows and likes that manager. Otherwise, they will constantly be fighting and get in each other's way.

- Managers are not legally allowed to negotiate contracts (although apparently some of them do, which really angers agents). Agents have to have special licenses than managers. Having an agent is a very helpful thing. Having a manager is only helpful once you get to a certain point in your career.

- The more people you have trying to help get you work, the better. If you have a theatre/film/tv agent, a voiceover agent, and a commercial agent, then that's terrific.

- Different agents will try to get you into different types of contracts with them. Some agents will try to sign you up to an exclusive 2-year contract right away. Other agents will only sign you up on a one-year renewable contract. Some agents won't sign you at all, but will keep you in their back pocket as someone that they COULD send out if they wanted to do so, but to whom they have no obligation.

- Try to get in with a program like One on One where you can meet can meet casting directors and agents. You sometimes have to audition to get into the program, and then you pay to have meetings with the people they bring in. Some people don't like the idea that they have to pay, but think of it this way: the alternative is setting up a showcase for yourself, spending way more money, and praying that the agents/casting directors you invite actually come. This is way less expensive and gets you guaranteed time with the exact people you want to see you.

- You can have more than one agent, provided they are specializing in different areas. For example, it's okay to have a voiceover/commercial agent, a theatrical agent, and a film/television agent. The more people working to get you work, the better.

- If you have a good amount of professional and graduate school credits, take off your undergrad completely.

- Unless you are trained so well that you could realistically sing and dance 8 shows a week on Broadway, do not think of yourself as a musical theatre actor. There are people out there who ARE trained for it, and you will not be able to compete with them.

- Put your vocal range under special skills, not at the top. (Especially if you are not primarily a musical theatre actor.)

- If you are an actor/model, do not use modelling shots as headshots. They are different types of shots, and using a modelling shot will make it look like you're not serious about acting.

- If you are at any point planning to look for work in the UK, then have some headshots taken in black and white (it is preferable that they are shot in b&w, as converting color to greyscale does not pop as well). If you are planning to work primarily in NYC/LA/Chicago, then color is now the industry standard.

- Have some headshots that stay closer to your face, but have some 3/4 length to show your body (this is especially true if you are looking for film work).

- Headshots usually work best when taken vertically, but horizontal ones really come in handy (especially when designing a website). Make sure you have both taken.

- Let's say you have met with Agent Jones and Agent Smith, and gotten different advice. You end up signing a contract with Agent Jones. You should do what Agent Jones recommends that you do. Do not start following Agent Smith's advice if it in any way contradicts what Agent Jones wants you to do. If you want Agent Jones to be able to do good work for you, then you need to make it easier by working with Agent Jones instead of against Agent Jones. The more willing you are to go along with what Agent Jones wants, the more likely that Agent Jones' style is going to work for you, and the more likely that Agent Jones is going to WANT to work for you. (And if you decide that you would rather follow Agent Smith's advice, then you need to find an agent who is more like Agent Smith.)

- Keep in contact. If you don't, they will forget you.

 

Any thoughts on the advice I've received? Share it in the comments!

-- Angela Sauer

Comments

[Mark]

This is some excellent advice. Thank you.

[Sarah]

There was a lot of good advice there, but you might be a little off on the manager front. Licensed agents and lawyers are able to negotiate contracts. Many, not all but many, managers are also lawyer, and therefore are legally allowed to negotiate the contract. It's important to know before hand whether or not your manager would be able to do so. Also, it is not necessary to get a manager first. While you do want to make sure that your agent and manager work well together, there are many high powered management companies who can do a lot more for your career than some low level agencies. Likewise, having an agent who isn't right for you is not necessarily better than having no agent. Because you are contractually obligated to an agency for a given amount of time, you cannot always find another agent if yours is not a good fit. However, if you are unrepresented or freelancing you can always be looking. It's important that agents and managers understand your career goals and want to work with you. Having representation that never submits you, or submits you for the wrong thing, won't help anyone.

[Gayle McCracken]

Angela, you just keep me posted to WHEN you are on-OR-off Broadway in the coming future...it will be an excellent excuse for John & I to come back to New York to see you!!

[Bonnie Johnson]

I love your headshot! I'm a photographer in the DC area who works with actors. I always encourage my clients to make sure they have plenty of different "looks." Although you'd want to appear confident and approachable in all your images, you still ought to have a variety of personality types. Of course it would be impossible to know what kinds of roles will come your way, but, if there is a specific "type" you want to play, definitely look the part. A good photographer will work with you to determine wardrobe, makeup and hair to help you get the most out of your headshot session and get you the kind of work you really want.