How I Signed With My First Acting Agency

Hello my a-listers! I've been writing more about modeling lately and have been neglecting acting. Honestly, it's just because I prefer talking about modeling and the job itself, but I'll try to keep this blog even on both lines of work. In my last post I talked about how I signed with my first modeling agency, so I figured that I should share how I signed with an acting agency and what my experience was like. If you have been following my blog for awhile now, you'll know that I got started in my career abroad, so let this commemorate my first post about working in America. Yay!

This agency that I signed with was honestly nothing special. I wasn't living in LA at the time, and was just searching for agencies near my hometown that I could sign with. I figured that signing with at least one agency could open doors to my career here in America, and also make me seem more legit when applying to agencies in Los Angeles. In my hometown, there are two real agencies in my area. I use the word "real" because there is another agency nearby, but they are one of those fake acting and modeling "schools" disguised as an agency, promising work to desperate individuals who are willing to shell out thousands of dollars to them. Major scam, but I'll dive into that in another post because I do have experience with them.

Anyway, the two agencies in my area, which I'll refer to as "AB" and "CD," operate both as acting and modeling mother agencies. For those of you that don't know, mother agencies are agencies that build your career from the ground up before sending you off to more select agencies that advance your career (IMG, Wilhelmina, etc). They are 100% legit, and follow all the true protocols in the industry. They know everything. As a bonus, these agencies are also franchised by the SAG. Since auditioning is free, I had nothing to lose by auditioning for both, so I did. I had my heart set on signing with AB. They were known to be more selective in my area, and I have heard wonderful success stories of there actors. If you wanted to advance the acting world in my area, AB was the one to be with. Not to say that CB was bad, just that they tend to take green talent and produce less starlets. AB's application process follows today's standards; an email application or an open call. I decided to apply by email since time and money goes into traveling to open calls. Their online application consisted of a form with my basic info, my resume, and my headshot.

Initially, I thought AB didn't want me. A month went by I never heard anything from them, and their website said they would be in touch within 14 days. After a month I did receive a response, which was to ask me to come and attend an open call. Not the response I wanted, since I could have attended an open call long ago and saved myself much time, but I wanted to work with these people, so I complied and attended. Typically when you attend an acting audition you are required to do three things: bring your resume, bring your headshot (professional one preferred), and prepare to do a cold read. When I arrived at their open call there were a few more hopefuls attending. We signed in, picked up the script for a cold read, and waited for out fate.

Once it was my turn, I was taken into a separate room equipped with a camera, lighting, and a basic set. I slated and did a cold read twice. The first time as if I was selling the product (it was about a homeware line), and the second time as if I was speaking to a friend. The audition was wrapped up with a basic small talk chat about my previous work, what my goals were, and what I was doing in the meantime without an agency. Looking back, this audition went horribly, and I mean horrible. I didn't do well during my cold read, and there is no excuse. I sounded exactly the same both times, which is bad since I needed to show my range in skills. I wish I could redo that entire experience. Also, I think she noticed how nervous I was when she was talking to me. I could feel myself shaking and was stuttering at her questions. When someone is asking about your career you need to sell yourself, and instead I presented myself as a weak, insecure actor looking for validation. I couldn't get my nerves down, and I think it screwed everything. As you can probably assume, I did not get chosen by this agency. It took them about three weeks to respond, and in their response they kindly declined representing me. I was devastated, for sure, but there was still agency CD, which I auditioned for as well.

Unlike AB, CD was prompt with everything. I emailed an application and they responded within the hour. They asked me to attend their open call, which was once a week, compared to AB only holding them once a month. Fortunately, there open call was the following day, so I wasn't wasting any time. Oddly enough, their audition process varied from most agencies. I assume this was because their open call was for both actors and models, and they were just trying to wrap up this process as quickly as possible. Once all the auditions signed in, filed out a form, submitted our headshot, and submitted our resume, they gathered us together to talk about the agency and the work they do. There were no cold reads, but they did take photos of us. I assume this is because most people attended as a model hopeful rather than as an actor.

Keeping up with their theme of being prompt, two days later they sent me an email saying that they wanted to represent me. I was, of course, thrilled, and followed up with an official appointment to seal the deal. The next meeting - which was a few days later - consisted of me signing multiple contracts, asking any questions I had, taking a few photos for them to use (they did advise getting professional photos, though, and sending them their way), and finally showcasing my acting skills. They emailed me a script to memorize, and told me that they would record it and use it as a demo when submitting my reel for potential jobs. This was nerve racking to me, especially since slating was what destroyed my last opportunity with agency AB. But I powered through a few takes and they said it was good. They even complimented my theatre skills, but I'm digressing. . .

Before parting, they gave their final words about being professional. Nothing out of the ordinary, just to be on the lookout for texts, emails, phone calls, and to reply promptly. As you can see, the process of auditioning isn't intimidating at all. It's quick, easy, and painless if you don't let nerves get the best of you. I made some mistakes along the way that could have resulted in me signing with AB. I don't regret signing with CD, in fact, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to work with them, but still, I made mistakes and I hope you can learn from mine. If I could go back in time, here are some things I would have done differently.

1. Headshots. I didn't have professional headshots. I honestly just didn't want to fork over the money to get them, so I took headshots with my phone, and yes, there is a massive difference between a professional headshot and iPhone headshot. Having a professional headshot makes you appear a lot less green, and you never want to make yourself look green even if you are. I shouldn't have been a cheap ass and just invested in photos that could advance my career.
2. Nerves. This is rather self explanatory. I wish I had advice on how to eliminate them, but everyone has their own method. In my case, I should have drank some relaxing tea, meditated, and told myself I could do it. I was so focused on screwing up that I did.
3. Time. Again, also self explanatory. I held myself back for so long by not thinking I was good enough. The reality is that you'll never be completely ready, so you might as well do it now. I could have saved myself a lot of time by auditioning many months earlier.

That's all for now my a-listers. If you have any questions or topics that you'd like me to cover, let me know. In the meantime, find me on instagram at instagram.com/lifeonthatalist to always find the latest news on my life on that a-list. 

Till next time, xoxo

-J